Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
Vaccines don't cause autism. What does?THE US and the world were electrified by Donald Trump's landslide victory and spectacular comeback against a background of massive media bashing, including case after case thrown against him, including for fraud and rape, indictments, and two assassination attempts. Yet The Donald, Wharton-graduated real estate billionaire and married to models, reality show host, the epitome of American chutzpah, came out punching to win both houses, electoral as well as popular votes. The world is also on its toes for the potential geopolitical changes expected, declared by Trump, including promoting quick peace negotiation in Ukraine, while Biden even escalated the war by approving the use of missiles ATACM even deep into Russia, causing Putin to reiterate the position that this can be considered direct NATO nation interventions which may be reciprocated in kind with direct attacks on NATO. Trump has also declared expanded tariffs against China and allies alike and demanded that Europe and Japan, allies, pay more for their own defense. But a third initiative worth watching, the focus of this article, is his "DOGE" program, recruiting two self-made radical new-tech innovation billionaire genius immigrants. Elon of South Africa, Vivek Ramaswamy of Indian parentage, to the Department of Government Efficiency, to advise radical change in government spending and efficiency. This DOGE has ignited enthusiasm across the US in a population much discouraged by perceived waste, corruption, inflation, and internal strife. It has started much new proactive discussion and certainly is worth emulating at least as a reinvention target, for the Philippines. It has been given a target to accomplish parts and recommendations, with a timeframe to expire on July 4, 2026, the 250th Declaration of Independence. Trump and his teams have started initiatives, explorations and collaborations even before his formal takeover of government slated for January 2025. Thus far, what has been envisioned and targeted? Government dashboard development. Musk has proposed a real-time performance dashboard for government, making federal spending, project progress, and efficiency metrics transparent to the public. Zero-based budgeting. Ramaswamy proposes zero-based budgeting: recalculate the actual personnel needed to accomplish tasks, give generous severance to downsize, reduce medicare fraud, eliminate projects like sex change studies for animals and children, reduce subsidies, shut programs and even agencies that have not been showing results, e.g., California $20 billion allocated for the homeless that hasn't had reports for three years while homelessness has grown, schools that spent the most performing the least, etc. Domestic citizens first. Trump will cut illegal immigrant entry that was made easy by the democrats, as well as the $150 billion a year spent on their education, health, and law enforcement, among others. NATO members should pay more for their own defense. Stop the war spending for Ukraine at over $150 billion already, plus other military occupations (but not Israeli). Unauthorized federal spending. This included $500 billion annually to be slashed and made transparent related to unexamined federal contracts to be audited. Efficient operations . Elon will recommend digital platform consolidations, AI use, better-directed and more efficient research and development of technologies, and transportation systems. As a biotech entrepreneur, Ramaswamy plans to introduce reforms on drug approval processes and healthcare delivery and costs, organizational restructuring, and linking funding to measurable outcomes before funding each year. Preventive health care. Robert F Kennedy will review vaccine approval and delivery systems, having examined the fraud and lack of transparency during the pandemic. He won't ban sugar drinks or other foods, but plans to educate and promote wellness programs rather than remedial treatment, the biggest expense of the government. Reduced bureaucracy. Musk and Ramaswamy will propose reduced regulations, using current laws instead of legislating new ones, simplifying permits and government processing, and reducing unnecessary daily interactions. Targets and timetables are indicated as a discipline by both experienced entrepreneurs. While Elon has indicated his estimated reductions may have proposals of up to $2 trillion out of the government's current $6.7 trillion a year budget ($1 trillion a year in interest alone), only $1.7 trillion a year is discretionary, and the others would have to be managed through legislation and other methods. They intend to start with what is under the executive branch to make their early "wins" but consider the unaccounted, unauthorized expenditures of hundreds of billions to be fair game, apart from those whose purposes are to be questioned. If the US can even discuss these issues and give details, demand explanations, as well as put in power people with experience in providing solutions, as it seems to have today, the US can possibly be on the road to a great revival. We never expect perfection, but it is one of the great strengths of the US system, and the vision of its forefathers is alive! The situation is much unlike recent years, where the institutions and media have blatantly, even certified, en masse, what is false, tried to stifle any counter information, and even attacked anyone, even just bringing up alternatives. Instances of these can be seen in the cases of the vaccines' safety, covered-up research on virus gain of functions, sex change politics, Israeli or Saudi issues, weapons of mass destruction or gassing by countries, on the proven false news of Russian interference in the US elections, on the disappearance of clearly obtained evidence against