ace of swords wild unknown
By MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter‘Remains to be seen if I’ll be Taoiseach’, Martin says after electionThe Northern Arizona football team’s historic season came to an end on Saturday, as the unseeded Lumberjacks lost to No. 15 Abilene Christian, 24-0, in the first round of the FCS Playoffs in Abilene, Texas. The Lumberjacks finished with a record of 8-5 (6-2 Big Sky) and made the postseason for the first time since 2017 with a five-game winning streak. However, a disappointing performance kept the team winless since 2003 in bracket play. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global stock music market size is estimated to grow by USD 650.4 million from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.09% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview 1.1 Royalty-free 1.2 Rights managed 2.1 Television 2.2 Film 2.3 Radio 2.4 Advertising 2.5 Others 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: Royalty-free (RF) music refers to the permission to use copyrighted materials without paying recurring royalties or license fees. RF music allows for one-time payment, regardless of usage frequency, number of copies sold, or timeframe. Traditionally, RF music was popular for TV productions due to its ease of use and elimination of complex licensing processes. With the rise of digital distribution, RF music adoption, benefiting both composers and buyers. Numerous websites offer a vast selection of RF music across various genres, making it a convenient choice for producers. RF music's affordability fuels the growth of the global stock music market, as it offers legal access to a wide range of musical content without the need for copyright infringement. Analyst Review The Stock Music Market is a dynamic and evolving industry that caters to the diverse audio needs of various sectors, from Millennials to corporations. Technology and social media have revolutionized the way we consume and create music, making music libraries an essential resource for content creators in the entertainment business. From TV and films to advertisements, video games, and corporate production, the demand for authentic and high-quality music is at an all-time high. The gig economy has given rise to a new generation of multimedia artists, providing them with an opportunity to monetize their creations through stock music platforms. Genres and styles vary widely, catering to the unique needs of different industries and audiences. The user base of streaming services and digital advertising continues to grow, making online marketing and podcasting increasingly important channels for reaching consumers. The Stock Music Market is a thriving business that is here to stay. Market Overview The Stock Music Market is a dynamic and evolving industry that caters to the growing demand for authentic and high-quality music in various sectors. With millennials leading the charge, technology and social media have revolutionized the way music is consumed and shared. Music libraries have become essential resources for content creators in TV, films, advertisements, video games, corporate production, and the entertainment business. Stock music producers offer licenses, attribution, and exploitable rights to market participants, enabling a diverse range of businesses to access original music for their brand assets. Affluent consumers, cultural change agents, touring musicians, and local musicians all contribute to this vibrant ecosystem. Brands like Coca-Cola and Budweiser have embraced music as a powerful branding tool, creating iconic brand anthems and sponsoring music festivals. The digital element has transformed the industry, with streaming services, podcasting, and online marketing leading the charge. Editing tools and platforms have made it easier for professionals to integrate music into their multimedia content, from magazines and newspapers to instore activations and digital efforts. The market continues to grow, fueled by media spending and the unified approach to platform integration. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio
Published 4:20 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024 By Sabrina Simms Robertson NATCHEZ — A long-time, well-known educator in Natchez passed away in late November at the age of 81. Bettie Minor was an educator for nearly 40 years in Natchez beginning in 1964, according to her daughter, Vermelle Minor. A native of Hazelhurst, Bettie Minor’s influence to become a teacher began during her childhood teaching her younger siblings, Vermelle said. “She was the third of 10 children and the oldest daughter,” she said. Compounding health issues made Bettie Minor move to Dallas, Texas closer to her daughter, but since she started her career as a Social Studies teacher at Sadie V. Thompson High School in 1964, Natchez has been her home, Vermelle said. She later taught at North Natchez, South Natchez, and Natchez High School. “After she retired in 2003, she still worked at the Natchez Children’s Home as a tutor,” Vermelle said. “She cared deeply and wanted to give back to the community.” Bettie Minor was an active member of her community, contributing to various organizations and causes. She worked with the NAACP and the Democratic Women of Adams County, served as Secretary for the Adams County Democratic Committee, and was a past president of the Adams County Teachers’ Association. As a member of the Emma Morris