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Play, Die, Mutate: A two-man team worked for an ungodly amount of time on a "simple" roguelike game, but now they are nearly done and celebrating their first major release. Caves of Qud is one of those punishingly hard games in which you can fully immerse yourself, with permadeath looming as a constant threat to spoil the fun. Caves of Qud takes inspiration from Dwarf Fortress and other lore-rich worlds, blending core quest-based gameplay mechanics with procedurally generated content. Freehold Games, which includes Brian Bucklew, Jason Grinblat, and other contributors, worked on the game for 17 years. Now, they have announced that release 1.0 is ready to launch on new and old PCs – stretching all the way back to the Windows 7 era. Caves of Qud (CoQ) is a science fantasy roguelike epic experience dealing with retrofuturism, deep simulation, and swathes of sentient plants, as stated on the game's official Steam page . The game has an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating with 95% of positive reviews. The exotic, far future world depicted in CoQ contains thousand-year-old civilizations, while the player can assemble their character from over 70 "mutations" and defects. There is a digging feature that provides a way to overcome every obstacle, going through walls with a pickaxe, a corrosive gas mutation, a lava-melting ability, and more. Monster limbs can be "hacked" thanks to every NPC being a fully simulated character as the player's, so you could "psionically dominate" a spider, go through the world as a spider, lay webs and eat prey. Caves of Qud is brutally difficult and deaths are permanent, the developers warn, but players can always roll a new character if they want. CoQ 1.0 introduces some significant improvements to the game, including the conclusion of the main quest, multiple endings, new music and sound effects, a more polished UI. There's even a Dromad Deluxe Edition with additional contents and future DLCs, though I will never understand why people insist on pay more money to get "exclusive" stuff for a digital-only game. And no, my two Elden Ring Collector's Editions absolutely don't count here. To ease new players into the game, the developers collaborated with SBPlaysGames to create a beginner-friendly tutorial . This ensures that first-time players won't feel as lost as if they were trying to play Ultima I on a 2024 PC Booter machine. Now that CoQ 1.0 is complete, Freehold Games plans to take a well-deserved break before resuming development with new story arcs. The team has yet to decide whether these arcs will be released as free updates or paid DLC.It would be easy to argue against making New Year’s resolutions. They’re hard to keep and, often, too narrow in focus. In a rapidly changing world, why would we think that something we value in January will still hold true in June? Yet, despite those risks, my 2025 New Year’s resolution feels instinctive and solid. A little background is required. My parents supported their family through a small corner grocery store. As their children, we were the unpaid hired hands who would do odd jobs to help my parents and assist customers in whatever ways they asked. My parents were the kind of grocers one could only dream of having. Kind, generous, willing to let customers buy on credit, willing to hear them share way more information about their lives than my parents truthfully wanted to hear. The attitude at Utica Grocery was summed up in an edict my father frequently told us: “What goes around, comes around.” By this, he meant if we treated people with respect and dignity, we could expect the same back. Be kind, and people will be kind to us. Be charitable, and people will extend a helping hand. It was what my parents modeled daily, and we, as their children, learned. So why, in 2025, am I hearing my dad’s message so loudly? I fear it is because of what we’ve become. We seem very me-centered. We’ve grown cynical. Generosity of spirit — helping people in non-material ways — can be hard to spot. Our patience continues to dwindle. I realized I was having a “patience problem” when I recently began to learn the game of Mahjong. Picking up the game was my way of preparing for some eventual retirement. It’s intended to help me connect with others when I’m not at the dog park, attending synagogue, or at my desk writing. Many research studies have confirmed the value of social connections as we age. So I’m sitting at the Mahjong table, and one of the players is taking a very long time to choose which tiles to drop. In fairness to him, he was a chief financial officer and is preternaturally precise and strategic in thinking through his moves. But now, our Mahjong game has slowed to a crawl. I become antsy. While I could have engaged in self-talk and said, “Everyone is learning, and everyone’s pace is different. Cool your jets,” I didn’t do that. Instead, I said, “Jack, you know we learn by making mistakes, so don’t be afraid to make some. Plus, we have only 20 more minutes. At this rate, we might not finish the game.” The other two players at the table smiled when I said this. They were getting impatient, too, but they had more self-restraint. I parked this observation about my impatience until later when I thought back to my dad, who epitomized patience and kindness. Even better, on issues far more consequential than playing Mahjong, my dad had a habit of giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Were he sitting at the Mahjong table, I can imagine my dad saying, “I bet Jack is going to teach us something really important. We’re lucky he’s so thoughtful.” Imagine that? Imagine having the instinct to give people the benefit of the doubt. It’s a far cry from our world today, where we brood about people gaming the system or feel despair about hypocritical leaders, or wonder whether scientists still offer objective truth. The list is endless, and the mental toll it takes to always be on the lookout for behavior we can call out is deflating. Maybe my dad was onto something. Changing our lens and viewing the world with a bigger heart and a more open mind can yield positive effects. We might find that when we give people the benefit of the doubt, they live up to our expectations. And giving really is more fun than receiving. Optimism might become a new norm, and along with it might come better mental health, more resilience and an overall improved quality of life. All I had to do was remind myself of my father’s words: “What goes around, comes around.” And just like that, my 2025 resolution is born. Lead with positivity and kindness, and it will help me believe in our future, in what may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Jill Ebstein is the editor of the “At My Pace” series of books and the founder of Sized Right Marketing, a consulting firm. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
