
Airports around the country are bracing for chaos as hundreds of Qantas engineers walk off the job. But the airline has assured customers there will be no impact on their travel plans on one of the busiest travel days of the year. About 500 workers from three different unions began a 24-hour strike action at 3.30am this morning. It’s expected to impact major airports across the country, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide, and will end at 7.30am on Saturday. Friday marks the first day of the six-week summer travel period when 13.5 million travellers pass through Australia’s domestic airports. It’s also the first day of school holidays in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. The striking workers, responsible for the towing and marshalling of planes, are calling for a 5 per cent per year pay increase over 5 years after what they say is 3.5 years of frozen wages. Qantas says it has put forward a competitive package with 3 per cent per year over three years, with negotiations now at a stalemate. Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union National Secretary Steve Murphy says industrial action was the only way to get Qantas to the bargaining table. It’s been six weeks since the last strike. “Workers have no other choice. They will be taking industrial action to bring Qantas back to the bargaining table,” Murphy said. “Qantas is to blame if there’s any disruption to commuters over the holiday period. They have had six weeks to simply do what they said they would.” A Qantas spokesperson said a number of contingencies are in place to prevent delays. “Around 160 aircraft maintenance engineers are rostered on during Friday’s industrial action, and only members of the alliance unions can take industrial action,” said Qantas. The spokesperson noted there were no delays or cancellations during the previous strikes. It wasn’t just the Coalition dodging questions this morning, with Labor frontbenchers Chris Bowen and Bill Shorten playing coy on the broken 2022 election promise that power bills would come down by $275 by 2023. Energy Minister Chris Bowen was asked if he regretted making the promise in 2022, but he was keen to redirect the question to discuss the cost of renewable energy. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen “I don’t regret obviously pointing out that renewables are the cheapest form of energy,” Bowen said. “I look forward to debating the competing plans before the Australian people at the next election.” Pushed to answer the question again, Bowen said we were dealing with “a different set of circumstances internationally” post-2022. “Australia’s increase in energy prices has been less than a lot of other comparable countries. We delivered billions of dollars of energy bill relief, which has been the appropriate thing to do, which has been opposed by the Liberal and National Party.” Asked about the promise on Nine’s Today , NDIS Minister Bill Shorten also opted to pivot to the Coalition’s nuclear plan. “We know that energy prices are part of the cost-of-living pressure on families. That’s why I think that the heroic assumptions of Peter Dutton promising some fanciful solution in 25 years’ time is just a crock,” Shorten said. “The idea we’re going to come from scratch and build a whole nuclear industry in Australia is, you know, just a fantasy.” The wait is over for Queensland’s year 12 graduates, with school-leavers across the state receiving their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) results this morning. This year, 28,845 graduates received an ATAR – about 1000 more than last year – with 36 students achieving a top result of 99.95. ATARs were made available to eligible students through Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC). Big smiles for Lachlan Howie and Kaiyu Su, two of the 36 students in Queensland to receive top ATAR scores of 99.95. Credit: QTAC Seventeen-year-old Brisbane Girls Grammar graduate Kaiyu Su was among those to achieve the top score. “I was definitely hoping for it but it’s been great to see that it’s a 99.95,” she said. “[I’m] definitely very happy and excited for where it might take me.” Read the full story. Queensland year 12 graduates are getting their ATAR results this morning, providing their ticket to tertiary study. But the Queensland government has not released the full data for year 12 results for years. The information released today in Queensland will include overall figures for the state, such as how many students received an ATAR and how many got the top rank of 99.95. Hardly illuminating. In comparison, our colleagues at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age can access individual school data, which they can use to celebrate wins, including when students get great results against the odds. Queensland journalists can only get school-by-school data if they contact each school individually, and putting aside resourcing issues in stretched newsrooms for a minute, it would hardly be surprising if only the top-performing schools were happy to share – and we all know how controversial these media-created league tables are, especially if they lack context about a school’s socio-economic background. Without the full data, we can’t understand individual school data in its proper context and explain it. This was not always the case in Queensland. Before the OP system was swapped for ATARs, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority released a more than 200-page report showing how many students received OPs in each bracket at each individual school , but this was discontinued in 2021 under the ATAR system, with a brief Queensland-wide report now produced. NSW and Victoria also use ATAR, but release more comprehensive results than the Sunshine State. Amid our constraints, Brisbane Times journalist Courtney Kruk has put together a story celebrating the achievements of this year’s graduates. We’d love to have brought you even more. Two of the ABC’s most well-known broadcasters, Patricia Karvelas and Michael Rowland, have signed off for the final time from their respective morning programs. Rowland wrapped up nearly 15 years at ABC News Breakfast helm in an emotional final bulletin surrounded by his family and colleagues. ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland has signed off after 15 years in the role. Credit: ABC “Thank you very much, It’s been wonderful,” said Rowland. “I have been genuinely touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection from our viewers. One of my great achievements over the last 15 years has been building up this fantastic audience.” Meanwhile, Karvelas signed off after three years hosting ABC’s flagship morning radio show RN Breakfast. “You’ve been there with me throughout great change in our country and the world, and I want to thank you for it,” Karvelas said, thanking listeners and the Radio National team. Karvelas reflected on her “uniquely Australian” story, growing up in a household where she didn’t speak English. Patricia Karvelas has been filling in as host since Grant’s departure and will now stay in the chair until the end of the year. Credit: Scott McNaughton “Because of a strong public education system and dedicated teachers and incredible family support, I got to grow up and host a national radio show where rigour and curiosity is at the centre of what we do,” she said. Karvelas wished the best of luck to her replacement Sally Sara. “I’ll be listening because I care about this show, and I care about journalism, and I care about telling the truth in a world where the truth is not to be contested.” Coalition frontbenchers have avoided promising energy bills will be cheaper if they win government, as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton prepares to reveal the costings of his signature nuclear policy later today. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and MP Barnaby Joyce were both asked if they would pledge power would be cheaper under the Coalition, but both dodged the question. McKenzie was asked on Nine’s Today , where she first said that the price is attached to the “cost of delivering something”. “And our plan is absolutely cheaper than Labor’s plan to get to 2050,” she said. Asked again if the Coalition would bring down power bills, McKenzie weaved again, saying prices would come down in the longer term. “By adding net zero nuclear to firm up the renewables that we’ve got in the grid as well, is the way to actually get prices down over the long term,” she said. Joyve was asked the same question on ABC’s RN Breakfast. On the fifth iteration of the question, would power bills come down under the Coalition, Joyce finally answered: “That is asking for a hypothetical question, which I could answer you, but I would not be telling the truth, because I don’t have the facts before me.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took time out of his busy pre-Christmas schedule to join the farewell party for Sammy J on ABC Radio in Melbourne this morning, where he wasted no time using his appearance to go into political attack mode. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Kate Geraghty “It’s Friday the 13th, an auspicious day, I’ve got to say, for Peter Dutton to drop his nuclear nightmare policy out there,” Albanese said, bypassing the pleasantries and bonhomie in favour of dropping a bomb on the opposition leader. “Oh, so straight into it,” said Sammy J. “Have you had a sneak peek [at Dutton’s nuclear power plan]?” he asked. “I had a look at some of the fiction that’s out there,” the PM replied, claiming nuclear power would not lead to savings on the cost of household power but rather “increase bills by $1200”. “The truth is that renewables are the cheapest form of new energy. Everyone knows that’s the case. The science tells us that that’s the case. The economists tell us that’s the case.” The Brisbane City Council has offered sandbags to residents in the city’s tidal flood areas before a predicted anomaly from Sunday through to Tuesday next week. The council advised residents that tide peaks were expected to reach similar levels to September this year, and that “minor localised flooding may be experienced in bayside, riverside, and low-lying parts of nearby suburbs”. Sandbags were also made available for locals, and those in low-lying foreshore and riverside areas were warned to avoid parking their cars on the street. The higher-than-average tides were also expected to impact creeks within bayside suburbs. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts another top temperature over 30 degrees for the River City today, on a partly cloudy day. While there isn’t much hope for a shower, over the weekend there will be a 60 per cent chance of falls across Brisbane, lessening on Sunday. The weather will remain much the same early next week, with the days gradually becoming warmer. Here’s the outlook for the next seven days.
