SpaDeX Mission: ISRO says launch vehicle moved to First Launch Pad
NEW YORK , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) launched the newest iteration of the civil society-led Global 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence campaign. For more than 30 years, feminist activists and movements around the world have used the 16 days between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women ( November 25 ) and Human Rights Day ( December 10 ) to advocate for an end to gender-based violence. With the help of the SRJ Hub, the campaign now will transition into a year-round initiative, reflecting the 365-days-a-year efforts of feminist activists to shift norms, secure accountability, and transform power structures that oppress women, girls, and gender-diverse people. The 2024 campaign responds to requests from grassroots organizers who asked for more flexible and diverse campaign messages, illustrations, and resources. Their perspectives are complemented by insights from the campaign's Advisory Council composed of scholars and organizers with deep experience in gender, economic, racial, reproductive, and environmental justice. Bodily autonomy, the 2024 campaign theme, makes visible the ways different causes and manifestations of gender-based violence are linked. By avoiding a uniform, standardized approach, the campaign will enable local partners to adapt materials according to their unique needs, prioritizing authenticity and safety in local activism. "Women's and feminist gender justice organizations and movements have always been at the forefront of the push for bodily autonomy, and now more than ever we need to support the efforts of grassroots organizers who know what works in their contexts," said CUNY SPH Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs Terry McGovern . "The campaign materials will allow organizers to mix and match sample images and messages or use their own." The SRJ Hub continues to encourage funders to support the requests of grassroots organizers for multi-year, trust-based core funding that advances their efforts to promote bodily autonomy and end gender-based violence. This includes support for local events and strategic resources or organizers in restrictive environments. Addressing Urgent Global Trends A confluence of global trends threaten previously enshrined protections and push equality farther out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe. These include femicide and restrictions on abortion access; exclusion and marginalization of LGBTQI+ people; growing gender inequality as debt crises, austerity measures, and corruption crowd out social expenditures; conflict and occupation enabled by disregard for international law; increasingly frequent and devastating climate crises; and failure to fully engage with patriarchal practices driving the popularity of anti-gender movements. Bodily Autonomy Theme Connects Movements At a time when equality remains out of reach for far too many women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the globe and many previously enshrined protections are being rolled back, the 2024 campaign theme will amplify the efforts of feminist grassroots groups to resist and counter the impacts of gender-based violence by framing bodily autonomy as a fundamental human right. The campaign defines bodily autonomy as the freedom to express every thought, feeling, need, and desire through our bodies, each uniquely shaping who we are . "Too often campaigns focus on suffering and victimization," said SRJ Hub consultant Oriana López Uribe, who led the campaign strategy design process. "We want people to imagine what life could be like if everyone had the power and right to make choices about our physical selves, and to feel empathy and solidarity with others who want the same thing." This approach is reflected in the campaign's principles, which emphasize positivity, bravery, and collective care for all: Grassroots organizers who reviewed and contributed to the sample messages told us, "I like the different levels of messaging, the intentional counter-messaging for some of the more dominant narratives, and some really simple questions that can lead to rich conversations. Many messages were a refreshing change from NGO comms which I appreciate," and "I appreciate the nuances in the design of the framework and in the messaging. It has been a long time since I encountered those layers in a global campaign. And I love that the messaging is evoking emotions and not dictating policy solutions. I think this is a tactic that progressive movements have abandoned and that anti-rights groups are good at." The campaign is on Instagram, 'X' and TikTok as @365toEndGBV and c ampaign materials are available for download after submitting individual or collective information in this form . The campaign materials include sample templates, illustrations, and messages in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, as well as tips for designing campaigns and activities, and examples from other campaigns. The SRJ Hub plans to update and expand materials throughout the year based on user feedback. Media contact: Clarisa Bencomo Clarisa.Bencomo@sph.cuny.edu 917-702-0998 About the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub In 2024, the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) began hosting the Global 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence campaign following the closure of its founding host, the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University . The campaign is housed at the Sexual & Reproductive Justice Hub (SRJ Hub) at CUNY SPH, which coordinates solutions-oriented scholarship, training, and advocacy, centering the lived experiences of women of color and funding their and other marginalized people's work. Our work is informed by our experience as part of the United States' largest, oldest, and most diverse urban public university system, with faculty, staff, and students connected to communities and populations around the world. Origin of the Global 16 Days Campaign The Global Campaign was launched in 1991 at the first Women's Global Leadership Institute held by the Center for Global Women's Leadership (CGWL), with the goal