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Gaya: The academic council of Magadh University on Wednesday proposed to establish a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (AI) on its campus in Bodh Gaya, and approved new courses — a 45-day certificate course, one-year diploma, bachelor of science and master of science — in the subject. The approval was granted on the basis of a detailed project report by computer science and engineering department of Indian Institute of Technology-Patna. The centre aims to promote research in the field of AI and interdisciplinary collaboration in the university, as well as prepare the youth with modern skills to make them competent for future jobs. Vice-chancellor Prof Shashi Pratap Shahi said the university is committed to providing state-of-the-art technical education to the youth. “The centre will not only open new career dimensions for the students of Bihar but also has the potential to bring major changes in areas like education, health and agriculture in rural and urban areas. Apart from strengthening the academic and technical infrastructure of the university, the initiative will play an important role in making Bihar a centre of technological innovation,” he said. We also published the following articles recently Magadh University to launch AI courses Magadh University in Bodh Gaya is poised to launch a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, offering certificate, diploma, bachelor's, and master's programs. Collaborating with IIT-Patna, the center aims to boost AI research and equip students with future-ready skills. Vice-Chancellor Shahi emphasized the potential for transformative impact across various sectors in Bihar. Science centre in Karimedu to provide unique learning experience A new science centre is coming to Madurai! The Madurai Corporation and Ankuran Foundation are partnering to build a 2.5 crore, 10,000 sqft facility in Karimedu. Featuring state-of-the-art labs, VR classrooms, and interactive exhibits, the centre aims to make science engaging for students of all levels. Free entry for government school students makes it accessible to all. Science PG courses lead in self-financed admissions at MU Mangalore University's postgraduate science programs, especially chemistry, are witnessing a surge in self-financed admissions, exceeding other disciplines. Medical physics, a unique offering, attracts students nationwide. While science and commerce courses generally see high self-financing enrollment, humanities struggle, with only MA English attracting such candidates. A delay in university results this year contributed to an overall dip in self-financed admissions. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Top Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Now With $5,000NoneGolden State Valkyries select 4 players to begin building roster through WNBA expansion draft SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries have selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft. Those four became the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season. Friday's expansion draft was the first for the WNBA in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State is able to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. Lionel Messi wins MLS MVP award, the latest trophy on a long list of honors for the Inter Miami star FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi is the MVP of Major League Soccer for 2024. The award comes after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami’s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina’s national team. He still factored into a league-high 36 goals by scoring 20 and assisting on 16 others. His 2.1 goal contributions per 90 minutes played is the best by any player in any season in MLS history. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernández for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. NFL ends investigation into sexual assault allegations against Browns QB Deshaun Watson CLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The league has been reviewing the case for months, trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email that "there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damage before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson has played in just 19 games over three seasons for the Browns. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber returning to Cleveland Guardians on 1-year deal, AP source says CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians after making just two starts and undergoing Tommy John surgery last season. Bieber had been expected to leave the AL Central champions, but will be back after agreeing to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced. The 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner made just starts in 2024 before having the surgery on his troublesome elbow that bothered him the previous campaign. The 29-year-old Bieber has spent all seven big-league seasons with Cleveland. NBA returning to China for pair of Suns-Nets preseason games in 2025 The NBA is returning to China next season. The league has struck a deal to play preseason games there more than five years after the league was effectively banned for Commissioner Adam Silver not punishing Daryl Morey for tweeting support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Brooklyn and Phoenix will play games in China’s gambling hub of Macao on Oct. 10, 2025, and again two days later. There are more games planned for China in 2026, a source told The Associated Press. American ski racer Lindsey Vonn is picking up speed in her comeback bid at 40 years old COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — American ski racer Lindsey Vonn darted through the shadows on the speed course at Copper Mountain on a frigid morning. She was on the hill Friday as she tries to make a comeback to skiing nearly six years after her last race. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain, Colorado. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again. Scottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler used a big run of birdies to take a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Scheffler had seven birdies on the front nine for a 29. The world No. 1 added one birdie on the back nine to lead by two over Justin Thomas and Akshay Bhatia. Scheffler found no need to apologize for only one birdie on the back nine. He says it simply was a matter of the ball being a little closer to the hole and a few more putts going in. Scheffler already has eight victories this year, including Olympic gold. A's GM David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement with Luis Severino's contract SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager David Forst says the team wanted to make a statement going into its new home. That was one the factors that led to its deal with Luis Severino. The 30-year-old Severino was formally introduced by his new club after finalizing a $67 million, three-year contract. The veteran right-hander was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget A’s, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10. Hall of Famer Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN for an extended time to deal with health issue Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is stepping away from his ESPN analyst role for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement. Moss revealed last week that he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made his announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying any particular illness. No Bevo? SEC tells Texas there's no room for its 1,700-pound longhorn at title game vs. Georgia ATLANTA (AP) — The Southeastern Conference championship game will not feature another mascot showdown. The league says there's not enough space on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for No. 2 Texas to bring along its 1,700-pound longhorn Bevo XV for the game against No. 5 Georgia. The teams have two of college football’s most famous mascots. There should be enough sideline space for Georgia’s pure white English bulldog, Uga XI. Before the 2019 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Bevo XV toppled his barrier and began to charge at Uga X. Texas handlers were able to pull Bevo back before any harm.