Caves of Qud, a roguelike game 17 years in the making, is now "complete"3 Top AI Stocks to Watch in 2025Today, Indian investors have many financial investment asset classes – domestic and foreign, to bet on. In CY24, they have not been let down by any of them. All delivered positive returns in the calendar year, with equities topping the list. As far as the long-term performance is concerned, small- and mid-cap stocks top the chart in 2024 and outperformed the other asset classes. The accompanying chart exhibits the relative long-term performance of the most liquid financial asset classes accessible to Indian investors. We considered large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, gold, silver, US equities, Chinese equities, long-term debt and short-term debt and, computed the five-year returns at the end of each year for the last ten years. The assets were picked based on invisibility option for Indian investors via direct investing or mutual funds/ETFs. Overall, when looking at long-term performance, mid-caps outperformed large-caps and small-caps in terms of consistency and relatively better returns. In the last five-year timeframe ended 2024, the Nifty Smallcap 250 Total Return Index (TRI), which represents small-cap stocks, produced a compound annualised return of 30.6 per cent, while the mid-caps as represented by Nifty Midcap 150 TRI, delivered a return of 28.3 per cent. The domestic equities market demonstrated stellar show after the pandemic, despite short-term turbulences. Trivesh D, COO Tradejini says, “However, this stellar performance may not carry forward into 2025. Market dynamics indicate that growth across segments is likely to moderate, with mid-single-digit returns being a realistic projection. Large caps may continue to provide stability but face valuation pressures, while mid and small caps could witness uneven performance due to slower earnings growth and heightened regulatory scrutiny”. Over the last 15 years, mid-caps have consistently outperformed large-caps and small-caps in the majority of timeframes, as the table illustrates. Over the last two years, US equities delivered better returns compared to the large-cap stocks in the domestic market. This growth has been largely driven by the ‘Magnificent 7 ’ — Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — backed by strong earnings and major investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Further rupee depreciation has boosted 5 year returns for an Indian investor. For example, while the last 5-year CAGR of S&P 500 total returns (including dividends) is 15 per cent in USD terms, it increases to 19 per cent in INR terms. “In 2024, the US market has become much more balanced,” said Pratik Oswal, head of passive funds at Motilal Oswal AMC. The 450-490 companies that had not performed well last year have also recovered in 2024 and demonstrated better returns, he added. Macroeconomic factors such as the US Federal Reserve’s policy rate cut rate and the likelihood of more in the offing, and the easing of the rate of inflation have been favourable factors, leading to a resurgence in US stocks, Oswal said. After three years of underperformance, Chinese stocks came into the limelight thanks to the stimulus measures announced by the Chinese government in October 2024. The policy measure announced were aimed at supporting a weak property sector, increase retail consumption and boost capital markets. A China-focussed ETF trading in India returned 29 per cent this year, although 5-year CAGR was flat. The years 2018–2022 were not so good for the domestic fixed income markets, due to multiple headwinds. However, things changed over the last 18-20 months due to few factors including significant FII (foreign institutional investors) inflows into Indian government bonds and expectations of a rate cut cycle. Devang Shah, Head Fixed Income, Axis Mutual Fund, said, “For 2025, we believe the RBI will cut rates, driving performance of bond markets. We expect a 50-basis points rate cut in the next six months. The reasons for this would be slower GDP growth, as seen in the lower Q2 GDP, with Q3 and Q4 also expected to be lower. This would prompt the RBI to change its course and start cutting rates”. Your asset allocation plan should include debt funds since they may act as a buffer when other asset classes decline. Gold, as an asset class, is used as a store of value and a hedge against stock market volatility amid economic uncertainties. Despite short-term blips, gold prices have been on the rise since October 2022. The yellow metal has delivered a solid CAGR of 14.4 per cent over the last five years in rupee terms. Expected rate cuts by major economies and persisting geopolitical tensions led to a significant surge in gold price. Chirag Mehta, CIO, Quantum AMC said, “The surge in gold prices is anticipated to persist into 2025, with the trajectory expected to be influenced significantly by the return of President Donald Trump to office, which could herald a series of policy changes and strategic decisions.” Expected rate cuts by major economies and persisting geopolitical tensions could also lead to a significant surge in gold price he added. While the gold has been the mainstay of investors’ portfolio for years for diversification into commodities, the silver has also gained traction among investors. Silver is a key component in solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. The increasing demand for these technologies has driven up the demand for silver. Manish Banthia, CIO Fixed Income, ICICI Prudential AMC said, “The outlook for silver in 2025 is shaped by two key factors: its relationship with gold as a proxy in the precious metals space and its industrial demand dynamics”. The year 2025 presents a challenging macroeconomic environment in the United States, characterized by elevated debt levels and a substantial fiscal deficit. Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against risk, is likely to benefit from these uncertainties, and this positive sentiment could extend to silver, given its dual role as a precious and industrial metal Banthia added. Secondly, the ongoing surge in power sector investments and electric vehicles (EVs) investments continues because of new age applications demand for silver may remain robust. Should these trends persist, silver’s industrial value will likely remain strong Banthia explained. Silver, in rupee term, delivered a CAGR return of 13.7 per cent in the last five years. However, gold outperformed silver over long run in most time frames, as the table illustrates. Comments
More Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggestsPlex is completely overhauling its media stream app, and you can preview the new look and feel now in the mobile versions of the app. “We’re thrilled to announce a preview of our newly reimagined Plex experience, rolling out today for testing on mobile, with TV platforms coming very soon,” . “This experience has been in the works for nearly two years, [and it’s] designed to bring everything you love into one seamless interface—from your personal media collection to on-demand content, along with improved ways to discover and connect with it all.” Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! The new Plex interface features simpler navigation with no hamburger menu, more personalization, faster Watchlist access, an expanded use of artwork throughout the app, and more. But Plex notes that the work it did under the covers is just as important: It’s rewriting all its apps using a shared codebase, resulting in better consistency and, going forward, easier maintenance and updating, with higher quality across the board. “While we’ve done extensive testing, Plex runs on a vast range of devices and networks—more than most platforms—so we need your help to ensure everything works as smoothly as possible,” the team adds, explaining why it’s starting with this preview release. “Your feedback is essential to fine-tuning and optimizing the experience for all use cases. By running this Preview alongside the current app, you can have a worry-free test drive, providing your insights without disrupting your current Plex experience.” To get started with the preview, follow . It’s a little more complex, and there are a limited number of slots available, on iPhone because of Apple’s policies. Plex says it will change the app if needed based on feedback, and it expects a stable, public release in early 2025. Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday
NoneVictor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. And this wasn't on a whim: He knows how to play and even brought his own chess set. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two — he told Bleacher Report afterward that both of the losses were to professional chess players — before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
The Bank of Scotland’s business barometer poll showed 73% of Scottish businesses expect to see turnover increase in 2025, up from 60% polled in 2023. Almost a quarter (23%) of businesses expect to see their revenue rise by between six and 10% over the next 12 months, with just over a fifth (21%) expecting it to grow by even more. The poll found that 70% of businesses were confident they would become more profitable in 2025, a two per cent increase when compared with the previous year. Revenue and profitability growth was firms’ top priority at 52%, though 40% said they will be targeting improved productivity, and the same proportion said they will be aiming to enhance their technology – such as automation or AI – or upskill their staff (both 29%). More than one in five (22%) want to improve their environmental sustainability. Other areas businesses are hoping to build upon AI-assisted technology (19%), and 24% will be investing in expanding into new UK markets and 23% plan to invest in staff training. The business barometer has surveyed 1,200 businesses every month since 2002, providing early signals about UK economic trends. Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland commercial banking, said: “Scottish businesses are looking ahead to 2025 with stronger growth expectations, and setting out clear plans to drive this expansion through investments in new technology, new markets and their own teams. “As we enter the new year, we’ll continue to by their side to help them pursue their ambitions and seize all opportunities that lie ahead.”Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused the Centre of “denying” Manmohan Singh’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial and alleged that it was an insult to the departed leader’s towering legacy and the Sikh community. In a post on ‘X’, Stalin said: “The BJP government’s decision to deny Dr. #ManmohanSingh’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community. Refusing the family’s request and relegating a two-term Prime Minister to Nigambodh Ghat reeks of arrogance, bias and a deliberate attempt to erase his immense contributions from public memory.” The BJP government’s decision to deny Dr. #ManmohanSingh ’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community. Refusing the family’s request and relegating a two-term Prime Minister to... Further, he said: “Dr Manmohan Singh’s leadership transformed India’s economy and lifted millions out of poverty. To disrespect a statesman of his stature is to disrespect India’s progress itself. The stain of dishonouring great leaders never fades from history! Stalin-led DMK is a key ally of the Congress party, which has accused the Centre of insulting Manmohan Singh, the country’s first Sikh prime minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could later become his memorial.
There are two ways to look at Chelsea not signing a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal before the start of the season. You could view it as a failure, with companies not wanting to fork out £45million-plus for the privilege of being in prime position on their kits following a disappointing Premier League campaign in 2023-24, buoyed by the narrative that the club’s owners, Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly , don’t know what they are doing. Advertisement The alternate view, echoed within their home stadium Stamford Bridge, is that Chelsea rolled the dice and gambled on their sporting performance improving, therefore rendering it foolish to enter a long-term deal with a potential partner in the summer when the front-of-shirt value could be sold for a much bigger fee just a few months later. In this case, both can be true, yet it’s evident no company was willing to pay what Chelsea were asking for, otherwise the players would be sporting some brand’s logo on their chests already. One opportunistic company even shared a press release at the beginning of November, announcing the ‘exclusive news’ it had secured a deal to become Chelsea’s new front-of-shirt partner for the rest of the season. When challenged on the fact this simply wasn’t true, the firm, which will remain nameless, thought it would still be a good story for media outlets to run. The club hierarchy’s choice to hold their nerve, to not just accept a low-ball figure for the sake of it, could be about to pay off — and it is a bet not many others in the game would have been willing to make. New head coach Enzo Maresca has been a transformative appointment , guiding Chelsea to third in the league. There is a good feeling around Chelsea and the potential of their young squad. This has led to renewed interest from potential partners when it comes to Chelsea selling their front-of-shirt sponsorship, meaning they have orchestrated something resembling a beauty contest to drive up the price. Chelsea sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, have indicated to The Athletic that the process is nearing its end — their shirts will have a sponsor before the season ends. Leading the negotiations for securing a lucrative deal are Jason Gannon, the club’s president and chief operating officer, Todd Kline, their new president of commercial, and Casper Stylsvig, their chief revenue officer. Chelsea’s starting point for this deal has always been at the Champions League level. Their domestic rivals competing in Europe’s elite club competition are the benchmark, and they didn’t want to accept an offer that would look cheap, despite playing in UEFA’s third-tier Conference League. The view from the other side of the negotiation table, however, was one that essentially asked, ‘Why would we give you Champions League money when you aren’t even in that competition?’. There was also a fair sense of concern about how this season would play out, given the change from Mauricio Pochettino to Maresca in the dugout. Advertisement Manchester United , the outlier in this scenario due to years of underperforming on the pitch, recently extended their deal with technology firm Snapdragon , which sees them earn $75million (£59.8m at the current exchange rate) per year for their front-of-shirt asset. In July 2022, Liverpool extended their deal with bank Standard Chartered to the end of 2026-27, with The Athletic being told it constituted a significant uplift on the previous £40million-a-year contract. Arsenal ’s Emirates airlines deal — which was renewed at the start of last season, meaning it will have lasted for 22 years when the latest extension ends in 2028 — is reportedly worth £50m a year. Chelsea are seeking around £60million a year, which they believe is the going rate for the Premier League ’s elite clubs, especially those competing at the top end of the table. The Athletic’s special report into Manchester City ’s sponsors in 2022 detailed that they receive more than £67.5million a year from Etihad Airways, from the United Arab Emirates home of its owners, for sponsorship