Suriname's government announced Saturday that the small South American nation will not hold a state funeral for its ex-president Desi Bouterse, who this week died a fugitive from justice aged 79. Current President Chan Santokhi "has decided, based on his powers and advice received, that there will be no state funeral... No period of national mourning," Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told a press conference. Bouterse was a former military man who twice mounted coups, in 1980 and again in 1990, to take charge as a dictator. He eventually returned to power after being elected president in 2010 and governed for a decade. He died Tuesday in the unknown location where he had been holed up as a fugitive, with in-absentia convictions for cocaine trafficking and murder. Bouterse's body was dropped off at his residence in the capital Paramaribo. An autopsy was ordered, though police said there were "no signs of criminal activity." Bouterse had been sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2023 for the 1982 execution of political opponents, including lawyers, journalists, businessmen and military prisoners. He remained a popular figure with the poor and working class in the former Dutch colony. The foreign minister said that, out of respect for Bouterse's status as an elected former president, flags would be flown at half-staff on government buildings on the day of his funeral, whose date has not yet been given. str-jt/rmb/acbUCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mindSaquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There's no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley's historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He's not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. People are also reading... Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP's first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren't QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn't. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP's new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. Clinching scenarios The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. Status quo in Dallas? It's not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. "I don't think that's crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left," Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven't reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team's struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. Be the first to know
President-elect Donald Trump announced new tariffs, signaling to allies and adversaries that he is prepared to tighten America’s trade agreements. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said in a series of social media posts that he will slap a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. The purpose, Trump says, is to pressure the two nations to clamp down on drugs and illegal immigrants crossing the border. Approximately 80 percent of Canada and Mexico’s exports go to the United States. “This is something that we can do. Laying out the facts, moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we'll do,” the prime minister said. Canada’s premiers have urged Trudeau in a recent letter to hold an urgent first ministers’ meeting before Trump begins his second term. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who leads Canada’s most populous province and largest economy, warned that a 25 percent levy would be “devastating to workers and jobs” on both sides of the border. However, Sheinbaum stated that her country had done a lot to slow the flow of immigrants and that drugs were a U.S. problem. “One tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” Sheinbaum said. “It is unacceptable and would cause inflation and job losses in Mexico and the United States. “Dialogue is the best path to achieve understanding, peace, and prosperity for our two countries. I hope our teams can meet soon.” Trump separately detailed an extra 10 percent tariff “above any additional tariffs” on all imports from China. “I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States—but to no avail,” Trump said. Trump signed the USMCA during his first presidency, which went into effect in 2020, after several rounds of tense negotiations. The pact, which replaces the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), contains a six-year sunset provision, triggering a review in 2026. The three countries are required to confirm whether they will reexamine the deal or extend it. “I want to make it a much better deal. I want to take advantage, now, of the car industry,” he said. His recent remarks suggest that he will include a broad array of issues that extend beyond trade, such as security and immigration, in bilateral or multilateral deals. “I'll also seek strong new protections against transshipment so that China and other countries cannot smuggle their products and auto parts into the United States tax-free through Mexico to the detriment of our workers and our supply chains,” Trump said in a speech at the Detroit Economic Club in October. “They smuggle this stuff in. They don’t pay anything. We’re going to have very strong language on that.” Former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said he thinks the USMCA needs some renegotiating as Mexico has failed to live up to several commitments. Ross, the author of a new book “Risks and Returns: Creating Success in Business and Life,” noted that Mexico failed to privatize the oil and gas sector and has politicized its judicial system. Additionally, Ross noted that China has been establishing token factories in Mexico to avert existing and potential trade walls. “I think there are some refinements that are