'It's incredible': Angel is riding tall in the saddle on the National Trail
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Crime prevention officers from the NYPD’s 109th Precinct were out in force last week going to supermarkets, shops and bodegas, helping proprietors and employees help combat theft from their customers who can afford it the least. Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, or EBTs, are how residents who receive SNAP benefits to pay for food, have been targeted by thieves who surreptitiously slip skimmers into checkout machines where people swipe EBT, debit or credit cards to pay. The 109th Precinct said in its X feed last week that EBT cards have proven highly susceptible to theft. The card owners do not even have to let go of their cards for the skimmer to collect necessary information to steal the money. “Our 109 Crime Prevention officers and Auxiliary Unit went out to check all credit card machines and educate their employees in supermarkets,” the post said. “Over the past year, we’ve seen thousands of vulnerable families and seniors in our community have their food stamps stolen through “EBT skimming,” Councilwoman Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) said in a lengthy post on her own X page. Ung also said the state could easily make theft harder. But she also said Congress must step in quickly and get its act together on budget authorizations. According to the website of the city’s Human Resources Administration, federal authorization for reimbursement of stolen SNAP money expired on Dec. 20. The federal spending bill approved to avoid a government shutdown did not include additional funds. Only victims whose benefits were stolen before Dec. 20 may apply for reimbursement unless or until Congress reexamines the matter. Meanwhile, private organizations in some cases have stepped in to help. Ung posted that one simple fix would be for the state Legislature to pass legislation that would require EBT cards to have chip technology like that on credit and debit cards. “Chips make skimming far more difficult,” Ung wrote. “Legislation exists for this on the state level and I urge them to pass it.” The councilwoman also does not absolve Washington of blame. “The federal government also needs to stop playing games with our neighbors,” Ung wrote. “Congress has to pass a budget that includes element funds, and families are left wondering if they will get this assistance every time a budget fight happens, which now happens every few months.”
Donald Trump called for the end of daylight savings time in a post on Truth Social Friday. “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,” the president-elect wrote . DOGE heads Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy also posted last month that they wanted to end the changing of the clock. Most American adults dislike daylight savings— but are uncertain whether they want daylight savings time or standard time to be permanent. Trump has not signaled which he would pick. Standard time, in place during the winter, extends daylight in the morning. Daylight savings time, used during the summer, extends daylight in the evenings. Twenty states have passed bills enacting year-round DST, though they can’t be implemented without federal action. The Senate passed a permanent DST bill in 2022, but further efforts have sputtered out. Arizona and Hawaii both have permanent standard time. BBC reported that Apple’s new AI notification system sent a message from the outlet that falsely claimed Luigi Mangione shot himself. The new technology aims to group together notifications; however, it falsely wrote that the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Manhattan slaying had shot himself. The BBC sent a message to Apple in regards to the notification, but the company declined to comment. A BBC spokesperson said, “It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.” The notification included other news stories, which were described correctly. The message read: “Luigi Mangione shoots himself; Syrian mother hopes Assad pays the price; South Korea police raid Yoon Suk Yeol’s office.” The BBC also reported that it’s seemingly not the only news organization dealing with the misleading summarizations. A screenshot allegedly showed that a New York Times grouped notification read that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arrested. The screenshot could not be independently verified by the BBC, and the New York Times declined to comment. Posters are a great way to celebrate your favorite fandom. But if you’re looking for that real “WOW!” factor, nothing beats Fathead . For 17 years, Fathead has been an industry leader in officially licensed graphic wall art across sports and entertainment. You can even create personalized products, making big-head cutouts and life-size wall decals from your own photos. Installing the decals is a breeze. Unroll the decal and lie it flat. Wipe down your wall with a damp cloth. After the wall is dry, peel off the decal backing and apply it slowly, smoothing out any bubbles as you go. Need to adjust? No problem— Fathead decals can be peeled off and reapplied easily. No matter your favorite football team, Fathead has a wall decal for them . Free Shipping The basketball season has just tipped off. Celebrate your favorite player with a life-size wall decal. Free Shipping From everyone’s favorite web-slinging New Yorker to the fourth-wall breaking merc with a mouth, Fathead’s superhero decals burst with vibrant colors. You’ll marvel at how they bring your walls to life. Free Shipping If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. The NFL wished Taylor Swift a Happy Birthday with a TikTok of her and Travis Kelce’s most memorable moments—on and off the field. Kelce’s employer posted the video of the singer and his relationship, which already has racked up over 1 million views. The caption read, “Karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me.” The clips showed Kelce and Swift celebrating his wins at games, the pair at her concerts, and her glitzed out in Chiefs gear. “If you told me 2 years ago I would be following the NFL on tiktok and not falling asleep everytime a game is on TV... never would’ve believed it,” wrote one commenter. “Happy birthday Taylor. Thank you for uniting the Swifties and the Football Fans together in the name of art and sport,” another wrote. Swift has been seen at many Chiefs games since the beginning of her relationship with the tight end, with him visiting her at some of her tour dates. karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me 🎶 #taylorswift #traviskelce #nfl #kansascitychiefs Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson , known best to some for his past relationships with Kim Kardashian , Ariana Grande , Kate Beckinsale , and more famous women, now says he doesn’t want to be known as “this f---ing loser who just dates people,” in a new interview for W Magazine . to promote his new role as creative director for colorful sock brand Doublesoul, Davidson told the outlet his feeling that he was one of “a handful of celebs every couple of years” that the media “destroys,” after multiple run-ins with tabloids over his famous exes. “For some reason, I’m one of the people they chose to go after,” he said. But, he added, “It’s actually, in a way, a blessing, because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things. What do you want to be? Who are you?” Davidson said he only wants to be seen publicly “when it’s movie, stand-up, charity, or business ventures” and to focus on his stand-up career. “I’m someone who is from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Consuming cannabis as an adult feels very different than doing so as a fresh-faced 21-year-old—so why should your smoking habits make your space feel like a disheveled college dorm room? NWTN Home’s collection of chic smoking essentials offers a more elevated way to enjoy cannabis in the comfort of your home. NWTN Home is a smokeware brand bringing craftsmanship to the cannabis industry by designing what they call “homeware for the high-minded.” Its weed-associated products are built to double as elegant and functional houseware items , helping you upgrade your home into a full smoking sanctuary. Plus, they make the perfect holiday gifts for your favorite creative cannabis connoisseur! This hand-poured, marbled ashtray rests atop a sleek melamine rolling tray and includes a helpful brass tool that can assist in your rolling process, making it the perfect blend of form and function. This standout stackable flower pot ashtray set is a surefire solution to keep your space clean—and your houseguests impressed. No cannabis collection is complete without something to smoke out of! These avant-garde gravity bongs are inspired by vintage housewares and designed to seamlessly blend into your barware and greenware set-ups. The iconic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle will hit screens for the first time in 18 years, with a limited run of four episodes set to premiere on Disney+ . Frankie Muniz, who will reprise his role as Malcolm, announced the reboot Friday, along with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, who play his parents. The original creator of the show will also return as a writer. The new series follows Malcolm returning home with his daughter for his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, according to Deadline . Christopher Kennedy Masterson, who played the eldest brother Francis, and Justin Berfield, who played the middle child Reese, are likely to be asked to reprise their roles. Though it’s unlikely that Erik Per Sullivan, who plays the youngest brother Dewey, will make an appearance. He quit acting in 2010 and has not appeared at any reunions. Malcolm in the Middle first premiered on Fox in 2000 and ran for seven seasons. Its success as a family comedy is credited with paving the way for other single-camera sitcoms. Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers is finally opening up about his strained relationship with his family. In his new documentary, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma , Rodgers explained that he has “stunted emotional intelligence” because of the lack of open emotion in his home growing up. “I think I saw my dad cry when my grandfather passed. And that might have been it,” Rodgers shared. “There wasn’t space for emotion.” Rodgers’ brother, Jordan, first opened up about the family’s rift during his time on The Bachelorette in 2016. During a hometown date with his now-wife JoJo Fletcher, the family explained that while they “miss” Rodgers, they no longer have a relationship with him. In a 2017 profile with The New York Times , Rodgers’ father, Ed, confirmed that he hadn’t spoken to his son in three years. “Fame can change things,” he said. At the time, Rodgers said he didn’t want to talk about his family publicly. In the doc, Rodgers spoke about his family while participating in an ayahuasca ceremony. The quarterback said the psychedelic drug allows users to “model a new way of thinking about masculinity, or what it means to be a man.” Released bodycam footage shows Paris Hilton’s ex-fiancé, Chris Zylka, in a chaotic brawl with police after a failed carjacking. Police in a Cleveland suburb first responded to reports of a shirtless, barefoot man walking in traffic in freezing temperatures on Dec. 4, local outlet WKBN first reported. Zylka was found in the middle of an intersection, where he allegedly tried to break into a woman’s car. He pointed a cell phone at the cops and began foaming at the mouth, leading officers to believe he was under the influence of drugs, according to the police report. Footage shows Zylka struggling with police officers and resisting arrest even after being tasered in the leg twice. He was then put in an ambulance by paramedics. The actor is now facing felony charges of assault and attempt to commit an offense, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and aggravated menacing. Hilton and Zylka started dating in 2017 after being friends for years. He proposed in early 2018 during a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado, but they called off their engagement in November that same year. Vanderpump Rules alum James Kennedy is refusing to apologize for his domestic violence arrest . “We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James,” Kennedy’s attorneys said in a statement to the Daily Mail . “We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the city’s attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.” Police were called to Kennedy’s home on Tuesday because of an argument between Kennedy and a woman. That night, Kennedy attended Kathy Hilton’s Christmas party with girlfriend Ally Lewber, though it’s unknown if she is the victim. Police told People that after an investigation, they arrested the reality star for misdemeanor domestic violence. He later posted $20,000 bail. A source at the Christmas party told People that Kennedy was acting “super aggressive.” “He was acting so erratic, running back and forth to the bar and body-checking people along the way,” the source alleged. “He appeared inebriated. Spent the evening mostly alone but when he did speak to people, he appeared irritated and rude.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Apparently, boosting prostate health can actually be pleasurable—at least, that’s what premium sexual wellness brand MysteryVibe says. The Molto, an ultra-slim and bendable prostate vibrator designed by a doctor, is engineered to be the same size and width as a doctor’s finger and to mimic similar motions to that performed during an exam, allowing for not only intense prostate (the prostate is often hailed as the male ‘G-spot’) and anal stimulation but also a release of prostatic fluids. According to the brand, some studies have found that excess prostatic fluid can lead to inflammation and pressure, so not only is this a sex toy , but it’s also possibly an investment in your prostate health. Think of it almost like a lymphatic massage for your prostate—except one that can give you intense orgasms, too. Made with body-safe silicone, the multifunctional and gender-fluid vibrator is powered by one “anatomically-placed” motor that delivers potent yet precise vibration to the anus and prostate without feeling bulky or inflexible. It’s a great sex toy for those new to anal play or who are looking for an ultra-sleek vibrator with possible health-boosting benefits. The prostate vibrator is equipped with 16 vibration settings and eight pre-set vibration patterns, allowing for superior control and customization. Plus, the device comes with access to a catalog of vibration patterns with the free MysteryVibe smartphone app. Best of all? Because the Molto vibrator is an FDA-registered class II medical device, it’s also FSA/HSA eligible. A doctor has rubbished Brandi Glanville’s scary medical theory about her “deflated” face , saying he’s concerned about an infection that started via an injection. The 52-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum claims doctor s told her that it may have been caused by “a parasite that jumps around my face.” But Dr. Terry Dubrow, from Botched , has said he’s “concerned about an infectious process”. He told TMZ : “It’s an infectious process or a foreign body reaction to something she’s had injected.” A foreign body reaction is the response of biological tissue to any foreign material in the tissue, despite it often being inert and nontoxic, according to ScienceDirect.com Dubrow added: “Brandi needs a diagnosis... she has to figure out if there’s a microorganism in there. It’s not gonna be a parasite, it’s not gonna be something she ate... it’s going to be something that got into her bloodstream though, and seeded some foreign body.” Dubrow thinks Glanville either has a micro bacterium, a type of bacteria, or a fungus, a type