various political personalities, the digging up of cases against others where evidence didn't exist, filed against foreigners as well as past and future presidents. This recognition of the value of talent has been valued also in Asia though, we should note. Even in China, 2500 years ago, Confucius noted that the first step to understanding and solution is " to name things by their proper name. " And the recognition and recruitment of talent is demonstrated in a manner by the civil service examination system, and the regular acquiring and honoring of advisers and consultants, who become famous even in history as teachers and success advisors, not just of politics but of sciences, medicine, geography, etc. Japan, South Korea, Singapore and all great nations of the past have had to put in power the talents of vision and ability to execute, to achieve periods of great achievement, even against odds. To see it in any nation being applied is inspiring. To each their manner, we have to recruit and put in the ability to execute on behalf of leaders who have a love for the nation and the welfare of their constituents. Why not model the Philippines after any of these nations in their periods of rising to greatness, when they and we recruit top talent instead of just family and building a nation? New Worlds by IDSI (Integrated Development Studies Institute) aims to present frameworks based on a balance of economic theory, historical realities, ground success in real business and communities, and an attempt for common good, culture, and spirituality. We welcome logical feedback and possibly working with compatible frameworks ( [email protected] ).
Every time a Government appoints a new Cabinet, a debate ensues about its composition and the allocation of ministries. There is also a debate about the way certain disparate subjects are combined to form one Ministry. This is not surprising, given that at one time a previous Foreign Minister demanded that the two lotteries boards be brought under his Ministry. However, some seemingly distant subjects can be an ideal combination if one looks at it from a fresh perspective. Media and Health, now under one Ministry, are two such subjects. Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa is eminently qualified to helm this Ministry, being a media savvy medical doctor. The media is the most potent weapon that we can use against disease. This became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic when the immense power of the conventional media, both print and electronic, was used admirably to spread the message of prevention. It is through the media that the public came to know of the importance of wearing masks, washing or sanitising hands, social distancing, cough etiquette, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other health practices. The media’s extensive relaying of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) helped raise awareness of the disease and the steps that one could take to keep it at bay. The conventional media also played another critical role that was not really appreciated at that time – fighting disinformation spread on social media and the Internet. Social media outlets such as Facebook, X, YouTube and Reddit were rife with outright lies on the two mRNA vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Modena which had proven to be more than 90 percent effective against the onset of Covid-19 pandemic. According to such “fake news” posts, the two vaccines could even make recipients infertile. These completely unfounded claims were unfortunately believed by millions of people around the world, leading to deaths that could have easily been prevented. Here in Sri Lanka, the conventional media rose to the occasion and painted a correct picture of the vaccines that helped the health authorities to save thousands of lives. Medical experts who appeared on TV regularly stressed the importance of getting the three Covid-19 jabs on time. Many TV stations also telecast 30-second PSAs on health practices and vaccines at prime time. This was one occasion that the conventional media triumphed over the Internet, despite almost everyone having a smartphone with an Internet connection. Yet, the disinformation campaign against vaccines is not over on a global scale. There is a marked dip in childhood vaccinations in many countries including the US, where some politicians including incoming Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, have peddled conspiracy theories regarding vaccines. Many parents have believed his claim that the Measles vaccine can cause autism, leading to an explosion of measles cases in the US and many developed countries. Even though scientists have debunked these claims with ample proof, people still fall for them. This has now become a global public health challenge. In the light of such false claims amplified in the social media echo chamber, Minister Dr. Jayatissa must take the lead in championing the cause and efficacy of vaccines and vaccinations. Sri Lanka shines globally for its almost perfect childhood vaccination record. In close partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Sri Lanka has been conducting a childhood vaccination campaign for several decades that has drastically slashed infant and child mortality rates. These indices are, in fact, almost on par with those of the developed world, which is no mean feat for a small developing nation. But young Sri Lankan parents who are constantly online might be gullible to the untruths regarding vaccines, which could roll back the progress the country has made in the health sphere. This is why a mainstream media campaign must take these false claims on vaccines head on. Of course, the mainstream media outlets themselves must also extensively use social media to get this message across if they are to