Chapter No. 12 Order of the Eastern Star for 54 years, Bettie Minor was instrumental as an instructor, mentor and “connoisseur in helping others move forward,” Minor said. As a mom, Vermelle described Bettie Minor as stern but loving. “She saw the best in you and the potential of what you could do and pushed you to be your best,” she said. “Now that (my siblings and I) are older, it’s an innate part of our personalities to communicate well with others, get things done and be persistent and consistent in everything we do because of her.” Bettie and her husband Robert Lee Minor Sr. had two children, Vermelle and Marco. Bettie Minor also embraced the role of mother to Maurice Minor, the late Minnie Minor, Robert Lee Minor Jr., and Carl Elijah Minor. Before the years of computer-generated tests, Vermelle recalled her mother spending hours at home writing out her tests by hand and grading them afterward. Her other hobbies were gardening, fishing and watching football and basketball games. She always pulled for the underdog, said her son Marco. “She did like Brady and Mahomes until they started winning all of the time. She always said, ‘You’ve had your turn, now let the next person get the ball and move on.’ That’s the teacher in her,” he said. Bettie Minor’s first-time bass fishing, “She caught one that got off the hook. Moments later, if she didn’t pull that same fish out of the water,” Vermelle said. “Ever since she always loved fishing with dad. He would say he didn’t get to fish. He would just sit there and bate the poles over and over and she would keep pulling the fish in.” Marco added their mother loved helping people and wasn’t afraid to admit when she was wrong or when one of her children was wrong. “She believed in doing the right thing by people,” he said. “She also never met a stranger. If she saw someone in the room, she didn’t know she would say, ‘Come on over and talk to me. I don’t think I’ve met you yet.’ She would bring you in.” Besides dedicating her life to being an educator, mentor, mother and serving her community, Bettie Minor also was a devout Christian woman and active member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church since 1970, where she served as Secretary, Chaplain of the Senior Choir, and President of the Beulah Clubs. She also served as Recording Secretary for the Women’s Auxiliary of Adams County and on the Memorial and Praise Committee. Bettie sang with the Gospel Choir, the Voices of Hope, where she was the Financial Secretary for the Voices of Hope, and participated annually in the Fall Pilgrimage. Vermelle said Bettie Minor is sorely missed. “You don’t find many like her. It’s hard to lose a gem like she was. Her light shines bright, even when she is gone,” she said.Malik Nabers says calling the Giants 'soft' was wrong but he doesn't regret speaking out
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings waived cornerback Akayleb Evans on Saturday in another setback for their beleaguered 2022 draft class. Evans started 15 games last season, but he had been relegated to a special teams role this year after the Vikings added veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin. Evans was a fourth-round pick out of Missouri, one of three defensive backs among Minnesota's first five selections in 2022. Lewis Cine (first round) was waived and Andrew Booth (second round) was traded earlier this year. One of their second-round picks, guard Ed Ingram, lost his starting spot last week. Evans was let go to clear a roster spot for tight end Nick Muse, who was activated from injured reserve to play on Sunday at Chicago. The Vikings ruled tight end Josh Oliver out of the game with a sprained ankle. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Barry Odom begins Purdue career with larger NIL budget and questions about payment dispute at UNLVIf a matrimony ad were to be written for Mustafa Zaidi at his peak it would read: Poet, Bureaucrat, Recipient of Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Romantic, Suicidal. Shahnaz’s ad would read: Fair, Beautiful, Claim to Fame is Afghan Royalty. It is through this pairing of unlikely personalities that we have Society Girl by Saba Imtiaz and Tooba Masood-Khan, a multilayered, multidimensional story of two starkly different people as an insight into how lives despite socio-economic differences can intertwine to create webs of deceit and disloyalty in the name of romance that ultimately lead to double lives, the cost for which can be too much. What should have been a mere love affair became a sordid scandal, yet Another Pakistani Tragedy that love as an ideal can only ever remain an ideal and rarely, if ever, experienced. Best to stick to the long and narrow. Skilfully swimming through the narrowness of Lahore’s bloodlines to finding liberation in Karachi’s cosmopolitanism and glittering nightlife, this is a jigsaw galaxy made up of thousands of scattered pieces from different planets. Truly, Imtiaz and Masood-Khan have set the bar with their stellar investigative skills and proven to be master storytellers. A masterclass in objectively telling the story without the temptation to judge, there is a kindness with which they reveal the two main characters - Mustafa and Shahnaz - a desperately needed form of reporting that is non-existent in today’s Pakistani media. Solving a mystery in a country that thrives on ‘chaska’ is no easy feat and where politics, conspiracy theories, love affairs, bloodlines, power