very appropriate,” Ross told The Epoch Times. “Some of the recent publicity about various thoughts that he has regarding tariffs are very possibly going to result in some good results, even before they’re enacted.” Robert Marbut, the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021 under the Trump administration, said Canada is not receiving a lot of attention for its role in the fentanyl trade. China is producing the product and then shipping it into Canada and Mexico, relying on cartels and biker gangs to peddle the drug, he stated. “I think when they [the incoming administration] start to see the intelligence briefings and the reports, they'll start to realize it,” he told The Epoch Times. By revisiting the USMCA, Trump’s team will likely advocate for new or updated provisions that have become paramount to the United States in the last six years. The incoming administration could also reopen existing aspects of the pact that have resulted in ongoing strife, such as rules of origin for automobiles or dairy market access. Thomas Cryan, an economic and tax historian and author of the new book “Disrupting Taxes,” says employing tariffs during trade negotiations can serve political and economic functions, whether facilitating onshore manufacturing or engaging in retaliatory elements. At the same time, he says, a USMCA 2.0 might not be far different from the first edition. “I think it’s going to be more of the same, meaning I think you might see some pushing and pulling,” Cryan told The Epoch Times. Meanwhile, the early start to trade negotiations is in stark contrast to the current administration. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index were up about 0.3 percent heading into the closing bell. The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso slumped 0.6 percent and 2.25 percent, respectively, against the greenback. Economists and think tanks have stated that higher tariffs could impact the world’s largest economy. “The biggest risk is a large across-the-board tariff, which would likely hit growth hard,” said Jan Hatzius, the chief economist at Goldman Sachs Research, in a note emailed to The Epoch Times. Still, according to the bank’s estimates, the United States will outperform other developed economies, growing 2.5 percent in 2025 and 2.3 percent in 2026. “Assuming that the trade war does not escalate further, we expect the positive impulses from tax cuts, a friendlier regulatory environment, and improved ‘animal spirits’ among businesses to dominate in 2026,” Hatzius said. Market watchers have debated whether Trump’s tariff plans will rekindle the inflation flame. Christopher Tang, an economist and scholar of global supply chain management, says tariffs are not a long-term solution and can raise the cost of doing business. “I think that they [tariffs] would increase the price because the importers in the U.S. pay the tariffs, then they may have to pass the increase in cost onto the consumer, so therefore increase the price,” Tang said in a recent interview with The Epoch Times. Others have pointed to Trump’s first term. Despite expectations that his tariffs would ignite price inflation, consumer prices were largely unaffected. In other words, businesses did not pass the costs onto domestic consumers as they applied for exclusions or endured some of them. Consumer prices decelerated to 1.7 percent in late 2019 “after businesses adjusted to the trade war with China,” said Jeffrey Roach, the chief economist for LPL Financial. “During Trump’s first presidency, he granted exclusions for over 2,200 products based on the businesses’ argument that tariffs cause considerable harm, or the foreign product is not available in the U.S.,” said Roach in a note emailed to The Epoch Times. While there are concerns of a broader trade war, Ross said he is skeptical that such a scenario will unfold. “In any event, I think the danger of an all-out, big trade war is very small,” he said. The U.S. annual inflation rate ticked up to 2.6 percent in October.Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is shying away from confirming Philly’s “sanctuary city” status in the wake of Donald Trump’s landslide election, despite pressure from Latino activists. Parker, who was just took office on January first, took a pass on reaffirming the city’s sanctuary status in the week after Trump’s election in November. And since then, she and her administration have largely refused to comment too deeply on the issue, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer . The Philly city council designated the town as a sanctuary for illegal border crosses in 2016, and this week, Parker spokesperson Joe Grace insisted that the order “remains in place.” “The Parker administration remains laser-focused on the agenda that Philadelphians elected her to implement: making Philadelphia a safer, cleaner, greener city, with access to economic opportunity for all,” Grace added. But activists are vexed that Parker is not giving the issue more attention. “We are concerned about how she’s not publicly supporting,” said immigrant activist Patty Torres, co-deputy director of Make the Road Pennsylvania. “Philadelphia definitely needs a leader that protects immigrant families, now more than ever.” Blanca Pacheco, codirector of New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, added, “We hope that she fights back as previous administrations have done. We can work together to fight back, and make the city stand for families and for freedom.” Still, Parker ran for mayor with a tough-on-crime theme last year when she won election, and opposing deportations would seem to be a contradiction to that pledge. Some are reading into Parker’s refusal to jump on the sanctuary train as evidence that she will side with the incoming Trump administration’s deportation goals. The Manhattan Institute’s Rafael Mangual, for one, insisted that Parker’s aversion to commenting on the issue is “a signal that she’s going to back away from the sanctuary-city policy.” Like other major U.S. cities, Philly has also seen busloads of illegals flood into its confines, but not to the same extent as cities such as Chicago, New York City, and Denver. According to WHYY radio , at 13.9 percent, the percentage of migrants in its population is higher than it has been since the 1940s. And last year, the city reported that nearly 3,000 migrants arrived on 71 buses that stopped there. By this year, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that there are 47,000 “unauthorized” migrants in Philly. Overall, the state of Pennsylvania has spent about $1,216,181,625 on Biden’s border crisis. Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHustonUCF will attempt to shake off a dreadful offensive performance when it collides with LSU on Sunday afternoon in the third-place game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The Knights (4-1) couldn't get anything going against No. 19 Wisconsin on Friday, going 21-for-62 from the field (33.9 percent) and just 2-for-17 from 3-point range (11.8 percent) en route to an 86-70 loss. Jordan Ivy-Curry finished with 13 points while Keyshawn Hall and Dior Johnson added 11 apiece for UCF, which never led and fell behind by as many as 23. Knights coach Johnny Dawkins is hoping that his team's struggles don't carry over into the meeting with the Tigers (4-1). "We have to do better offensively," Dawkins said. "We have to space the floor better. We have to balance our offense between our perimeter and our bigs. Those are things that we didn't do consistently (on Friday)." LSU also needs to clean things up after committing 15 turnovers in a 74-63 setback against Pitt on Friday. Tigers forward Jalen Reed doesn't believe giving the ball away will be a lingering issue. "I feel like a lot of our turnovers were more on us than them," Reed said. "I feel like a lot of the turnovers were careless, but we're a better team than that and I feel like we'll take care of the ball better moving forward." Reed and Vyctorius Miller each posted 14 points in the loss to the Panthers, with Reed also hauling in seven rebounds. Cam Carter chipped in 11 points. Carter is putting up a team-leading 16.4 points per game. Jordan Sears (12.0 points per game), Reed (11.0) and Miller (10.2) also have scoring averages in double figures. Ivy-Curry (16.8 points per game), Hall (16.2) and Darius Johnson (13.0) have been leading the way for UCF. Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between the Knights and Tigers. --Field Level Media
Fake bomb threats were made against a home owned by UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and another owned by his wife after he was murdered Wednesday morning. The two homes, which are less than a mile apart in Maple Grove, Minnesota , were targeted on Wednesday evening, The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. The threat was sent via e-mail to multiple people who then notified the police. However, the threats were not credible and were considered an act of “swatting,” Maple Grove police said. “No devices or suspicious items were located during the investigation,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. ”The case is considered an active investigation, while the incident appears to be a hoax.” The Minneapolis Police Department bomb squad and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office also helped investigate the threats, the Star Tribune reports. As CEO, Thompson worked out of UnitedHealthcare’s offices in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Thompson and his wife, Paulette, had been living in separate homes less than a mile apart in Maple Grove for years, according to The Wall Street Journal . The threats came in just 12 hours after Thompson was shot outside a Manhattan Hilton hotel on Wednesday. The shooting was a “premeditated, preplanned targeted attack,” police said late Wednesday morning. Thompson appeared unaware he was in danger and had no security detail near him, police said. Video of the incident shows the shooter calmly walking up behind Thompson before shooting him multiple times, then calmly crossing the street. The footage also showed a bystander who witnessed the shooting and ran away as the suspect fired at Thompson. A massive manhunt is now underway for the unidentified shooter, who fled the scene on a bike. Police searched a hostel in upper Manhattan where they believe the suspect was staying, CNN reported Thursday morning. They since discovered he checked in with a fake New Jersey ID. Thompson’s wife told NBC News her husband received threats prior to Wednesday’s shooting. "There had been some threats," she said. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of [health insurance] coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." Police also discovered the suspect had written three words on the ammunition he used to shoot Thompson: “Deny,” “defend” and “depose.” The words are similar to a popular phrase in the insurance industry: “Deny, delay, defend.” A 2020 book by Jay Feinman about the insurance industry also bears a similar title: Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. The book describes itself as an “expose of insurance injustice and a plan for consumers and lawmakers to fight back.” News of Thompson’s death received a mixed response on social media, with many users airing their frustrations with the insurance industry and sharing stories of how major American insurers had denied them or their loved ones coverage for life-saving medical procedures. "Sympathy denied,” one user wrote. “Greed is considered a pre-existing condition." “Thoughts and prior authorizations,” another wrote. Those sentiments, however, soon prompted a counter-response, with many others labeling such responses inappropriate. “Yet, people are reacting with anger and scorn to the death − not because a husband and father was fatally shot on a Manhattan sidewalk,” USA Today columnist Ingrid Jacques wrote Thursday. “But because of the victim’s job as head of a major health insurance company.” “The callous disregard for a human life is alarming to witness,” she added.No. 2 UConn falls again in Maui, losing 73-72 to Colorado on Jakimovski's off-balance layup
Canada's top military commander calls out US senator for questioning a woman's role in combat
Bangkok, Thiland, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BDMS Wellness Clinic, a leading preventive healthcare center, introduces the Longevity Card —an exquisite privilege designed to help individuals transcend traditional health care limits through the Wellness Life Blueprint, a sustainable roadmap to optimal health. This privilege card offers comprehensive health assessments, providing insights into micronutrient balance, sleep quality, weight management, mental health support, personalized exercise planning, and lifestyle medicine for enhanced healthspan. Supported by BDMS Wellness Clinic's dedicated team of preventive medicine specialists, the Longevity Card ensures personalized care for every client. Priced at 1 million THB (estimated 3x,xxx-USD), the card values at over 1.5 million THB (Approximately $44,000), the card includes meticulously curated benefits to enrich your wellness journey. This launch marks a significant step in positioning Thailand as a Wellness Destination of the World. BDMS Wellness Clinic As the world moves towards an aging population, the trend of health care continues to gain momentum, particularly in light of the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and stress. This surge in awareness has led to a notable increase in the wellness industry, evidenced by global market data projecting an annual growth rate of approximately 8.6%. By 2027, the wellness market is expected to reach an impressive value of $8.5 trillion. Moreover, Thailand has emerged as one of the top 20 global wellness destinations, aligning perfectly with the Wellness Hub Thailand initiative aimed at establishing the country as a leading health tourism on a global stage. BDMS Wellness Clinic, a subsidiary of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) —Thailand’s private hospital operator —recognizes the burgeoning opportunities within the ultra-luxury wellness sector. Committed to promoting holistic healthcare and our pivotal role in disease prevention, BDMS Wellness Clinic is delighted to introduce the Longevity Card. This annual membership offers a meticulously curated selection of health benefits, designed to not only enhance individuals well-being but also to enhance overall healthcare experience. With the Longevity Card, you can expect unparalleled service and innovative wellness solutions tailored to their individual needs. The Longevity Card empowers you to transcend traditional health care boundaries through comprehensive health assessments across all dimensions. This membership addresses holistic healthcare, covering everything from balancing micronutrients to enhancing sleep quality, weight management, supporting mental health, personalized exercise planning, and promoting lifestyle medicine for a longer, healthier life (Healthspan). The Longevity Card provides access to groundbreaking health analysis innovations designed to empower individuals in their wellness journeys. The card features cell-level testing options, including genetic and epigenetic assessments, hormone level evaluations, immune system analysis, biological age measurements, liver fat assessments, vascular health evaluations, and comprehensive analyses of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These detailed insights into your health allow for a personalized approach to lifestyle design and the creation of tailored supplements that align with your body’s specific needs as well as enhances the effectiveness of disease prevention, targeting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cancer, and more, all under the close care of BDMS Wellness Clinic. A team of specialized preventive medicine physicians, guided by lifestyle medicine principles, along with a multidisciplinary group of health and wellness coaches (HWCs) providing close, personalized care. A team of dieticians designing personalized meal plans tailored to individual health assessment results. A dedicated exercise support team that creates age-appropriate fitness programs, enhancing body performance and optimizing tendon and joint health with advanced equipment, or Personalized supplements tailored to support your vitamin and mineral deficiencies Tanupol Virunhagarun, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Clinic and BDMS Wellness Resort, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited, remarked “At BDMS Wellness Clinic, we have long been dedicated to enhancing preventive healthcare for the Thai community. The Longevity Card symbolizes an investment in sustainable health, offering members a wealth of exclusive services throughout the year. With the Longevity Card, specialized preventive medicine physicians along with a multidisciplinary group of health and wellness coaches (HWCs) will provide comprehensive health assessments tailored to suit your age and lifestyle all year long, including evaluations at the DNA level, assessments of micronutrient levels, epigenetic testing, personalized exercise planning and a wide range of other health services designed to enhance overall well-being. The card serves as a Wellness Life Blueprint—a sustainable roadmap to optimal health that empowers you to gain deep insights into your body and understand your health like never before. Because we believe that good health is life’s most precious treasure.” The Longevity Card is offered at 1 million baht (approximately $30,000), granting access to special benefits valued at over 1.5 million baht (approximately $44,000), meticulously crafted to elevate your well-being with healthcare privileges. Key offerings include: A comprehensive health screening program at BDMS Wellness Clinic, featuring services and personalized care guided by expert physicians and medical professionals. Embracing the principles of Predict, Prevent, and Personalize, these programs include health screenings such as the Regenerative Signature Program, comprehensive health assessments across more than 80 additional programs: • Hematological analysis, blood glucose measurement, comprehensive liver function tests, and detailed renal function evaluations • Cardiac function assessment • Oncological risk biomarkers • Liver and abdominal assessment via MRI Whole Abdomen Non-contrast • Hormonal level assessment • Comprehensive micronutrient assessment through blood analysis of 18 essential vitamins and minerals • Assessment of bone mineral density, fat mass, and muscle mass • Sport medical examination • Heavy metal toxicity screening • Assessment of immune cell levels (NK cell activity) • Telomere length analysis • Additional comprehensive health assessments to deepen your understanding of your body, including Epigenetics, Ultrasound Carotid Artery and Thyroid assessments, as well as Digital Mammogram and Breast Ultrasound The Chivawattana Perfect Diamond Card, offering a 3-year membership, is the prestigious membership within the BDMS network, covering 35 branches nationwide. This card unlocks a wide range of privileges at any hospital in the network. Members will also receive three additional Chivawattana Cards, extending special healthcare benefits to family members and loved ones: • Chivawattana Prime Platinum Card– 2-year membership • Chivawattana Junior Card – 3-year membership • Chivawattana Value Gold Card – 1-year membership Additional privileges from leading partners are offered to provide comprehensive care tailored to special members with diverse lifestyles. These include: • 24-hour personal healthcare services • An Aeromedical Transport by Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS) • Discounts on rooms, dining, and services at Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok and Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort • One complimentary night’s stay and additional special discounts at Celes Samui Hotel • Special lounge access for patients receiving treatment at BDMS hospitals • Discounts on airfares and access to the Blue Ribbon Club Lounge with Bangkok Airways • 10% discount on food and beverages at Chef Man Chinese Restaurant • And many more privileges "We are proud to offer exclusive services for Longevity Card holders, which play a vital role in our mission to position Thailand as the Wellness Destination of the World. By attracting premium health tourists globally, we aim to provide comprehensive healthcare services through our esteemed BDMS medical teams. Our commitment is to elevate Thailand as a recognized global hub for health and wellness." Dr.Tanupol concluded Discover the privilege of healthcare with the Longevity Card at BDMS Wellness Clinic Wireless Road, Soonvijai, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, and Laguna Phuket brand. For more information, please visit https://bdmswellness.com/longevity-card # # # About BDMS Wellness Clinic BDMS Wellness Clinic, a pivotal entity within the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) network—Thailand's operator of private hospitals—embodies a forward-thinking approach to healthcare, prioritizing prevention over cure. Specializing in early detection and prevention of diseases, our clinic offers a holistic suite of services, including advanced dental care and fertility treatments. Leveraging cutting-edge science and technology, BDMS Wellness Clinic not only anticipates future health challenges but also enhances the quality of life, marking its stature as Asia's premier healthcare facility dedicated to elevating both mental and physical well-being. More Information FB: Facebook.com/BDMSWellnessClinic IG @BDMSWellness Media Inquiries: Please contact the Marketing and Communication Department, BDMS Wellness Clinic Co. Ltd. Chanokphat Pawangkanan +6684-703-5963 Email: chanokphat.pa@bdmswellness.com
Memories fade, and so does film. Whether it’s old negatives or a box of dusty slides, your memories are safer in a digital format. The Kodak Slide N Scan digital slide and film scanner transforms old film negatives and slides into digital images you can save, share and enjoy them — forever. Normally, this classic media scanner would cost $224. But you can for a limited time. These days, capturing picture-perfect images is as easy as whipping out your and snapping a great shot. But for anybody who ever used an old-school camera, a collection of negatives squirreled away in a closet is a huge missed opportunity. Digitizing everything will give your photo library a serious injection of nostalgia. This Kodak slide film scanner is compatible with color and black-and-white negatives in multiple formats (135, 110 and 126), along with 50mm slides. All you need to do is pick out the correct film adapter or slide holder, insert your treasured memory, then feed it into the scanner. Digitizing old films and slides is a breeze, thanks to the device’s quick-feeding tray technology. This scanner comes equipped with a 14MP image sensor that can enhance image resolution up to 22MP so you can capture high-quality digital copies of your old family photos. Perfect your digital images on a 5-inch LCD You can check the built-in 5-inch LCD display to see the quality of each scan. Plus, the gadget provides multiple connectivity options, so you can connect it directly to your Mac. The Kodak Slide N Scan won’t damage your original copies, so you can put that dusty box of slides back in the attic and enjoy all your digitized images safely on your phone, tablet or computer. Save on the Kodak Slide N Scan slide and film scanner Don’t let your memories fade with the fragile film or slides they’re stored on. Give yourself or a loved one the gift of memories preserved forever! As mentioned, this is a limited-time price drop. December 8 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific is the deadline to snag a for just $164.97 (regularly $224.99).No. 5 Alabama has a reputation as 3-point gunners, but it's defense and rebounding that have become a focus as the Tide welcome South Dakota State to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to end the 2024 calendar year. Alabama (10-2) is frequently thought of as an offensive 3-point shooting free-for-all program, but Nate Oats' 2024-25 squad has thrived largely on the basis of inside play. The Tide are shooting 62.2 percent on their two-point attempts and grab 45 rebounds per game, each figure placing the team among the national leaders in those categories. Alabama does still shoot an average of 31 3-point shots per game, again one of the nation's highest totals. But so far, Alabama's 31.2 percent connection rate is very ordinary. But connecting inside and owning the glass has held benefits for Alabama. Meanwhile, defense has concerned Oats, particularly coming off a 97-90 win over North Dakota on Dec. 18. Oats issued warnings about players losing spots in the rotation if defensive execution didn't improve. Alabama passed the first post-North Dakota test in an 81-54 win over Kent State on Sunday. "We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle up in North Dakota," said Oats after the Kent State victory. "It was a much better defensive effort, so it will be a lot better Christmas break for us." Alabama won the rebounding battle over Kent State 60-40, although Oats contended that the Tide "gave up too many second-chance points." Alabama made 72 percent of its two-point attempts even as just 9 of 35 3-point attempts connected. Alabama has battled personnel uncertainty early in the season. An Achilles injury ended the season of guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. just as transfer Chris Youngblood was preparing to return from an ankle injury. The Tide have 11 players averaging double-digit minutes and eight averaging 7.4 points per game or better, led by super senior guard Mark Sears with 17.8 ppg. Super senior forward Grant Nelson remains a key player, leading the Tide with 8.7 rebounds per game while adding 12.8 ppg. Meanwhile, South Dakota State (9-5) will pin its upset hopes largely on Aussie transfer Oscar Cluff. A 6-foot-11 senior who transferred in from Washington State, Cluff has averaged 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Cluff is connecting on 71.4 percent of his shot attempts. He's also shooting 79.2 percent at the foul line and has stabilized a young Jackrabbits team with four freshmen among the top seven scorers. "Oscar's just built the right way," said coach Eric Henderson. "We have probably played through the post more than any other team in the country the last five years and we just felt like we needed a big man that had some experience and boy does he ever." Cluff had a streak of five straight double-doubles, but that ended in recent losses to Nevada and Colorado. The Jackrabbits won 87-72 over Chadron State in their last game on Dec. 19. --Field Level Media
Thousands of protesters marched through Barcelona on Saturday demanding lower rents in Spain's second city. Barcelona, which has already taken action to stop the spread of holiday rental apartments, is the latest Spanish city to see protests for cheaper housing. Backed by left-wing parties and unions, the demonstrators gathered in central Barcelona behind a giant banner declaring "Lower the rents". "Today a new political cycle starts concerning housing," Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Catalan Tenants Union, the main organiser, told reporters. "Investors must not be allowed to come to our cities and play with the apartments like a game of Monopoly," she added. The union would target "profiteers" who are taking "half of our salaries", Arcarazo said. The demonstrators demanded a 50 percent cut in rents, leases with an unlimited term and a ban on "speculative" sales of buildings. They threatened to start a rent strike. More from this section An estimated 22,000 people took part in a similar demonstration in Madrid on October 13. Campaigns have been launched in other cities. According to the Idealista specialised website, rental prices per square metre have risen 82 percent across Spain over the past decade. The average salary has gone up by 17 percent in that time, according to the national statistics institute. Facing pressure over a housing crisis, the government in 2023 passed legislation calling for more social housing, greater restrictions on rents in high demand areas and penalties for owners who do not occupy properties. But rents have continued to rise while the government has battled city and regional authorities to get some parts of the law applied. vid-vab/tw/jmTrump sides with Musk in right-wing row over worker visasCarMax Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day
Push comes as Syria’s new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met Bahraini, Libyan delegations in Damascus. Syria’s new administration is carrying out a security crackdown against what it has described as “remnants” of former President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, with operations under way in several parts of the country. The official Syrian news agency SANA reported on Saturday that authorities were conducting “a large-scale sweep operation” near the city of Latakia on Syria’s northwestern coast. The push — in an area where al-Assad enjoyed support from the Alawite community — came in response to “reports about [the] presence of elements linked to remnants of Assad’s militias”, SANA said in a post shared on social media. Reporting from the capital Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra explained that the new administration said it is not targeting the Alawite community, from which al-Assad hailed. Instead, the authorities said the security operation has focused on soldiers and Syrian army officials associated with al-Assad and his brother, Maher al-Assad, a powerful former military commander. “They say that [they’ve] issued an ultimatum to those people to hand over weapons to the new administration,” Ahelbarra reported, adding that operations also were being carried out in Homs, Aleppo and on the outskirts of Damascus. The push comes days after 14 police officers were killed in what the authorities said was an “ambush” by forces loyal to al-Assad in the Tartous governorate, another area on Syria’s western coast. Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman had promised on Thursday to crack down on “anyone who dares to undermine Syria’s security or endanger the lives of its citizens”. Syrian opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of the country earlier this month after a rapid offensive that ousted al-Assad after more than two decades in power. A political transition is under way, with Syria’s new de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – who headed HTS and previously had ties to al-Qaeda – holding talks with a number of Arab and Western diplomats in recent days. Several countries have urged al-Sharaa to ensure that religious and ethnic minorities will be protected amid some recent tensions and fears that any unrest could negatively affect Syria and the wider region. “What happens next in Syria will not only have an impact on the Syrians themselves, but it could spread beyond the country,” said Al Jazeera’s Ahelbarra. “This is why people are concerned about what happens next.” Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, met with a Bahraini delegation in Damascus on Saturday, as well as with a senior official from Libya’s United Nations-recognised government. “We expressed our full support for the Syrian authorities in the success of the important transitional phase,” Libyan Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs Walid Ellafi told reporters after the meeting. “We emphasised the importance of coordination and cooperation ... particularly on security and military issues,” Ellafi said, while the pair also discussed cooperation “related to energy and trade” and “illegal immigration”. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials and a war monitor said Lebanon expelled approximately 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes. Many senior Syrian officials and people close to the al-Assad family fled the country to neighbouring Lebanon after al-Assad was toppled on December 8. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based monitor, said Syrian military personnel of various ranks had been sent back via Lebanon’s northern Arida crossing. SOHR and a Lebanese security official told the Reuters news agency that the returnees were detained by the new Syrian authorities after crossing the border.Chi-Chi's (interior view of an old restaurant pictured above) opened its first location in Minnesota in 1976 and closed its last location in 2004. It is now expected to reopen in 2025. (Tolbert Photo/Alamy) Welcome to the Fox News Lifestyle Newsletter. Check out these top headlines. TOP 3: RESTAURANT REVIVED – Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurants are slated to make a comeback more than two decades after closing amid a hepatitis A outbreak. TOURIST TAX – A popular vacation destination will implement a tax for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in the country. Industry experts share why they are against it. 'BREAD OF LIFE' – This Christmas season, a bakery has created a Nativity scene almost entirely made of bread. Baby Jesus, plus Mary and Joseph, are all represented in the display. This Nativity scene window display at Hobbs House Bakery in England is made out of bread. (Hobbs House Bakery/SWNS) MORE IN LIFESTYLE 'TIS THE SEASON – Here are three holiday gift ideas that won't break the bank this Christmas. These enticing food baskets are all priced at around $25 and make thoughtful gifts. Continue reading... CALLING ALL CROSSWORD PUZZLE LOVERS! – Play our Fox News daily crossword puzzle for free here! And not just one — check out the multiple offerings. See the puzzles... Play the Fox News daily online crossword puzzle — for free! Solve daily puzzles, learn new words and strengthen your mind with fun games. (iStock) FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Autos Fox News Health DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox News Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE Fox News Go STREAM FOX NATION Fox Nation This article was written by Fox News staff.