US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, citing the Ivy League-educated former Fox News host's "charisma" and calling him "a WINNER" even as the nomination faces headwinds in Congress amid allegations of misconduct. or signup to continue reading A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the top Department of Defence job and spent the week meeting with senators as some key lawmakers have said they are not yet ready to support him. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep," Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defence, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" "Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down," Hegseth responded. Trump's fellow Republicans will take control of the Senate next month ahead of his January 20 inauguration. If Democrats remain united against Hegseth, he can only afford to lose support from three Republicans and still win Senate approval. Trump has weighed alternative Republican nominees, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mike Waltz, who Trump has already picked for national security adviser, sources told Reuters earlier this week. Ernst, a senior Armed Services Committee member who on Thursday said she was not yet ready to back Hegseth, posted on Friday that she planned to meet him next week. "At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing," she wrote on X. Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. But he has been criticised for lacking the management experience needed to lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly one million civilians who work for the nation's military. A California police report showed a woman filed a sexual assault complaint in 2017. Hegseth was never charged and has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer told CNN late Thursday that they may take legal action against the woman if Hegseth is not confirmed. On Wednesday, Hegseth told Sirius XM that he has "never had a drinking problem" but would nonetheless not drink alcohol if confirmed as defence secretary. Ernst, herself a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, on Thursday said there must be a very thorough vetting process and that senators wanted "that any allegations have been cleared." Other Republicans offered tepid support. Two other Trump nominees have already ended their bids for top jobs: former Representative Matt Gaetz for US attorney general and Florida sheriff Chad Chronister for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Oregon's Gabriel, Colorado's Hunter, Boise State’s Jeanty, Miami's Ward are named Heisman finalistsDoechii announced plans for an NPR Tiny Desk performance less than 24 hours before it aired. The TDE breakout had high expectations after her standout appearance at Tyler, The Creator 's Camp Flog Gnaw festival. She crushed it, as was to be expected. If anything, Doechii raised her game, and gave fans one of the best Tiny Desk performances in ages. She ran through most of the standout cuts on her new tape, Alligator Bites Never Heal , but the live setting gave them new life and a new sound. Doechii brought a talented assortment of musicians to back her up. She enlisted an all female, all Black band comprised of DJ Miss Milan, two background vocalists, guitars and horns. The musical breakdowns throughout the Tiny Desk performance was nothing short of astounding. The way in which Doechii was able to flow atop these intricate instrumentals was thoroughly impressive. It helps, of course, that the songs themselves are excellent. Doechii ran through breakout viral hits like "Nissan Altima," as well as "Boom Bap" and "Catfish." Read More: Doechii Thanks MF DOOM & Solange For Inspiring Her Stephen Colbert Performance It was the performance of "Black Girl Diaries," however, that touched the hearts of most viewers. The rapper gave an impassioned backstory for the song prior to her performance, emphasizing its crucial place within the mixtape. "I wrote this song specifically for Black women," Doechii noted. "As a dark-skinned woman, there’s a very unique experience I’m trying to internalize. This is dedicated to all the beautiful Black women in the room." Social media exploded following the NPR performance. Many fans praised her aesthetic choices. The rapper, as well as her backing band, wore braids, while the choreography and musical flexibility of the band were note perfect. "This Doechii tiny desk was a life altering experience," one user tweeted. "And I hate that I can experience this for the first time only once." Another user praised Doechii's presence and ability to alternate between mellow and intense at a moment's notice. "The way she can rap like that and be animated is crazy, Doechii is a STAR & a true visionary all around," they tweeted. The rapper has been posed by TDE as the next big thing, and this performance certainly bolsters the vision.