games, sex, slander and revenge come in with a heavy penchant for moralising, Imtiaz and Masood-Khan limit Sherlock Holmes’ techniques to Baker Street. The trial scene alone is worth using to teach writing on how to navigate a potent but sensitive situation where two people’s lives are not just at stake but also national security, international economic trade and the revelation of the carefully crafted world of high society with all its debauchery and nobility. Ali Amin Gandapur: Proving Critics Wrong Imtiaz and Masood-Khan grant Mustafa, a complex character, the space to be as he is and they view him with a kind lens that perhaps there was a mental health issue that kept cropping up especially during times of distress. Shahnaz is mostly explored through the lens of other women, perhaps in the hope they may empathise with a woman who for all her flaws was essentially mimicking high society in its behaviour but never realising how high the stakes are and not everyone can afford them. A masterclass in objectively telling the story without the temptation to judge, there is a kindness with which they reveal the two main characters - Mustafa and Shahnaz Mustafa for all his brilliance as a poet and intelligence toyed with life to see how far he could push it, till it finally retaliated. It could never tame his need to shatter every limit and so he kept getting away with it. Surviving suicide, lamenting a lost love to the extreme, mocking a Civil Service Academy as an asylum, referring to Jhelum as Jahannum, bringing home a mistress and seducing her in a bedroom with his wife standing outside, nothing was off limits for Mustafa when it came to tempting fate - he kept winning. Masterfully toying with words as poetry and using couplets to manipulate friend’s minds when confronted about his infidelity and behaviour, Mustafa knew he could charm his way to everyone’s heart and anyone’s bed. Yet, for all his identity as a poet, there was a pragmatic side and after a stint at teaching he joined the bureaucracy. From there on did he reach his professional high and low. It was at his lowest, Shahnaz entered, a sort of a lifeboat as he tread a sea of bad luck. Often creatives transcend the mundaneness of life to explore the vastness of their minds. Was she a distraction from his career disgrace? Or just another piece that fed his hunger for sex? The fire in his loins for yet another conquest to counter the disrupted domestic life he enjoyed with his beloved wife Vera? Shahnaz is beautiful, giggly and dazzled by the fancy Karachiites who accept that this ordinary couple, Saleem and Shahnaz, are harmless folk merely adding to the crowd of their appreciators. Uncultured, she is dismissed as being anything but a housewife who makes the most of her life after getting out of purdah in Gujranwala. Let’s Try Love What could possibly have caused Shahnaz, married to stable, secure but old (30 years her senior) husband to fall for Mustafa? Could it also have been she was looking to counter domestic life with a dull husband? Or was she too simple minded to recognise Mustafa for who he was as he swept her off her feet with his silver tongue? Or was she never given the chance to bloom, viewed as a second tier socialite only and keen to move higher up? As Imitiaz and Masood-Khan write: “ Mustafa’s young friends were fairly dismissive of Shahnaz. They thought she was just a pretty woman; charming, sure, but not Mustafa’s intellectual equal. This seemed like a relationship borne out of lust, not literature.” Imtiaz and Masood-Khan critically analyse society’s initial understanding of the situation as “a homemaker who had fallen in love with a romantic, charming poet.” But sadly they were never really free from judgement which played out in the media. As Imtiaz and Masood-Khan note the media circus surrounding the couple: “she had had an affair despite being a mother of two was seen as shocking. It didn’t matter that Mustafa was also a father of two.” As the investigation into Zaidi’s death picks up, a new dimension of crime, a desi favourite - smuggling - opens up. Here again, Zaidi’s manipulation and manoeuvring comes in leaving one horrified, not at the beings that lurk in shadows or the ones that operate in broad daylight but are strong enough to play with people’s lives even in death. As Imitiaz and Tooba write, “ In fact, no one would have connected a trip to London with smuggling in the first place, had it not been for the person who had spread the rumour – Mustafa Zaidi – who was now seemingly directing this investigation from beyond the grave.” But the question is: did Mustafa ever know he had gone too far? As thoughts of Shahnaz moving on swirl in his head, he is reduced to a mere ex. How could she do this to him? Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing Career gone, family gone, no love interest - Mustafa decides to go for revenge. With the printing of Shahnaz’s nude as a flyer, had he finally broken every rule? And did she decide to take matters into her own hands? Did either one of them deserve the tragedies of fate they were dealt? Having sunk to the lowest form of desperation, ultimately Mustafa couldn’t fight his own mind as dark as it became. Shahnaz chasing reflections in the water ventured out too far into the sea, never found the shore that was promised. Sand is never as solid as earth and actions speak louder than words. Tremendously expensive lessons for Shahnaz and Mustafa.
