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NoneNew Delhi, December 30: Nvidia is expected to shift its focus towards robotics in 2025 to respond to the growing competition in the AI chip market. The company, known for its dominance in AI hardware, is said to explore opportunities in robotics to drive its future growth. The company reportedly plans to launch a new series of compact computers for humanoid robots. As per a report of Financial Times , Nvidia is preparing to focus on robotics as a long-term growth strategy. The company provides a complete solution that covers everything needed for AI-powered robots. This includes the various software layers that help train the robots, as well as the chips that are installed inside them. Nvidia is expected to introduce its new line of compact computers for humanoid robots, which may be called Jetson Thor, sometime in the first half of 2025. Samsung Patents Eye-Tracking Smart Glasses, Self-Adjusting Galaxy Ring 2 Feature and AI-Powered Imaging Technology for Upcoming Launches: Report. Nvidia is said to be focusing on robotics as a key area for its future growth. As one of the top semiconductor companies in the world, it might be looking for new opportunities. The company is facing more competition in its main business of making chips for AI from companies like AMD. Additionally, major cloud computing companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are trying to lessen their dependence on Nvidia. By investing in robotics, Nvidia is likely to find new ways to expand and succeed in the business. European Commission Mandates USD Type C Charging Port for All Portable Electronic Devices To Avoid Market Fragmentation. Deepu Talla, the vice-president of robotics at Nvidia, has reportedly mentioned that there is a significant change happening in the robotics market. The change is being influenced by two major technological advancements. The first is the rapid growth of generative AI models. The second breakthrough is the capability to train robots using these foundational models in simulated environments. Most of Nvidia's revenue comes from its data centre business, which includes its AI GPU chips. The segment contributed for around 88 per cent of the company's total sales, which reached USD 35.1 billion in the third quarter. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 10:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans keep proving that for every step forward, they always find ways to take two back. The Titans (3-9) clinched a third straight losing record to mark first-year coach Brian Callahan’s debut season in an ugly 42-19 loss to Washington. Yet another slow start, more turnovers, sacks, penalties ruined their chance at stringing together consecutive wins for the first time in more than two years. Callahan said Monday they’re trying to build consistency. “In the NFL, a lot of it is about not losing the game first, and we do right now with the amount of penalties and turnovers we’ve had,” Callahan said. “We put ourselves in position to lose games and not win them. And so, yes, there is a there is an element of learning how to win.” Tennessee had 11 of 12 penalties before halftime, trailing 28-7. The Titans also were the previous NFL team to be flagged for at least 11 penalties and trail by 20 or more points at halftime in Week 17 of 2005 against the Jaguars. Only Baltimore has been penalized more than Tennessee this season. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said after the loss that the Titans need to learn how to deal with winning better coming off a 32-27 win at Houston. Simmons said they were “hungover from our own success.” Callahan said Monday he didn’t see any hangover issues. “You have a performance like that and you’re sort of grasping for an explanation on why and there really wasn’t one other than we made too many errors early in the game and put ourselves in a hole,” Callahan said. What’s working Quarterback Will Levis’ development over the four games since his return from a sprained, right throwing shoulder at least gives the Titans promise for the future. The second-year quarterback made some nice throws and limited yards lost on two sacks Sunday. He threw two TD passes for 212 yards. Since his return, he is completing 61.7% of his passes for 960 yards with seven touchdown passes and only two interceptions with a 101.3 passer rating in that span. What needs help Now the defense is struggling after going into Washington second in the NFL in yards allowed, ninth against the run and first defending the pass. They gave up a season-high 267 yards rushing after giving up just 40 a week ago. The Titans also gave up 28 points within the first 20 minutes, becoming only the third team to do that in the past five seasons . The Titans also did that in Week 8 earlier this season after being routed by the Lions in Detroit. Washington did it against Dallas in Week 16 of 2021. Stock up WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Originally undrafted out of Indiana, Westbrook-Ikhine is tied for fourth in the NFL with eight TD catches entering Monday. That’s despite starting only five games this season and not having a pass thrown to him the first month of the season. He has earned a multi-year deal with his performance. He had three receptions for 61 yards against Washington and was targeted a season-high eight times. Stock down Rookie Jha’Quan Jackson. A sixth-round pick out of Tulane and nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ed Reed has fumbled five times as the punt returner recovering only two of those. That got him benched against Washington. His fumbles have come in the past six games, including one in each of the past two. His fumble against Washington led to an early touchdown. Injuries LT JC Latham hurt a quadriceps muscle but finished the game. Callahan said they will see how CB Roger McCreary (shoulder) and LB Kenneth Murray Jr. (strained hamstring) recover during the week. Key number 36 — The number of games since the Titans have had consecutive victories. Next steps The Titans at least are home with their best focus trying to improve their standing inside the AFC South with four divisional games down the stretch. They have two games remaining against Jacksonville (2-10) starting Sunday with Trevor Lawrence likely out. But their biggest question now is how high does this franchise draft in April.