of raising awareness of GBV as a human rights violation. From the beginning, the Campaign brought together a diverse group of activists and researchers working at all levels from grassroots to international, and united in their belief that ending GBV requires local and global work to change the norms and systems that drive GBV in all its manifestations. Under CGWL's stewardship the Global Campaign gained traction in more than 187 countries, with participation from over 6,000 organizations and a reach of over 300 million. It played a pivotal role in gaining recognition of GBV as a human rights violation in the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Program of Action and the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action . Early campaign themes addressed health impacts of GBV, cultural drivers, racism, sexism, and militarism, among others. More recent campaign themes have included femicide (2021-2022), violence against women working in the informal economy (2020), and violence and harassment in the world of work (2018 – 2019). The latter included advocacy in support of the adoption of the historic International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 , concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work (2019). In August 2022 , CGWL sadly closed its doors after 31 years of collaborative and transformative global work. The 16 Days Campaign is now housed at CUNY SPH, ensuring that the important work of CGWL will continue going forward. About CUNY SPH The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) is committed to promoting and sustaining healthier populations in New York City and around the world through excellence in education, research, and service in public health and by advocating for sound policy and practice to advance social justice and improve health outcomes for all. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/16to365-new-resources-for-year-round-activism-to-end-gender-based-violence-and-strengthen-bodily-autonomy-for-all-302314570.html SOURCE CUNY SPH
Louisville will aim to end a three-game losing streak when it hosts UTEP on Wednesday, but beating the Miners may not be an easy feat. UTEP (6-2) comes to the Derby City winners of three straight, most recently beating Seattle 88-72 on Saturday. The Miners shot 56.1 percent (32 of 57) and used a 24-2 first-half run to essentially put the game away. Coach Joe Golding said that first-half performance may have been UTEP's best in his four years leading the school. "I thought offensively and defensively the first 20 minutes we were really locked in and ready to go. (The game) never got close," he said. "We kept it at 20-plus points for the majority of the game. Our ball movement was terrific." Ahamad Bynum led the Miners with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Otis Frazier III added 18 points and five assists. Frazier (13.6 points per game) and Bynum (12.1 ppg) are among four UTEP players averaging in double figures. Bynum leads the country shooting 63.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, though he has attempted just 30 threes, making 19. Louisville (5-4) also started hot in its last game but could not sustain its momentum in a 76-65 home loss to then-No. 9 Duke on Sunday. Coach Pat Kelsey's team, which had just seven players healthy, made 10 of its first 14 shots to build a 30-16 lead before the Cardinals' lack of depth caught up to them. Louisville shot just 9-of-37 (24.3 percent) after its hot start and was outscored 43-28 after halftime. Terrence Edwards Jr. paced the Cardinals with 21 points in his first game as a reserve this season. Edwards (11.9 ppg) is one of four Louisville scorers averaging double figures, led by Chucky Hepburn leads the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and is second in the country with 3.2 steals per game. The Cardinals entered the season with expectations of rotating 10 or more players to utilize Kelsey's up-tempo attack. However, swingman Kasean Pryor (knee) and guard Koren Johnson (shoulder) will both miss the rest of the season, while forward Aboubacar Traore (arm) is out indefinitely. After Sunday's loss, Kelsey did not rule out adding players to the roster during the season. "Everything's on the table," he said. "I don't sleep, figuring out what buttons to push to get this team to be the best that they can be. We'll scour every inch of the Earth to figure out how we can improve our team. And whether that happens or not, I have no idea, but I'm willing to try anything." --Field Level Media
NEW YORK (AP) — A slide for market superstar Nvidia on Monday knocked Wall Street off its big rally and helped drag U.S. stock indexes down from their records. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, coming off its 57th all-time high of the year so far. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 240 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite pulled back 0.6% from its own record. Nvidia’s fall of 2.5% was by far the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 after China said it’s investigating the company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. Nvidia has skyrocketed to become one of Wall Street’s most valuable companies because its chips are driving much of the world’s move into artificial-intelligence technology. That gives its stock’s movements more sway on the S&P 500 than nearly every other. Nvidia’s drop overshadowed gains in Hong Kong and for Chinese stocks trading in the United States on hopes that China will deliver more stimulus for the world’s second-largest economy. Roughly three in seven of the stocks in the S&P 500 also rose. The week’s highlight for Wall Street will arrive midweek when the latest updates on inflation arrive. Economists expect Wednesday’s report to show the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling remained stuck at close to the same level last month. A separate report on Thursday, meanwhile, could show an acceleration in inflation at the wholesale level. They’re the last big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week on interest rates. The widespread expectation is still that the central bank will cut its main interest rate for the third time this