A street slaying, a ghost gun and a six-day manhunt that ended at McDonald's
Kendrick Lamar’s Alleged Ex Nitty Scott Reveals Why “GNX” Gives Her Flashbacks
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher at the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the October survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associate at Pew, called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Walmart says its U.S. businesses sourced more than $13 billion in goods and services from diverse suppliers in fiscal year 2024, including businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company has no explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, has made his debut in the “Newell’s Cup” tournament in the countryside city of Rosario. The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday. Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires. Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend. Thiago, who was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi’s teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami. Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami’s U13 team against Unión at the same sports complex. The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America. ___ AP soccer:My culture highlights of 2024: Sonia O'Sullivan, Kevin Barry, Tony O'Donoghue and more...
TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei welcomed the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former War Minister Yoav Gallant. In a Friday night post on X, Baqaei declared, “Fourteen long months into the occupying regime's genocidal campaign in Gaza, marked by the most harrowing atrocities, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I finally issued arrest warrants for the two top criminals Netanyahu and Gallant. Of course, their indictment should have included 'genocide' which is manifest.” Baqaei said the warrants were a positive step towards justice. “We welcome any step to serve justice and end the Israeli regime's impunity for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in occupied Palestine and elsewhere,” he stated. He directly attributed the delay in holding Israel accountable to the United States. “Chronic procrastination in holding Israel accountable – mainly due to the US's covert and overt obstructions and bullying – has allowed atrocity crimes to persist in occupied Palestine,” Baqaei added. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of immediate action. “Full and immediate implementation of these arrest warrants will test the effectiveness of the international criminal justice,” Baqaei stated, expressing a cautious optimism while voicing concern that the process could be manipulated. “Hope this late decision would not be manipulated through abuse of process.”Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to FranceFlag football uses talent camps to uncover new stars
‘Not Famous in the North’: Netizens Mock Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan’s Dinner Date As They Go Unnoticed at Connaught Place Restaurant (Watch Video)
Iranian students released following visa center clash at Kazan University
Movie musicals have won Best Picture before, on top of the thriving theater industry that can be seen in New York and beyond. While I enjoyed offbeat musicals , the blockbuster Broadway hit Wicked will always have a special place in my heart as a millennial theater kid. The first Wicked movie is arriving in theaters, adapting the first act of the stage show. Since Wicked is being split into two movies , none of the beloved songs were cut from the first film. I'm assuming the same will be true for Jon M. Chu 's sequel which takes place years after the first movie (see CinemaBlend's Wicked review here). As a hardcore fan of the musical, there are some songs I rank above others merely because of how they make me feel in the theater. And without further ado, here are the tracks of the Wizard of Oz prequel ranked. A big fat spoiler alert for Wicked 's movies are in order since I'll be discussing plot details. Thank Goodness Act 2 of Wicked reveals the time jump that's passed since "Defying Gravity" was belted out at the end of the first. The opening song is titled "Thank Goodness" and gives the audience a deep understanding of Glinda's perspective on the drama in Oz, as well as her personal life. While she's trying to be cheery for the Ozians of The Emerald City, it shows the true vulnerability of the "Good Witch." While she's not a fugitive like Elphie, she's stuck working for The Wizard while Fiyero pines for her best friend. And then there's all the guilt she has about staying behind and not joining Elphaba on her mission. Unfortunately, it'll be another year before we get to see Ariana Grande 's spin on that heartbreaking tune. For Good Aside from "Defying Gravity", this track is perhaps the biggest anthem of Wicked . "For Good" is the penultimate song, where Glinda and Elphaba finally get honest and vulnerable about their