Sony reportedly working on a new PlayStation handheld device
’19 agritech soonicorns, 40 minicorns embracing emerging tech for biz growth’Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon Musk
Unwrap the latest AI features with Amazon Fire TabletsFollowing , details Apple’s efforts to release the ultra-thin . According to the journalist, Cupertino will remove several features to make this innovative iPhone that thin. Ma reports that iPhone 17 Air prototypes are between 5 and 6 millimeters thick, which could possibly make it thinner than the iPhone 6, released a decade ago. While the iPhone 16 is 7.8mm thick, this could make the iPhone 17 Air as thin as the new . Unfortunately, not everything is good news. Apple will have to sacrifice several crucial features to achieve this ultra-thin design. For example, says Apple engineers are “finding it hard to fit the battery and thermal materials into the device,” which means Cupertino will likely have to add a smaller battery to this iPhone. Besides, a major compromise on the iPhone 17 Air might be a single earpiece speaker. According to Ma, “the iPhone will only have a single speaker in its earpiece because there’s no room for a second speaker at the bottom, which is standard in other models.” Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the and have reviewed the The journalist also confirms another rumored change: the iPhone 17 Air will have a “large, centered camera bump.” That said, , the optical zoom. While A , the chip doesn’t perform as well as Qualcomm’s. The report says it’s more efficient, but it won’t be as fast, and it will lack a feature some US users benefit a lot, the mmWave 5G technology, which Apple’s future processor won’t have. Finally, Apple engineers couldn’t figure out how to add a physical SIM tray to the iPhone 17 Air. While iPhone users in the US are used to that, Apple will have issues, at least in China, which requires phones to be sold with a SIM card. Without this market, sales of this upcoming iPhone might not be as enticing as they could. Wrap up Considering all that, I wonder if these trade-offs are worth it for an all-new iPhone design. I still think Pro users will keep buying Pro phones, while regular iPhone users won’t be enticed to pay extra for this new design. So, who might be this new iPhone for?
Earlier this year, Hollywood actor Gal Gadot welcomed her fourth daughter, Ori, into the world. However, in a heartfelt revelation, Gadot shared that the journey to Ori’s birth was fraught with significant health challenges. The actor disclosed she was diagnosed with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT), a rare but serious condition involving a blood clot in the brain. Gadot explains that approximately 3 in 100,000 pregnant women over 30 are diagnosed with CVT, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection. On Monday morning, Gal Gadot took to her social media to share her deeply personal experience. Alongside a touching photograph of herself holding her newborn daughter in the hospital, she wrote about the struggles and lessons she learned during this trying period. “This year has been one of profound challenges and deep reflections, and I’ve wrestled with how, or even if, to share a personal story,” Gadot began. “At the end, I decided to let my heart guide me. Perhaps this is my way of processing everything, of pulling back the curtain on the fragile reality behind the curated moments we share on social media. Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar.” How Was This Diagnosed? In February, during the eighth month of her pregnancy, Gadot began experiencing persistent and debilitating headaches. Despite weeks of suffering, she initially dismissed the symptoms until an MRI revealed the cause: a massive blood clot in her brain. This diagnosis of CVT was a stark wake-up call for the actor and her family. “In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be,” she wrote. “It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and amid a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.” Gadot was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery to treat the condition. Despite the uncertainty and fear surrounding the situation, her daughter Ori was born during this challenging time. The name Ori, meaning “my light,” was chosen deliberately to symbolize hope and resilience. “Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back,” Gadot shared. Reflecting on her experience, Gadot emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body. She urged others to pay attention to symptoms such as persistent headaches or discomfort, as these can often signal underlying health issues. “Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry a deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life-saving,” she wrote. Gadot also underscored the need for greater awareness of CVT, especially among pregnant women. While CVT is rare, it remains a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. According to medical experts, the condition occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses, preventing proper blood drainage. This can lead to increased pressure inside the brain, resulting in symptoms like severe headaches, vision problems, or even seizures. All You Need to Know About Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of stroke that primarily affects young adults and children, with a slightly higher incidence in women due to pregnancy and hormonal factors. Symptoms of CVT: - Severe, persistent headaches - Vision disturbances - Seizures - Nausea or vomiting - Neurological deficits, such as weakness or difficulty speaking Risk Factors: - Pregnancy, especially in the third trimester or postpartum period - Use of oral contraceptives - Blood clotting disorders - Dehydration - Infections, including meningitis Diagnosis and Treatment: Timely diagnosis of CVT is crucial. Imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans with venography are typically used to identify the condition. Treatment focuses on dissolving the clot and preventing further complications. This often involves anticoagulant medications and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. With prompt treatment, most patients recover fully, although some may experience lingering neurological symptoms. Early recognition and management are key to reducing the risk of long-term complications. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
Higher FCNR rates fail to bring in the moolahDancing with the Stars begins on RTÉ One on Sunday, January 5th, at 6.30pm and runs until Sunday, March 16th. The judging panel will expand to four, with the dancer (and 2023 pro winner) Karen Byrne joining the veteran adjudicators Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian . Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy return as presenters. Eleven celebrities will participate in 2025, hoping to succeed the Paralympian Jason Smyth as winner. As is tradition, they range from champion athletes to showbiz veterans. Here’s a rundown of the hopefuls. Joanna Donnelly, the meteorologist and children’s author who has worked with Met Éireann since 1995, became a TV weather forecaster in 2002. She lives in Dublin with her Dutch husband, Harm Luijkx, and their three children. Her pro partner, Maciej Zieba, a Dancing with the Stars newcomer, is a former student of the series regular Robert Rowiński. The gymnast Rhys McClenaghan won gold in the pommel horse in Paris last summer, securing Ireland its first Olympic gymnastics medal. He dances with Laura Nolan, back for her fifth Dancing with the Stars. She will hope to improve on her two semi-final finishes. The journalist and TV presenter Elaine Crowley has been a host of Ireland AM, on Virgin Media One, since 2021. Dancing with the Stars isn’t her first reality series: in 2016 she participated in a celebrity edition of the fitness show Operation Transformation. She has the ideal dance partner in Denys Samson, who reached the final in 2022 and 2024. The celebrity chef Kevin Dundon is best known for cookery shows such as Guerrilla Gourmet and as owner of Dunbrody Country House Hotel, in Co Wexford . He partners with the series newcomer Rebecca Scott, who recently featured in a group dance in the Blackpool special of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Yasmin Seky played the resourceful girlfriend of a self-destructive member of the Kinsella crime dynasty on the hit gangland thriller Kin . The actor, who is from Cabra in Dublin, is paired with the Italian pro Simone Arena, who created a splash with the 2024 finalist Blu Hydrangea. Monaghan comedian Kayleigh Trappe has 400,000 social-media followers thanks to skits in which she impersonates celebrities such as Nadine Coyle, Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams . It’s quite a change from her original job teaching senior infants. She will dance with the pro Ervinas Merfeldas, who previously twirled across the dance floor with Missy Keating, Stephanie Roche and Katja Mia. Donegal singer Mickey Joe Harte represented Ireland at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest with We’ve Got the World, coming a respectable 11th. He joins the series’ new pro dancer Daniela Roze, a five-time All-Ireland Latin dance champion from Maynooth, in Co Kildare. Known for his trademark scorpion kick, the taekwondo champion Jack Woolley , who has represented Ireland at the Olympics, got his first black belt at the age of 11. He dances with another Dancing with the Stars debutante, Alex Vladimirov, who was born in Ukraine and grew up in Germany and Australia. The stand-up comedian Gearóid Farrelly has worked in radio, appeared on TV comedy quizshows and written for The Savage Eye and The Panel. He dances with Stephen Vincent, who reached the final with the Paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane in 2022. The model and beauty-pageant winner Aishah Akorede, who grew up in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and has a master’s degree in international corporate governance, represented Ireland at Miss Universe 2023. Earlier this year she appeared on the Discovery+ reality show Beauty and the Geek. Her partner, Robert Rowiński, is a two-time finalist, with Cliona Hagan in 2019 and Brooke Scullion in 2023. Danny O’Carroll, who is best known for playing Buster Brady on Mrs Brown’s Boys, is the latest veteran of the Brendan O’Carroll comedy to grace Dancing with the Stars, on the heels of his aunt Eilish O’Carroll and Rory Cowan. He dances with the two-time finalist Salome Chachua. It’s obviously far too early to take an informed view – but that hasn’t stopped bookmakers from installing Kayleigh Trappe as favourite, followed by Gearóid Farrelly and Rhys McClenaghan. Ed Power, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about television, music and other cultural topics
