Most expensive man-made thing, costs more than Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani’s Rs 15000 crore Antilia, it works as...
‘We’re not drafting the constitution’
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir held an urgent meeting of top security brass on Friday after a shootout at the home of powerful former spy chief Akol Koor, who was sacked almost two months ago amid rumours of a coup plot. Gunfire erupted on Thursday evening in the capital Juba, sparking concerns about the stability of the world's youngest country that is already plagued by power struggles, ethnic infighting and a deep economic malaise. The shooting around the home of Koor, who was fired by Kiir in early October and placed under house arrest, caused panic among local residents before it was contained after about an hour. Following the meeting, South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said the incident took place after a "misunderstanding" between security forces attempting to relocate the ex-head of the National Security Services. Koang said Koor had now agreed to the relocation "with his dear wife, one bodyguard, and a cook" elsewhere in the city. He would be provided with additional army protection at his new residence, but Koang emphasised he was not under "their (army) detention." He said four people, two civilians and two soldiers, had been killed during the confrontation. The meeting convened by Kiir included the heads of defence, police, national security and military intelligence. A source in the presidency press unit said Koor was also present. The Sudans Post newspaper quoted a security official as saying the meeting had "resolved all outstanding tensions" and that the spy chief and his family "have been assured of their safety". In an alert to its staff on the ground on Thursday, the United Nations in South Sudan had said the shooting was linked to the arrest of the former spymaster and advised people to take cover. Koang told AFP that Koor "remains at his house", and denied claims circulating on social media that he had fled to the UN compound in Juba. There was a heavy deployment of military forces around his home in the Thongpiny district, an AFP correspondent said, but traffic has resumed and people were going about their daily business. Police spokesman John Kassara said the situation was now calm but that Thongpiny remained sealed off and residents "should remain vigilant". Koor became head of the feared National Security Services (NSS) after South Sudan's independence in 2011 but was sacked in October leading to widespread speculation he had been planning to overthrow Kiir. After his dismissal from the NSS, Koor was appointed governor of Warrap State, Kiir's home state, but this was abruptly revoked by the president before he took the oath of office. Koang said there had been a "misunderstanding" between two security services forces present at Koor's residence when a third unit arrived for the relocation. "That was the start of the armed confrontation that you heard," he said. Four people, two servicemen and two civilians, were killed in the incident, he said, and two civilians were wounded. Koor's sacking came just two weeks after Kiir again postponed by two years, to December 2026, the first elections in the nation's history. The delay has exasperated the international community, which has been pressing the country's leaders to complete a transitional process, including unifying rival armed forces and drawing up a constitution. The NSS was at the centre of controversy in July when parliament approved amendments to legislation allowing the agency to continue to arrest -- without a warrant -- anyone accused of offences against the state, raising alarm among rights groups and South Sudan's international partners. The country has struggled to recover from a brutal civil war between forces loyal to Kiir and his now deputy Riek Machar from 2013 to 2018 that killed about 400,000 people and drove millions from their homes. It remains one of the poorest and most corrupt countries on the planet and continues to be plagued by chronic instability and climate disasters. str-txw-rbu/giv
Giants stars Malik Nabers, Dexter Lawrence label team 'soft' after blowout loss to Bucs
The UK's oldest man has celebrated his 110th birthday with a special performance from opera singer Alfie Boe at his care home in Derbyshire. A party was laid on for Donald Rose, who's now classed as a "supercentenarian", for his birthday on Christmas Eve. Mr Boe joined the bash in Ilkeston by video call and sang happy birthday, adding it was "a pleasure" to perform for him. Mr Rose, who served in the with the Queen's Royal Regiment, said: "Today is the best day I've ever had." Canal Vue Care Home announced his birthday with a post on Facebook: "Today we're celebrating a remarkable milestone. Our beloved Donald is turning 110 years young!" Activity coordinator Naomi Allsop also shared a touching tribute on Facebook: "Happy 110th birthday to my amazing best friend, the UK's oldest man and a remarkable WWII and D-Day veteran! "We've shared so many incredible experiences together, and there's still so much more to come!" "Donald is a lovely character - and a true national treasure," said the mayor of Erewash, Councillor Kate Fennelly, who also paid him a visit. Mr Rose, who was born in 1914 in Westcott, Surrey, also received a card from and , which he proudly showed off. Other performances at the care home included Kate from D-Day Darlings, an all-female singing group who reached the finals of ITV's . She sang The White Cliffs of Dover and We'll Meet Again. On 5 December, the war hero was among 200 veterans and their guests to attend a Christmas reception at St James's Palace, hosted by the Duke of Gloucester. The event was organised by The Not Forgotten veterans' charity, which aims to combat isolation and loneliness in the armed forces and those who have served through social activities and holidays. Mr Rose served as a sniper and Desert Rat in North Africa in the Second World War, according to The Gerontology Research Group, and was part of the liberation of Italy and France. He earned a number of medals during his service including the Legion D'Honneur - France's highest honour. After working various jobs as a labourer, lorry driver and bin man he moved to in 2000 following the death of his wife, and at the age of 106 moved into his care home in Ilkeston. On 25 November, following the , he became the oldest known living man in the UK. The world's oldest living person is Japan's 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka.
Rev Richard Coles has been a much-loved TV personality over the years, and has instantly become a fan favourite after joining the I'm a Celebrity jungle as a latecomer alongside Maura Higgins. However, the star, who previously competed on Strictly Come Dancing, has a very difficult history having lost his partner David, aged 42, back in 2019. Richard was in a relationship with his partner David Oldham, a fellow priest, since 2007, with the pair entering a civil partnership in 2010, where David took Richard's surname. David described himself as a "dilettante potter, designer, gardener & narrow boat enthusiast," and often shared updates on social media on his cooking skills. The pair lived in the village of Finedon. Speaking about their relationship, he said: "I liked football. He liked Ugly Betty. I was allowed Match of the Day but he wanted two Ugly Betties in return. I remember having a terrible row with him once because I wanted Train To Busan, which is a particularly gory South Korean zombie movie, and I had to give him Legally Blonde for the second week in a row in exchange." Speaking about their relationship, Richard said: "From the minute we met – boom! I never for a minute thought – no matter what happened – we would ever part." In 2019, Richard announced the very said news that David had passed away, writing that "he had been ill for a while". However, he later confirmed that David had died as a result of alcoholic liver disease. Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, he said: "People used to talk about the ‘demon drink’ which sounds like a rather melodramatic way to describe it, but it is like someone is seized by a demon and when David was at his worst he was really difficult and it was very tough." Speaking to Radio Times, he added: "My husband David died of alcoholic liver disease just before Christmas 2019. He was 43, a clergyman, and a former A&E charge nurse. Not an obvious victim, you might think, of alcoholism, but he had been drinking excessively since his teenage years, as a palliative – alcohol is the most readily available anaesthetic in the world – and as a recreation." He added to The Guardian: "The great pathos about David, as an alcoholic, was that he was grimly determined to keep his drinking secret. But drinking is a thing that’s very difficult to keep secret. And he failed, spectacularly." He has written about his experiences in a memoir, The Madness of Grief: A Memoir of Love and Loss. He has spoken very candidly about his grief, telling publication: "After David died, there was a woman at the hospital who had been widowed, too. She said, 'You're going to be mad, for a while. People will never be as nice to you again as they are now, so milk it for all you can.'" "I've had to subtract David from the future and that has taken all the future with it. It’s a bit blank. I think: ‘What the [expletive] am I going to do? Play the accordion and go to bed at ten past six, I guess. Of course, it’s not the end of my life. But it feels like it’s over sometimes. During the very sad time, the Strictly star spoke of further heartbreak after being forced to rehome three of their five pet dachshunds, as he was unable to care for all of them on his own. He said: "They went to good homes, but it was so hard. Seeing them go, with their little dog faces, was just horrible." The aftermath of David's death was also made particularly difficult due to internet trolls, who the Reverend spoke frankly about - and reported to the police. Posting to X at the time, he wrote: "99.99999% loveliness from people and then a small but lively correspondence from Christians who wish me to know that D is in hell and I will follow. "It’s like the Khmer Rouge suddenly popping up in a stream of condolence. A letter, courageously unsigned, begins: 'Dear Mr Coles, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to hear of the death of your partner.'" In 2023, Richard confirmed that he was in a relationship with War Horse actor Dickie Cant. Chatting on Lorraine, he revealed that they had met on a dating app, saying: "Best invention of civilisation. It was called Elite Singles which was a bit embarrassing because I wasn’t elite... The third person I met is the person I’m with now." He continued: "I thought I was out of the game when David died. It was a bit like a polar bear emerging from hibernation and wanting to eat a seal."Christopher Nolan’s next film is based on ‘The Odyssey’
BOONE, N.C. (AP) — South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired as head coach at Appalachian State and will receive a five-year contract, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday. The 44-year-old Loggains replaces Shawn Clark, who was fired Monday after the Mountaineers finished 5-6 for their first losing season since 2013. Loggains was South Carolina's offensive coordinator for two seasons and an assistant at Arkansas, his alma mater, for two seasons before that. He spent 16 years in the NFL as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago, Miami and the New York Jets. “He brings experience as a leader and play-caller at the highest levels of professional and college football," Gillin said. "He is a great recruiter and believes strongly in building relationships. He is aligned with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience. This is a great day for App State.” Loggains' offense at South Carolina featured LaNorris Sellers, one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks, and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. Sellers and Sanders led the Southeastern Conference's third-ranked rushing offense. Loggains spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as Arkansas' tight ends coach, and he worked with Sam Darnold, Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky, Brian Hoyer and Vince Young during his time in the NFL. The Mountaineers, the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division, tied for fifth with a 3-5 record in league play. App State was 40-24 under Clark, but the Mountaineers have failed to reach a bowl game two of the past three seasons. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballDemand Grows for Terry Bradshaw to Retire After Sunday Performance