A digital wallet for farmers in New Zealand developed by and has won a Constellation Research SuperNova Award for its secure data-sharing ecosystem based on verifiable credentials. The Trust Alliance New Zealand (TANZ) Digital Farm Wallet lets farmers store data on farm boundaries and greenhouse gas emissions, along with credentials like their farm ID, and was recognized in the “Digital Safety, Governance, Privacy, and Cybersecurity” category. The development partners say the TANZ Digital Farm Wallet could transform the country’s agriculture industry through decentralized identity, increasing supply chain transparency and allowing farmers and consumers to confirm attributes like organic certification. Each company is also working on applying existing protocols and standards for digital identities and the wallets that hold and present them more broadly. Indicio set out its involvement in developing and supporting the OpenID for Verifiable Credentials (OID4VC) and OpenID for Verifiable Presentations (OID4VP) standards in an article on its website earlier this month. The OpenID protocols are key to making decentralized identity accessible and practical for adoption in the real world, according to . Anonyome Labs co-presented a paper on the use of device hardware security modules (HSMs) by existing digital identity wallets to meet the requirements for EU Digital Identity Wallets at the in Brisbane, Australia in late-November. The paper, presented in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), argues that digital identity wallet applications can feasibly support the EUDI Wallet technical (ARF), but with some tradeoffs in terms of algorithmic compatibility, user experience and performance. | | | | | | | | |Trending News Today Live Updates: In today's fast-paced world, staying informed about the latest developments is more important than ever. Trending News Today brings you the most current and impactful stories from across the globe, covering a wide range of topics including politics, technology, entertainment, sports, and social issues. Whether it's a significant political event, a groundbreaking technological innovation, or the latest in pop culture, we provide you with up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis. Our goal is to ensure that you're always in the loop, aware of the trends that are shaping the world around us. Stay tuned for the latest news that matters. Trends News Today Live: You won’t believe who made a surprise appearance at Kate Middleton’s Christmas Carol ServiceOne day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
How Syria’s Christians are marking Christmas amid political change and uncertaintyLike other first-party apps this year, a small Google News redesign on Android simplifies the bottom bar. Previously, Google News had four tabs — For you, Headlines, Following, and Newsstand — across all clients. The first two sections have now been consolidated into a new “Home” tab, which still shows For you as the default content feed. A categories carousel underneath the app bar lets you access: Headlines, Local, U.S., World, Business, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Science, and Health. This was previously located in the Headlines tab. Old vs. new Instead of an underline, the carousel uses a chip design to note what feed you’re viewing. This move does impact one-handed reachability, but simplifies overall navigation. Google News is not the only that has gone from four tabs to three in recent months, which I think looks nicer, if not more elegant, for Material You. There’s also Google Photos ( on iOS ) and Google Maps . This straightforward Google News redesign is rolling out with version 5.120.x on Android after a server-side update. It’s not yet live on iOS . There’s no Dynamic Color theming with the blue accent color still in use. The last big update to Google News introduced a customizable “ Following ” feed for sources you curate.
