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GOP AG predicts which side has advantage in historic SCOTUS transgender case with 'divided' justicesOnce upon a time, reinvention was not part of our lexicon. Life was predictable growing up in the ’50s and ’60s. Our grandparents were the fountain of wisdom and virtue, much revered in the community. No significant events, culturally and politically, were held without their blessing. We sought their foresight and judgment; they could do no wrong. But that era passed with their demise. So much has changed since. The societal changes and upheavals in the larger community were gradual and passive. The stability of the postwar decades began to unravel by the mid ’80s and early ’90s. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of cable networks, and the beginnings of the internet were the political and social alterations of that decade. It was not until the rapid rise of social media, along with significant societal eruptions like same-sex marriage, that the rise of LGBTQI and the transgender phenomenon jolted us out of our laissez-faire attitude toward homosexuality and drug abuse. The Pope’s recent declaration is a testament to a major realignment of long-held views when he came full circle, and recognized that religion is the most divisive human invention that has caused much misery throughout history. The natural change process, called natural selection, is a slow adaptation mechanism. Without human intervention, coping with environmental changes like climate change could take tens of thousands of years or more. It has never been a problem in the past millennia because humanity constantly collaborated with nature in the hunting-gathering-agricultural phase of civilization. The Advent of the Enlightenment years and later, “Big Science” left us unable to change fast enough to keep up with major environmental upheavals. Today’s extinction rate is estimated to be 1,000-10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. Entrenched belief has held us back more often than most people realize. The wisdom of the old folks (matatanda) is highly overrated. They have no clue about the realities of today. We are saddled with slogans that ring hollow in today’s paradigm: “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa pupuntahan. (If you don’t look back on where you came from, you won’t make it to where you’re going.)” This is one of those regressive BS that holds us back. It’s more like, “Ang hindi tumitingin sa pupuntahan ay hindi makakarating sa patutunguhan. (If you’re not looking where you’re going, you’re not going to get there.)” Filipinos are very often cultural casualties of superstitious rubbish. We have to stop passing on this nonsense to our children. Political dynasties (80 percent in the Philippines, the world’s highest) are so unrelenting that reinventing our politics is becoming a distant dream. It’s the one institution that can bring enormous changes to this country. But as long as we have foxes in the hen house, our legislators see only a trough from which they can fatten themselves. In this era of political realignment and globalization, our country’s ability to reinvent itself is hamstrung by people who are disciples of the past and who can only see through the lens of kindred souls with the same ideas and biases. The generational divide has never been so vast. Dynastic politics offers nothing but roadblocks to self-realization. Humans have been on a rush since the Enlightenment. We innovate to respond to our immediate needs, whether to increase our food supply, mitigate environmental concerns, provide cutting-edge health care, or become more responsive to socioeconomic concerns. The most innovative countries show a trajectory of progress. Based on our population and resourcefulness, the Philippines should rank much better than we do. (In the list of most innovative countries in 2024, we are No. 53, and tiny Singapore is No. 4, after the United States.) Being innovative, after all, is dependent on creativity and resourcefulness. Many countries with fewer human capital are trending higher than us. In fact, we have been victims of our early successes; we sat too long on our laurels. Our system became stale, our educational standards have gone down, our political leaders got busy enriching themselves, our people have become disillusioned, and talent started migrating elsewhere. Our creative outputs have been victims of religious subjugation; we are beset by doubt and internal fear brought on by 500 years of theological colonialism. Who is going to lead us at the turn of the century? We will be at the mercy of the descendants of today’s dynasty and the continued control of oligarchs. If the future generation of Filipinos chooses to stay put, staying engaged will prove consequential. Until our political leadership reinvents itself into a benevolent stewardship, our country’s future remains at the margins. —————- Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Edwin de Leon is Canada-based, and an occasional contributor to Philippine Daily Inquirer.Notices issued to Himachal conductor, driver for anti-Rahul Gandhi audio clip playing in government bus
In a move to curb the growing menace of illegal rice smuggling, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited Kakinada Port on Friday, overseeing the seizure of a vessel involved in trafficking PDS (Public Distribution System) rice. Pawan Kalyan, accompanied by State Food Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar, visited the, “Stella EL” ship seized with ration rice at Kakinada Anchorage Port in a special boat to inspect the situation. It was caught by district authorities two days ago while en route to the African continent, carrying over 640 tonnes of illegally exported rice. Later speaking to the media, Kalyan highlighted the growing infiltration of organised crime in the region. He emphasised how the mafia, accustomed to systemic crime, was not only smuggling rice but could also potentially facilitate the transportation of dangerous materials like explosives or terrorists through the port. “A smuggler won’t stop at just rice. They will also smuggle drugs and explosives. If officials are negligent due to political pressure, it will become a national security threat.” “We cannot ignore the national security implications of these smuggling operations,” Kalyan said. He further revealed that his attempts to personally inspect the vessel were blocked, even though other officials, including the Civil Supplies Minister and local MLAs, Kakinada Urban MLA, Vanamadi Kondababu, and chairman of civil supplies corporation, Thota Sudhir, were present during his visit. “Despite my position as Deputy Chief Minister, I was denied access to inspect the vessel,” Kalyan stated. “This demonstrates the power of the mafia behind these operations. If such an influential network can obstruct even a government official, one can only imagine the scale of the operations taking place under the radar.” One of Kalyan’s primary concerns was the inadequate security at Kakinada Port. While the port sees over 1,000 trucks arrive daily, the security detail is disturbingly minimal, with only 16 personnel tasked with overseeing such a high-volume operation. In response, Kalyan has vowed to take the issue directly to the Centre. “I will be writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs about the security lapses at Kakinada Port and demand immediate action. This is no longer just about rice smuggling; it’s a national security issue,” Kalyan said. “We will not rest until the individuals behind these operations are brought to justice,” Kalyan asserted. “This is a battle not just for control of the port, but for the safety of our citizens and the security of our nation.” Explaining the issue surrounding PDS rice, Pawan Kalyan said, “The government is spending Rs. 43.50 per kilo to provide rice to the poor, and this is being given to them for free. The ration vehicles introduced by the previous government were meant to allow beneficiaries to purchase rice, but this rice is being diverted into the hands of the rice mafia. Subsequently, large businessmen are sending it from ports to African countries, which is costing the government’s treasury heavily. The money spent on subsidising rice is ending up in the pockets of the mafia. These mafia members are selling the rice in African countries for Rs. 72 to Rs. 74 per kilo. Instead of this, if the Indian government were to export rice at Rs. 42 per kilo to African nations, India’s reputation and prestige on the global stage would grow immensely.”
CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to focus on winter wellness and thoughtful gifting ideas for health-conscious entertaining. Renowned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn shares her top recommendations to help people feel their best while enjoying all the season has to offer. COMBAT HOLIDAY CONGESTION “So many of us look forward to holiday parties and quality time with loved ones,” says Syn, “But we often find ourselves battling sinus congestion from dry air, cold weather, or seasonal allergies.” Her go-to solution? The NEW Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray, the first-ever saline product featuring a 2-in-1 nozzle with customizable spray settings. Consumers can choose the ‘Power Jet’ to tackle tough nasal congestion or the ‘Gentle Mist’ to clear everyday congestion and soothe your nose. With its dual-nozzle technology, Mucinex® Sinus Saline Nasal Spray helps relieve congestion caused by allergens, irritants, and colds. Available at major retailers, pharmacies, and on Amazon, you can find your nearest store at Mucinex.com. Direct link: https://www.mucinex.com/ Social Media Handle: Facebook: @mucinex IG: @mucinex_us HOLIDAY TREATS WITH A HEALTHY TWIST Syn also encourages swapping ingredients in traditional holiday recipes with better-for-you alternatives. “One of my favorite holiday ingredients is Almond Breeze Almondmilk,” she shares. Almond Breeze Unsweetened Original Almondmilk: Versitile, plant-based milk with zero grams of sugar. Almond Breeze Extra Creamy Almondmilk: Perfect for its deliciously creamy texture with less sugar and fewer calories than dairy milk. 1 Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog: A rich holiday classic free of eggs, dairy, and lactose, boasting just 70 calories per serving. “Santa might even prefer Almond Breeze with his cookies this year!” jokes Syn. Direct link: www.AlmondBreeze.com Social Media Handle: Facebook: Almond Breeze Instagram: @AlmondBreeze Twitter: @AlmondBreeze SKINCARE MUST-HAVES FOR WINTER Cold, harsh air can wreak havoc on your skin, causing dryness and accentuating fine lines. "Nobody enjoys that itchy, uncomfortable feeling that winter brings," says Syn, a skincare enthusiast. "That’s why I turn to Mediheal—a trusted name in Korean skincare that’s been raising the bar for years." Mediheal’s toner pads have become a hit on social media, especially on TikTok, where users are swearing by their magic. Leading the charge are two fan-favorite products: Madecassoside Blemish Pads : A viral sensation in the U.S., these pads are proven to reduce blemishes, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Clinical results show a 16% improvement in skin texture and tone within just four weeks. Collagen Ampoule Pads : Mediheal’s #1 bestseller in Korea, these pads instantly boost skin elasticity by an astonishing 106% in just one swipe. They also reduce fine lines by up to 33%, making them an anti-aging powerhouse. "Mediheal’s toner pads are absolute game-changers," Syn adds. "They’re versatile, targeting multiple skin concerns, so there’s something for everyone." With a diverse lineup of toner pads and skincare products designed to tackle winter skin woes, Mediheal cements its place as the ultimate go-to for glowing, healthy skin—even in the harshest seasons. For a limited time, the Madecassoside Blemish Pad, Collagen Ampoule Pad and Vitamide Brightening Pad will be available in festive holiday packaging—perfect for gifting to loved ones or treating yourself this season! Direct link: Mediheal Amazon Website Social Media Handle: Facebook: @Mediheal US Instagram: @mediheal_us TikTok: @mediheal_us Twitter (X): @medihealus About YourUpdateTV : YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Almond Breeze, Mediheal, and Mucinex. Media Contact: Michael O’Donnell D S Simon Media 212-736-2727 modonnell@dssimon.com A video accompanying this release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74283b19-564e-43c4-a467-440c7d109074Texas hosts Northwestern State, hopes to ride momentum into SEC playBeneficient Enters into Agreement to Acquire Mercantile Bank International to Expand its ...
GeeMee achieved major partnerships at Mobidictum Conference 2024-Boosting Growth with Ad Tech solutions 11-27-2024 07:52 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Queqi Culture Media GeeMee took part in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 in Istanbul, showcasing its innovative solutions and the latest advancements in mobile advertising. The company shared its expertise in monetization strategies and provided valuable industry insights, offering publishers and developers practical guidance for achieving sustainable growth at this major gaming industry conference. Building a Strong Presence: Existing Partnerships and New Opportunities GeeMee is empowering app developers across more than 20 countries, forging strong partnerships with exceptional publishers spanning entertainment, tools, video, etc, like Zee in Entertainment and other publishers. Building on this success, GeeMee is actively extending its proven expertise and innovative solutions to the gaming industry. Participation in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 further solidified GeeMee's role as a transformative force in mobile advertising, providing an opportunity to connect with pioneers in the global gaming sector and showcase the advanced potential of its technology in delivering immersive and impactful ad experiences. GeeMee also established strong relationships with new potential partners, including Yamy Studio, Leke Games, Udo Games, Joinco Games, and Unico Studio. These conversations underscored mutual respect and collaboration, with both sides showing alignment with the vision for the future of mobile advertising and opportunities to work together. The Mobidictum Conference in Istanbul served as a vital platform for industry interaction, allowing GeeMee to connect with publishers, developers, and leaders to share insights on evolving trends in mobile advertising. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/3d378c8dd0c8e09c757d319c6834e229.jpg The Industry Landscape: Challenges and New Developments The mobile game industry is navigating a pivotal moment, as developers around the world tackle both challenges and emerging opportunities. In-app advertising has become a cornerstone of monetization, particularly in casual games, where it creates new avenues for engaging both paying and non-paying players. As mobile advertising evolves, developers are placing greater emphasis on improving user engagement. Advancements in AI and machine learning are transforming ad delivery, enabling personalized and meaningful experiences for users. Within this dynamic environment, GeeMee's participation as a gold sponsor at the Mobidictum Conference 2024 highlighted its innovative contributions to the industry. Max Martinez, GeeMee's Head of Strategic Partnerships, shared how its AI-driven technology enhances in-app ad engagement, creating ad experiences that resonate deeply with individual users. GeeMee's solutions are designed to bridge the needs of advertisers, publishers, developers, and users, ensuring that in-app advertising integrates seamlessly into the app experience without compromising quality. By harnessing AI-driven technology, GeeMee enables resource-constrained developers to access advanced tools that empower them to compete effectively in a market often dominated by larger players. These innovations ensure that developers can deliver personalized, impactful ad experiences while maintaining a strong focus on user satisfaction. The Significance and Future Outlook GeeMee's presence at the Mobidictum Conference marked a milestone in its journey within the global gaming industry. As the company broadens its global partnerships and introduces its solutions to new markets, its commitment to advancing mobile in-app advertising remains steadfast. Looking ahead, GeeMee is focused on continuously refining its offerings to align with the evolving needs of developers and users, driving innovation in mobile advertising while enhancing the overall quality of app engagements. Media Contact Company Name: GeeMee Contact Person: Renie Whitney Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=geemee-achieved-major-partnerships-at-mobidictum-conference-2024boosting-growth-with-ad-tech-solutions ] Country: United States Website: http://www.geemee.ai This release was published on openPR.My love of movie scoundrels has been sorely tested this year. When I was young, I daydreamed of exotic heists, slick con artists and lovable crooks I’d seen on screen. For most of my moviegoing life, I’ve been a sucker for larceny done well. Most of us are, probably. But now it’s late 2024. Mood is wrong. In the real world, in America, it’s scoundrel time all the time. Maybe Charles Dickens was right. In “American Notes for General Circulation” (1842), the English literary superstar chronicled his travels and detected a widespread, peculiarly American “love of ‘smart’ dealing” across the land. In business and in politics, Dickens observed, slavish admiration of the con men among them “gilds over many a swindle and gross breach of trust.” And here we are. It’ll pass, this scoundrel reprieve of mine. In fact it just did. All it took was thinking about the conspicuous, roguish outlier on my best-of-2024 list: “Challengers.” It’s what this year needed and didn’t know it: a tricky story of lying, duplicitous weasels on and off the court. The best films this year showed me things I hadn’t seen, following familiar character dynamics into fresh territory. Some were more visually distinctive than others; all made eloquent cases for how, and where, their stories unfolded. “All We Imagine as Light,” recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center, works like a poem, or a sustained exhalation of breath, in its simply designed narrative of three Mumbai hospital workers. Fluid, subtly political, filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s achievement is very nearly perfect. So is cowriter-director RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel “The Nickel Boys,” arriving in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 3, 2025. “Nickel Boys,” the film, loses the “the” in Whitehead’s title but gains an astonishingly realized visual perspective. If Ross never makes another movie, he’ll have an American masterpiece to his credit. The following top 10 movies of 2024 are in alphabetical order. Both a mosaic of urban ebb and flow, and a delicate revelation of character, director and writer Payal Kapadia’s Mumbai story is hypnotic, patient and in its more traditional story progression, a second feature every bit as good as Kapadia’s first, 2021’s “A Night of Knowing Nothing.” Mikey Madison gives one of the year’s funniest, saddest, truest performances as a Brooklyn exotic dancer who takes a shine to the gangly son of a Russian oligarch, and he to her. Their transactional courtship and dizzying Vegas marriage, followed by violently escalating complications, add up to filmmaker Sean Baker’s triumph, capped by an ending full of exquisite mysteries of the human heart. As played by Adrien Brody, the title character is a visionary architect and Hungarian Jewish emigre arriving in America in 1947 after the Holocaust. (That said, the title refers to more than one character.) His patron, and his nemesis, is the Philadelphia blueblood industrialist played by Guy Pearce. Director/co-writer Brady Corbet’s thrillingly ambitious epic, imperfect but loaded with rewarding risks, was shot mostly in widescreen VistaVision. Worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Opens in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 10, 2025. Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor play games with each other, on the tennis court and in beds, while director Luca Guadagnino builds to a match-point climax that can’t possibly work, and doesn’t quite — but I saw the thing twice anyway. In Bucharest, production assistant Angela zigzags around the city interviewing people for her employer’s workplace safety video. If that sounds less than promising, even for a deadpan Romanian slice-of-life tragicomedy, go ahead and make the mistake of skipping this one. llinca Manolache is terrific as Angela. Like “Do Not Expect Too Much,” director Agnieszka Holland’s harrowing slice of recent history was a 2023 release, making it to Chicago in early 2024. Set along the densely forested Poland/Belarus border, this is a model of well-dramatized fiction honoring what refugees have always known: the fully justified, ever-present fear of the unknown. A quiet marvel of a feature debut from writer-director Annie Baker, this is a mother/daughter tale rich in ambiguities and wry humor, set in a lovely, slightly forlorn corner of rural Massachusetts. Julianne Nicholson, never better; Zoe Ziegler as young, hawk-eyed Lacy, equally memorable. I love this year’s nicest surprise. The premise: A teenager’s future 39-year-old self appears to her, magically, via a strong dose of mushrooms. The surprise: Writer-director Megan Park gradually deepens her scenario and sticks a powerfully emotional landing. Wonderful work from Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Maria Dizzia and everybody, really. From the horrific true story of a Florida reform school and its decades of abuse, neglect and enraging injustice toward its Black residents, novelist Colson Whitehead’s fictionalized novel makes a remarkable jump to the screen thanks to co-writer/director RaMell Ross’s feature debut. Cousins, not as close as they once were, reunite for a Holocaust heritage tour in Poland and their own search for their late grandmother’s childhood home. They’re the rootless Benji (Kieran Culkin) and tightly sprung David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed). Small but very sure, this movie’s themes of genocidal trauma and Jewish legacy support the narrative every step of the way. Culkin is marvelous; so is the perpetually undervalued Eisenberg. To the above, I’ll add 10 more runners-up, again in alphabetical order: “Blink Twice,” directed by Zoe Kravitz. “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. “Dune: Part Two ,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Good One ,” directed by India Donaldson. “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater. “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, opens in Chicago-area theaters on Dec. 25. “The Outrun,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” directed by Johan Grimonprez. “Tuesday,” directed by Daina O. Pusić. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Kosovo arrested several suspects Saturday after an explosion at a key canal feeding two of its main power plants, while neighbouring Serbia rejected accusations of staging the blast. The explosion Friday near the town of Zubin Potok, which sits in an ethnic Serb-dominated area in Kosovo's troubled north, damaged a canal that supplies water to hundreds of thousands of people and cooling systems at two coal-fired power plants that generate most of Kosovo's electricity. As security forces swarmed the area around the canal, whose concrete walls were left with a gaping hole gushing water, Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited the site and announced authorities had arrested several people. Law enforcement "carried out searches" and "collected testimony and evidence, and the criminals and terrorists will have to face justice and the law," he said. The arrests follow a security meeting late Friday, when Kurti pointed the finger at Serbia. "The attack was carried out by professionals. We believe it comes from gangs directed by Serbia," he told a press conference, without providing evidence. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hit back Saturday, denying the "irresponsible" and "baseless accusations". "Such unfounded claims are aimed to tarnish Serbia's reputation, as well as to undermine efforts to promote peace and stability in the region," he said in a statement to AFP. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric had earlier suggested on X that the Kosovar "regime" could itself be behind the blast, calling for an international investigation. The main political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, Serb List, also condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms". AFP journalists at the scene saw water leaking heavily from one side of the reinforced canal, which runs from the Serb-majority north of Kosovo to the capital, Pristina. However, electricity supplies to consumers were running smoothly on Saturday morning, with authorities having found an alternative method to cool the plants, said Kosovo's Economy Minister Artane Rizvanolli. Repair work was ongoing, authorities said, while Kurti confirmed workers had managed to restore water flows to 25 percent capacity. The United States strongly condemned the "attack on critical infrastructure in Kosovo", the US embassy in Pristina said in a statement on Facebook. "We are monitoring the situation closely... and have offered our full support to the government of Kosovo to ensure that those responsible for this criminal attack are identified and held accountable." Turkey's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, adding: "We call on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid escalation in the region." The NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission for Kosovo joined the calls for restraint. "It is important that facts are established and that those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice," it said in a statement. The force is providing security in the surrounding area and has offered logistical, explosives removal and engineering support to the Kosovo authorities, it added. The European Union's ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, joined the international condemnation, saying on X: "The incident needs to be investigated and those responsible brought to justice." Animosity between ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo and Serbia has persisted since the end of the war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents in the late 1990s. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move that Serbia has refused to acknowledge. Kurti's government has for months sought to dismantle a parallel system of social services and political offices backed by Belgrade to serve Kosovo's Serbs. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday denounced "the act of sabotage on the critical water supply infrastructure in the Iber-Lepenc Canal" in comments on X, calling it "a serious crime that endangers the lives of Kosovo's citizens and undermines the process of normalizing relations in our region." Friday's attack came after a series of violent incidents in northern Kosovo, including the hurling of hand grenades at a municipal building and a police station earlier this week. ih/ach/giv/jhb/sbk
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WNBA Star Kelsey Plum Claims Jamba Juice Smoothie Causing Bad Diarrhea
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News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. New laws aimed at curbing youth crime, increasing construction productivity and getting the 2032 Olympic Games back on track will be introduced immediately by the state government. In an afternoon of historic pomp and ceremony, Governor Jeannette Young on Wednesday outlined the priorities of the infant LNP state government and how Queensland would change. The Governor’s Opening Speech - a tradition of the Westminster system - reiterated Mr Crisafulli’s election commitments including reducing crime and supporting victims, improving health services and building more housing. “My government will invest in the future of Queensland,” Dr Young said. “My government will boldly deliver a fresh start for Queensland. “It will be a government of accountability focused every day on the issues that matter to Queenslanders; safety where you live, health services when you need them, respect for your money, a place to call home and a government that works for you.” Queensland Governor Jeannette Young arriving for the opening of the new Queensland parliament. Picture: Premiers Department Politicians will get back to work on Thursday for the first ordinary sitting day of the 58th parliament, when the government will introduce legislation to establish its cornerstone adult crime, adult time crime laws. The Bill will be rushed through a shortened committee process where experts will be given just 12 days to scrutinise the complex laws and provide feedback to the government, before parliament returns on December 10. Despite Opposition Leader Steven Miles initially indicating he would support the crime laws, Labor will now consider the legislation before deciding. Mr Crisafulli has pledged to pass the laws before Christmas. Deputy Jarrod Bleijie is coming out of the gates at speed. Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie will also immediately introduce a Bill to reintroduce the productivity commission and reduce red tape. “The productivity commission’s first priority will be to conduct a regulatory review to ensure workers are well paid and safe, contracts are honoured, productivity is returned to job sites and housing red tape slowing down new builds, removed,” Dr Young said. Queenslanders would also see progress on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Dr Young said, with the government expected to move related legislation on Thursday. The Governor’s speech repeated most of the commitments the LNP made during last month’s successful state election campaign. Originally published as How your life will change under the LNP Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Townsville Man pleads insanity after cocktail of drugs, cop bite A man who already attempted to appeal his jail sentence and failed has taken another swing by pleading insanity after he bit a police officer at a Townsville service station. Read more News ‘Close eye on it’: Local MPs pledge to keep watch on mayor Thuringowa’s new MP Natalie Marr, a former city councillor who served alongside David Crisafulli in local politics, will be watching the council’s performance. Read moreJFR stock touches 52-week high at $9.03 amid market optimism
Reinvention as key to self-realizationOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton point guard Steven Ashworth likely won't play Tuesday in the No. 21 Bluejays' game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday, and coach Greg McDermott said he didn't know how long he would be out. “He stepped on a guy's foot on a 3-point shot and you're defenseless in that situation," McDermott said after the game. "He torqued it pretty good.” An athletic department spokesman said Monday that Ashworth's status was doubtful for the game against the Aztecs. Story continues below video Ashworth is Creighton's second-leading scorer with 16 points per game and leads the team with 6.4 assists per game. He also is 23 of 23 on free throws. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
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My love of movie scoundrels has been sorely tested this year. When I was young, I daydreamed of exotic heists, slick con artists and lovable crooks I’d seen on screen. For most of my moviegoing life, I’ve been a sucker for larceny done well. Most of us are, probably. Related Articles Movies | Review: Angelina Jolie glides through ‘Maria’ like an iceberg, but a chilly Callas isn’t enough Movies | ‘Nightbitch’ review: Mother embraces her animal side in thought-provoking film Movies | Jon M. Chu talks directing ‘Wicked,’ fatherhood, Palo Alto roots Movies | Making ‘Queer’ required openness. Daniel Craig was ready Movies | 18 most anticipated movies in holiday season 2024 But now it’s late 2024. Mood is wrong. In the real world, in America, it’s scoundrel time all the time. Maybe Charles Dickens was right. In “American Notes for General Circulation” (1842), the English literary superstar chronicled his travels and detected a widespread, peculiarly American “love of ‘smart’ dealing” across the land. In business and in politics, Dickens observed, slavish admiration of the con men among them “gilds over many a swindle and gross breach of trust.” And here we are. It’ll pass, this scoundrel reprieve of mine. In fact it just did. All it took was thinking about the conspicuous, roguish outlier on my best-of-2024 list: “Challengers.” It’s what this year needed and didn’t know it: a tricky story of lying, duplicitous weasels on and off the court. The best films this year showed me things I hadn’t seen, following familiar character dynamics into fresh territory. Some were more visually distinctive than others; all made eloquent cases for how, and where, their stories unfolded. “All We Imagine as Light,” recently at the Gene Siskel Film Center, works like a poem, or a sustained exhalation of breath, in its simply designed narrative of three Mumbai hospital workers. Fluid, subtly political, filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s achievement is very nearly perfect. So is cowriter-director RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel “The Nickel Boys,” arriving in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 3, 2025. “Nickel Boys,” the film, loses the “the” in Whitehead’s title but gains an astonishingly realized visual perspective. If Ross never makes another movie, he’ll have an American masterpiece to his credit. The following top 10 movies of 2024 are in alphabetical order. “All We Imagine as Light” Both a mosaic of urban ebb and flow, and a delicate revelation of character, director and writer Payal Kapadia’s Mumbai story is hypnotic, patient and in its more traditional story progression, a second feature every bit as good as Kapadia’s first, 2021’s “A Night of Knowing Nothing.” “Anora” Mikey Madison gives one of the year’s funniest, saddest, truest performances as a Brooklyn exotic dancer who takes a shine to the gangly son of a Russian oligarch, and he to her. Their transactional courtship and dizzying Vegas marriage, followed by violently escalating complications, add up to filmmaker Sean Baker’s triumph, capped by an ending full of exquisite mysteries of the human heart. “The Brutalist” As played by Adrien Brody, the title character is a visionary architect and Hungarian Jewish emigre arriving in America in 1947 after the Holocaust. (That said, the title refers to more than one character.) His patron, and his nemesis, is the Philadelphia blueblood industrialist played by Guy Pearce. Director/co-writer Brady Corbet’s thrillingly ambitious epic, imperfect but loaded with rewarding risks, was shot mostly in widescreen VistaVision. Worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Opens in Chicago-area theaters on Jan. 10, 2025. “Challengers” Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor play games with each other, on the tennis court and in beds, while director Luca Guadagnino builds to a match-point climax that can’t possibly work, and doesn’t quite — but I saw the thing twice anyway. “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World” In Bucharest, production assistant Angela zigzags around the city interviewing people for her employer’s workplace safety video. If that sounds less than promising, even for a deadpan Romanian slice-of-life tragicomedy, go ahead and make the mistake of skipping this one. llinca Manolache is terrific as Angela. “Green Border” Like “Do Not Expect Too Much,” director Agnieszka Holland’s harrowing slice of recent history was a 2023 release, making it to Chicago in early 2024. Set along the densely forested Poland/Belarus border, this is a model of well-dramatized fiction honoring what refugees have always known: the fully justified, ever-present fear of the unknown. “Janet Planet” A quiet marvel of a feature debut from writer-director Annie Baker, this is a mother/daughter tale rich in ambiguities and wry humor, set in a lovely, slightly forlorn corner of rural Massachusetts. Julianne Nicholson, never better; Zoe Ziegler as young, hawk-eyed Lacy, equally memorable. “My Old Ass” I love this year’s nicest surprise. The premise: A teenager’s future 39-year-old self appears to her, magically, via a strong dose of mushrooms. The surprise: Writer-director Megan Park gradually deepens her scenario and sticks a powerfully emotional landing. Wonderful work from Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella, Maria Dizzia and everybody, really. “Nickel Boys” From the horrific true story of a Florida reform school and its decades of abuse, neglect and enraging injustice toward its Black residents, novelist Colson Whitehead’s fictionalized novel makes a remarkable jump to the screen thanks to co-writer/director RaMell Ross’s feature debut. “A Real Pain” Cousins, not as close as they once were, reunite for a Holocaust heritage tour in Poland and their own search for their late grandmother’s childhood home. They’re the rootless Benji (Kieran Culkin) and tightly sprung David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed). Small but very sure, this movie’s themes of genocidal trauma and Jewish legacy support the narrative every step of the way. Culkin is marvelous; so is the perpetually undervalued Eisenberg. To the above, I’ll add 10 more runners-up, again in alphabetical order: “Blink Twice,” directed by Zoe Kravitz. “Conclave,” directed by Edward Berger. “Dune: Part Two ,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. “Good One ,” directed by India Donaldson. “Hit Man,” directed by Richard Linklater. “Joker: Folie a Deux,” directed by Todd Phillips. “Nosferatu,” directed by Robert Eggers, opens in Chicago-area theaters on Dec. 25. “The Outrun,” directed by Nora Fingscheidt. “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” directed by Johan Grimonprez. “Tuesday,” directed by Daina O. Pusić. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.BBC Strictly Come Dancing 'winner' confirmed hours before quarter-final airsPreview: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. St Pauli - prediction, team news, lineups
Brainerd residents can weigh in 2025 levy Dec. 2René Bennett | (TNS) Bankrate.com If you’re an iPhone user, you might not realize that you already have access to Apple Cash. It’s a digital cash card that’s built into Apple devices and can be found in the default Wallet app. (Note: You must link an eligible debit card to use this service.) The main function of Apple Cash is to make it easier for Apple device users to send money to one another, including sending money through the iMessage app. But Apple Cash is more than just a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service — it can be used to shop online, in stores or to make in-app purchases. Apple Cash is a convenient way to transfer money between friends and family. Once it’s set up, a user can simply open the iMessage app and send money to a contact through their chat. It’s also useful for those who use Apple Pay, a separate service that allows Apple device users to make contactless payments with any linked card, including an Apple Cash card. Here are some important things to know about setting up and using Apple Cash. Apple Cash is a digital cash card that’s stored in the Wallet app of Apple devices, and it can be used for making P2P payments, as well as purchases through Apple Pay. When you receive money from another Apple Cash user, that money appears in your Apple Cash balance. The balance can then be spent or transferred to a linked bank account or debit card. Sending money to peers with Apple Cash can be done either directly from the digital Apple Cash card (in the Wallet app) or through the iMessage app. You can send or receive anywhere between $1 and $10,000 per message. The money shows up on the recipient’s Apple Cash card instantly, but it may take from one to three days for the balance to be transferred to a bank account. Instant transfers to a bank account are possible, but it comes with a 1.5% fee. There’s also an option to set up Apple Cash Family for children who are under 18 years old. This option limits the amount a child can send to $2,000 per message. Those younger than 18 also cannot add money to their Apple Cash card from a bank account; rather, their balance only grows when they receive money from another Apple Cash user. Apple Cash is a digital card within your Wallet that allows you to spend your Apple Cash online, in stores and in apps as well send and receive money. Apple Pay, however, allows you to make purchases using any credit card or debit card you have stored in your Wallet — including Apple Cash. With Apple Pay, you add credit and debit cards to your Wallet and then have the ability to pay right with your phone (or other Apple product). To set up Apple Cash, you’ll need three things: —A compatible Apple device. —Two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID (this can be done in Settings). —An eligible debit card to load funds onto the Apple Cash card. In the Settings app, you can turn on Apple Cash in the Wallet and Apple Pay section. Tap on the Apple Cash card icon and follow the instructions on the screen. You’ll be asked to agree to the terms and conditions, after which your device will set up Apple Cash for you. The Apple Cash card, once set up, can be found in your device’s Wallet app. If you want to set up Apple Cash Family, you’ll first need to have Family Sharing turned on, which can be done in Settings. The family organizer can add children to Apple Cash in the Family Sharing section of Settings. You’ll need to have a debit card linked to your digital Wallet to add money to an Apple Cash card. You can add a debit card to Wallet in the same place where you set up Apple Cash — the Wallet and Apple Pay section of Settings. Once a debit card is linked to your Wallet, open Wallet and tap on the Apple Cash card. Then, tap the More button (an icon with three dots). This will open a page where you can see your Apple Cash balance, add money and transfer funds to a bank account. Tap Add Money and enter the amount you’d like to add (the minimum is $10). You’ll be asked to confirm which debit card you want to use to fund the Apple Cash balance, and then the money is added to the Apple Cash card. There are two ways to send a payment to someone using Apple Cash: directly from your Wallet or in the iMessage app. Both the sender and recipient need Apple Cash to send or receive money. To send money from Wallet, simply tap the Apple Cash card in Wallet and then tap Send. Type in the contact name or phone number of the recipient. Enter the amount you’d like to send (between $1 and $10,000), then review the payment and confirm it with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. In iMessage, open the conversation with who you’d like to send money to, or start a new one. Tap on the app button, which appears next to the type bar, and then tap on the Apple Cash icon. You’ll be prompted to enter an amount (between $1 and $10,000). Once you’ve reviewed the amount, tap Send and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. The first time money is sent to someone, the recipient will need to accept the payment within seven days for it to go through. After the first instance, payments are automatically accepted. If you’re using Apple Cash to make a purchase either online or in a store, you’ll need to pay using Apple Pay. To request money from your iPhone, open the conversation in the Messages app. Tap the plus icon, followed by Apple Cash. Then, tap Request. Tap the send button to send your payment request. Once the request is sent, the person you sent it to can confirm or change the amount they send to you. You can also request money from your Apple watch. Open your messages app, choose a conversation, tap the plus icon and then choose Apple Cash. Once you enter the amount you are requesting, swipe left on the Send button. Tap Request. As you start to accumulate money on the Apple Cash card, you may want to move it to a debit card or a bank account . This can be done by going to the same place where you added funds to the card, by clicking the icon with three dots next to your digital card. Related Articles Technology | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows Technology | Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? Technology | Home entertainment holiday gift ideas at a discount Technology | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Technology | How to get started with Bluesky Enter an amount to be transferred, then tap Next. You’ll be asked whether you want to do an instant transfer (for a 1.5% fee) or a transfer in one to three business days for free. After making a selection, the screen will instruct you to set up a bank account if you don’t already have one set up. You’ll confirm the payment, and the transfer is initiated. Instant transfers can only be made to an eligible debit card, not a bank account. Money is sent within 30 minutes when you select instant transfer. —Zelle: If your bank is offers Zelle, it might be a good idea to take advantage of the P2P payment service. Zelle can be accessed directly from your bank’s mobile app, and it allows you to send instant transfers at no extra cost. —Venmo: Anyone can use Venmo, as long as they’ve downloaded the app. Unlike Apple Cash or Zelle, it’s a standalone P2P payment app. Venmo comes with a social element — users can follow each other and add fun emojis to their payments, although they can also keep their account activity private. —PayPal: This P2P payment service is a good option if you want to send money internationally. It also offers a PayPal Debit card, which, like the Apple Cash card, can be used to make purchases online or in stores. —Samsung Pay Cash: Samsung device users can use this option instead of Apple Cash. Similar to Apple Cash, it is a digital wallet that you can access from a Samsung mobile device. However, to take full advantage of Samsung Pay Cash, users will need to undergo an extra registration process to upgrade to a Full Card Account. Apple Cash makes it easy for Apple device users to send money to each other. Users can simply tap the Apple Cash icon in their text messages to send money through iMessage. It can also be used as an extra repository for spending money and can be used for purchases anywhere Apple Pay is accepted. With that said, only Apple device users can send and receive money using Apple Cash, so those looking for a more universal payment service may want to consider other P2P payment apps . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.