including matchday shirtfronts. At the beginning of last season, again having failed to secure a front-of-shirt sponsorship, Chelsea signed a short-term deal for 2023-24 with Infinite Athlete, a biomechanics engineering company, which was worth over £40million to the club. “Somewhere between £45million and £55m a year would probably be your typical Champions League high-ranking Premier League club’s value,” explains Professor Rob Wilson, from the University Campus of Football Business. “In the context of this conversation, hindsight is our friend, so if it was a strategy in the summer, then you have to give Chelsea a pat on the back. But I can’t see it. I just think they simply weren’t able to sign a sponsor that was prepared to spend £40million a year, so they have sat on it looking for what they might find. “They are now at the top end of the league and that makes them a more interesting proposition.” Short-term and long-term sponsorship deals remain a possibility. One sticking point in negotiations with potential partners is that Chelsea are not looking to sign with anyone for five years, preferring shorter contracts. They don’t want to be stuck in a five-year deal if, as predicted, there is a sponsorship boom in football linked to the 2026 men’s World Cup , which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Advertisement “The power of the American investor is coming into play,” explains Richard Busby, chief executive of BDS Sponsorship — one of Europe’s most prominent consultancies in the field. “The World Cup in 2026 and its impact in America is crucial to what happens to shirt-sponsorship prices. “If it starts to really get big viewership in America — the Premier League is still relatively small in America when it comes to viewership — then, clearly, there is a lot more money potentially available.” This is a view also shared by senior figures at Chelsea. The club have been in discussions with several potential partners, including airlines and tech companies. The Middle East and the United States are generally viewed as where most of the sponsorship money is coming from, although Asia has also been touted as an emerging market. Chelsea, naturally, see themselves as an attractive proposition. Being located in London is a significant part of that thinking, along with an improved sporting performance and brand identity, having won the Champions League twice in the past 12 years. What shouldn’t be overlooked, however, is that Chelsea have lost ground on their rivals by not having a front-of-shirt sponsor in place sooner. Wilson says: “Chelsea should be worth somewhere between £35million and £40m a year. They’re obviously asking for a bit more than that to benchmark themselves against Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City, but it’s more the opportunity cost of the lost revenue. “When you think about PSR (the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules) headroom, they are going to be extraordinarily tight. What they’ve done over the last couple of years is they’ve sold the hotel (at Stamford Bridge), they’ve sold the stake in the women’s team, and that is all geared up around their PSR compliance calculation. “So, when you effectively aren’t able to weigh in an additional £40million worth of shirt sponsorship, that’s quite a sizeable amount of value against that calculation, hence why they’ve had to take those drastic steps to sell those assets.” Advertisement While Chelsea have gone through the first five months of the season with no front-of-shirt sponsor, they do have a longer campaign ahead than most. Yes, these months have gone, but 2024-25 could extend into July for them due to their involvement in the first revamped and greatly expanded Club World Cup . The recently announced free-to-air DAZN broadcast deal for that U.S.-hosted tournament means any front-of-shirt sponsor that eventually does a deal with Chelsea is going to have more eyeballs on it from a global perspective — even if nobody knows how many people are actually going to tune in to watch the competition. This means Chelsea can still appease companies feeling somewhat uneasy about committing to a deal in the second half of the season. But with Chelsea still to play in the FA Cup (they are at home to fourth-division strugglers Morecambe in round three next month) and through to the round of 16 in the Conference League in March, there are still plenty of fixtures to take place. Busby says he would be “very surprised” if Chelsea could do a deal for such a significant fee in “less than nine months”, also noting January is “budget month” for many corporations, meaning that is the time they are sitting down to work out where money could be spent. There is also the theory that anything spent on a shirt sponsorship has to be matched by the paying company to market it. “For every pound spent on a sponsorship fee, theoretically, you should be spending the same in terms of making the activation work,” Busby says. “When Coca-Cola sponsor the Olympics , they are spending eight times as much on getting it activated as they do on the sponsorship fee. “Now, you don’t need to spend eight times as much (in Chelsea’s situation), but you still need to spend a lot of money on a global sponsorship beyond the figure everyone sees reported.” Advertisement From the perspective of the Premier League’s PSR, which state clubs are allowed adjusted losses of £105million over a rolling three-year period, not having a front-of-shirt sponsor in place is far from ideal. Chelsea are yet to publish their financial results for the year ending June 30, 2024, with those expected to land at Companies House in the early part of 2025, but they reported operating losses of £121.4million (2021-22) and £90.1m (2022-23) in the previous sets of accounts. The sale of two hotels to a sister company for £76.5m in 2023 helped ensure they remained on the right side of the Premier League guidelines, and the sense coming from the club is that even without a front-of-shirt sponsor being secured, they are going to be fine going forward. Wilson, however, disagrees. “They will breach this year unless they can bring in some additional revenue from an alternate source,” he says. “The only thing they have left to sell is their shirt sponsorship. “Because of the hotel sale, combined with their transfer activity in the summer, they are going to be right on the limit for the year ending 2024. They will have a black hole in their 2024-25 accounts, unless they sell the shirt sponsorship, or they have a positive net transfer spend next summer. But they have to do that before June 30, because they will need the transfer receipts before the PSR year ends.” Chelsea sources said to The Athletic they were confident there is no risk whatsoever of them breaching PSR for this season. Chelsea are confident a front-of-shirt partnership will be finalised sooner rather than later, but, until then, the only Premier League side among the 20 without a partner’s logo on the chests of their matchday jersey will continue to be an outlier. Whether or not Chelsea can generate their ideal fee remains to be seen, yet their decision to roll the dice and say no to taking a lower-valued deal was a bold and, in hindsight, brave move. If the predictions about a potential sponsorship boom for Premier League clubs on the back of a successful 2026 World Cup prove true, then Chelsea, whose youthful squad will be a couple of years more experienced collectively and should be both regulars in the Champions League and competing for trophies once again, could be one of the first in line to cash in. Advertisement United are tied up with Snapdragon until 2029, Emirates will sponsor Arsenal until at least 2028 and Liverpool’s relationship with Standard Chartered runs to 2027. This means Chelsea could be the biggest Premier League club without a front-of-shirt sponsor, which is likely going to drive up interest due to the limited inventory. If Chelsea’s season tails off, and playing in the Champions League again once more becomes a faraway dream, then they could find themselves back at square one. But when you roll the dice, especially in football, that’s the risk you take — and Chelsea made that move with their eyes wide open. (Top photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. He suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will make his first start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. Georgia coach Kirby Smart stuck with Beck despite a midseason string of eight interceptions in three games. “Obviously, you look at the stats and they aren’t the same stats as the year before,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Saturday when reflecting on Beck's career. “The goal in this league is to win the SEC championship. And he was the quarterback of that team that got us to that game and put us in that position.” Added offensive guard Tate Ratledge: “I think Carson should be remembered as a great player. He’s who got us to this point of the season.” Stockton, a sophomore, completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with one interception against Texas. He signed with Georgia as a highly recruited in-state player from Rabun County High School, where he broke Trevor Lawrence's state high school record for most career touchdown passes and Deshaun Watson's state record for combined rushing and passing touchdowns in a career. “Obviously when he was in high school, he was one of the best to ever do it in Georgia,” Bulldogs linebacker Chaz Chambliss said of Stockton before adding that he “just has that fire in him.” Georgia was preparing to start Stockton before announcing Beck's season-ending injury. Stockton will attempt to join a short list of quarterbacks who have been promoted from backup jobs to win national championships. The list includes Georgia's Stetson Bennett, who began the 2021 season as the backup to JT Daniels before taking over the starting job in October. Lawrence took over for Kelly Bryant during Clemson's 2018 championship season. The best comparison to Stockton's challenge during the CFP era may be Cardale Jones on the 2014 Ohio State national championship team. Jones' first start was the Big Ten championship game following an injury to J.T. Barrett, who began the preseason as the expected backup before Braxton Miller's injury. Stockton led Georgia to a touchdown on his first drive against Texas and has had extra practice time during the Bulldogs' break after receiving a first-round bye in the playoff. “To see his growth since he’s been here, he’s been waiting patiently, he’s been sitting and putting his time in and he’s been working while he was waiting,” Georgia safety Malaki Starks said Friday. “And now he gets a chance to go out there and prove what he can do. And, you know, I believe in him 100%.” Starks, who is from Jefferson, Ga., often faced Stockton's Rabun County teams in high school. “He’s always been, you know, that guy, you know, since I’ve been growing up,” Starks said. “He’s an easy guy to follow. I mean, Gunner is a great guy, you know, very respectful, great parents. I mean, he’s the guy that you want to lead. And a lot of guys have confidence in him. And I think you saw it during games in the SEC (championship game), how much the guys believed in him.” ___ 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-football Charles Odum, The Associated PressCritical Metals Corp. Appointment of CFO and Board Transition
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) We all know the obvious impacts of violence and the destruction it causes, but what are some of the hidden impacts of war and conflict on people and societies? Last week, I came across two articles that grabbed my attention. The first is titled“If Guns Go Silent, the Sound of the Poor Grows Louder”, written in Arabic by renowned Palestinian-Israeli lawyer and academic Zaki Kamal, with whom I have exchanged articles and engaged in meaningful dialogue. I greatly benefit from his sober and objective analysis of Israeli politics. He typically writes about the impact of Israel's policies on Israel itself, the occupied territories and the nearby Arab countries. In this article, he specifically presents data highlighting how Israel's most recent war efforts have come at the lofty cost of lower growth rates, a weakened economy and bigger budget deficits, all of which have exacerbated the economic woes of the less fortunate segments of Israeli society. Mr Kamal provides clear and direct examples of how these wars have made it significantly more difficult for fragile and lower-income groups in Israel to access healthcare, nutrition and education. These wars have primarily impacted labour-intensive investments, while severing much of the income generated from tourism, which in turn has decimated the livelihoods of many service industry workers. The heavy cost of war always impacts the poor and working class of Israeli society, not just in fiduciary terms, but also in-kind. For instance, the constant stoppage of electricity impacts those without access to alternatives the most. This war campaign has also led to the mass relocation of people living in kibbutzim and subsidised colonial outposts. These massive inconveniences are adding to the daily burdens of people, pushing them to protest in the streets against the increased impoverishment and deprivation. On the other hand, my son Ali, who acts as my research assistant and helps with editorial work, brought to my attention a book called“The Better Angels of Our Nature” by Harvard Professor of evolutionary psychology and cognitive science, and one of the pioneers of psycholinguistics, Dr. Steven Pinker. The book, published in 2011, provides optimistic datasets on the decline of war and violence in the world. Pinker posits that since the turn of the 20th century, the rates of death from war have dropped significantly in comparison to the centuries prior. He makes his argument through seven key points: 1) Long-term historical trends, 2) The civilizing process, 3) The role of democracy, 4) The spread of international laws and institutions, 5) The decline of interstate wars, 6) The changing nature of warfare, and 7) Moral and cultural progress. This brings us to the disparity and distinctions between the two aforementioned authors. On the one hand, Mr Kamal highlights how even with the advent of high-tech advancements and a shared, deeply rooted historical trauma, a society can still inflict unimaginable harm on other peoples and countries, despite possessing, on the other hand, what Pinker refers to as attributes that should make them reject violence. If one were to look at any of the major data references in the world today, they would find that there are between 56 and 100 active conflicts. According to the“Global Peace Index” (GPI), the world is currently at a crossroads. According to their latest report, published out of London in June of this year, there is frightening evidence that violence is expected to grow and reach explosive levels. This conclusion is supported by the following facts: 1) 97 countries“deteriorated in peacefulness” this year, the highest number since 2008. The wars in Gaza and Ukraine are attributed as the main causes of this spike. 