The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should – considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good – like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada – known as the northern warning system – are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, Mountain Standard Time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.The Ludhiana Police has filed six FIRs, including two against a Delhi-based lawyer and four against unidentified individuals, for allegedly uploading ‘morphed and edited’ videos of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal. The videos purportedly distorted Kejriwal’s speeches about the Dalit (Scheduled Caste) community and farmers. The FIRs state that these videos have the potential to disturb peace in Punjab and other states, and have deeply hurt the sentiments of the SC/ST community. The FIRs further state that the alleged videos were intentionally uploaded to tarnish former Delhi CM Kejriwal’s public image. The complaints were lodged by local AAP leaders from the Valmiki community in Ludhiana under sections related to giving provocative statements, forgery, and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. One of the FIRs, registered at Salem Tabri police station on the complaint of AAP leader Vijay Danav, highlights that a video of Kejriwal’s speech about the SC/ST community was ‘morphed’. The complaint claims that the video could ‘violate peace among the public and has hurt the sentiments of the community in Punjab and other states.’ Similar FIRs have been registered at Dugri, Sahnewal, Haibowal, Division No 5, and Model Town police stations. Ludhiana police commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed that the FIRs were filed based on complaints about ‘morphed’ videos of Kejriwal’s speeches, which were shared on social media platforms. “The cases have been registered under multiple sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 192 (provocation with intent to cause riot), 336(4) (forgery), 352 (intentional insult with intent to breach peace), and 353(2) (creating enmity between different groups). Additionally, sections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act have been invoked,” he said. The police investigation is ongoing to identify the culprits,” he added. On April 27, the Shimlapuri police lodged an FIR against a YouTube channel for making false and scandalous statements against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha.
Amir Goss must be the perfect holiday shopper — never thinking of himself. Last week he helped the Eagles wrap up a 4-0 week to improve to 10-2 on the season. Goss scored 17, 15, 20 and 15 points in wins over Hiram Johnson, Sacramento Waldorf, Esparto and Delta. True to form, Goss refuses to talk about his role in that success. “It’s all team with me,” Goss said. “We play and accomplish things as a team. We play team defense, we play team offense. There is no individualism in the way we play.” That’s true, but the Times-Herald still decided to give Goss a nice individual present, naming him the Athlete of the Week. ELITE High head coach Duke Brown says Goss is very humble, but at times his “team” play has gotten the Eagles in trouble. “I actually want him to be more aggressive and take more shots,” Brown laughs. “There have been times early in the game that he’s so focused on getting his team involved that it actually hurts us. He’s not taking the open shot we know he’ll make.” Goss admits one ot the things he’s worked on the most is his confidence — being more aggressive in taking the ball to the hoop. Brown also says his leader’s dedication to his team has showed. “He’s a more vocal leader now which I like, but he’s also gotten better at rebounding,” Brown said. “Because he’s 6-foot-3, we’re having him be more of an inside defender. He’s really taken to it. After games he is always asking me, ‘Did I get my 8-10 rebounds for you?’ He’s really bought into everything we’re doing in the program.” Goss plays three sports, and admits his favorite sport isn’t basketball, but football — a sport he says prepares him to excel in hoops. “There is a lot of contact in football and that makes me not afraid to go to the hoop more and get some contact,” Goss said. Goss is averaging 14.4 points a contest with the Eagles, up from his 10.2 average as a junior and 9.8 points as a sophomore. But it’s the wins Goss is thrilled about. The same goes for Brown. “We’re in a good position,” Brown said. “We got beat by Wood (on Monday) but it was kind of a good wakeup call for us. We still have to play good teams like John Swett and Vallejo later in the preseason and that will help us with league play. In order to play competitive we need to play competitive teams. We have a vision of making the playoffs and then making a dent in them.” D’Ani Butcher, Bethel High girls basketball. Butcher scored 20 points in a win over Berkeley and added 11 more in a win over South San Francisco. Jeremiah Pepito, Bethel High boys wrestling. Pepito came in second place in the 126-pound weight class at the Pirate Invitational over the weekend. Angel Tinai, Bethel High girls basketball. Tinai had 24 points in a win over South San Francisco. Zurrie Washington, Vallejo High girls basketball. Washington had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals in a win over De Anza.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith looked up at the jumbotron at Hard Rock Stadium and saw a piece of history written next to his name. He’d just broken Miami’s single-season record for receptions (76) and yards (802) for a tight end, making him the most productive at the position in Dolphins history in just his first year with the team. After the game was over — a 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers — Smith took a minute before explaining what that feat meant to him. “I’ve just got a heart of gratitude right now,” Smith said, “a heart of thankfulness for this entire organization for believing in me, for my teammates, the entire offense, and just trusting in my ability to say, ‘Listen, man, this is a guy that we’ve got to implement on a consistent basis in this offense.’ This is the first time that I’ve been able to really come into my own in my career and it’s Year 8. And God’s timing is perfect.” One of Miami’s first free agent signings back in March, Smith was brought in to bolster the Dolphins’ tight end position, which has always played a primary blocking role in coach Mike McDaniel’s offense but needed a boost. Miami led the league in total offense in 2023 but failed to get a touchdown from any of its tight ends. The Dolphins weren’t exactly expecting Smith to become one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s primary targets. Tyreek Hill was coming off a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards. Jaylen Waddle was on the heels of his third-straight 1,000-yard receiving campaign. And the Dolphins signed former All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. to be the third-receiving option behind those two. “It’s not like Jonnu started off with a ton of numbers like Week 1,” McDaniel said. “I think he never blinked at the beginning of the season, and was worried about the right stuff — worried about getting better and being his best. As a result, he’s been a key contributor week in and week out.” Smith’s stats were modest to start the season: He had just 14 catches for 140 yards through the first five games before catching seven passes for 96 yards and his first touchdown in Week 7 against Indianapolis. Since then, Smith has 55 receptions, 566 yards and six touchdowns. He has recorded at least 44 receiving yards in all but one game since Week 7, including a career-high 113 yards on 10 receptions against Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Jets’ Rodgers dealing with knee issue Aaron Rodgers is dealing with an injured knee that has the New York Jets quarterback’s status uncertain for the game Sunday at Buffalo, but interim coach Jeff Ulbrich expects he’ll play. Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu’s promising first season is over, though, as Ulbrich said the first-round pick will be placed on injured reserve with an injury to the plantar fascia in his left foot. Rodgers was hurt in the Jets’ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday but remained in the game. The Jets were holding a walkthrough on Tuesday and their next full practice on Thursday, giving Rodgers some extra time to recover. “In all honesty, it’s just too early to tell,” Ulbrich said of Rodgers’ game status. “If I’m a betting man, I’m betting on Aaron Rodgers to play.” When asked if there’s some uncertainty as far as Rodgers’ availability, Ulbrich pointed out how the 41-year-old quarterback has not missed a game while dealing with knee, ankle and hamstring issues earlier this season. BRIEFLY HALL OF FAME: Longtime assistant coaches Dick Hoak, Elijah Pitts and Jim McNally will be honored with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence for the 2025 class. The three assistants were announced Tuesday as the fourth class of assistant coaches to receiver the award given to coordinators or position coaches. Hoak was a running backs coach for 35 seasons for Pittsburgh. Pitts coached running backs for the Rams, Bills and Oilers. McNally was a longtime offensive line coach who spent most of his career in Cincinnati. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:21 p.m. ESTMIAMI , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami is proud to announce the completion of its highly anticipated renovations, redefining luxury and sophistication in the heart of South Beach at 1600 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Designed by Lang & Schwander to embody the vibrant energy and upscale charm of Miami , the updates include newly reimagined rooms and suites, check-in lobby, inclusivity spaces, from food and beverage and communal lounge areas that celebrate the hotel's commitment to connecting guests to the pulse of the city. Elevated Rooms and Suites The newly renovated 105 guest rooms and suites blend modern design with thoughtful functionality. Each space is adorned with sleek furnishings, neutral tones, and vibrant accents inspired by Miami's art scene. Enhanced amenities include plush bedding, state-of-the-art technology, and expansive windows offering stunning views of South Beach's iconic skyline and coastline. Enhanced Check-In Lobby and Inclusivity Spaces Guests are greeted with an upgraded check-in lobby on the third floor that exudes warmth and style. Featuring contemporary decor and comfortable seating, the space serves as an inviting prelude to their South Beach experience. Communal areas have also been reimagined to foster connection, offering vibrant social spaces. From a chic full bar serving classic and unique cocktails, to indoor communal lounge area to serene outdoor terraces, Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami provides the perfect setting to connect and recharge with fellow travelers. Unparalleled Amenities Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami continues to deliver exceptional amenities that cater to modern travelers. Guests can enjoy: "Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami has always been envisioned as a destination where the vibrant spirit of South Beach meets unparalleled hospitality. Our recent renovations mark the next chapter in our dedication to elevating guest experiences and showcasing the beauty and culture of Miami Beach ," said Robert Finvarb , Founder of Robert Finvarb Companies. Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami serves as the ultimate launchpad for adventure, offering guests access to the city's finest attractions, including Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road Mall, and the Art Deco Historic District. About Hyatt Centric Hyatt Centric is a brand of full-service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations. Created to connect guests to the heart of the action, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery so they never miss a moment of adventure. Each hotel offers social spaces to connect with others in the lobby, meanwhile the bar and restaurant are local hot spots where great conversations, locally inspired food and signature cocktails can be enjoyed. Streamlined modern rooms focus on delivering everything guests want and nothing they don't. A passionately engaged team is there to provide local expertise on the best food, nightlife and activities the destination has to offer. For more information, please visit hyattcentric.com . Follow @HyattCentric on Facebook and Instagram , and tag photos with #HyattCentric. About Robert Finvarb Companies Hyatt Centric is a brand of full-service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations. Created to connect guests to the heart of the action, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery so they never miss a moment of adventure. Each hotel offers social spaces to connect with others in the lobby, meanwhile the bar and restaurant are local hot spots where great conversations, locally inspired food and signature cocktails can be enjoyed. Streamlined modern rooms focus on delivering everything guests want and nothing they don't. A passionately engaged team is there to provide local expertise on the best food, nightlife and activities the destination has to offer. For more information, please visit hyattcentric.com . Follow @HyattCentric on Facebook and Instagram , and tag photos with #HyattCentric. About Robert Finvarb Companies Robert Finvarb Companies (RFC) is a private real estate investment and development company based in Miami, Florida . Robert Finvarb , founder of the company, started his development career in 2002. Since then, RFC has developed nineteen hotels containing an excess of 3,500 guestrooms that operate under various Marriott and Hyatt brands and are located in seven states and the District of Columbia . RFC has a reputation for developing high-quality assets and possesses a track record of success in all market cycles. As a private company, the principals invest their own equity in all projects and are personally involved in all phases of development and operations. For more than 20 years, RFC has carefully cultivated its reputation of excellence in the hospitality industry. RFC's team of development and lodging specialists have a wide-ranging expertise in real estate and capital markets that is applied in identifying accretive investment opportunities to maximize the financial performance of such projects. CONTACT: Jacqueline Mercado Hyatt Hotels Corporation + 1 786 578 6886 jacqueline@identitymediapr.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-year-new-look-hyatt-centric-south-beach-miami-debuts-elevated-style-and-luxury-302337669.html SOURCE Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami
Hengqin, Macao Honing Model Of Collaborative DevelopmentG7 leaders agree on Syria’s territorial integrity, independence, sovereignty: UKNEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global data center colocation and managed hosting services market size is estimated to grow by USD 236.9 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.82% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview 1.1 BFSI 1.2 Healthcare 1.3 E-commerce 1.4 Telecommunication 1.5 Others 2.1 Wholesale 2.2 Retail 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: The banking and financial services sector (BFSI) is experiencing significant growth in m-commerce and e-commerce activities in North America , Europe , and developing economies like India and China in APAC. Financial data, including customer financials, account information, cardholder data, and transaction and personal information, is highly regulated by regulatory bodies such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). BFSI companies, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Co., and Morgan Stanley, require optimal uptime, security, connectivity, and data integrity for sharing information across networks. Traditional data center ownership poses high operating costs for global BFSI companies, leading them to outsource colocation space from vendors or lease servers from managed hosting service providers. This shift towards outsourcing is expected to drive the growth of the BFSI segment of the data center colocation and managed hosting services market during the forecast period. Analyst Review The Data Center Colocation and Managed Hosting Services market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for cybersecurity, data management, and remote work solutions. With the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, IoT devices, and hybrid work models, businesses require secure and efficient data center solutions to manage their digital transformation. IT security professionals are prioritizing data security, endpoint security, and network monitoring to protect sensitive information. Differentiating customer experiences and building strong client relationships are crucial for gaining a competitive edge. Deployment models, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, such as HIPAA in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, are also key considerations. Enterprises are turning to colocation and managed hosting services to meet their unique needs, drive innovation, and stay ahead of the competition. Market Overview In the digital age, businesses increasingly rely on Data Center Colocation and Managed Hosting Services to manage their IT infrastructure. These services offer operational efficiency, overhead cost savings, and access to advanced technologies such as Cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With the shift to remote work solutions and hybrid work models, data security and cybersecurity have become paramount. IT security professionals are tasked with safeguarding against cyber threats, data leakage, malware, and attack surfaces. The market ecosystem includes IT & telecom, manufacturing, retail & consumer goods, healthcare & life sciences, energy & utilities, media & entertainment, and various verticals. Industry expansion brings new opportunities but also pricing pressures, requiring differentiation through superior customer experiences and client relationships. Deployment models range from on-premises infrastructure to DCaaS, with IT executives leveraging these services to gain a competitive edge. In the Metaverse concept, data centers play a crucial role in supporting digital services, online customer experiences, e-commerce, and online retail. Companies like Rackspace Technology and Google Cloud are leading the charge, offering managed hosting services tailored to various industries, from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to enterprises. The retail industry, in particular, benefits from data management, enabling transaction history analysis, cashierless checkout, and personalized marketing through social media and mobile shopping apps. However, the increasing use of these services also presents challenges. Ensuring HIPAA compliance in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, addressing cybersecurity concerns, and maintaining availability and business continuity through service-level agreements are critical. As the market evolves, providers must stay ahead of the curve, offering advanced security features like cyber hardening and endpoint security, as well as network monitoring and automation to meet the demands of distributed teams. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio
Beacon Education Celebrates First Program to Pass 1,000 Graduates
Atmospheric river strikes southwest B.C. with road flooding, power outages, mudslideCousins Properties Announces Pricing of Senior Notes OfferingUpdate [ Fri 13th Dec 2024, 8:26pm ]: Well, this is pretty bold — Dbrand's CEO has told InsiderGaming that the image of the device in the case is that of the actual Switch 2. If that's true, then it really does seem like the Switch 2 isn't going to diverge from the OG Switch much at all. More on the potential case and console below... Original Story: Canadian accessory manufacturer Dbrand — known for its controversial social media stunts — has shared images of what it claims is a case for the upcoming successor to the Nintendo Switch. As VGC reports, the company shared a teaser for the case on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter) along with the statement "We will not be answering any questions at this time." Now, however, it's not only posted a handful of images of the case but also a link to a product page . The page has a translucent rotating render of the case with a console inside it along with the word Switch 2 KillSwitch. The case itself is in line with many of the rumours that have been floating around, including the extra button on the right Joy-Con next to the Home button. And, on the render, you can see hexadecimal code which VGC converted to text — it says "why are you decrypting this". If you go to the website's menu, there's even a section under Gaming and Nintendo for Switch 2, but it doesn't currently lead anywhere. Of course, given Dbrand's history — such as releasing a Clone of the Kingdom decal for the Switch right around the time Nintendo's own Tears of the Kingdom OLED dropped, which has (via VGC) "go f*** yourself lawyers" written in code on the dock — this may well just be a way of them poking the bear. But the case reveal does follow on from a number of potential reveals and rumours that have popped up over the past few weeks. Last week, Chinese vendors started listing supposed Switch 2 accessories for sale online . And earlier this week, a 3D printed model was sent to SwitchUp , potential images of the upcoming console were spotted by fans in a trailer , and rumours that the Switch 2 will support of Samsung MicroSD cards popped up. Time will tell, though it's looking extremely likely we won't find anything official out until 2025. And hey, Nintendo did acknowledge the future in a sizzle reel at The Game Awards yesterday , saying "there's more to come." Do you think this is a Switch 2 case? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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