Disney Plus has been known for its fair share of revivals, but something feels oh so right at home with this one. – a beloved sitcom that ran for seven seasons, is coming back as a four-episode arc that will stream on , as confirmed by . And here’s some even better news, especially if you’re keen to see the return of your favorite dysfunctional family. Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek are all set to return to their respective roles, and Linwood Boomer, the original series creator, is back on board for the revival. You wouldn’t want a revival without the iconic cast, right? The cast is stoked as well in a teaser video that Frankie Muniz posted on Instagram and Threads, opening with iconic "Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcom!" and Muniz noting he's been waiting for 18 years to find out "where Malcolm and his family are now." In a statement, Disney Branded Television President Ayo Davis said, “ is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability. Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we’re so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved – along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless.” Clearly, the team behind the revival – or reboot – is quite excited to welcome the iconic show back, and its teased family reunion. Variety reports the official logline as: “Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.” Indeed, it is a time jump, but like other revivals, this should hit the right tone and deliver a fun, meaningful reunion to reunite all the characters. Additionally, this seems more in line with what the creator is going after and not being pressured by the studio for a full-length season to be produced. It’s the story that Boomer and co. are hoping to tell. No release date is set yet, but when the revival is ready, it’ll stream on Disney Plus. Of course, if you’re keen to stream some other titles, .
NoneCourt upholds death sentence for tycoon in $12bn fraud case
Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. Stockholder Alert: Robbins LLP Reminds Investors of the KYTX Class Action Lawsuit
By JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.Lakers send Russell to Nets in trade for Finney-Smith, MiltonKyverna Therapeutics, Inc. Stockholder Alert: Robbins LLP Reminds Investors of the KYTX Class Action LawsuitA butterfly collector in Africa with more than 4.2 million seeks to share them for the future NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital. Steve Collins has a collection of 4.2 million butterflies representing hundreds of species. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. One expert familiar with Collins and his work suggests that the collection should be digitized for global access. Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the New York Knicks and New York Rangers sports franchises. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately.
Stock market today: Asian shares are mixed after Wall Street slips, led by tech giantsTBILISI (AP): Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili was formally inaugurated as president of Georgia on Sunday, cementing the ruling party’s grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s European Union (EU) aspirations. Outgoing pro-Western Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Sunday morning that she would vacate her residence at the Orbeliani Palace in Tbilisi, but insisted she was still the legitimate office holder. “I will come out of here, come out to you and be with you ... . This presidential residence was a symbol as long as there was a president here who was legitimate. I bring legitimacy with me,” Zourabichvili told a crowd of supporters outside the palace. She called Kavelashvili’s inauguration a “parody”. Kavelashvili, 53, who was the only candidate on the ballot, easily won the vote earlier in December, given the Georgian Dream party’s control of a 300-seat electoral college that replaced direct presidential elections in 2017. It is made up of members of parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures. In his speech on Sunday, Kavelashvili promised to be “everyone’s president, regardless of whether they like me or not”. He called for the nation to unite behind him around “shared values, the principles of mutual respect, and the future we should build together”. Georgian Dream retained control of Parliament in the South Caucasus nation in an October 26 election that the opposition alleges was rigged with Moscow’s help. The party has vowed to continue pushing towards accession in the European Union, but also wants to “reset” ties with Russia. BOYCOTTED Georgia’s outgoing president and main pro-Western parties have boycotted the post-election parliamentary sessions and demanded a rerun of the ballot. In 2008, Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which led to Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions as independent, and an increase in the Russian military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Critics have accused Georgian Dream –established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia – of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted towards Moscow, accusations the ruling party has denied. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights. Georgian Dream’s decision last month to suspend talks on their country’s bid to join the EU added to the opposition’s outrage and galvanised protests. Protesters in front of the parliament building on Sunday held red cards, in reference to Kavelashvili’s career in soccer. “Because today our president is a footballer, we are showing him a red card. The next step will be sending him off the pitch. The Georgian people will definitely do this, because it was a circus that they have held today in the parliament,” protester Sofia Shamanidi told The Associated Press. NEW ELECTIONS Zourabichvili, 72, was born in France to parents with Georgian roots and had a successful career with the French foreign ministry before President Mikheil Saakashvili named her Georgia’s top diplomat in 2004. Constitutional changes made the president’s job largely ceremonial before Zourabichvili was elected by popular vote with Georgian Dream’s support in 2018. She became sharply critical of the ruling party, accusing it of pro-Russia policies, and Georgian Dream unsuccessfully tried to impeach her. Zourabichvili has rejected government claims that the opposition was fomenting violence. “We are not demanding a revolution,” she told The Associated Press. “We are asking for new elections, but in conditions that will ensure that the will of the people will not be misrepresented or stolen again.” Who is the new president? Georgia’s opposition has mocked Kavelashvili for lacking higher education. He was a striker in the English Premier League for Manchester City and played for several clubs in the Swiss Super League. He was elected to parliament in 2016 on the Georgian Dream ticket, and in 2022 co-founded the People’s Power political movement, which was allied with Georgian Dream and become known for its strong anti-Western rhetoric. Kavelashvili was one of the authors of a controversial law requiring organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “pursuing the interest of a foreign power,” similar to a Russian law used to discredit critical organizations. The EU, which granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 on condition that the country meets the bloc’s recommendations, put its accession on hold and cut financial support in June following approval of the “foreign influence” law. HOW DID PROTESTS UNFOLD? Thousands of demonstrators converged on the parliament building every night after the government announced the suspension of EU accession talks on November 28. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas almost daily to disperse and beat scores of protesters, some of whom threw fireworks at police officers and built barricades on the capital’s central boulevard. Hundreds were detained and over 100 treated for injuries. Several journalists were beaten by the police, and media workers accused the authorities of using thugs to deter people from attending anti-government rallies, which Georgian Dream denies. The crackdown has drawn strong condemnation from the United States and EU officials.
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The controversy around a religious Christmas sign that was taken down in downtown Kelowna continues. Two days after a sign stating 'Keep Christ in Christmas' was removed from the nativity scene display at Stuart Park, Kelowna-Centre MLA Kristina Loewen went to social media to express her opinion on the matter. "We believe that it's an important detail that Christmas is a Christian holiday," said Loewen in her video, referring to 'we' as all of the MLAs for the Central Okanagan. "We will be standing united and defending all British Columbians rights to religion and freedom of expression, speech, thought, belief," she added. "Canada is an incredible country full of diverse cultures and religions, and a wide variety of views, and I think that's one of the things that makes us so incredible." Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong agreed with her fellow Conservative, quote-tweeting the video and saying "a great message from a colleague and friend. I'm proud to be part of a team that stands for what's right." Macklin McCall, MLA for West Kelowna, also quote-tweeted Loewen's post. However, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew appears to not have commented on social media. The nativity scene is put up by the Knights of Columbus every year and a permit is given from the City of Kelowna to do so. When the 'Keep Christ in Christmas' sign was displayed beside the scene on Monday, Dec. 9, some people in the community, including the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association (KASHA) took issue. A letter by KASHA to Black Press Media on Dec. 9, stated the nativity scene is part of Christmas, just as "lights, festive trees, and other decorative displays" are also. "This message is not merely festive—it is political, advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday," said KASHA about the sign. The next day, the sign was taken down and the City of Kelowna confirmed that the sign was not part of the Knights of Columbus' permit for the nativity scene. The Knights of Columbus had no comment regarding the matter. Capital News reached out to Loewen for further comment but was met with an automatic e-mail reply. Additionally, the City of Kelowna stated it had no comment on Loewen's video. However, Ian Bushfield the executive director of the B.C. Humanist Association did have a comment. "Freedom of religion in Canada includes freedom from religion," said Bushfield in an e-mailed statement. "Ms. Loewen and all Christians are obviously free to celebrate Christmas as a Christian holiday but our governments have a clear duty of religious neutrality. That means neither endorsing nor prohibiting any religion over any other. That sign, and arguably even the nativity scene, being on public property breaches that duty. She can put the sign up at her church or at her own house but we do not live in a theocracy." Bushfield has previously stated that BCHA is an organization committed to secular values. “Part of that is the separation of religion and government," said Bushfield. The City of Kelowna also said it received five letters on the matter when the sign was up but none since it's been taken down.