Photos courtesy: Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center T he Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center (RMPJC) is making a clarion call: If unity has ever been needed on the front lines of the fight for justice, peace and human rights, it’s now. The Boulder-based nonprofit organization is guided by the philosophy that everything is interconnected and interdependent–thus, the need to acknowledge intersectionality in the various forms of oppression that people face. “At RMPJC, we work to bridge various movements for justice, recognizing that we as a community are stronger when we stand in solidarity,” says Center campaign coordinator Giselle Herzfeld. The RMPJC story began at the historic Encirclement of Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant near Denver on October 15, 1983. After years of protest and arrests, that day activists took a different tack: They surrounded Rocky Flats hand in hand around its 17-mile perimeter. That action led directly to the founding of the Boulder Peace Center, later renamed Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. In the 41 years since the Encirclement, though humanity’s flashpoints in the struggle for justice have changed, RMPJC’s vision statement has not: “We strive to nourish the inherent capacity for compassion, generosity and joy in all people. We seek a healthy, sustainable relationship between people and the planet. We recognize that Earth and all its beings are inherently valuable and have the right to exist and be healthy. We seek to create egalitarian social, economic, political and environmental structures where all people are empowered to participate directly in decisions that affect their lives. We seek a world where conflict is handled justly and nonviolently, creating true peace.” Over the past five years in particular, with an escalating climate crisis, COVID and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, with the real threat of nuclear war, many activists have been ground down with despair and burnout. “The past few years in particular have underlined why the power of community and care is so, so crucial,” says Herzfeld. “It is vitally important to be building deep relationships of trust and collaboration, and to stand in mutual solidarity with our allies. We cannot afford to fall prey to infighting and division because...it is only when we move together that we will have a chance of shifting the paradigm.” RMPJC is a multi-issue organization that has worked in a variety of campaign areas through the years. Currently, their primary focus is on Nuclear Guardianship and Free Palestine. They work in regional coalitions such as the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, Nuclear Free Colorado, and the Colorado Palestine Coalition. Herzfeld: “The Center is grateful and honored to be a part of these diverse and regional networks of organizers working toward common goals promoting peace and justice.” When the Work is Working Consider this powerful example of the culmination of the Center’s passionate civic engagement on Rocky Flats this year. Rocky Flats is heavily contaminated with plutonium and other radioactive materials. Since 2016, there has been a multi-government effort to install a mountain biking trail, called the “Rocky Mountain Greenway,” to encircle the most contaminated part of Rocky Flats, which remains an EPA Superfund site. On September 23, 2024, Westminster City Council voted to withdraw from the Greenway project. Their decision set a powerful new precedent. “In addition to establishing another local government decision which acknowledges the public health risks of recreation at Rocky Flats, it demonstrated the courage to stand up against regulatory capture,” explains Chris Allred, Nuclear Guardianship coordinator for RMPJC. “Westminster was being advised from multiple angles to ‘go along to get along;’ however, they took the most principled stand and decided to deny any additional funding to the Rocky Mountain Greenway. This is one of the more courageous actions we’ve seen by any local government, truly extraordinary. We believe that this precedent and the spirit behind it will prove stronger through the years.” At the time of this writing, Superior and Broomfield have also withdrawn from the Rocky Mountain Greenway, and seven school districts have also banned field trips at Rocky Flats. “As the precedents continue to mount, it proves that the construction efforts at Rocky Flats have only been made possible through manufactured consent and regulatory capture,” Allred says. “We will remain steady until we see justice. Boulder County has yet to withdraw and the community will continue to make the demand for responsible policy that protects people from environmental contamination. We recognize that organizing with local governments has a regional and national importance.” Support RMPJC on Colorado Gives Day A powerful way to support RMPJC is to make a donation on December 10 – Colorado Gives Day . Maximize your impact by becoming a monthly sustainer at rmpjc.org. There are volunteer opportunities, too, in the Center’s various campaigns. Sign up for the newsletter online and follow the Center on Instagram, @rmpjc.boulder , to stay up to date on its events and action opportunities. However you are able to contribute, and whatever your background or skill set, the Center is deeply grateful for the support and has a place for you. The Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center is grateful for the incredible partnerships it has developed with other organizations and institutions in the Boulder community, including Naropa University’s Joanna Macy Center and student groups at CU Boulder like Students for Justice in Palestine and Climatique. Reach out to the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center at 303.444.6981 or visit: rmpjc.org .
Horse racing tips: Templegate’s 12-1 NAP relishes this unique test and will take all the beatingNarwal Freo Z Ultra review: Automatic sucking and mopping, with AI!As Ghana prepares for its crucial presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns over alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process and the heavy deployment of military personnel across the country. NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, took to social media to accuse the Electoral Commission (EC) of conspiring with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. Mahama criticized the EC for what he called a deliberate leak of validation stamps, which, according to him, would allow political parties to print their own fake ballot papers. In his post, Mahama stated, “With less than 24 hours to go, it has become obvious that the Electoral Commission is determined to aid the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. But they will fail because the people of Ghana are determined to vote for change and protect their ballots.” He further claimed that the EC had exposed serial numbers of the validating stamps in an internal memo, which could enable parties to counterfeit the stamps and engage in ballot stuffing. Mahama called on various stakeholders, including the National Peace Council, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and international observers, to hold the EC accountable and ensure a fair election. In addition, NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, echoed Mahama’s concerns, demanding that President Akufo-Addo recall the military personnel deployed to various constituencies, which he described as “militarization” of the election. The NDC warned that it would not tolerate such actions and called for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from election-related duties. Meanwhile, Malik Basintale, the NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, issued a strong statement, warning that the party would take retaliatory action if it perceived any unfairness or violence during the elections. His post read, “We are ready! Tomorrow, if we hear K3, we will do.” As the nation heads to the polls tomorrow, the allegations from the NDC add to the tense atmosphere surrounding the election, with both sides on high alert. The Electoral Commission, however, has not yet responded to these accusations. Security measures have been ramped up across the country, with the Ghana Armed Forces deploying personnel in support of the police to maintain law and order during the election process.
PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral , its air thick with the smell of incense, hosted its first Mass on Sunday since the catastrophic fire of 2019, a moment that transcended religious significance to become a powerful symbol of Paris’ resilience. Beneath the glow of traditional chandeliers and modern spotlights, which illuminated its intricately carved stonework , the cathedral emerged reborn, its grandeur restored after five years of reconstruction. For Catholics, it marks the revival of the city’s spiritual heart, a place where faith has been nurtured for centuries. For the world, it signals the rebirth of one of global heritage's most famous landmarks. The event was both solemn and historic. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the morning Mass, including the consecration of a new bronze altar. The liturgy was attended by 2,500 people, including French President Emmanuel Macron — enjoying a brief respite from France's political tumult and economic troubles — clergy, dignitaries and a few lucky members of the general public who stood in long lines to enter. Nearly 170 bishops from France and around the world took part, along with one priest from each of the 113 parishes in the Paris diocese, accompanied by worshippers from these communities. Macron, in line with France’s strict division of state and church, did not take communion. Notre Dame’s journey from ruin to resurrection was defined by extraordinary craftsmanship, nearly $1 billion in global donations and a collective, unyielding determination to rebuild. After the Mass, faithful attendees, priests, nuns, and other guests lingered in the cathedral, their awe evident. Many took pictures and selfies in front of the altar, the baptistery, and vibrant rose windows, their joy mingling with reverence. Others knelt to pray at chapels dedicated to saints, savoring a spiritual intimacy many had not experienced since the fire. Later Sunday, the cathedral opened its doors to members of the public who secured reservations last week for the first fully public Mass. The Associated Press learned that tickets for this service were claimed within 25 minutes, underscoring Notre Dame’s enduring appeal. What’s more extraordinary is that this is taking place in a country with a strong emphasis on secularism and a low rate of church attendance. Public viewing areas along the Seine on Sunday morning drew hundreds of people who wished to witness the historic moment from afar, although their numbers were likely subdued by rainy and miserably cold weather conditions. Retired engineer Claude Lancrenon, watching from a viewing area, expressed both awe and disappointment. “There is so much security,” he said, gesturing toward the barriers. “Yesterday, that seemed appropriate. But today, I had hoped it would be more open so we could approach the cathedral. I still hope we’ll be able to get closer.” Tight security — akin to that of the Paris Olympic Games — reflected the importance of the occasion, ensuring the safety of dignitaries and the public alike. Nathalie Martino, a retired event organizer visiting Paris, recalled the anguish of watching the cathedral burn. “I cried so much that day,” she