70th ABVP National Convention Gorakhpur: Remembering the contributions of freedom fighters and youth leaders during the Indian freedom movement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged the youth to continue working towards building a strong nation at the 70th annual national convention of the BJP's student wing – the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Gorakhpur on Sunday. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025 Live: KKR break bank for Venkatesh Iyer, Ashwin returns to CSK IPL 2025 Auction LIVE: Updated Full Team Squads IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom Urging the youth to embrace science and technology to navigate the modern era efficiently, Yogi emphasised the need to harmonise knowledge and virtue. Cautioning against the failure to adapt, he warned that it could lead to significant challenges and hardships, urging young people to make the best use of technology in their respective fields. Addressing a special session on the closing day of the convention, held at Deendayal Upadhyay University, the UP CM said that no country in the world matches India's zeal for knowledge. Referring to the ABVP's motto – Gyaan, Sheel, Ekta (knowledge, modesty, and unity) – Yogi told the audience that just as knowledgeable ‘Rishis' carried wisdom with them, today's youth should follow the teachings of the Gita. He quoted, "Na Hi Gyanen Sadisham Pavitramih Vidyate" (nothing is purer than knowledge), urging the youth to acquire complete knowledge in subjects that interest them. Referring to the initial resistance towards computerisation in the 90s, Yogi pointed out that what was once opposed has now become part of daily life. Technologies like smartphones, internet services, online work culture, power, telephones, television, aeroplanes, microwaves, GPS, and social media have all advanced and integrated into everyday existence, he added. Yogi emphasised that the right-minded youth, willing to serve society and the nation, can use technology to strengthen both. However, he cautioned the youth against falling victim to negative influences. "Technology becomes a tool for public and national welfare when used effectively. But in the hands of wrongdoers, it can become a weapon to spread terror and destruction," he said. The CM stressed the importance of understanding the timeline of tasks and making preparations accordingly. "In the past, great sages like Dadhichi made supreme sacrifices for the greater good. But today, instead of focusing on self-sacrifice, we should focus on harnessing the power of technology," Yogi said. He encouraged the youth to introspect, stating that the biggest challenge of the present age is to remain human. "To remain human, one must be knowledgeable and virtuous. The Vedic principle ‘Sab Saath Chale, Sab Saath Badhe' must be embraced by all. By prioritizing Rashtradharma (national duty) over everything else, we can pave the way for the welfare of humanity," said Yogi. Yogi reaffirmed that only by following the path of national duty can India achieve the goal of being a developed, self-reliant, and self-sufficient nation by its centenary of independence in 2047. He called for collective efforts to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. "As the youngest nation globally, with 56% of the population being youth, the energy you provide will give the country a new direction," he said. Citing examples from both mythological and revolutionary eras, Yogi highlighted how youth power shaped history. He mentioned how Lord Ram protected the innocent and upheld unity in his youth, and how Krishna freed Mathura from the tyranny of Kansa. He also referenced figures like Buddha, Mahavira, Adi Shankaracharya, Guru Gobind Singh, and the four Sahibzadas, whose youthful energy transformed the course of history. He further cited Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, the brave freedom fighters of 1857 like Maharana Lapat, and revolutionaries such as Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Veer Savarkar, who contributed significantly to the country. In the realm of science, Yogi pointed out that Louis Braille created the script for the visually impaired at just 15, Einstein formulated the theory of relativity at 16, and Newton developed the theory of gravity at 23. "These examples show how youth energy has always been a force for transformation and progress," he said. Yogi also praised the ABVP as one of the world's largest youth organizations, noting that it channels youth energy in the right direction. "I am proud to have been a member of this organisation during my student life. It is a matter of great fortune to have been a part of the Vidyarthi Parishad," he said. He also felicitated Dipesh Nair, co-founder of the Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH) in Thane, with the Professor Yashwantrao Kelkar Yuva Award.BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Some carried a sign that read, “We want life, not death.” Security forces, meanwhile, arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. "Always the message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and hope," said Mayor Anton Salman. “And these days, we are also sending our message to the world: peace and hope, but insisting that the world must work to end our suffering as Palestinian people.” The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all of it from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in Holy Family Church in Gaza City on Sunday. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. “I bring you the greetings, the prayers, of our brothers and sisters in Gaza.” The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
Why rebelling public presents tough times for Ruto, RailaMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has seen a change in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past month. “He's found a way to improve the way he plays the position throughout the game,” the Dolphins coach said Sunday, after Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns in a dominant 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. “The most monumental thing that you have to overcome as a quarterback is playing the position regardless of the ebbs and flows," McDaniel added, "so not changing how you play based upon positive or negative results and letting every play stand on its own.” Tagovailoa has mastered that ability to remain even-keeled during Miami's three-game winning streak, McDaniel noted, highlighted by his 317-yard passing performance on Sunday. The Dolphins (5-6) have a thin margin for error the rest of the season but have kept themselves afloat with a strong stretch that includes two-straight 30-point games. With their win at New England (3-9) in Week 5, the Dolphins have swept their division rivals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Tagovailoa, who moved to 7-0 in his career against New England, entered the game with a league-high 73.4% completion rate and went 29 for 40. He has 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception since returning from injured reserve in Week 8. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Odisha Parba 2024 begins at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi
Bills' letdowns on defense, special teams and clock management in loss to Rams are all too familiar