target young families. Such messaging must necessarily extend to every facet of healthcare. Sometimes, the message needs to be very simple. Many people living in remote areas spend much time and money to come to the main national hospitals in Colombo, Kandy or Galle (Karapitiya) to get treated even for simple ailments which can easily be handled by rural hospitals and healthcare centres. Many regional hospitals also have heart, eye and ENT facilities that obviate the need to rush to Colombo for related ailments. But many rural residents are unaware of this fact and think that one must rush to Colombo, Kandy or Galle even for influenza. Since many rural dwellers have limited access to the Internet, it is best to use the conventional media to spread the message that the nearest hospital is often the best hospital for a range of healthcare needs. This will reduce congestion at the main hospitals and save time and money for rural patients. In any case, the doctors at a given rural hospital can determine whether a patient has to be transferred to a bigger city hospital by ambulance. It is also vital to educate the public that there is no greater benefit in using brand-name drugs instead of generic drugs which are many times cheaper. Moreover, patients are generally in the dark about the actual Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of both generic and imported brand-name drugs. These should be regularly published via the print media in all three languages to keep the public informed. There should also be a bigger media campaign focusing on Non-Communicable Diseases such as heart disease and diabetes especially with regard to preventive measures. The media must cooperate with the new Health Minister to popularise the age-old wisdom that “Health is Wealth”.NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting. He didn't pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He had combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title, playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. "The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we are able to accomplish," he said through a translator. "The next goal is for me to do it again and so right now I'm in the middle of rehab and working out and getting stronger." When Ohtani returns to the mound, could he win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same year? "That would obviously be great, but right now my focus is just to get to get back healthy, come back stronger, get back on the mound and show everybody what I can do," Ohtani said. Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP in a season that started with the revelation his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen nearly $17 million from the star to fund gambling. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia's Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and '21. "I was telling him, `Man, I'm going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,'" Judge recalled. "He'd say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he'll do." When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. "March and April were not my friend this year." Judge said. "Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can't mope. You can't feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody's going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?" ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. “This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed,” council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.” The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. “I can't say I'm confident about anything,” Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members. The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was ripped to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton swept ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage inside the ballpark, with a city estimate of the total repair costs pegged at $55.7 million. The extensive repairs cannot be finished before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays made a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa. The initial vote Thursday was to get moving on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews could begin working on laying down a new baseball field, fixing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems — which would require another vote to approve money for the remaining restoration. The subsequent vote reversing funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and Rays must work on an alternative in the coming weeks so that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally obligated to fix the roof. BRIEFLY PIRATES: Pittsburgh hired Matt Hague as its hitting coach, bringing him back to the team that drafted him in 2008. Hague replaces Andy Haines, who was fired after Pittsburgh finished in the bottom 10 in the majors in every significant statistical category last season, including runs (24th) and home runs (25th), while also striking out a club-record 1,504 times, second-most in the National League behind Colorado. The 39-year-old Hague spent last season as an assistant hitting coach with the Toronto Blue Jays. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
By KELVIN CHAN, Business Writer LONDON (AP) — Looking for a new social media platform because X, Threads and Mastodon just aren’t cutting it? You could try Bluesky . People seeking to avoid chaos, noise and political bluster in the aftermath of the U.S. elections are noticing a different mood on the Bluesky social platform, where the vibe is seemingly welcoming and there are noticeably fewer trolls. The site announced it had rapidly added more than a million new users in the week after Election Day, and has emerged as one of the fastest growing rivals to Elon Musk’s X and similar platforms. If you’re tempted to check out the new space, here’s a guide on how Bluesky works: Maybe you’re not ready to commit to adding yet another social media account. No problem — you can still look around on Bluesky without signing up because all posts and profiles are public. You might get a sense of deja vu because the platform’s look and feel are very similar to X. That should be no surprise because Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey was an early Bluesky champion. (Dorsey’s no longer involved with Bluesky, which is owned and run by its executive team as a public benefit corporation.) If you take the plunge and get an account, you’ll need a username. You’ll notice Bluesky handles are a little bit different because they end by default in the site’s domain, .bsky.social. You can personalize your handle to make it more memorable, by using your own website’s domain or buying a custom one through Bluesky. But it might not be something most newbie users need or want to do right away. Bluesky boasts that it gives users “algorithmic choice” to tailor the content they’re shown instead of leaving it up to the whims of a centralized system. “Our online experience doesn’t have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see,” it says . What it means is that you can follow custom feeds set up by other users, or design your own. If you tap #Feeds in the menu on the left, you’ll see some default offerings like Cat Pics and Gardening. My Bangers is a list of your most popular posts by likes and Catch Up shows the site’s most popular posts from the past 24 hours. You can find more by doing a search and tapping the Feeds button. There’s also the usual “Discover” feed of suggested posts and a chronological feed of accounts that you follow. To help new users settle in, Bluesky has starter packs of recommended feeds and accounts to follow, which anyone can create and share. They don’t show up in Bluesky’s search results but can be found in directories online . Or someone might share one with you. After I signed up, a colleague pointed me to one for major news outlets . There are tens of thousands of starter packs, ranging from broadly appealing topics like Taylor Swift to niche interests like cargo bikes or U.K. comedians . You can follow the whole pack or scroll down the list to choose individual accounts. What about people you followed on X? There’s a browser extension tool called Sky Follower Bridge that will help you find X users who’ve migrated to Bluesky. But check before clicking the follow button to make sure it’s not a different user using the same display name or handle. Ready to join the conversation? You can write posts or reply to others but keep it short because there’s a limit of 300 characters — 20 more than on X. You can also upload photos and videos, though videos can’t be longer than 60 seconds. GIFs and emojis are, of course, available too. You can still @ people by typing in their username, like posts by tapping a heart icon or use hashtags to highlight a theme. Bluesky has added a menu to hashtags, so when you click on one you’ll get different options for seeing, or muting, posts on that topic. Bluesky’s decentralization ethos extends to the content control options it offers. For starters, users can choose in their settings menu whether to see replies, reposts or quote posts in their feed. Specific words or tags can be muted temporarily, or forever, while accounts can be muted or blocked individually, or in bulk by adding them a moderation list. You can even fine tune the level of adult content that shows up in your feed. Bluesky has a team of content moderators to police the site for material that’s illegal or breaks the rules. But it’s also taking a different approach by open sourcing its content moderation system in an attempt to resolve problems with traditional moderation services which it says “lack transparency and user control.” So, individuals or groups can set up their own content filters, or labelers, that go beyond what Bluesky offers. These labelers can be used to categorize content or users, which can then be blocked or hidden. But they could also be used for informational or creative purposes, like curating or verifying content. There are labelers to identify images generated by artificial intelligence or to fact check news posts. You can find lists of labelers online. After I subscribed to a U.S. politics labeler, some posts in my feeds were flagged “!Donald Trump” or “!Democrat politician” and hidden unless I click Show. Follow Kelvin Chan on Bluesky Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
AT&T Declares Dividends on Common and Preferred SharesOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Emily Atack gave fans a snapshot of her son Barney , and who has noticeably grown since his last appearance on social media. The 34-year-old star, known for her role in The Inbetweeners and her recent captivating performance in the Disney+ drama Rivals, welcomed her little one in June with her partner, scientist Alistair Garner. Now, at four months old, Barney is seen snuggling up to his mum in adorable denim dungarees. This festive update comes a year after Emily announced her pregnancy, proudly showing off her baby bump just before Christmas . As she embraces motherhood, Barney is gearing up for his very first Christmas celebration. The heartwarming post follows Emily's candid discussion about a frightening experience during her pregnancy when she suffered a haemorrhage. Recounting the ordeal, Emily expressed her initial fear: "I saw blood in the toilet and I was like, 'oh my god, I'm miscarrying' - it was just coming out of me and I thought that's it, biggest fear realised, I'm having a miscarriage." Opening up to Jamie Laing on his Great Company podcast, she revealed the relief that followed: "I had a scan and he [the doctor] said 'the baby's fine, you've had a haemorrhage, a hematoma but the baby's ok'. I couldn't believe it, I thought there's no way - I thought it was all over and I thought having to tell everybody, you feel like you're letting them all down, it's really awful." Emily bravely opened up about the heartache of miscarriage, saying, "I don't want to upset anyone who's been through baby loss, miscarriage but it's the most horrific thing ever. And a lot of that pain comes from feeling like you're going to have to let everybody down, because you've told them you're going to have this baby and it's going to be wonderful and then you're having to take that away. The pressure is ridiculous." She also expressed her concern about how casually miscarriages are often treated and added, "It's so like 'I know this girl who had a miscarriage...' because it's technically seen as common. But what is so awful, I get really angry even when doctors say it in the early days of your pregnancy, they talk about miscarriage like it is such a common thing." Emily continued, focusing on the emotional impact of such an incident: "That it's so flippant and so throwaway. But to that person who has just lost that baby it is the most devastating thing you could ever imagine. You have lost your child. But for some reason there's this really casual narrative, like it's so common that it's something you just sometimes have to go through. I can't even imagine the agony and it's just as women something that we are told to get on with."
Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: A somber announcement The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. A Southerner and a man of faith In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Gore remembers Carter for life "of purpose” Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. The Associated PressThe Rams get 4 field goals to beat the 49ers 12-6 in a sloppy game
Polygon video picks Polygon’s favorite Polygon videosMonday, December 30, 2024 As 2024 concludes, the American travel landscape reflects unique trends that defined how people traversed the country. From unconventional flying habits to creative hotel booking strategies, here’s a round-up of the year’s most significant travel behaviors. The term “gate lice” humorously describes passengers who crowd boarding gates or attempt to cut ahead in line. This behavior often disrupts the boarding process and frustrates other travelers. In response, American Airlines expanded its use of technology across 100 airports to address this issue. The system audibly flags and denies access to individuals attempting to board prematurely, ensuring smoother and fairer boarding procedures. This advancement highlights how airlines are leveraging technology to enhance passenger experiences. In a bid to maximize hotel loyalty points, many travelers participated in “mattress runs”—booking hotel rooms without completing their stays. This trend emerged as a strategy for accumulating rewards or maintaining elite status with hospitality programs. Alston Causey, vice president of Travelmation, explained that this approach is particularly appealing to frequent travelers on the cusp of qualifying for additional perks. However, industry experts caution against overusing this tactic, as it may backfire or lead to unexpected costs. The “flying naked” trend involves passengers traveling with only essentials such as a wallet, phone, and charger. Advocates celebrate the convenience of avoiding checked luggage fees and the struggle for overhead bin space. Critics, however, argue that the practice is too restrictive and impractical for longer trips. Popularized on platforms like TikTok, “flying naked” exemplifies a minimalist approach to travel, appealing to those seeking efficiency and simplicity. This behavior also aligns with growing concerns about reducing travel-related stress and expenses. “Seat squatters” refer to passengers who occupy unassigned seats in an attempt to secure better locations on flights. This practice often sparks tension between travelers and crew members. Social media has amplified stories of such incidents, with passengers sharing their experiences and strategies. Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel expert, advises against this practice, emphasizing the importance of adhering to assigned seating. Instead, he suggests politely negotiating seat swaps with fellow passengers for a mutually agreeable trade. The concept of “sleep divorce”—couples sleeping in separate beds—gained popularity in 2024, particularly during vacations. Hilton’s 2025 Trends report revealed that 63% of travelers believe they sleep better alone, and 37% prefer separate sleeping arrangements when traveling with partners. Dr. Wendy Troxel, a sleep expert, attributes this trend to the desire for improved rest and reduced nighttime disruptions. Sleep divorces on vacation highlight how couples prioritize individual well-being during their travels. The travel trends of 2024 reflect evolving preferences and innovative strategies among American travelers. From technological advancements to cultural shifts, these behaviors underscore the dynamic nature of the travel industry: As 2025 approaches, these trends provide a foundation for understanding future travel behaviors. Industry leaders and travelers alike can anticipate further innovations, adapting to changing preferences and technological advancements. The travel industry continues to evolve, offering diverse experiences tailored to the unique needs of modern adventurers. By reflecting on 2024’s standout trends, the stage is set for another year of exciting developments in travel and tourism. Do you have a story tip related to travel industry? Email us: [email protected]Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?
Investar Holding Co. ( NASDAQ:ISTR – Get Free Report ) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, December 18th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of 0.105 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, January 31st. This represents a $0.42 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. Investar has increased its dividend payment by an average of 16.5% per year over the last three years. Investar has a dividend payout ratio of 21.9% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Investar to earn $1.83 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.42 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 23.0%. Investar Stock Performance NASDAQ ISTR opened at $21.98 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $19.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $216.06 million, a PE ratio of 12.28 and a beta of 0.79. Investar has a twelve month low of $14.60 and a twelve month high of $24.81. Insider Activity at Investar In other Investar news, Director Scott G. Ginn acquired 8,475 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $23.68 per share, for a total transaction of $200,688.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 8,475 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $200,688. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Company insiders own 8.73% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Investar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. View Our Latest Report on ISTR About Investar ( Get Free Report ) Investar Holding Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Investar Bank that provides a range of commercial banking products to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in south Louisiana, southeast Texas, and Alabama in the United States. The company offers various deposit products and services, such as savings, checking, money market, and individual retirement accounts, as well as various certificates of deposit; debit and credit cards; internet, mobile, and video banking services; and reciprocal deposit products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Investar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Investar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Mutual of America Capital Management LLC Increases Stock Position in Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX)
HOUSTON — Western Governors University maintains a robust program of scholarships, made available to new and returning students in health and nursing. It's time to achieve your education goals and improve your career opportunities. With a state-of-the-art clinical training and simulation center in Houston, you can earn most of your education at home, while getting practice and teaching in a specialized space designed for optimum success. For information about WGU, call (866) 225-5948. You can also visit them online WGU.edu/Health and WGU.edu/Scholarships , plus follow them on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook @WGU. Western Governors University is the nation's leading nonprofit, accredited online University dedicated to expanding access to affordable higher education. Offering more than 80 programs in business, healthcare, education and technology, they have awarded over 400,000 degrees since they began. This content sponsored by WGU and The Leavitt School of HealthThe Rams get 4 field goals to beat the 49ers 12-6 in a sloppy game
Sacramento Kings fire head coach Mike BrownBJP senior leader Gudur Narayana Reddy on Saturday urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to expedite Musi river rejuvenation project, emphasising the need for immediate and concrete action. In a statement, Mr. Reddy criticised the government’s lack of progress, despite promises of cleaning and beautifying the river. “The Musi development project has had a poor start, with the government focusing on demolishing houses in the river’s vicinity, which has drawn widespread criticism from the public and political parties,” he said. He stressed that the initial focus should be on addressing the root causes of pollution, including halting the flow of contaminants into the river, constructing sewage treatment plants, introducing fresh water, and removing sludge from the riverbed. Mr. Reddy proposed a phased approach, starting with cleaning the river before moving on to beautification and riverfront development. “Once the river is cleaned, beautification efforts will naturally follow,” he remarked. He further stated that the cleaning process does not require massive financial outlays. “What is needed is strict enforcement of anti-pollution measures. The government must stop untreated sewage from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and downstream areas from entering the river,” he added. Published - November 24, 2024 12:34 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition
AFC standouts meet when Herbert, Chargers host Jackson's Ravens on Monday nightWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.