long history together. It's the cumulation of the entire story, with the witches acknowledging their own wrongdoing, and ultimately profess how much they love each other. There's usually not a dry eye in the house after "For Good", and one can only imagine all the heart Grande and Erivo will put into the song for the second Wicked film. Considering how e motional they were throughout Wicked 's promotional tour , smart money says that the song is going to go hard. I'm Not That Girl There was a ton of pressure on the Wicked cast , but Jon M. Chu struck gold with its leading ladies Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo . The latter actress has to belt to the heavens during certain songs, but on the stage and screen "I'm Not That Girl" allows Elphaba to show another side of her voice. CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News During this song the green girl offers some stunning low notes, revealing feelings of insecurity and unrequited love. She's convinced Fiyero could never love someone like her, and the song's delicate orchestration is in stark juxtaposition to belty tracks like "All Good Deeds" or "Defying Gravity." Dancing Through Life "Dancing Through Life" is a fan favorite song from Wicked , one that involves the whole company and allows most of the principal cast to get solos. While first and foremost the song is Fiyero's big solo in Act 1, it also ends up being a narrative game changer for the entire story. Because after having an antagonistic relationship since being stuck together as Shiz roommates, Elphaba and Glinda come together for the first time at the end of "Dancing." Glinda realizes how much she's hurt the future Wicked Witch, and they dance together in a moment of silent, moving solidarity. The Wicked With of the East "The Wicked Witch of the East" is Wicked 's version of a B-side. Because while it's part of the Broadway musical, it's noticeably missing from the cast recording. That's presumably because it offers some big spoilers, and there's also dialogue in between each vocal solo. But it's also one of my favorite parts of the show, and I'm so eager to see it on the big screen. In this song Elphaba travels home to Munchkinland, where her sister Nessa is sitting as Governor. They argue about her actions as the "wicked" witch, as well as their childhood and relationship. The song also involved Boq, and things go from tense to tragic once the magic of The Grimmerie is involved. Emotions are high for everyone involved, and it never fails to take my breath away. Defying Gravity This one is perhaps the most well-known song from Wicked . "Defying Gravity" is the closing moment of Act 1 of the show, as well as Jon M. Chu's corresponding first movie. After being withdrawn throughout the story so far, Elphaba finally stands in her power, and takes a stand against the treachery of The Wizard. The song is a true power ballad, and is a magical experience for audiences. On both the stage and screen she takes flight, belting to the heavens at her enemies below her. It all ends with a final battle cry, making it clear that the Elphie we knew is no more. As Long As You're Mine While Glinda has her eyes on Fiyero immediately, it's clear that he also has a connection to Elphaba. Midway through the show's second act, they finally act on that attraction and flee into the woods together. "As Long As You're Mine" is the main love song of Wicked , and has the most romantic musical lyrics of the piece. And seeing the green girl finally feeling sexy and wanted is usually an emotional experience for audiences as well. Their honeymoon phase is so sweet... while it lasts. Finale The finale of Wicked brings the audience back to where the story all started. Glinda is with her fellow Ozians after Elphaba's apparent death. While the ensemble once again sings about the "good news" about her death, we now understand just how close the pair of witches were. Glinda is left utterly heartbroken, mourning privately as those around her celebrate Elphaba being killed by Dorothy. And the audience is also privy to information she doesn't about what really went down with her best friend. Seriously, what a gut punch to leave the story on. The Wizard And I "The Wizard and I" is Elphaba's first big number, and is a classic musical theater "I Want" song. The audience learns who she is and what her goals are, specifically the hopes of being accepted and even "de-greenified" by The Wizard. The young student stands in stark juxtaposition to the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz , and it's hard not be swept up by its soaring melody and orhestrtion. Each Elphaba sings this song a little differently, with vocal choices helping to elicit strong emotions from musical theater fans. One Short Day While most of the first Wicked movie (and Act 1 of its stage musical) are set at Shiz University, the two leading ladies eventually depart for the Emerald City after an invitation comes from The Wizard himself. The full ensemble