2) Ninety Two countries are currently engaged in conflicts outside of their borders. 3) There are 110 million people who are either refugees or internally displaced. So, while from a philosophical and psychological perspective, one can conclude that violence is tampering down, there is ample statistical evidence suggesting that the potential for increased violence is heating up and moving us in the opposite direction. The world population has grown eightfold, from 1 billion to 8 billion, in the last 100 years. If the world was much more violent when there were significantly fewer people, we should be wary of the potential for violence to erupt in a world where the population now exceeds 8 billion. We are now faced with existential threats the likes of which we have never seen before. Dr Zaki Kamal is correct in drawing our attention to the hard realities of the poor, and of poverty-which is growing rapidly-and how they are impacted in times of war. Although Professor Pinker's sociological and historical approach paints a picture of a world headed in the right direction, this is not an adequate remedy to pacify our fears of a highly asymmetrical and volatile world. In fact, the world looks more like that of H.G. Wells'“The Time Machine”. MENAFN28122024000028011005ID1109038314 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
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More Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggestsTahlequah, an orca who carried around the body of her dead calf for more than two weeks in what experts called a show of grief , has given birth again. One of the Southern Resident orcas of the Pacific Northwest, Tahlequah made headlines around the world in 2018 when she swam with her deceased offspring’s body on her head for 17 days in what many saw as a heartbreaking spectacle. The infant female had died within a half hour of birth, and her mother swam with the body for an estimated 1,000 miles . Around two years later, the killer whale mother gave birth to a healthy and playful male calf. However, researchers are worried about the health of her latest offspring. On Christmas Eve, the Center for Whale Research confirmed on social media that a new female calf spotted with Tahlequah’s pod in the Puget Sound area was hers. The Washington state nonprofit said that a research team that included “multiple experienced killer whale researchers” has “expressed concern about the calf’s health” based on the behavior of both the calf and her mother. However, the center expressed hope for the young animal, noting that Tahlequah is an “experienced mother.” Tahlequah is known to researchers as J35, indicating her status as a member of a pod of orcas designated J Pod. Her new calf has been dubbed J61. The mother became widely known as “Tahlequah” after she was given the name by the Whale Museum in Washington state through its “ adopt an orca ” program. Prior to her calf dying in 2018, Tahlequah gave birth in 2010 to a surviving male calf, J47. According to the nonprofit Orca Conservancy , the calf she had in 2020, called J57, is often seen playing with his older brother. Related From Our PartnerLara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee as she considers a number of potential options with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump , set to return to the White House. Among those possibilities is replacing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump tapped to be the next secretary of state. If Rubio is confirmed, his replacement — who would be chosen by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — would serve for two years until the next regularly scheduled election in 2026, at which point the seat would be up for election again. “It is something I would seriously consider,” Lara Trump told The Associated Press in an interview. “If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.” Elected as RNC co-chair in March, Lara Trump was a key player in the Republicans retaking the White House and control of the Senate while maintaining a narrow House majority. What she does next could shape Republican politics, given her elevated political profile and her ties to the incoming president. The idea of placing a Trump family member in the Senate has been lauded in some Republican circles. Among the people pushing for her to replace Rubio is Maye Musk, mother of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk . “The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets,” she posted on X. Lara Trump is 42. Elon Musk, who was with Lara Trump on election night at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, responded to his mother’s post: “Lara Trump is genuinely great.” Led by chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, the RNC invested heavily in recruiting roughly 230,000 volunteers and an army of lawyers for what it called its “election integrity” effort, four years after Donald Trump lost his reelection bid to Democrat Joe Biden, citing false or unproven theories about voter fraud. Outside groups such as Turning Point Action and Musk’s America PAC took a greater responsibility for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts. While Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Lara Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the co-chair role. “With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up,” she said. “What I intended to do has been done.” President-elect Donald Trump endorsed RNC Treasurer KC Crosbie to replace Lara Trump as co-chair of the committee on Monday. Story continues below video “As Treasurer, she helped the RNC smash every fundraising record in History, and fortified our Party’s financial foundation. KC has been with me from the very beginning, helping REAL Republicans get elected across the Country, and would be a tremendous Co-Chair of the RNC!” President-elect Trump wrote on Truth Social. Lara Trump praised Musk’s new endeavor, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE , a nongovernmental task force headed by Musk and and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy . They’ve been tapped to fire federal workers , cut programs and slash federal regulations as part of Trump’s “Save America” agenda for his second term. “I really don’t think we’ve seen movement like this in our federal government since our country’s founding in many ways,” she said. “And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.” She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration: While Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Lara Trump said she doesn’t see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around with her father-in-law. “He really wants to get in there and do a good job for the four years, and that’s all he wants to serve,” she said. “Four years, and he’s out.” Lara Trump also says she expects the Republican Party to be more unified than it has ever been. When she became co-chair in May, the Trump campaign and the RNC merged, with staffers fired and positions restructured. She said the result could spell trouble for GOP lawmakers who do not agree with Trump’s agenda. “The whole party has totally shifted and totally changed,” she said. “I think people are feeling a little more bold in coming out with their political views.” This story has been corrected to clarify that Rubio’s Senate seat would be filled until 2026 when an election would be held for the seat. Linderman reported from Baltimore and Mendoza from Santa Cruz, California.
Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling
U.S. stock indexes drifted lower in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% Tuesday and marked its first back-to-back losses in three weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite also fell 0.3%. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Top 10 Best Agri-Business Companies in India 2025 | Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture
WICHITA, KANSAS (AP) — Sobs of relief broke out in a federal courtroom in Kansas on Monday as dozens of people whose life savings had been embezzled by a bank CEO learned that federal law enforcement had recovered their money. "I just can’t describe the weight lifted off of us,” said Bart Camilli, 70, who with his wife Cleo had just learned they’d recover close to $450,000 — money Bart began saving at 18 when he bought his first individual retirement account. “It’s life-changing.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
Iran FM meets with SCO secretary general in ChinaDonald Hand Jr. racked up a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds to help Boston College stave off visiting Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70 on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Chad Venning added 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting and Dion Brown contributed eight points, eight rebounds and four assists as the Eagles (8-5) wrapped up their nonconference slate with just their second win in six games. Ahmed Barba-Bey, a grad transfer from Division II, exploded for a season-high 31 points to power FDU (4-11). Barba-Bey buried 8 of 9 attempts from the 3-point arc. Terrence Brown added 15 of his 20 points in the second half, as the Knights made it close before falling to 0-10 on the road this season. Bismark Nsiah scored 10 points. Boston College led 70-59 with 3:39 to play when Barba-Bey was fouled attempting a corner 3. He made all three of his foul shots, and after a stop Brown got to the bucket to cut FDU's deficit to six. It was 72-67 when Venning made a clutch turnaround jumper from the high post with 51 seconds left. Boston College let Barba-Bey get loose for his eighth 3-pointer, pulling FDU within four, its closest margin of the half. But Hand drove to the basket and scored with 29 seconds on the clock, and FDU was out of time. The Knights trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, but Barba-Bey kept them in the game. He made a fastbreak layup off Brown's steal and added a 3-pointer on the next possession, turning what was a 10-point deficit to a manageable 29-24 game. Boston College led 38-28 at halftime, with Hand scoring 15 for the hosts and Barba-Bey pouring in 16 for the Knights, including 4-of-5 shooting from deep. FDU pulled within nine points three times in the early stages of the second half, the third coming when Nsiah knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 56-47 with about 10 minutes to go. --Field Level MediaOn Saturday, November 23, Jean Cocteau Cinema will host the Red Nation International Film Festival , an annual event that amplifies Native and Indigenous content creators in front of and behind the camera. The nonprofit enterprise Red Nation Celebration Institute, along with its partners of inclusion, hosts screenings and events year-round throughout the U.S., as well as abroad and online, to celebrate Native and Indigenous independent storytelling, help artists refine their craft, and reach global audiences. RNIFF is the world’s largest Native and Indigenous film festival and the longest-running of its kind in New Mexico. Presented by RNCI each November, the film festival has been empowering Native and Indigenous storytellers since 1995. Films to be screened are Powwow Highway (1989; comedy/adventure, rated R, 91 minutes) by director Jonathan Wacks and starring A Martinez, Gary Farmer, Joanelle Romero, Wes Studi, and Graham Greene; Bones of Crows (2022; drama, not rated, 127 minutes) directed by Marie Clements, with a post-screening discussion with cast member Carla Rae moderated by Joanelle Romero; and the 2024 documentary Yintah (rated R, 125 minutes) from directors Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Michell, and Michael Toledano. For more information and tickets, visit jeancocteau cinema.com or rednationff.com/rniff-new-mexico . 1.5 CHILES — BONHOEFFER: PASTOR. SPY. ASSASSIN. As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Dietrich Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide. War/drama, rated PG-13, 132 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10 3 CHILES — GLADIATOR II Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people. With Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. Action, rated R, 150 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Regal Santa Fe Place 6, Violet Crown MOANA 2 Opens Wednesday, November 27 (early screenings Tuesday, November 26, at Regal and Violet Crown) After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Featuring the voices of Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk. Family/adventure, rated PG, 100 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Regal Santa Fe Place 6, Violet Crown 3.5 CHILES — MY NAME IS ALFERD HITCHCOCK A century after the debut of Alfred Hitchcock’s first feature, he remains one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. But how does his vast body of work and legacy hold up in today’s world? Award-winning filmmaker Mark Cousins tackles this question and looks at the auteur with a new and radical approach: through the use of his own voice. As Hitchcock rewatches his films, we are taken on an odyssey through his vast career — his vivid silent films, the legendary films of the 1950s and ’60s, and his later works — in playful and revealing ways. Documentary, not rated, 120 minutes, CCA 3.5 CHILES — WICKED Misunderstood because of her green skin, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande). Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Musical/fantasy, rated PG, 160 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Regal Santa Fe Place 6, SALA, Violet Crown BEST IN SHOW (2000) Friday, November 22; Sunday, November 24; and Wednesday, November 27 The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting, and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives — the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them. With Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael McKean, and Jane Lynch. Comedy/mockumentary, rated PG-13, 90 minutes, Jean Cocteau Cinema BLADE RUNNER (1982) Friday, November 22; Sunday, November 24; and Wednesday, November 27 Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced by the police captain (M. Emmet Walsh) to continue his old job as Replicant Hunter. His assignment: eliminate four escaped Replicants from the colonies who have returned to Earth. Before starting the job, Deckard goes to the Tyrell Corporation and he meets Rachel (Sean Young), a Replicant girl he falls in love with. Sci-fi/thriller, rated R, 122 minutes, Jean Cocteau Cinema Pasatiempo‘s “Chiles” rating system is based on an assortment of film and streaming reviewers. It is highly subjective and informal, but we hope you find it helpful as you navigate the vast entertainment options offered on various platforms. 