of organism. Sick it! pic.twitter.com/hrtAzRwOCW A Buckingham Palace maid was arrested this week after she allegedly went “crazy” following a staff Christmas party which saw glasses and punches thrown in a London bar. A report in The Sun said as many as 50 royal servants gathered for an after-party following drinks at the palace Tuesday when the maid, 24, took a swing at a bar manager, threw glasses, and was ultimately arrested for common assault, criminal damage, and being drunk and disorderly. She was released after 24 hours with a fine. “The group walked in and this one girl just got hysterical,” a source told The Sun . “She started smashing glasses and abusing our staff members, so we had to call the police. I’ve never seen one person get that crazy during a night out. She was on another level.” A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident outside the workplace involving a number of Household staff who had previously attended an early evening reception at the Palace. While this was an informal social gathering, not an official palace Christmas party, the facts will be fully investigated, with a robust disciplinary process followed in relation to individual staff and appropriate action taken.”Israeli police set to probe Netanyahu’s wife over ‘harassment of witnesses’
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JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Israeli leader’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a terse message late Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the “Uvda” investigative program into Sara Netanyahu. The program uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs. Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aid to organize protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs. Netanyahu by name, and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. But in a video released earlier Thursday, Netanyahu listed what he said were the many kind and charitable acts by his wife and blasted the Uvda report as “lies.” It was the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus — highlighted by the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial . Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favors with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. Netanyahu denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.Georgia Republicans Recommend Further Law to Restrict Transgender Women's Participation in SportsCHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it will redeem all outstanding shares of its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series MM (CUSIP No. 060505FR0), liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and the corresponding depositary shares each representing a 1/25 th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock (CUSIP No. 060505FQ2) (the "Depositary Shares"). The Depositary Shares will be redeemed simultaneously with the Preferred Stock on the upcoming dividend payment date on January 28, 2025 (the "Redemption Date"), at a redemption price of $1,000 per depositary share. Declared dividends of $21.50 per depositary share in respect of the outstanding Depositary Shares for the full current semi-annual dividend period from, and including, July 28, 2024 to, but excluding, January 28, 2025 will be paid separately on January 28, 2025 , to holders of record on January 1, 2025 , in the customary manner. Accordingly, the redemption price of $1,000 per depositary share does not include any accrued and unpaid dividends. Dividends on the redeemed Depositary Shares will cease to accrue on the Redemption Date. The Depositary Shares are held through The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Payment to DTC for the Depositary Shares will be made by Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., collectively, as redemption agent. The address for the redemption agent is as follows: Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Attn: Corporate Actions 150 Royall St. Canton, MA 02021 This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption under the certificate of designation governing the Preferred Stock or the deposit agreement governing the Depositary Shares. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States , serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States , its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions difficult to predict or beyond our control. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider the uncertainties and risks discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , and in any of our subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts . www.bankofamerica.com Investors May Contact: Lee McEntire , Bank of America Phone: 1.980.388.6780 lee.mcentire@bofa.com Jonathan G. Blum , Bank of America (Fixed Income) Phone: 1.212.449.3112 jonathan.blum@bofa.com Reporters May Contact: Jocelyn Seidenfeld , Bank of America Phone: 1.646.743.3356 jocelyn.seidenfeld@bofa.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bank-of-america-announces-full-redemption-of-its-series-mm-preferred-stock-and-related-depositary-shares-302338391.html SOURCE Bank of America CorporationCHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, paying a big price for one of baseball's best hitters. The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. He batted .284 with 29 homers, an AL-best 112 RBIs and 30 steals for Houston in 2023. Tucker, who turns 28 on Jan. 17, joins a crowded situation in Chicago's outfield, but the Cubs are reportedly looking to trade Cody Bellinger, who also can play first base. They also have talked to Seiya Suzuki's agent about the outfielder's no-trade clause. The Cubs have finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record in each of the past two years, and there is increased pressure on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to get the team back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The New York Yankees also were in the mix for Tucker before the trade was completed. “We certainly had many conversations with the Astros.” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “At the end of the day I’m glad that Mr. Tucker is not in the American League East or the American League at all. But it’s a big get for the Chicago Cubs.” Paredes is an option for Houston at third base if Alex Bregman departs in free agency. The 25-year-old Paredes hit .238 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 153 games this year. He made the AL All-Star team with Tampa Bay and then was traded to Chicago in July. Wesneski, a Houston native who played college ball for Sam Houston State, likely will compete for a spot in the Astros’ rotation. The right-hander, who turned 27 on Dec. 5, went 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA over 21 relief appearances and seven starts this year. He was on the injured list from July 20 to Sept. 20 with a right forearm strain. Houston is hoping the addition of Paredes and Wesneski will help the team continue its impressive run as one of baseball's best teams. It has made the playoffs for eight straight years, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. It was swept by Detroit in the wild-card round this year. While Paredes and Wesneski could have an immediate impact, Smith also was a key component of the deal. Smith, 21, was selected by Chicago with the No. 14 pick in this year's draft out of Florida State University. He hit .313 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 32 games over three minor league stops, finishing the year with Double-A Knoxville. Tucker was Houston's first-round pick in 2015, taken No. 5 overall. He made his big league debut with the Astros in 2018. Tucker had a breakout performance three years after his debut, hitting a career-best .294 with 30 homers and 92 RBIs in 140 games in 2021. He won a Gold Glove the following year. The Tampa, Florida, native is a .274 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBIs and an .869 OPS in 633 career games — all with Houston. He also has appeared in 64 postseason games, batting .229 with eight homers and 28 RBIs. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Jay Cohen, The Associated Press
Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pauseArgentinian soccer player Lionel Messi is the latest global name to join the Fortnite universe. Last night the game released new outfits, emotes, and more allowing fans and players to channel the spirit of the sports legend. On the release of Messi x Fortnite collab, the soccer player said, “It’s amazing to see myself represented in Fortnite. Growing up, I never imagined something like this would be possible. Soccer has always been about joy and connection, and now fans can experience that through my own outfits in a way that goes beyond the field. I hope they have fun!” Released at 7 PM ET on December 13, the Lionel Messi Outfit and the Streetwear Spark Messi Outfit offer two dynamic Messi-inspired looks. The original Lionel Messi outfit can transition from Messi’s field uniform to Stealth Lion Messi and Gold Lion Messi with The Mane Event Emote. The alternate Streetwear Spark Messi Outfit offers a more laid-back number that interacts with the virtual environment throughout the gameplay. Finally, the #1 Fan Llama Emote offers a playful expression that projects a colorful llama pinata. A post shared by Fortnite (@fortnite) Head to the Fortnite Shop now to see the full extent of the Lionel Messi collaboration.William S. Burroughs was a gay drug addict. A knot of contradictions, he was also deeply homophobic, sexist, racist and a gun-loving conservative, a passion that would eventually lead to him to be convicted of manslaughter. Needless to say, his life was as wild as his fiction – just watch Luca Guadagnino’s new film Queer . The film is an adaptation of Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same name, which was written in Central America, to where he had fled after drunkenly – and unsuccessfully – attempting to shoot a whisky glass off his wife’s head at a party. The story follows William Lee (an avatar for Burroughs, brilliantly played by Daniel Craig) as he stalks through 1950s Mexico City looking to indulge in gorgeous men and mind-altering substances. If you’ve delved into Guadagnino’s back catalogue you know his filmic world is heady, steamy and deeply sensuous. Think of the bitten peach dripping with nectar in his queer coming-of-age film Call Me By Your Name, the dizzying and dangerous dances of Suspiria, and the hot love triangle in his most recent film, Challengers. His world is one of feverish longing, and Queer continues this legacy. Our reviewer, American literature expert James Miller, found it to be a fairly faithful adaptation of Burroughs’ novel. The first half follows Lee as he becomes obsessed with a tall good-looking young veteran called Eugene Allerton. In the second half, the pair embark on an adventure to South America to find yagé (the hallucinogen ayahuasca). It’s a beautifully shot film that, as Miller writes, “explores the tension between personal freedom, transgression and control – themes that endured throughout Burroughs’ work”. Queer is in cinemas now Read more: Queer: Daniel Craig is superb in this courageous William Burroughs adaptation The task of translation Queer could have been a tricky book to adapt – Burroughs’ writing is highly experimental and laden with trippy images, which Guadagnino has somehow managed to evoke. Another impressive feat of translating a book to the screen is Netflix’s One Hundred Years of Solitude , based on the epic Colombian saga by Gabriel García Márquez. The book is a sprawling work of genius, responsible for popularising magical realism as a literary genre and winning García Márquez a Nobel prize. Surprisingly, despite its popularity, it has never been made into a film – the author himself considered it unfilmable. I get where he was coming from. Surely no studio could have the resources to render its wild mix of reality and fantasy the way our own imaginations can. But Netflix has grasped the nettle and gone big in what is one of their most expensive and lavish productions. Split into two parts, the first of which is eight episodes, the studio’s adaptation “does not disappoint in its scope or ambition,” according to Liz Harvey-Kattou, an expert in Latin American studies. A surprisingly faithful and detailed retelling, it will please those who adore the novel and bring new fans who love a beautiful period drama – as well as those who enjoy fantasy. One Hundred Years of Solitude is on Netflix now Read more: One Hundred Years of Solitude: Netflix adaptation is faithful, ambitious and beautifully realised Keeping on the theme of translation, this time from one language to another, Japanese writer Haruki Murakami has just published his latest novel, The City and its Uncertain Walls . The book revolves around two parallel stories, one about a 17-year-old boy, and the other of a 45-year-old man. After reading it in Japanese and English, Japanese studies scholar Gitte Marianne Hansen happened upon an fascinating difference between the way these two stories are set apart in each version. In English, the reader becomes aware that the two narratives are distinct as they get to grips with the different worlds they inhabit. However, in Japanese the difference is immediate because the language has several ways to say “I”. This might not seem like a big deal but, as Hansen’s piece outlines, it changes the story and the way the reader interprets it in several interesting ways. Read more: Haruki Murakami and the challenge of translating Japanese's many words for "I" New digital horizons In As You Like It, Shakespeare famously wrote, “all the world’s a stage” and during the pandemic, actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen took this to heart and ran with it. With theatres closed, they took every part of Grand Theft Auto’s online open-world game and made it a stage for a unique production of Hamlet. For future media academic Andy Miah, Grand Theft Hamlet is the hilarious film documenting the making of this ingenious, boundary-pushing production. As well as showing the possibilities of theatre in digital spaces, it’s just a very funny and heartwarming film that will entertain theatre and games lovers in equal measure. I for one laughed out loud at frequent calls for actors and audience members to “please refrain from killing each other”. Grand Theft Hamlet is in select cinemas now Read more: Grand Theft Hamlet documentary shines a light on reinventing Shakespeare in a virtual world Also pushing traditional art forms to new places is the Tate Modern’s new exhibition Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet . Featuring 150 works, it is one the most ambitious exhibitions at the Tate to date, bringing together groundbreaking works by artists who engaged with science, technology and material innovation up to the early 1990s. It’s a fascinating look at our relationship with technology before the commercialisation of the internet. As our reviewer Geoff Cox, an expert in art and computational culture, notes, there’s a sort of utopian hope, something innocent almost and idealistic, which we are missing now. Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet is at Tate Modern, London, until 1 June 2025 Read more: Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet at the Tate offers a glimpse into the future past
As per NSE data, the investment firm, through Peak XV Partners Investment Holdings III, sold 12.01 Lakh shares at INR 679.38 apiece Last week, Peak XV offloaded more than 7 Lakh shares of the fintech company at INR 579.37 each for a total consideration of INR 40.59 Cr MobiKwik shares rallied as much as nearly 15% to hit a fresh all-time high of INR 698.30 apiece during the intraday trading on the BSE on December 26 VC giant Peak XV Partners on Thursday (December 26) sold fintech major MobiKwik’s shares worth INR 81.63 Cr via a block deal. As per NSE data, the investment firm, through Peak XV Partners Investment Holdings III, sold 12.01 Lakh shares at INR 679.38 apiece. The investment entity held 21.83 Lakh shares, or 2.81% shareholding, in the company as of December 16. Peak XV also holds another 9.98% stake in the company via another entity. Earlier, on December 19, Peak XV offloaded more than 7 Lakh shares of the fintech company at INR 579.37 each for a total consideration of INR 40.59 Cr. Shares of MobiKwik rallied as much as 15% to hit a fresh all-time high of INR 698.30 apiece during the intraday trading on the BSE on Thursday. However, the stock later pared some of its gains and closed the day 4.83% higher at INR 638.55 on the BSE. Founded in 2009 by Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, MobiKwik is a digital banking platform that offers a suite of financial products for both consumers and merchants. The fintech company generates revenue by providing consumer payments, buy now pay later (BNPL), and payment gateway services. It competes against the likes of Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay in India’s burgeoning fintech market. MobiKwik listed on the bourses recently. Its initial public offering (IPO) comprised solely a fresh issue of shares worth INR 572 Cr and had no offer for sale. The IPO received an overwhelming response from investors and was oversubscribed over 119X. Afterwards, the stock made its debut at INR 442.25 on the BSE, a 58.5% premium to the issue price of INR 279. On the NSE, the shares listed at INR 440 apiece, a 57.7% premium to the issue price. Since then, the stock has been on a bull run. Earlier this month, brokerage firm Dolat Capital initiated coverage on the stock with a “BUY” rating and a price target of INR 500. On the financial front, MobiKwik slipped into the red and reported a net loss of INR 6.6 Cr in Q1 FY25 as against a net profit of INR 3 Cr in the year-ago period. Operating revenue stood at INR 342.2 Cr during the quarter under review.An “unrivalled home” with “immense proportions, a unique design and tasteful decor” has come on the market. Located on Dawstone Road in Heswall , the detached property has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and four receptions. The Wirral-based house occupies an elevated position set in the National Trust Woodland - allowing residents to enjoy views of the Estuary as well as high degrees of privacy. The home is arranged over three floors, and spans over 4,000 square feet, with estate agents priding it on having a “versatile living space with an abundance of impressive features”. In its property description on Zoopla, Move Residential said: “Encapsulating this home perfectly are the wrap-around gardens, generous in size and beautifully manicured with sweeping lawn, patio areas and mature well-stocked borders offering a profusion of colour throughout the flowering months. £2m 'stunning' bungalow hidden in Sefton tourist attraction £2m mansion crafted to 'exude sophistication, style and modernity' “Surrounded by woodland and with a private gate giving direct access to the woods and Heswall high street. An enviable location nestled in the prestigious area of Heswall. With excellent local amenities, thriving community spirit and easy access throughout Wirral, Chester and Liverpool. “A town with its own unique charm, bustling with local boutique shops, cafes and beauty salons. Boasting a wealth of schools for all ages.” You can find out more about the £2,000,000 property here.
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Miami Heat president Pat Riley has issued a defiant update on Jimmy Butler’s future at the franchise amid trade talk rumors. In response to reports that Butler was interested in a trade, Riley said in a statement that the team will be holding on to the six-time NBA All-Star. “We usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches,” Riley said in Thursday’s statement. “Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler.” ESPN’s Shams Charania said Wednesday that Butler “prefers” a trade away from the Heat – something the Miami star’s camp had previously denied. When reached by CNN, Butler’s agent declined to comment on details from the ESPN report. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also said he wants to see Butler stay in Miami. “You have to compartmentalize in this business,” Spoelstra said Thursday, per AP . “We want Jimmy here. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. And it’s just unfortunate that you have to control or deal with a lot of the noise on the outside.” Butler joined the Heat from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019. The forward had also previously played for the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since joining the Heat, Butler has helped lead Miami to two NBA Finals. The Heat lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals before losing to the Denver Nuggets in 2023. This season Butler averages 18.5 points-per-game alongside 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Miami Heat are next in action against the Orlando Magic on Thursday but Butler has been ruled out with the Heat citing “return to competition reconditioning”.
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