number "One Short Day" follows, which is a fun way to introduce the fan-favorite location from The Wizard of Oz. But the song ends on a surprisingly touching moment, where Glinda and Elphaba affirm that they've become each other's best friend. I'm not crying, you're crying. Popular "Popular" is Glinda's signature song from Wicked , and is arguably the funniest scene in the entire story. She's basically a cartoon character in this sequence, having an over-the-top slumber party with her new bestie Elphie, and assuring her she'd help make her (almost) as popular as her. As funny as "Popular" is, there are some very touching moments. Particularly the one where Glinda puts a pink flower in Elphaba's hair and tells her that she's beautiful. It's clear that the green gal has never heard that before, which is why she runs out of the room. No One Mourns the Wicked In the opening number "No One Mourns the Wicked" citizens of Oz celebrate the news that Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the West. The song is a very energetic way to start the story, and even the opening notes have a way of making hardcore fans emotional. Seeing Elphaba's tragic backstory tugs at the heart strings, especially the way her father rejected her as an infant. And after seeing the story in its full, Glinda's reaction to all the chatter is all the more heartbreaking. No Good Deed Things go downhill in the second half of Wicked , and the drama surrounding Elphaba goes from bad to worse. And after losing several of her loved ones and realizing that the world would never understand her, she finally declares herself to be "wicked" during "No Good Deed." Seeing Elphaba's age finally take control is a powerful experience, as is the brief moments of stillness as she mourns who she's lost. She frantically tries to save Fiyero's life with spell, before declaring that she'd never do another good deed again, as none of them go unpunished. What Is This Feeling? While Glinda and Elphaba become best friends, they don't start off that way. Instead they're stuck together as roommates, and instantly having a feeling of "loathing" toward each other. That's when "What Is This Feeling?" comes in, as the students of Shiz rally around the blonde witch. It's a super fun song, with the Elphaba and Glinda trading barbs, and eventually inspire those around them to join the conflict. Unfortunately it would take a few more scenes before they meet eye to eye. Something Bad This might be the least beloved song from Wicked . "Something Bad" is the one and only vocal feature for Dr. Dillamond, who warns Elphaba about animals being silenced throughout Oz. But she is a believer in The Wizard at this point, and thinks that he might be able to help. In the movie, Peter Dinklage voices the character and is shown speaking to an underground group of animals. It's the first hint that there's darkness in this story, even if it's not the catchiest song in the piece. A Sentimental Man This song might be short, but it's essential into understanding The Wizard and his conflict with Elphaba in Wicked . "A Sentimental Man" is his first big song, where he explains that he always wanted a family, but instead ended up ruling over Oz. It's touching to see the softer side of The Wizard before his villainous intentions are revealed. Additionally, his line to Elphaba saying "everyone deserves a chance to fly" would end up being repeated by her during "Defying Gravity". March of the Witch Hunters One of the final songs in Wicked is "March of the Witch Hunters", where a mob of angry Ozians get together in order to hunt down and kill Elphaba. It's an furious song, one that features a number of key connections to the events of The Wizard of Oz . I don't want to give all of the spoilers away, but seeing the way Elphaba is villainized for trying to save those around her is definitely heartbreaking to see. So while the march is a quick song, it has an impact. Dear Old Shiz The first half of Wicked largely takes place at Shiz University, so naturally composer Stephen Schwartz wrote a choral arrangement to introduce us to that location. Enter "Dear Old Shiz", which is typically sung a cappella by the company. While "Dear Old Shiz" definitely has its place in the story (and its fun to hear Glinda hit that high note at the end), it doesn't have the same emotional punch as many of the other songs. Wonderful "Wonderful" is the Wizard's second big song, and its a duet where he tries to once again connect with Elphaba in the mist of her ongoing rebellion against him. He waxes poetic about real-world politics, and how he's using them (and spin) to keep himself in power and unite the people of Oz. Unfortunately, their brief moment of dancing and joy is quickly ruined. She finds a now-mute Dr. Dillamond, and she ends up vowing to fight The Wizard until the day of her death. Yikes. The first Wicked is in theaters now, and the sequel will follow November 21st, 2025. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates .