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“The Bear Would Just Sit There”: When Kyle Petty Hailed Mark Martin as the “Cleanest Driver” in NASCAR
Lakers' Pelinka Thanks D'Angelo Russell After Trade, Hypes Finney-Smith's 'Toughness'Junior Chloe Williamson, a Stillwater High School Technology Theater student, isn’t someone most people would see when they attend a concert or production at the Performing Arts Center. But as one of 20 Tech Theater students at the high school, she’s responsible for much of what happens behind the scenes. Along with her classmates, the students hosted 12 events this semester – including concerts and a production called “Stardust.” This is Williamson’s second semester as a Tech Theater student. Stillwater Public Schools Junior Chloe Williamson works the sound board at the Performing Arts Center. “This is just such a community of people who work so hard to put on these productions,” Williamson said. “It’s amazing how many people (don’t) see us, but appreciate what we do.” Williamson worked as a “house manager” during the production, “Stardust.” But more often than not, she’s in the “fly loft,” or catwalk, raisi,ng curtains and making sure large set pieces are taken on and off the stage easily. Up in the 25-feet-high fly loft there’s a ladder and a series of ropes she raises for different scenes. Chole Williamson stops for a picture while in the fly loft at the Performing Arts Center. “You basically have to raise and lower the curtains by pulling on these ropes and timing it so that they go exactly on the dot,” Williamson said. “It takes a lot of practice.” Her favorite part about helping this semester is seeing new people come in and find a love for what makes technology complement theater, and helping to foster that in the other students. “It’s not like a lot of things – band, it’s a lot of people – (but this) is a very small community, very talented and dedicated people who we can really bond with,” she said. “It’s such a great experience.” Steve Shanks, director of the Performing Arts Center, has been teaching the Tech Theater class for two years. Most of his day is involved with facilitating the needs of the building, but the rest of the time he’s teaching. The students have to help with seven evening events to pass the class, in addition to attending every night of a production. The students are light technicians and sound technicians, as well as being to responsible to oversee live streaming options and to offer lobby etiquette. The students are easily recognizable by their blue vests. That’s because they don’t want to stand out, Shanks said. “We actually want our performers to stand out,” Shanks said. It’s important for the class to treat patrons with kindness and respect. The lobby crew helps patrons find their seats, and they know the difference between ADA accessibility and companion seats. “We ask (guests) to treat us with the same kindness and respect, and to treat the building nicely,” Shanks said. “(The students) try to help and facilitate. They just want to put on a really good event.” Junior Ella Edwards, a light technician, dresses in all black clothing, sits in the light booth and manages the light board. “She makes the ‘mood,’ to set the production and to make the students on stage appear the best that we can,” Shanks said. Stillwater Public Schools Junior Ella Edwards sits at the “light board,” ready to help set the mood with lighting during productions at the Performing Arts Center. Tech Theater has been a second home to her, Edwards said. “Mr. Shanks has taught me things I never would have learned how to do without him,” Edwards said, adding that the class has been both a “comfort and a constant” for her. “I love working events and shows, I love being behind the scenes,” Edwards said. “It gives me a sense of satisfaction after a show is finished. If I could work here for the rest of my life, I’d be content.” Shanks said other instructors have also been instrumental in the Arts department, including Vocal Music Educator Aprill Raines, Orchestra Director Scott Jackson, Band Director Kevin Zamborsky and Speech and Drama Educator Elizabeth Ziegler. “These people are pretty talented, and we have so many talented students,” Shanks said. “We have had 8,180 guests come through the front doors to meet our lobby crew and to watch a performance, whether it’s orchestra, band, choir or a production. ... We’re up here almost every night during a production.” Shanks said they also offer live streaming services, teaching the students how to run that part of the production, as well. “We had 4,381 people stream our concerts, for a grand total of 12,561 guests who either came or watched our performances,” Shanks said. Shanks mentioned the custodian who helps clean the building, adding that he thinks the PAC is the “cleanest building in the school system.” “We try to maintain a high level of excellence. And that’s who we are, and that’s what we do,” he said. In the spring, there will be 22 concerts and a musical, “The Addams Family.” “Mr. Shanks has been totally revolutionary to this program. He brings it out so much,” Williamson said. “I had never heard of the tech theater program before I joined, and he is doing great work and making sure that we’re seen even when we’re not supposed to (be seen).”
NEW YORK (AP) — The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network could face decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges, admitting that he misled customers about the business. Alexander Mashinsky , 58, of Manhattan, entered the plea in New York federal court to commodities and securities fraud. He admitted illegally manipulating the price of Celsius’s proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices to pocket about $48 million before Celsius collapsed into bankruptcy in 2022. In court, he admitted that in 2021 he publicly suggested there was regulatory consent for the company's moves because he knew that customers “would find false comfort” with that. And he said that in 2019, he was selling the crypto tokens even though he told the public that he was not. He said he knew customers would draw false comfort from that too. “I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Mashinsky said of crimes that stretched from 2018 to 2022 as the company pitched itself to customers as a modern-day bank where they could safely deposit crypto assets and earn interest. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a release that Mashinsky “orchestrated one of the biggest frauds in the crypto industry” as his company's assets purportedly grew to about $25 billion at its peak, making it one of the largest crypto platforms in the world. He said Mashinsky used catchy slogans like “Unbank Yourself” to entice prospective customers with a pledge that their money would be as safe in crypto accounts as money would be in a bank. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, Mashinsky and co-conspirators used customer deposits to fund market purchases of the Celsius token to prop up its value. Machinsky made tens of millions of dollars selling his own CEL tokens at artificially high prices, leaving his customers “holding the bag when the company went bankrupt,” Williams said. An indictment alleged that Mashinsky promoted Celsius through media interviews, his social media accounts and Celsius’ website, along with a weekly “Ask Mashinsky Anything” session broadcast that was posted to Celsius’ website and a YouTube channel. Celsius employees from multiple departments who noticed false and misleading statements in the sessions warned Mashinsky, but they were ignored, the indictment said. A plea agreement Mashinsky made with prosecutors calls for him to be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and to forfeit over $48 million, which is the amount of money he allegedly made by selling his company's token. Sentencing was scheduled for April 8.Police File Criminal Complaint Against Philippines VP Sara Duterte for Assaulting Security – Days After Threatening to Kill President
By D. Brian Blank and Brandy Hadley Heading into 2024 , we said the U.S. economy would likely continue growing, in spite of pundits’ forecast that a recession would strike. The past year showcased strong economic growth, moderating inflation and efficiency gains , leading most economists and the financial press to stop expecting a downturn. But what economists call “soft landings” — when an economy slows just enough to curb inflation, but not enough to cause a recession — are only soft until they aren’t . As we turn to 2025, we’re optimistic the economy will keep growing. But that’s not without some caveats. Here are the key questions and risks we’re watching as the U.S. rings in the new year. The Federal Reserve and interest rates Some people expected a downturn in 2022 — and again in 2023 and 2024 — due to the Federal Reserve’s hawkish interest-rate decisions. The Fed raised rates rapidly in 2022 and held them high throughout 2023 and much of 2024. But in the last four months of 2024, the Fed slashed rates three times — most recently on Dec. 18 . While the recent rate cuts mark a strategic shift, the pace of future cuts is expected to slow in 2024, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested at the December meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee . Markets have expected this change of pace for some time, but some economists remain concerned about heightened risks of an economic slowdown . When Fed policymakers set short-term interest rates, they consider whether inflation and unemployment are too high or low, which affects whether they should stimulate the economy or pump the brakes. The interest rate that neither stimulates nor restricts economic activity, often referred to as R* or the neutral rate , is unknown , which makes the Fed’s job challenging . However, the terminal rate — which is where Fed policymakers expect rates will settle in for the long run — is now at 3% , which is the highest since 2016 . This has led futures markets to wonder if a hiking cycle may be coming into focus, while others ask if the era of low rates is over. Inflation and economic uncertainty This shift in the Federal Reserve’s approach underscores a key uncertainty for 2025: While some economists are concerned the recent uptick in unemployment may continue, others worry about sticky inflation. The Fed’s challenge will be striking the right balance — continuing to support economic activity while ensuring inflation, currently hovering around 2.4% , doesn’t reignite. We do anticipate that interest rates will stay elevated amid slowing inflation, which remains above the Fed’s 2% target rate. Still, we’re optimistic this high-rate environment won’t weigh too heavily on consumers and the economy. While gross domestic product growth for the third quarter was revised up to 3.1% and the fourth quarter is projected to grow similarly quickly , in 2025 it could finally show signs of slowing from its recent pace. However, we expect it to continue to exceed consensus forecasts of 2.2% and longer-run expectations of 2%. Fiscal policy, tariffs and tax cuts: risks or tailwinds? While inflation has declined from 9.1% in June 2022 to less than 3%, the Federal Reserve’s 2% target remains elusive. Amid this backdrop, several new risks loom on the horizon . Key among them are potential tariff increases , which could disrupt trade, push up the prices of goods and even strengthen the U.S. dollar . The average effective U.S. tariff rate is 2%, but even a fivefold increase to 10% could escalate trade tensions, create economic challenges and complicate inflation forecasts. Consider that, historically, every 1% increase in tariff rates has resulted in a 0.1% higher annual inflation rate , on average. Still, we hope tariffs serve as more of a negotiating tactic for the incoming administration than an actual policy proposal . Tariffs are just one of several proposals from the incoming Trump administration that present further uncertainty. Stricter immigration policies could create labor shortages and increase prices , while government spending cuts could weigh down economic growth. Tax cuts — a likely policy focus — may offset some risk and spur growth, especially if coupled with productivity-enhancing investments. However, tax cuts may also result in a growing budget deficit, which is another risk to the longer-term economic outlook. Count us as two financial economists hoping only certain inflation measures fall slower than expected, and everyone’s expectations for future inflation remain low. If so, the Federal Reserve should be able to look beyond short-term changes in inflation and focus on metrics that are more useful for predicting long-term inflation. Consumer behavior and the job market Labor markets have softened but remain resilient. Hiring rates are normalizing, while layoffs and unemployment — 4.2%, up from 3.7% at the start of 2024 — remain low despite edging up. The U.S. economy could remain resilient into 2025, with continued growth in real incomes bolstering purchasing power . This income growth has supported consumer sentiment and reduced inequality , since low-income households have seen the greatest benefits. However, elevated debt balances , given increased consumer spending , suggest some Americans are under financial stress even though income growth has outpaced increases in consumer debt. While a higher unemployment rate is a concern, this risk to date appears limited, potentially due to labor hoarding — which is when employers are afraid to let go of employees they no longer require due to the difficulty in hiring new workers. Higher unemployment is also an issue the Fed has the tools to address — if it must. This leaves us cautiously optimistic that resilient consumers will continue to retain jobs, supporting their growing purchasing power. Equities and financial markets The outlook for 2025 remains promising , with continued economic growth driven by resilient consumer spending , steadying labor markets, and less restrictive monetary policy. Yet current price targets for stocks are at historic highs for a post-rally period, which is surprising and may offer reasons for caution. Higher-for-longer interest rates could put pressure on corporate debt levels and rate-sensitive sectors , such as housing and utilities. Corporate earnings, however, remain strong, buoyed by cost savings and productivity gains . Stock performance may be subdued, but underperforming or discounted stocks could rebound, presenting opportunities for gains in 2025. Artificial intelligence provides a bright spot, leading to recent outperformance in the tech-heavy NASDAQ and related investments . And onshoring continues to provide growth opportunities for companies reshaping supply chains to meet domestic demand. To be fair, uncertainty persists , and economists know forecasting is for the weather . That’s why investors should always remain well-diversified . But with inflation closer to the Fed’s target and wages rising faster than inflation, we’re optimistic that continued economic growth will pave the way for a financially positive year ahead . Here’s hoping we get even more right about 2025 than we did this past year. D. Brian Blank is an associate professor of finance at Mississippi State University. Brandy Hadley is an associate professor of finance and distinguished scholar of applied investments at Appalachian State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary' TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press Dec 12, 2024 4:15 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Feb. 1, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones. In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said they and their federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, “continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” The agencies said they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” according to the statement. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey appeared to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said witnesses may be confused about what they are seeing, especially in the dark, and noted it’s hard to know the size of the drones or how close they might be. “There are certainly big drones, such as agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” Duesler said Thursday. Duesler said the drones — and those flying them — likely cannot evade detection. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint, they all leave a signature," he said. "We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them and where they were flying them.” Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Duesler said the public wants to know what's going on. “I hope (the government agencies) will come out with more information about this to ease our fears. But this could just be the acts of rogue drone operators, it’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it,” Duesler said. “I am concerned about this it but not alarmed by it.” ___ Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Science News Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas city Dec 12, 2024 5:10 PM Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas city Dec 12, 2024 4:02 PM Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions Dec 12, 2024 3:30 PM
“You need to start dressing your age; you look like a skater,” a co-worker jocularly told me as I let out a whiny chortle to disguise my unease. I felt momentarily disarmed by the comment because the only skater I knew of was pioneering board rider Tony Hawk – and he dressed like a Mormon. Radical, dude: Brendan Foster was left puzzled after some unprompted fashion advice. Credit: WAtoday I wasn’t deeply wounded by the parting barb, but it got me marinating on what toggery was befitting for someone tumbling into their late 50s. Granted, there was something transparently pretentious about the outfit I was wearing that warranted a bit of ribbing: a $100 pair of Converse boots, designer shorts, and a check western shirt from the funky, clothing outlet Get Lucky in Fremantle. There’s a good chance I would punch someone in the ear if they called me an ageing hapless hipster, but if the shoe fits. But is there a cut-off point for men of my vintage when it comes to frocking up like a more sophisticated Dude (minus the bathrobe) from the brilliant Coen Brothers movie The Big Lebowski ? There was probably more symbolic value to my outfit than I was willing to admit, and most psychiatrists would have a field day with my wardrobe. But should I just ungracefully step into a pair of elasticated trousers as my body starts to betray itself? Whatever threads I cobbled together, there was a premeditated plan and that was to feel good. At the risk of sounding reactionary, it’s a pretty harmless way to elevate your style and wellbeing, regardless of your age. I doubt the people who created the labels I sport had my demography in mind when they were coming up with a new summer range. And I haven’t stumbled across any mannequins dressed in homeless chic. (Before I go any further, I just want to sincerely acknowledge the brutal, constant ugliness women have endured from online trolls for donning certain attire. I am nothing more than a non-playing character in the game of fashion cruelties). So, what the hell should I be wearing as I reluctantly wobble into my autumn years? Remarkably, given the endless disappointing dross you can find online, there is bugger-all advice when it comes to age-appropriate apparel for chaps like me. Maybe the lack of meaningful information is because there is just an expectation, hat we decrepit dudes will morph into Alf Stewart from Home and Away . I mean, when you turn 65, does your WA Seniors Card rock up the mail with a free pair of brown sandals, grey supermarket slacks, white singlets, and handkerchiefs? The pants come with clear instructions on how to hitch them above your navel and an ankle bracelet that sets off an alarm if you attempt to enter any designer stores. There is a secret sect of khaki-dressed, police that re-educates Bohemian Boomers who dare rock a bucket hat, knee-length shorts, and old-school Puma runners. Or maybe men don’t grasp what sociologist Julia Twigg calls “the changing room moment” when it comes to us blokes realising we are too old for certain items. Professor Twigg interviewed men aged between 58 and 85 who were surprisingly comfortable in the kit they’d worn most of their lives. “It is clear men have a different relationship to dress from women, and the research shows that this continues into later life,” she said. “There is less in the way of age anxiety in their choices.” It’s not uncommon for the male species to adopt a certain look in their early 20s and be buried in the first suit they bought 60 years ago. If you disregard the nexus to money, which has allowed me to buy clothing that isn’t from charity shops, my style hasn’t changed since the early 90s. I still have an unhealthy amount of corduroy pants and jackets in my wardrobe and retro shirts and sneakers. There is something comforting and reassuring about finding your own style and a certain empowerment for not caring (and caring) about what you wear. We can delude ourselves that the rags we pluck from the cupboard are not calculated pieces of composition because the pair of tracky-dacks and favourite band T-shirt you just reached for, still make you feel content. The right duds give us confidence. No matter what our age. Hey, if you’re unconvinced, here are some scientific facts. In a paper published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , Adam Galinsky and his co-author Hajo Adam coined the term “enclothed cognition”, which describes the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes. The pair believed our garbs had the power to not only impact our mood but also influence the way we feel and interact with the world. “With enclothed cognition, the key idea is not just the wearing of clothes, but the symbolic meaning of the clothes one is wearing,” Galinsky says. I’m not sure the method worked on existentialist thinker John-Paul Sartre, who spent most of his life dressed as a Parisian bus driver. Adam and Galinsky’s theory could also be applied to the workplace, where our cognitive functions or moods shift when we see a person in certain professional attire. I, for one, would feel more assured about getting a rectal exam from a person wearing a stethoscope and lab coat than someone in high-vis. Despite our persistent denial, our clothes send out signals. They play a critical role in shaping our perceptions of who we are. Whether or not my clobber signified to my colleague that I may have missed the “changing room moment”, it didn’t matter. Whatever our generation, the get-up we choose to wear can make us feel attractive, stylish and jolly. As the Shakespeare saying goes, “apparel oft proclaims the man”. Even if that person chooses not to dress their age. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .UConn F Alex Karaban (head) won't play vs. Baylor
DK Metcalf is happy to block as Seahawks ride streak into Sunday night matchup with PackersTrump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different
Jackson Warne shares shock photo holding assault rifle amid Las Vegas getaway with glamorous girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith READ MORE: Shane Warne's son Jackson, 25, competes in a poker tournament in Las Vegas alongside longtime girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith By MIKAELA WILKES FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 23:45, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 23:50, 12 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Shane Warne ’s son, Jackson Warne, is getting into the American spirit on his Las Vegas holiday. The 25-year-old picked up an assault rifle on Wednesday after competing in the World Poker Championships in Sin City. Jackson, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his late father, shared a carousel of photos from his week in the U.S. with his beautiful girlfriend, Kiah Broadsmith. The cricketing scion flashed a wide smile as he posed for a selfie with his girlfriend at the five-star Wynn Las Vegas hotel, where the third annual WPT World Championship events started this week. In the second photo from his trip highlight reel, Jackson flashed his pearly whites as he posed with an M4 assault rifle. He paid a visit to the largest indoor shooting range in Las Vegas, located just a few minutes off the Strip, and in another picture showed off his target littered with bullets. Shane Warne ’s son, Jackson Warne, is getting into the American spirit on his Las Vegas holiday and on Wednesday visited the largest indoor shooting range in the U.S state Jackson proudly displayed the results of his machine gun session as he held up his battered target to commemorate the activity The shooting range offers a wide selection of firearms, including AK-47s, MP5s commonly used by elite special forces, US military standard-issue automatic rifles M4/M16s, and belt-fed squad automatic weapons M249 SAW guns, made famous in video games like Call of Duty and films such as Black Hawk Down. Jackson proudly displayed the results of his shooting session as he held up his battered target to commemorate the activity. The poker player and his partner then stepped away from the tables last night to play tourist in Las Vegas. The lovebirds posed for postcard snaps outside the Gordon Ramsey Hell's Kitchen restaurant at Ceaser's Palace, Little Venice, and did a spot of window shopping for Italian sports cars. In another shot, Jackson photographed a Pagani parked in a neon-lit showroom. The cheapest models of the coveted hypercars cost USD$1.4million and the most expensive run up to USD$17.6million. They then capped off their lively evening by taking in a UFC fight. Jackson cut a casual figure for his big day on the tables, wearing a plain black T-shirt underneath a grey puffer jacket. He complemented his ensemble with a pair of plain black chinos, tall white socks and a pair of brown slides. Jackson Warne and his long-time girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith are in Las Vegas for the World Poker Tournament Championship this week The only son of the late Shane Warne flaunted the thousands of dollars he had on the table He also did a spot of Italian sports car window shopping... Jackson, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his late father, shared a carousel of photos from his week in the U.S. with his beautiful girlfriend, Kiah Broadsmith. The couple capped off their gung ho American night by taking in a UFC fight Read More Shane Warne's son Jackson's shock new career move as he's named the face of 'cult-like' members club He finished his look with a white baseball-style cap that featured a black heart in a little nod to his favourite game. The WPT Championship kicked off this week on December. 