year. The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to offer more help for the slowing job market, after bringing inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower interest rates can ease the brakes off the economy, but they can also offer more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts from the Fed have been a major reason the S&P 500 has set so many all-time highs this year. “Investors should enjoy this rally while it lasts—there’s little on the horizon to disrupt the momentum through year-end,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, though he warns stocks could stumble soon because of how overheated they’ve gotten. On Wall Street, Interpublic Group rose 3.6% after rival Omnicom said it would buy the marketing and communications firm in an all-stock deal. The pair had a combined revenue of $25.6 billion last year. Omnicom, meanwhile, sank 10.2%. Macy’s climbed 1.8% after an activist investor, Barington Capital Group, called on the retailer to buy back at least $2 billion of its own stock over the next three years and make other moves to help boost its stock price. Super Micro Computer rose 0.5% after saying it got an extension that will keep its stock listed on the Nasdaq through Feb. 25, as it works to file its delayed annual report and other required financial statements. Earlier this month, the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board following the resignation of its public auditor . All told, the S&P 500 fell 37.42 points to 6,052.85. The Dow dipped 240.59 to 4,401.93, and the Nasdaq composite lost 123.08 to 19,736.69. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rallied 1.7% to settle at $68.37 following the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, who sought asylum in Moscow after rebels. Brent crude, the international standard, added 1.4% to $72.14 per barrel. The price of gold also rose 1% to $2,685.80 per ounce amid the uncertainty created by the end of the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. In stock markets abroad, the Hang Seng jumped 2.8% in Hong Kong after top Chinese leaders agreed on a “moderately loose” monetary policy for the world’s second-largest economy. That’s a shift away from a more cautious, “prudent” stance for the first time in 10 years. A major planning meeting later this week could also bring more stimulus for the Chinese economy. U.S.-listed stocks of several Chinese companies climbed, including a 12.4% jump for electric-vehicle company Nio and a 7.4% rise for Alibaba Group. Stocks in Shanghai, though, were roughly flat. In Seoul, South Korea’s Kospi slumped 2.8% as the fallout continues from President Yoon Suk Yeol ’s brief declaration of martial law last week in the midst of a budget dispute. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.19% from 4.15% late Friday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Where Gaming Meets Profit: GameFi Projects to Watch in 2025
Engineering technologists in the Town of Sussex are using a drone to help collect topographical data and pictures to help fast-track survey work for flood mitigation infrastructure. The light detection and ranging drone uses light, invisible to the human eye, to measure the distance and position of objects in its path. That data is later used to create maps and 3D models of that location. "We're able to filter out vegetation and buildings and other obstructions and get the true earth surface," Mike Allen said, the drone's pilot and a senior technologist with Gemtec Consulting, a New Brunswick engineering consultancy that helps conduct geotechnical, material and environmental tests and surveys. Accurate topographical data in turn helps engineers and technicians to make better design decisions, he said Mike Allen, an engineering technologist, says he's been able to collect more accurate data using his drone than if he'd done it manually. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) Allen said his drone can pick up millions of data points in an hour, mapping large construction sites, while the same work would take weeks to be completed manually by a surveyor using a hand-held GPS data collector. "I do a lot of the post processing and design work in the office afterwards and when you have [the drone] data, you know what you're dealing with. There's no second guessing what's actually there," he said. WATCH | Data collected by drone could help control floods faster: Drone helps Sussex speed up work to reduce impact of future floods 42 minutes ago Duration 3:35 A drone is collecting topographical data to help fast track a surveying process that’s essential for designing flood mitigation infrastructure in Sussex. Allen said his colleague also collects specific data points manually, such as hydro poles, fire hydrants and culvert inlets, as a backup. "If a car is passing over a manhole, we might not see that in the [drone] survey, but we collect that information as a due diligence and accuracy check as well," he said. The drone surveys the land topography, collecting data and pictures using lasers, invisible to human eye, says Allen. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) Scott Hatcher, the town's chief administrative officer, said this latest technology helps the town to fast-track the process of building flood mitigation infrastructure. The town has had major flooding over a number of years, including in 2014, 2019 , 2020 , 2022 and early 2024 . Hatcher said building the infrastructure in a timely fashion is important to protect the residents from any further loss. "The data would be used in several projects to make the overall strategy happen. And we're using the technology to speed up the process of the data collection and allowing our engineers to get to work sooner." Scott Hatcher, chief administrative officer for Sussex, says the flood mitigation project is expected to cost more than $38 million, paid for by all three levels of government. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) Sussex is building a flow-diversion channel at the town's eastern limits, another such channel on Parsons Brook and storm-water infrastructure upgrades in the town's northeast and northwest corners, including two overpasses and a new berm in and around the Meadow Crescent area, Hatcher said. The first project in the plan — a $1.2-million berm behind Gateway Mall — was completed in 2019 . Hatcher has said the project is expected to cost more than $38 million , paid for by all three levels of government. But the Meadow Crescent berm will cost an additional $2.1 million, equally divided between the province and the town. "Within the next couple of weeks, you'll see a public tender to construct a $2.1-million berm to protect 85 homes in that subdivision. That work we believe could be completed by late summer 2025 and would provide immediate effective control of adverse flooding in that neighborhood," he said, adding that the plan is to complete the larger project by the end of 2028. Kurtis Carter and Kassandra Chudiak moved to Sussex in late 2022 and have had their property flood about 10 times so far. Carter said they will directly benefit from the upcoming Meadow Crescent berm. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) Kurtis Carter, who lives in the flood-prone area of Meadow Crescent, will benefit from the berm. He said his family moved to the area in 2022 and has experienced "probably in total around 10 flooding events," with the last one leaving four feet of water in their basement. He's grateful that work on the infrastructure is happening, as his neighbours have experienced flooding for more than a decade. "They used to enjoy the sound of rain and now they kind of dread it," Carter said. "So ... if we could get back to a point where you enjoy the sound of rain hitting your roof and knowing that it's not going to be in the basement, then I think that's a wonderful thing." Elmer Cole of Sussex says he faces erosion in his backyard every time his neighbourhood floods. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) Elmer Cole, who lives a few away houses from Carter, has had erosion on his property. "I lose about five feet every time it floods," said Cole, pointing to a large hole in his backyard. He has lived in the same house for 37 years and has been fighting floods for over three decades, he said. Sussex Resident Elmer Cole loses about five feet of top soil from his backyard in each flood, he says. (Rhythm Rathi/CBC) He said the town's mitigation plan gives him hope that it could provide the best fix for his neighbourhood's extreme flooding. "They're going to do it right. I know they are, because the berm is going all the way up and across by the elementary school," he said. "Hopefully it'll hold the water back."PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2024) , , visited Mahmood Markaz here on Saturday to extend invitation to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) for Parties Conference for 5, at the House regarding situation and rights of the province with . During the , he met with JUIF's Provincial General Secretary Maulana Ata-ul-Haq Darwish, Provincial Spokesman Maulana Abdul Jalil Jan, and other party officials. The discussions focused on the ongoing issues faced by , especially the merged tribal and southern districts, and the dire situation in Kurram. They also addressed concerns over the misuse of funds provided by the federal to the provincial authorities, which has exacerbated the province's difficulties. Governor Kundi emphasized the importance of political in the province, saying that cooperation among political parties is crucial for securing the province’s rights and addressing its challenges. The will be in on 1, and the All-Party Conference on 5 are expected to bring together political leaders to discuss and devise strategies for resolving these pressing issues. APP/ash/
Introducing Fortunes Faze: An Eclectic Fusion of Country and Rock from Ohio's Talented Songwriter 12-09-2024 11:32 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: ArtistPR.com Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733736127.jpeg Dive into the innovative sound of Fortunes Faze and explore a rich mosaic of music influenced by both tradition and technology. In a world where musical genres often pigeonhole artists, Fortunes Faze emerges as a refreshing blend of country and rock, fusing eclectic storytelling and modern technology. Fortunes Faze represents the artistic endeavors of Wendy Westhoven, who has channeled her passion for writing and stained-glass artistry into the creation of her unique musical identity. Her music, characterized by its vibrant textures and resonant themes, invites listeners on a journey that defies conventional boundaries. What sets Fortunes Faze apart is its embrace of computerization to develop distinct sounds. "I use computerization to enhance voices and music," Wendy explains. "This is just an extension of what artists have been doing for decades with synthesizers and technology. I'm not here to pretend. I'm a songwriter utilizing the tools at my disposal to present my music honestly." Fortunes Faze is not merely about creating tracks but crafting experiences that inspire imagination and evoke emotion, resonating with a wide array of audiences. Wendy's musical journey began in the solitude of Northeast Hungary, where she found peace and inspiration for her songwriting. Despite her modest beginnings, she has achieved significant strides by releasing albums on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music. Fortunes Faze's presence extends beyond these platforms, welcoming collaborations with established musicians and opportunities for her music to enhance visuals in advertising and film. Her dedication and flexibility make her music adaptable and engaging, promising a future filled with creative collaborations and new musical adventures. Let your curiosity lead you to this compelling musical project. Explore Fortunes Faze's website [ https://fortunesfaze.com/ ] for more immersive music experiences, follow her on social media, and consider purchasing her CDs to support a rising star dedicated to sharing her unique sound with the world. Video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh7kutP4Sec?si=5-9PahvaghKvrsr6 ABOUT Fortunes Faze is the artistic project of Wendy Westhoven, a multifaceted creative based in Ohio. Known for her imaginative stained-glass artistry, Westhoven discovered her passion for music by transforming her poetry into songs. She uses cutting-edge computer technology to create compelling vocals and instrumentals, crafting a sound that bridges rock, hard rock, and country genres. Unconstrained by traditional methods, Westhoven sees computerized music as a natural evolution in artistic expression. Her lyrics are rooted in authenticity, drawing from a lifetime of introspection and creativity. Though she doesn't perform live, she envisions Fortunes Faze evolving into a performance band or inspiring established artists to reinterpret her work. Westhoven's music is distributed across Spotify, YouTube, and major streaming platforms. With her debut album already garnering positive feedback, her second release, Shadows Into Light , signals her commitment to exploring new artistic horizons. As she prepares for future projects, including a country-focused album, Fortunes Faze is becoming a beacon of innovation in independent music. LINKS Main Website: https://fortunesfaze.com [ https://fortunesfaze.com/ ] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortunesfaze/profilecard/?igsh=ZDB3ZXd5cnJxc2Zw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Edd7MHJKu/ Kunaki: https://kunaki.com/msales.asp?PublisherId=208209&pp=1&fbclid=PAY2xjawGy2iVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpt3JqQT9eKKUK03mkWByai4laXVX-2jGskovM1WOlklK_OlEvFv82MR5UQ_aem_bzg4AIt2tc_pyDbIrQUV1A YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fortunesfaze Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6jQBl5FqikFds1NmQRVKaP?si=P3MrYr_VSN-_dLzmugQ_Fw Media Contact Contact Person: Wendy Westhoven Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=introducing-fortunes-faze-an-eclectic-fusion-of-country-and-rock-from-ohios-talented-songwriter ] Phone: 800-983-1362 State: Ohio Country: United States Website: https://fortunesfaze.com/ This release was published on openPR.
Nick Malone is a rare and special senior
Photograph: Gregory Costanzo NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today announced that Alicia Graf Mack, widely celebrated for her dance artistry during her years with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and for her leadership as the Dean and Director of the Dance Division of The Juilliard School, has been appointed Artistic Director of AILEY. She becomes the fourth Artistic Director in AILEY's 66-year history, following Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison (herself a renowned star of the Company), and Robert Battle. Ms. Graf Mack will assume her role with AILEY as of July 1, 2025. News of Ms. Graf Mack's appointment follows shortly after the death at age 81 of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, who brought Alicia Graf Mack into Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and championed her work. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2024-25 season, which begins on December 4, celebrates the life and legacy of Ms. Jamison. Daria L. Wallach, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, said, "Living heritage is central to the artistic achievement of Alvin Ailey, and it is just as integral to AILEY as an organization. As we pass the artistic leadership of AILEY to Alicia Graf Mack, who was introduced to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under Judith Jamison's direction, performed under the leadership of Robert Battle, and electrified the Company's audiences around the nation and the world, we honor and celebrate the legacy that goes back to Mr. Ailey himself. We know that this powerful continuity across the generations, combined with Ms. Graf Mack's outstanding talents as a dance artist, educator, administrator, and communicator, will ensure that both the traditions and the innovation of AILEY remain strong for years to come.” Anthony A. Lewis, Board member and head of the selection committee, said, "Out of the many gifted and highly qualified candidates we reviewed as part of an extensive search process, Alicia Graf Mack rose to become our clear-cut choice. Her record of success at The Juilliard School, her profound connection with AILEY, and the intangible personal and professional qualities she possesses make her an exceptional leader. We are convinced that she is the Artistic Director for AILEY's future.” Alicia Graf Mack said, "It's the honor of a lifetime to step into this role and continue the legacy of Alvin Ailey-a legacy rooted in celebrating the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. I am committed to preserving the company's rich heritage while boldly exploring new voices and perspectives that push the boundaries of dance and reflect the world we live in today, and the world we hope to see. I am deeply grateful to AILEY's Board for placing its trust in me, and am particularly mindful at this moment of the abiding influence of Judith Jamison, who brought me into this extraordinary organization and will forever be an inspiration to me and present in all of us. To all the dancers who have embodied Mr. Ailey's vision, to Robert Battle, and to the artistic team including the wonderful Matthew Rushing, who have carried AILEY into the present as such a vibrant and indispensable artistic force, I offer my profound thanks. I will give my all to live up to this great responsibility, in service to the Company, our many supporters, our beloved audiences, and the entire AILEY community everywhere.” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's annual five-week holiday engagement at New York City Center from December 4 through January 5 has been prepared by Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. This year's Opening Night Gala , honoring legendary dance educator Jody Gottfried Arnhold, will feature the return of Ronald K. Brown's Grace on its 25 th anniversary, with live music by Tony ® and GRAMMY ® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. with composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY ® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. The finale of Mr. Ailey's Cry will also be performed, to pay tribute to Judith Jamison, who originated the role and ignited the ballet with her unparalleled grace and power. Celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, the season will showcase the world premieres of Sacred Songs by Matthew Rushing, Finding Free by Hope Boykin, Many Angels by Lar Lubovitch (his first world premiere for the Company), and Al-Andalus Blues by Jamar Roberts, as well as a new production of Elisa Monte's Treading and a generous selection of classic repertoire by Alvin Ailey and live music performances. Bennett Rink, Executive Director of AILEY, said, "Carrying forward into a new generation the bold vision of our founder, Alvin Ailey, and building upon the major achievements of Judith Jamison and Robert Battle in developing our organization, Alicia Graf Mack will place the unique stamp of her own leadership on AILEY while remaining true to our heritage. Knowing the great respect she has for Mr. Ailey's legacy and her comprehensive understanding of the multiple artistic, educational, and social roles that the AILEY organization plays in the world, I look forward with the greatest enthusiasm to working with her as AILEY takes its next steps into an exciting future.” As Artistic Director, Alicia Graf Mack will oversee the artistic program of the entire AILEY organization, which includes Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, and Ailey Extension. Alvin Ailey said, "Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.” Today, AILEY is one of the world's leading modern dance companies and a global ambassador of American culture, deftly weaving performance, education, and community programming together to celebrate the human spirit and inspire, enlighten, and unite people of all backgrounds. AILEY is currently partnering with the Whitney Museum of American Art to present Edges of Ailey (through February 9, 2025), the first large-scale exhibition to celebrate the life, creativity, influence, and enduring legacy of Alvin Ailey. For more info, visit www.ailey.org . About Alicia Graf Mack Alicia Graf Mack starred as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2011 to 2014 and now returns to serve as AILEY's fourth Artistic Director. She comes to AILEY from The Juilliard School, where she has been the Dean and Director of the Dance Division since 2018. Born in San Jose, California, Alicia Graf Mack grew up in Columbia, Maryland, was offered an apprenticeship at Dance Theatre of Harlem by Arthur Mitchell while in high school, and relocated to New York City at age 17 to join the company. During a hiatus from Dance Theatre of Harlem, she earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in history from Columbia University School of General Studies, then rejoined DTH until the company was temporarily disbanded in 2004. She also holds an MA in nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to dancing with DTH and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she has been a principal dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has danced as a guest performer with Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, Beyoncé, John Legend, Andre 3000, and Alicia Keys. She performed in honor of Carmen de Lavallade at the Kennedy Center Honors 2018 and was also invited to perform in the memorial services of Arthur Mitchell at Riverside Church in New York City and Jessye Norman at the Metropolitan Opera. In 2007, Smithsonian magazine named her an American Innovator of the Arts and Sciences. She is a recipient of the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, an award given each year to an alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in their field of work, and in 2008 delivered the keynote address to the graduates of Columbia University's School of General Studies. She is the recipient of the 2023 Dance Magazine Award. Before assuming leadership of the Dance Division of Juilliard, she co-founded D(n)A Arts Collective, an initiative created with her sister to enrich the lives of young dancers through master classes and intensives, taught as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Houston, and served as a visiting assistant professor at Webster University. Ms. Graf Mack serves on the Boards of Columbia University School of General Studies and Camille A. Brown and Dancers. In addition, she volunteers her time and talent to the summer intensive of the Art Saves Lives Foundation in St. Maarten. She is the co-producer and host of the podcast Moving Moments , featuring conversations with some of the most celebrated and ground-breaking artists in the field of dance. About AILEY Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by US Congressional resolution as a "vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a now-fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Forged during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, the Company was established to uplift the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity. Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and for 21 years she brought the Company to unprecedented success. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents, promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. In addition to being the principal dance company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a year-end tradition, the Company performs annually at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago; The Fox Theatre in Atlanta; Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA; and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark (where it is the Principal Resident Affiliate), and appears frequently in other major theaters throughout the world during extensive tours. AILEY also includes Ailey II, a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School, one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, which brings dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people of all ages; and Ailey Extension, a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general public, which began with the opening of AILEY's permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance-the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City-at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.ailey.org. Press Contact: Christopher Zunner [email protected] 212-405-9028 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/220b97d0-161a-49d1-9701-050d98263dd6
Varanasi, Dec 21, 2024 The United Nations (UN) has declared December 21 as Meditation Day. Reactions from across various sections of society have been pouring in following this announcement. The people of Varanasi have also welcomed this declaration by the United Nations. The people of Varanasi believe that this initiative will not only promote the religious and cultural identity of Varanasi but will also highlight the importance of meditation and mental peace worldwide. This step, honouring Varanasi’s traditions and spiritual heritage, is seen as a move in a positive direction. Advocate Anurag Pandey congratulated the United Nations for this initiative, calling it a wonderful step for health, similar to the celebration of Yoga Day. He believes that this announcement will be very beneficial and hopes that more people will be drawn to this practice. Advocate Avnish Rai expressed that this is a moment of great pride for India. He mentioned that India’s traditions are being recognised worldwide, which is a matter of pride for the country and its people. He also pointed out the recent shift in people’s daily routines, with more individuals adopting yoga and meditation, leading to a broader acceptance of spiritual traditions. Rajeev Rai said this is a very positive step. After yoga, this is another excellent initiative for health. He further stated that declaring December 21 as Meditation Day is a remarkable move by the United Nations. Pawan Singh also praised this declaration, expressing confidence that it will yield positive results in the future. On this announcement by the United Nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on the X: “Today, on World Meditation Day, I call upon everyone to make meditation a part of their daily lives and experience its transformative potential. Meditation is a powerful way to bring peace and harmony to one’s life, as well as to our society and planet. In the age of technology, Apps and guided videos can be valuable tools to help incorporate meditation into our routines.”(Agency)Trump threatens jail time for Jan. 6 committee members. How did Schiff respond?
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen reflected on Buffalo’s many offseason critics and doubters when asked about the Bills achieving their latest milestones while sewing up the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. It was a the Bills quarterback’s “I told you so moment,” even though Allen elected not to use those exact words. “It speaks to the staff that we’ve got here, the guys that we’ve got in this locker room, how this team is put together and the culture that we have,” Allen said. “We didn’t really pay attention to the preseason notions, but we heard them and we saw them and we knew what people were saying. "But it had no effect on us.” Well, that might be a stretch when it comes to motivation. What’s unquestioned is how Allen and the Bills (13-3) overcame a young, patchwork roster following the offseason departure of six of eight team captains — including Stefon Diggs being traded to Houston — to run away with their fifth consecutive AFC East title and win a franchise-best 13 games for the fifth time in team history, and third since 2020. Coach Sean McDermott didn’t leave much doubt as to who deserves the most credit for leading the Bills to their sixth consecutive playoff berth, and helping them set the single-season franchise records for points (509) and touchdowns (63). “I think Josh Allen continues to show why he should be the MVP,” McDermott said. “I’ve been around this league long enough to know to see MVP every year for many years. And what he has done on this team and this organization in this community — and no offense to anybody else — but I’ve got a hard time believing that someone’s done more.” Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to become the NFL’s first player to score 40 touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. He did so in an outing Buffalo blew the game open by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. Nothing went right in what became a comedy of errors for Rodgers and the Jets (4-12). New York will finish with five or fewer wins for the seventh time over a 14-season playoff drought — the NFL’s longest active streak. “It’s kind of like the season, it just got away from us. Too many games got away from us,” said Rodgers, who finished 12 of 18 for 112 yards and two interceptions before being pulled in favor of Tyrod Taylor with Buffalo leading 40-0. “We were moving the ball well and then just hit a wall. And that’s kind of been the season.” Rodgers, who entered the game with 499 career TD passes and looking to become just the fifth player to reach 500, was instead shut out and became the NFL’s most sacked quarterback. The 41-year-old has now been sacked 568 times , moving ahead of Tom Brady (565) and into first place on the career list. Taylor accounted for all of New York’s points, with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson and a 20-yarder to Tyler Conklin. Discipline was an issue for a Jets team that fell to 2-9 since Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach. New York finished with 16 accepted penalties for 120 yards. “It’s frustrating, it’s embarrassing, it’s maddening. It’s all of that,” Ulbrich said. Allen had a short and efficient outing, finishing 16 of 27 for 182 yards with a 30-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper and a 14-yarder to Keon Coleman before giving way to backup Mitchell Trubisky with Buffalo leading 33-0 through three quarters. And Trubisky piled on by completing a 69-yard touchdown pass to practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers 2:23 into the fourth quarter. Shavers became the 13th Bills player to catch a touchdown pass, matching the single-season NFL record, to validate the “everybody eats” mantra Allen and the offense used to approach this season. The Bills defense enjoyed a dominating performance to snap a shaky three-game stretch in which it combined to allow 1,357 yards, 86 first downs and 107 points. “I wouldn’t say need ... and I don’t want to say reassurance, either,” said A.J. Epenesa, who sacked Rodgers for the safety. “But it just shows that this is what we can do and this is the standard that needs to be upheld.” Allen’s 1-yard score was the 65th rushing TD of his career, matching the team record held by Thurman Thomas. ... James Cook scored on a 4-yard run for his 15th TD rushing of the season, one short of the Bills' single-season record set by O.J. Simpson in a 14-game season in 1975. Cook matched Allen, who scored 15 last year. ... Wilson reached 1,000 yards receiving for the third straight year to start his career, the first Jets player to do so and the 10th player in NFL history to accomplish the feat. Jets: Close the season by hosting the Miami Dolphins. Bills: Play their regular-season finale at the New England Patriots. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflGreenfield Touch Football League continues on after 50-plus years of competition