4 Chiles = Spicy 3 Chiles = Medium 2 chiles = Mild 1 chile = Bland ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) Saturday, November 23 Bruce Lee plays a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for the death of his sister. Lee enters a kung fu competition in an attempt to fight his way to the dealer’s headquarters with the help of some friends. Part of SALA’s Classics series. Action/crime, rated R, 99 minutes, SALA INTERCEPTED Friday, November 22 Ukrainian intelligence services have intercepted thousands of phone calls Russian soldiers made from the battlefield in Ukraine to their families and friends in Russia, painting a stark picture of the cruelty of war in a dizzying emotional tension. Juxtaposed with images of the destruction caused by the invasion and the day-to-day life of the Ukrainian people who resist and rebuild, the voices of the Russian soldiers — ranging from being filled with heroic illusions to complete disappointment and loss of reason, from looting to committing more horrible war crimes, from propaganda to doubt and disillusionment — expose the whole scope of the dehumanizing power of war and imperialist nature of the Russian aggression. Presented in partnership with the Museum of International Folk Art, in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine (on display through April 20, 2025). Documentary, not rated, 93 minutes, CCA THE LAST BOY SCOUT (1991) Sunday, November 24 Once a first-rate Secret Service agent, Joe Hallenbeck (Bruce Willis) is now a gruff private investigator whose latest gig is protecting a pole dancer (Halle Berry). When she’s murdered, he grudgingly teams up with her boyfriend, Jimmy Dix (Damon Wayans), an ex-quarterback with a gambling problem, and the two go after her killers. Before long, they stumble onto a plot by a well-known football magnate to bribe federal legislators into legalizing sports gambling. One of Violet Crown’s “ Films to See Before You Die. ” Action/comedy, rated R, 105 minutes, Violet Crown LAURA (1944) Monday, November 25 The Video Library, America’s oldest video rental store, hosts free movie screenings each Monday at Jean Cocteau Cinema. Up next for Video Club : Manhattan detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of Madison Avenue executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) in her fashionable apartment. On the trail of her murderer, McPherson quizzes Laura’s arrogant best friend, gossip columnist Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), and her comparatively mild fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price). As the detective grows obsessed with the case, he finds himself falling in love with the dead woman. Mystery/noir, not rated, 88 minutes, Jean Cocteau Cinema POM POKO (1994) Sunday, November 24 Shape-shifting raccoons band together to save their forest homeland from the bulldozers of greedy land developers. Isao Takahata’s film uses the tanuki, creatures of myth, as his heroes. Beloved folk-tale characters, they are viewed as bringers of fortune with shape-changing abilities. In this film, their forest home is threatened by urban development and, to save it, they must use all their supernatural talents. Animated fantasy/adventure, not rated, 119 minutes, Violet Crown REPO MAN (1984) Tuesday, November 26 A quintessential cult film of the 1980s, Alex Cox’s singular sci-fi comedy stars Harry Dean Stanton as a weathered repo man in a desolate Los Angeles and Emilio Estevez as the nihilistic middle-class punk he takes under his wing. The job becomes more than either of them bargained for when they get involved in repossessing a mysterious — and otherworldly — Chevy Malibu with a hefty reward attached to it. Featuring the ultimate early-eighties LA punk soundtrack, this grungily hilarious odyssey is also a politically trenchant take on President Reagan’s domestic and foreign policies. Presented as part of CCA’s monthly Cult Film Series on the film’s 40th anniversary. Sci-fi/comedy, rated R, 92 minutes, CCA TRUE STORIES (1986) Tuesday, November 26 Music icon David Byrne was inspired by tabloid headlines to make his sole foray into feature-film directing, an ode to the extraordinariness of ordinary American life and a distillation of what was in his own idiosyncratic mind. The Talking Heads front man plays a visitor to Virgil, Texas, who introduces us to the citizens of the town during preparations for its Celebration of Specialness. As shot by cinematographer Ed Lachman, Texas becomes a hyper-realistic late-capitalist landscape of endless vistas, shopping malls, and prefab metal buildings. In True Stories , Byrne uses his songs to stitch together pop iconography, voodoo rituals, and a singular variety show — all in the service of uncovering the rich mysteries that lurk under the surface of everyday experience. Presented as part of CCA’s Amplified series on music and film. Comedy/musical, rated PG, 90 minutes, CCA 3.5 chiles — ANORA Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Comedy/drama, rated R, 139 minutes, Violet Crown 2.5 CHILES — THE APPRENTICE (Wednesday, November 27) A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé — someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Drama/biopic, rated R, 120 minutes, Violet Crown 3.5 CHILES — THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER The Herdman kids lie, steal, and bully ... and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter and husband, are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Family/comedy, rated PG, 99 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10 3 CHILES — BIRD Twelve-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams) lives with her devoted but emotionally chaotic father, Bug (Barry Keoghan), in a tenement in northern Kent. When Bug informs her that he’ll be marrying his new girlfriend, Bailey is furious and hurt. Her mother lives with a violent, cruel man, and while Bug has a ferocious love for his daughter, he can be oblivious to the needs of a fledgling teenage girl. Bailey retreats to the open fields on the outskirts of her hometown to seek comfort. It is on one of these walks that Bailey has a mysterious, yet deeply meaningful, encounter that helps her when she must force a confrontation with her mother’s vicious partner. Drama, rated R, 119 minutes, CCA 3 CHILES — BLITZ In World War II London, nine-year-old George is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan), to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on a journey back home as Rita searches for him. Written, produced, and directed by Steve McQueen. War/drama, rated PG-13, 120 minutes, CCA 3.5 CHILES — CONCLAVE Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events — participating in the selection of a new pope. Surrounded by powerful religious leaders in the halls of the Vatican, he soon uncovers a trail of deep secrets that could shake the very foundation of the Roman Catholic Church. Drama/thriller, rated PG, 120 minutes, Violet Crown 4 CHILES — THE COWBOY AND THE QUEEN (Saturday, November 23) Monty Roberts, a nonviolent horse trainer who rejected traditional “breaking” methods, forms an unlikely friendship with Queen Elizabeth II. Bonding over their shared love for animals, they overcome Monty’s doubters to broadcast his gentle approach globally. Documentary, not rated, 85 minutes, Violet Crown 1.5 CHILES — HERE (Monday, November 25) A generational story about families and the special place they inhabit, sharing in love, loss, laughter, and life. Director Robert Zemeckis reunites with his Forrest Gump stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. Drama, rated PG-13, 104 minutes, Violet Crown 3 CHILES — HERETIC Two young missionaries become ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse when they knock on the door of the diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). Trapped in his home, they must turn to their faith if they want to make it out alive. Thriller, rated R, 110 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Violet Crown 4 CHILES — A REAL PAIN Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history. Comedy/drama, rated R, 89 minutes, Violet Crown 2 CHILES — RED ONE When a villain kidnaps Santa Claus from the North Pole, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative joins forces with the world’s most accomplished tracker to find him and save Christmas. Action/comedy, rated PG-13, 122 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Regal Santa Fe Place 6, Violet Crown 3 CHILES — SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (Sunday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26) In 1985, Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy), a devoted father, uncovers disturbing secrets at the local convent. As he investigates, he discovers shocking truths about his own past and life. Drama, rated PG-13, 97 minutes, Violet Crown 3.5 CHILES — THE SUBSTANCE (Tuesday, November 26) Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), renowned for an aerobics show, faces a devastating blow on her 50th birthday as her boss fires her. Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself. Horror/sci-fi, rated R, 140 minutes, Violet Crown 1.5 chiles — VENOM: THE LAST DANCE Eddie Brock and Venom must make a devastating decision as they’re pursued by a mysterious military man and alien monsters from Venom’s home world. Sci-fi/action, rated PG-13, 109 minutes, Dreamcatcher 10, Violet Crown 3 CHILES — THE WILD ROBOT (Tuesday, November 26) Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings and soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling. Family/adventure, rated PG, 102 minutes, Violet Crown SOURCES: Google, IMDb.com , RottenTomatoes.com , YouTube.com