3 with a US$1million guarantee No-Limit Hold ‘em tournament and an $800 entry fee. The festival runs through Dec. 23 and features numerous promotions and more than $100,000 million in prize pools from events played across many variants of poker with the most popular No-Limit Hold ‘em. Jackson is the only son of one of Australia’s greatest cricket players of all time, Shane Warne. After his dad’s untimely death in 2022, Jackson and his two siblings, Brooke and Summer, inherited 31 per cent of Warne’s 20.7 million fortune. At first glance Jackson’s life looks pretty enviable. He shares photos of his globe-trotting adventures from London to Mykonos and beyond with his girlfriend. But he has also been candid about his grief and how he has had to actively choose not to let it overcome him. In a frank Instagram post, Jackson shared that he could have let himself go 'downhill' after his dad’s tragic death, but instead he’d used it as motivation. 'I used this trauma as energy for life. I surrounded myself with good people, went to the gum every day, drank water, swam, laughed a lot and was consistent,' he shared. Jackson added that he is 'the happiest and healthiest' that he's ever been and pointed out that it costs 'zero' to move your body every day and laugh. The legendary leg spinner died on March 4 at the age of 52 while on holiday with friends on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand. An autopsy concluded he died from 'natural causes'. Las Vegas Share or comment on this article: Jackson Warne shares shock photo holding assault rifle amid Las Vegas getaway with glamorous girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith e-mail Add comment
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd hosted a donation handover ceremony to provide essential school supplies to underprivileged students in the Brunei-Muara District. The Dynamik Prihatin initiative is aimed to assist students in preparing for the upcoming academic year while alleviating financial burdens on their families. The donations were handed over by Dynamik Technologies Head of Finance Rachel Chew, and Head of Corporate Services Hajah Siti Rozana binti Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos. The effort was made possible through the combined contributions of Dynamik Technologies and its employees.The NFL is warning team security directors and the players' union about recent burglaries targeting professional athletes' homes. The bulletin obtained by Newsweek warns that "organized and skilled groups" are burglarizing the homes of professional athletes "across multiple sports leagues." "Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes' homes on game days," the bulletin said. "It is important for players to maintain situational awareness, practice social media safety and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of becoming a target." The FBI is investigating the incidents as international organized crime, according to a report by NFL.com . Newsweek reached out to the FBI for comment. Full List of Athletes Being Targeted The Missouri home of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was broken into on October 6. The Cass County Sheriff's Office described the incident as a first-degree burglary in an incident report obtained by Newsweek . Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce's home in Leawood, Kansas was broken into the next day. The Chiefs were reportedly playing a game against the Saints at Arrowhead Stadium at the time of the break-in. The burglars stole $20,000 in cash. "Leawood Police Department will not have any comment on any open investigations. We do not want to compromise any investigative leads that might have been developed by detectives," the Leawood Police Department told Newsweek . Linval Joseph, a Dallas Cowboys and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle, was also the target of a burglary. The incident happened on Monday at his residence in Sunfish Lake, Minnesota. "This is an active investigation. Therefore, reports are unable to be released at this time," the West St. Paul Police Department told Newsweek . Several players in the NBA have also reported home burglaries recently. In November, the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis was burglarized. Two months before that incident, burglars broke into the home of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley and stole jewelry. What does the NFL bulletin say? The NFL bulletin claims that the groups are gathering information on potential victims from public records, media reports and social media. "Some groups also conduct extensive surveillance on targets, their residences, neighborhoods and security measures," the bulletin said. "Surveillance tactics have included attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in a neighborhood." There are reports of burglars entering through side doors, balconies or second-floor windows, according to the NFL bulletin. The bulletin said burglars have scaled walls or used patio furniture or ladders to gain access. Glass was reportedly broken in several cases. "Thieves have focused on master bedrooms and closet areas, looking for high-end jewelry, handbags, cash and watches," the bulletin said. "They have also targeted safes and office areas looking for small valuables and cash." The NFL bulletin also gave players several recommendations related to social media. Players were advised to avoid updating social media with daily activities until the end of the day, posting photos of "expensive items" and sharing images or comments about their residence or hotel accommodations. The bulletin also told players to "be wary of unknown individuals trying to gain information about your location or residence." The bulletin provides multiple home security recommendations, including installing a "comprehensive" home security system, motion sensor lights and doors with deadbolt locks and reinforced frames. Athletes who believe they have been burglarized are being asked to contact their local police and avoid entering the residence. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Communal Posters Spark Tensions In Indore; Police Pledge Action Amid Ghazwa-e-Hind ControversyEgypt has tested a new 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) extension to the Suez Canal as it tries to minimise the impact of currents on shipping and increase the key waterway's capacity. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Two ships used the new extension on Saturday, a statement from the Suez Canal Authority said. Authority chief Osama Rabie said the development in the canal's southern region will "enhance navigational safety and reduce the effects of water and air currents on passing ships". Vessels navigating the waterway have at times run aground, mostly because of strong winds and sandstorms. In 2021, giant container ship Ever Given became wedged diagonally in the canal, blocking trade for nearly a week and resulting in delays that cost billions of dollars. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The new extension is set to boost the canal's capacity by six to eight vessels a day, Rabie said, and it will open after new navigational maps are issued. In 2015, Egypt undertook an $8-billion expansion to the waterway, followed by several smaller development projects. The Suez Canal has long been a vital source of foreign currency for Egypt that has been undergoing its worst ever economic crisis. According to the International Monetary Fund, revenue from the canal has been slashed by up to 70 percent since last year because of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. Before the attacks pushed companies to change routes, the vital passage accounted for around 10 percent of global maritime trade . (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Croatia's president faces conservative rival in election run-offWe have recognized before that the policy of hostility towards Cuba has been a mistake. First of all, because it never worked to achieve its objectives. But also because it was counterproductive... We know that Cuban policy does not automatically align itself with the enemies of the United States; and that it is not fair to have put Cuba on the list of terrorist countries, where none of our allies have it. If Cuba feels like a besieged fortress, and fears that its opponents are at the service of a foreign power, we would like to reiterate that it will have no reason to perceive any threat from us... That is why we have invited a group of young students and professors from public universities, doctors, farmers, businesspeople, communicators, artists, scientists, religious people from various states, some of whom have already initiated exchanges with Cuba on their own, to accompany us in this meeting, so that they may take part in this new dialogue between civil societies on both shores. A dialogue that should not be limited, naturally, to the non-state sector, but should include primary and secondary school teachers, university professors, health specialists, journalists from public media, People’s Power delegates, diplomats, experts in law and public order, leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Young Communist League, all of whom also constitute the human capital of the new Cuba. We witnessed how the previous administration poisoned the atmosphere of understanding achieved in 25 months of intense negotiations, and recharged it with the sound and fury of the worst moments of the Cold War; it closed the doors of the consulate in Havana to the relatives of Cuban immigrants in the United States; it restricted air traffic between our airports and those of the Cuban provinces; it interrupted the people-to-people exchange policy; it severely limited remittances, and put the channels for their delivery in crisis; finally, it obliquely encouraged rhetoric hostile to normalization within Cuba itself. This is how I imagined, in the first hundred days of his administration, a speech by Joe Biden in Havana. I reproduce it here, not only to illustrate how one makes mistakes at the beginning of a government, but to remember the lost opportunities and the policies not rectified at the time; and how history never stops taking its toll. In all fairness, when Biden and Harris took office in January 2021, all the forecasts were optimistic, not just mine. From “anything will be better than Trump” to “he will pick up where relations left off under Obama.” And so on. But those predictions were nothing more than calculations and opinions based on the U.S.-Cuba rapprochement under Obama, of whose administration the new president and numerous appointees in his new government had been part. However, it was not known how those same people were going to act in their new roles, and in the context of a work team that was beginning its first term. The advantage we have now regarding the future is that we do know how President Trump behaved in his previous government; and how Biden’s behaved. Let’s see how much we can extract from a cold assessment, which allows us to think about the present and the foreseeable future, so as not to make mistakes again, by excess or by default. Related Posts Antidotes to Trump? 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Notes for a political sociology October 26, 2024 Notes on the far right October 12, 2024 Mexico and us September 26, 2024 var jnews_module_313515_0_673fcc88216a1 = {"header_icon":"","first_title":"Related Posts","second_title":"","url":"","header_type":"heading_1","header_background":"","header_secondary_background":"","header_text_color":"","header_line_color":"","header_accent_color":"","header_filter_category":"","header_filter_author":"","header_filter_tag":"","header_filter_text":"All","post_type":"post","content_type":"all","number_post":"4","post_offset":0,"unique_content":"disable","include_post":"","exclude_post":313515,"include_category":"34473","exclude_category":"","include_author":"","include_tag":"","exclude_tag":"","sort_by":"latest","date_format":"default","date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","force_normal_image_load":"","pagination_mode":"nextprev","pagination_nextprev_showtext":"","pagination_number_post":"4","pagination_scroll_limit":0,"boxed":"","boxed_shadow":"","el_id":"","el_class":"","scheme":"","column_width":"auto","title_color":"","accent_color":"","alt_color":"","excerpt_color":"","css":"","paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_21"}; The hostility of the Trump administration was not long in coming. Within the first 100 days, the Treasury Department put Cuba on a list of countries that favor money laundering, and just five months after taking office, the president proclaimed in Miami that he was “canceling President Obama’s completely unilateral agreement with Cuba,” “firmly limiting the money that flows to the military services” [remittances], as well as “enforcing the ban on tourism” [people-to-people individual visits and cruises ]. Trump’s changes At that gathering of “Cuban-American brotherhood” at Miami’s Manuel Artime Theater, the new president would make clear, however, that he would maintain “safeguards to prevent Cubans from risking their lives by traveling illegally to the United States” [ the cancellation of the dry foot/wet foot policy ], as well as “our Embassy open with the hope that our countries can forge a much stronger and better path.” The most radical action in Trump’s turn toward Cuba occurred in August of his first year: the affair of the “ sonic attacks ” against U.S. diplomats and representatives in Havana. This affair served to reduce the staff at its Embassy in Havana to a minimum and to suspend de facto the processing of immigrant visas, agreed since 1995. I have no space to dwell here on the boom of conspiracy speculations unleashed among many commentators on bilateral relations, attributing those strange and never verified “neurological damages” of the supposed victims to the surreptitious action of a mysterious “external” or internal factor (“the Cuban G2”). The harvest of the so-called “Havana syndrome,” harvested by respectable news agencies and periodicals, and quickly replicated in Beijing and other propitious places, with a true cloud of covert actions attributed to incarnations of the evil empire (Russia, North Korea, Iran), vanished into nothingness. However, its direct consequences in the interruption of the Cuban migratory flow to the United States and the deterrent effect among possible visitors, extended for more than five years, were very tangible. In November of that first year, 2017, the U.S. government launched its first blacklist of “prohibited Cuban organizations and companies” (179), including the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, agencies, companies, hotels, etc. This inquisitorial index grew until it reached almost 250. I believe that, at this point, there is only one hotel in Havana where visiting Americans can legally stay. The second event that would mark the extent of Trump’s hostility towards Cuba was his failure to sign the suspension of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act in May 2019. The decision, which not even the George W. Bush administration had adopted, left the door open to a frenzy of lawsuits against third-country interests, which could be presented not only by U.S. firms nationalized in 1959-60, but by affected Cubans (who at the time were not U.S. citizens), including, say, members of the Batista dictatorship whose embezzled property was confiscated in 1959. Naturally, most experts predicted a wave of lawsuits against Cuba’s numerous foreign investors and trade partners. It is difficult to measure the psychological inhibitory effect that this application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act could have, in 2019 and subsequently, on these potential businesses. However, expectations about the wave of lawsuits were not met; and some that seemed to be initiated were resolved by agreement between the parties. This observation does not underestimate their negative impact, it only attempts to establish the effectiveness and scope of these hostile measures. A striking example was the litigation against large Cuban-American businessmen, the Fanjul brothers, for having bought Cuban sugar from London, which the claimant finally abandoned . Subsequently, the number of remittances was again restricted, people-to-people visits and direct flights to the provinces were canceled, dozens of vessels transporting crude oil to Cuba were blacklisted, new Cuban entities were included among those prohibited, the agreement was canceled between both sides so that players residing on the island could participate in the Major Leagues, numerous European companies were fined for transactions with Cuban institutions, Cuba was classified in the worst category of countries that practice “human trafficking.” In his last year in the White House, the Trump administration banned Western Union from sending remittances to the island , put Cuba on the list of “countries that do not cooperate in the fight against terrorism,” put us on the highest “risk alert category for visits by U.S. citizens,” prohibited them from bringing rum and tobacco from the island in their suitcases, eliminated the general license to attend conferences, sports competitions, art exhibitions, etc.; extended restrictions on funds for cultural and educational exchanges, and kept us on the watch list of “governments that have participated in or tolerated systematic, continuous, and atrocious violations of religious freedom.” Ten days before leaving the presidency, Trump made sure that Cuba remained on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism. How many of these measures have been dismantled by Biden in his first and only term, as announced just days after taking office? Very few and none of the main ones. Quite the opposite. Despite having declared himself “committed to reviewing the previous administration’s policy decisions, including that of designating Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism,” the island was never removed from that list. The regulations established would prevent supplies of spare parts for the main Cuban thermoelectric plants by European companies, as well as equipment for transportation services. About a hundred banks blocked accounts and transactions related to Cuba, including humanitarian donations; fines were imposed on accommodation agencies such as Airbnb for violating prohibitions on categories of travelers; the Cuban government was accused of nothing less than “interfering in the US elections”; the inclusion of the island on the list of countries “that do not do enough to prevent human trafficking” was maintained, alleging that “medical missions abroad” presented “strong signs of forced labor.” The blockade policy did not give way even in exceptional situations, such as the fire at the Supertanker Base in Matanzas . I have previously commented, with references from the Foreign Ministry itself and from U.S. diplomats in Havana, on the instructions and actions aimed at directly supporting the opposition, since before the demonstrations of July 11, 2021 . To a large extent, this interventionist and hostile tone, initiated under Trump, and reflected even in the discourse of President Biden himself, was further reinforced from that moment on, marking the climate of relations from then on. The Biden administration kept the flame of the “Havana syndrome” alive, granting compensation to “the victims,” without advancing a serious investigation into the problem itself, but rather prolonging the closure of consular services for visa processing, and breaching the migration agreement, until relatively recently. For four years, the Trump administration continued to “study” the exclusion of Cuba from all blacklists, in particular, those of terrorist countries, practitioners of “slave labor,” “human trafficking,” and other that were equally disconcerting, and lacking the endorsement of any of its allies. Derived from this meticulous and incomplete inventory, a couple of conclusions jump out. The first is that the Trump administration applied practically everything imaginable in the U.S. arsenal, except military force, to isolate, erode, destabilize, and subvert not only the Cuban government but the system itself. It is difficult to conceive of new measures that, in the next four years, could catch Cuba and Cubans off guard. Although the old ones can continue to cause a lot of damage, especially today, experience shows, for the hundredth time, that they do not achieve more than what dialogue does, and that they also affect not only the government and residents in Cuba but also emigrants and their descendants in the United States. The second is that the Biden administration, despite integrating decision-makers from the Obama administration, not only did not want to resume that policy but, by omission and also by conviction, in fact, adopted Trump’s logic. The explanation that its hands have been full of all kinds of global and regional conflicts and challenges is not enough to justify this fidelity to a Cold War pattern towards Cuba as the one that is maintained, not only in the facts but even in his rhetoric, very similar to that of Trump. For Cuba, in practical terms, never as now has it been more evident that the policy of force and exclusion has a bipartisan character, that it continues in the logic of the so-called deep state, the bureaucracies in charge of implementing it, regardless of who is in the White House. A week before the end of his term in January 2017, Obama signed an agreement with Cuba ending the wet foot/dry foot policy (which he had previously refused to adopt, arguing that the Adjustment Act prevented it). And less than 48 hours after handing over the presidency to Trump, a company made an export to the United States (40 tons of vegetable charcoal from that shrub known as marabú in Cuba), the first in more than half a century. This administration has only 60 days left in government. How many executive measures could it adopt to reduce some of the most irrational and counterproductive areas of this bipartisan policy, based on exclusion and force? While this remains unfulfilled, the Cuban government, political system, and society, under the shock of Trump’s sweeping victory, are experiencing the anticipated tension in the face of what is to come. Typically, the syndrome of the besieged fortress will tend to increase. From experience, we Cubans know that this syndrome is not at all favorable to change. It is time to think carefully, with a cool head, about what can be done to control this damage. Tags: donald trump featured Joe Biden Trump Measurements
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, robust cloud security has become imperative for organizations leveraging the power of cloud computing. Manpreet Singh Sachdeva , an expert in advanced cloud technologies, delves into transformative techniques and challenges that shape the cloud security domain, underscoring its significance for businesses and global digital transformation. Building Security from the Ground Up: Identity and Access Management (IAM) Identity and Access Management (IAM) forms the cornerstone of cloud security, ensuring that only authorized personnel access sensitive resources. Modern IAM implementations emphasize multi-factor authentication (MFA), which reduces account takeover risks by nearly 99.9%. Least privilege access protocols further mitigate security incidents by granting users the minimal permissions necessary for their roles. Role-based access control (RBAC) has emerged as a powerful tool, streamlining access management and bolstering operational efficiency across cloud environments. Encryption: Safeguarding Data Integrity and Confidentiality Encryption remains pivotal in protecting data both at rest and in transit. End-to-end encryption has become the gold standard for securing sensitive information during its entire lifecycle. Emerging techniques like homomorphic encryption enable computations on encrypted data without decryption, a groundbreaking advancement for privacy-preserving operations. Additionally, effective encryption key management systems (KMS) and data masking techniques ensure that sensitive data is securely stored and accessed. Securing the Heart of Modern Systems: APIs and Microservices With the rise of microservices architectures, APIs have become critical enablers of seamless system integration and prime targets for cyberattacks. Advanced security measures, such as OAuth and OpenID Connect protocols, ensure secure authentication across API ecosystems. API gateways offer centralized control for security and traffic monitoring, mitigating risks like DDoS attacks. Furthermore, implementing rate-limiting techniques has proven effective in curbing API abuse, significantly enhancing resilience. Integrating Security into Development: DevSecOps Practices The integration of security practices into the software development lifecycle, known as DevSecOps, has reshaped how organizations address vulnerabilities. Automated tools for code analysis and vulnerability scanning identify threats early in the development phase. Embedding compliance checks into CI/CD pipelines has reduced security gaps, while continuous security validation has become a hallmark of secure software delivery. The Unseen Adversaries: Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) APTs represent a sophisticated category of cyberattacks, targeting critical systems over extended periods. Advanced detection systems, leveraging machine learning-based anomaly detection, have significantly improved threat identification rates. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions play a critical role by correlating data across systems, offering a comprehensive view of potential vulnerabilities. Proactive measures against APTs have emerged as a critical focus in safeguarding organizational assets. Addressing Insider Threats Insider threats, both accidental and malicious, contribute to a significant proportion of cloud-related breaches. Robust IAM policies, coupled with user behavior analytics (UBA), provide organizations with tools to detect and mitigate anomalous activities. Data loss prevention (DLP) technologies further ensure that sensitive information remains protected, preventing unauthorized data exfiltration and minimizing risks posed by insider actions. Navigating the Maze of Compliance and Regulations Compliance with stringent data protection regulations, such as GDPR, is a growing challenge for businesses operating in multi-cloud environments. Encryption and data residency solutions address these complexities, ensuring that organizations meet global standards. Regular security audits and certifications are indispensable, enabling organizations to proactively identify compliance gaps and maintain regulatory adherence. In conclusion, as cloud technologies revolutionize industries, the importance of advanced security measures cannot be overstated. Manpreet Singh Sachdeva 's valuable insights highlight the necessity of innovative approaches to cloud security in tackling dynamic and sophisticated challenges. By emphasizing robust, scalable, and proactive security frameworks, organizations can safeguard their assets while fostering trust in the digital ecosystem. This commitment not only ensures resilience against emerging threats but also supports the growth of a secure, interconnected, and sustainable global digital future.
Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic won most of the votes in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday but must face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Mr Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Mr Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned that “this was just a first run”. “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Mr Milanovic, the most popular politician in Croatia, has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, the 58-year-old has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has been a recent hallmark of Croatia’s political scene. Mr Plenkovic has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and Nato. He has labelled Mr Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him (Mr Primorac) and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme commander of the military. Mr Milanovic has criticised the Nato and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, thought it is a member of both Nato and the EU. Mr Milanovic has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a Nato-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war”. His main rival in the election, Mr Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East”. However, his bid for the presidency has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and which featured prominently in pre-election debates. Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.None
Croatia’s incumbent president wins most votes at polls but still faces runoff
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