ISRO is set to launch two satellites on Monday night from the Sriharikota spaceport to demonstrate docking and undocking of spacecraft in orbit, which will make India the fourth country in the world to achieve the feat. The Indian Space Research Organisation 's (ISRO) warhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle ( PSLV ) will place the two satellites -- SDX01 and SDX02 -- in a 476-km circular orbit and attempt the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) in the first week of January, the space agency officials said. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for "This mission will mark India's entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking," Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said. The SpaDEx mission is expected to be a stepping stone for India's future endeavours in space exploration which include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. Only the US, Russia and China have mastered space docking technologies. "The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target) in a low-Earth circular orbit," an ISRO official said. 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"This capability is vital for India's lunar and interplanetary missions . Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight," Singh said. After the demonstration of docking and undocking experiments, the two satellites will continue to orbit the Earth for standalone missions for two years. The SDX01 satellite is equipped with a High Resolution Camera (HRC) and SDX02 has two payloads -- Miniature Multispectral (MMX) payload and Radiation Monitor (RadMon). These payloads will provide high-resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and on-orbit radiation environment measurements which have numerous applications, ISRO said. The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 payloads from various ISRO labs, private start-ups and educational institutions for carrying out experiments in space. These 24 payloads are mounted on the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket which remains in orbit for a few weeks before falling back on the Earth. PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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Scott Turner, President-elect Donald Trump choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development , is a former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. Turner, 52, is the first Black person selected to be a member of the Republican's incoming cabinet. Here are some things to know about Turner: From professional football to politics Turner grew up in a Dallas suburb, Richardson, and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was a defensive back and spent nine seasons in the NFL beginning in 1995, playing for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. During offseasons, he worked as an intern then-Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. After Turner retired in 2004, he worked full time for the congressman. In 2006, Turner ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in California’s 50th Congressional District. Turner joined the Texas House in 2013 as part of a large crop of tea party-supported lawmakers. He tried unsuccessfully to become speaker before he finished his second term in 2016. He did not seek a third term. Motivational speaker and pastor Turner also worked for a software company in a position called “chief inspiration officer” and said he acted as a professional mentor, pastor, and councilor for the employees and executive team. He has also been a motivational speaker. He and his wife, Robin Turner, founded a nonprofit promoting initiatives to improve childhood literacy. His church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, lists him as an associate pastor. He is also chair of the center for education opportunity at America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers to lay the groundwork if he won a second term. Headed council in Trump's first term Trump introduced Turner in April 2019 as the head of the new White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump credited Turner with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” The mission of the council was to coordinate with various federal agencies to attract investment to so-called “Opportunity Zones," which were economically depressed areas eligible to be used for the federal tax incentives. The role of HUD HUD is responsible for addressing the nation’s housing needs. It also is charged with fair housing laws and oversees housing for the poorest Americans, sheltering more than 4.3 million low-income families through public housing, rental subsidy and voucher programs. The agency, with a budget of tens of billions of dollars, runs a multitude of programs that do everything from reducing homelessness to promoting homeownership. It also funds the construction of affordable housing and provides vouchers that allow low income families pay for housing in the private market. During the campaign, Trump focused mostly on the prices of housing, not public housing. He railed against the high cost of housing and said he could make it more affordable by cracking down on illegal immigration and reducing inflation. He also said he would work to reduce regulations on home construction and make some federal land available for residential construction.