said. “And now, here I am. I had to come. It was something I needed to do.” Sunday’s Masses follow Saturday evening’s ceremonies in which Ulrich symbolically reopened the cathedral’s massive wooden doors by striking them three times with a crosier crafted from charred beams salvaged from the fire. As the doors swung open, choirs filled the air with song and the cathedral’s great organ — silent since the fire — resounded with majestic melodies. Inside, the restoration reveals a cathedral transformed with now-gleaming limestone walls cleaned of centuries of grime. The restored stained-glass windows project dazzling patterns of color across the nave. “No one alive has seen the cathedral like this,” said the Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Notre Dame’s rector. "It is more than restored — it is reborn.” The consecration of the new altar was a pivotal moment in Notre Dame’s return to full liturgical life. The altar houses relics of five saints tied to Paris, including St. Catherine Labouré and St. Charles de Foucauld, continuing a centuries-old tradition of embedding sacred artifacts at the heart of worship spaces. The consecration, involving holy water, chrism oil, incense and prayer, transforms the altar into a sacred centerpiece of the cathedral. That was the most moving moment of the day for Marie Capucine, 37, a consecrated virgin representing her Parisian parish of Saint Germain des Prés at the reopening. She recalled the day the fire raged, and the ‘’communion in prayer all over the world'' for the cathedral to be saved. “That shows that the Church gathers, no matter whether people are believers or not, it says something to the world, something beautiful,” she concluded. The reopening of Notre Dame is also a moment of cultural and national unity. Macron, who vowed to restore the cathedral within five years after the fire, called the project “a jolt of hope” for France, a nation often divided by political crises. The Sunday Masses underscore Notre Dame’s dual role as a place of worship and a symbol of communal resilience. They also ensure that members of the broader Catholic community can partake in the cathedral’s spiritual revival. The path to restoration was fraught with challenges. Lead contamination forced work to pause, and the COVID-19 pandemic added delays. Yet the project, overseen by architect Philippe Villeneuve, has been hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity and collective resolve. Cutting-edge fire prevention systems, including thermal cameras and a misting system, have been installed to safeguard the cathedral’s future. Villeneuve described the effort as “restoring not just a building but the soul of a nation,” emphasizing the personal and national significance of the work. With its spire once again piercing the Parisian sky, Notre Dame is poised to reclaim its role as a global beacon of faith and art. The cathedral, which previously welcomed 12 million annual visitors, is expected to draw 15 million in its new chapter. This monumental revival is not confined to a single day. Ulrich has announced an “octave” of celebrations — eight days of special religious services, each with its own theme, running through Dec. 15. These daily liturgies, open to diverse groups from local parishioners to international pilgrims, emphasize Notre Dame’s role as a unifying spiritual hub. John Leicester, Yesica Brumec and Bela Szandelszky in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.ST. LOUIS — Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri wanted to begin offering medication abortions to patients Friday but put those plans on hold as they waited for a Jackson County judge to rule on their challenge of state abortion restrictions. Although Missouri voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment on Nov. 5 to protect the right to an abortion, the amendment — which went into effect Friday — does not specifically override any of the current state laws that impose restrictions and regulations on providers. So, Missouri’s two regional Planned Parenthood organizations filed a lawsuit the day after the election in Jackson County Circuit Court, seeking to block enforcement of those laws , arguing they are now unconstitutional. Among laws Planned Parenthood is challenging are those mandating that abortion patients see the same doctor 72 hours apart, clinics meet expensive building specifications to get a license, and doctors have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, contends many of those laws should still be enforced; Planned Parenthood and abortion-rights supporters say they shouldn’t. At a hearing Wednesday, plaintiffs asked Judge Jerri Zhang to issue a preliminary injunction, pausing enforcement of the old laws while the court case played out. Anticipating a quick ruling, Planned Parenthood officials said they planned to take walk-in medication abortion appointments at their clinics in St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia as soon as Friday. Surgical abortion appointments would be offered later, they said. But, as of Friday evening, Zhang had not ruled. A final decision in the case could be months away, with appeals expected. “The court is no doubt carefully analyzing years of anti-abortion laws and multiple outright bans on abortion,” Emily Wales, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement Friday. “We know that review takes time.” Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, spent Thursday making sure cabinets at the St. Louis clinic were stocked with the two drugs needed for medication abortions, one that patients take immediately and the other taken at home 48 hours after. For now, only medication abortions up to 12 weeks gestation are planned at Great Rivers’ St. Louis clinic, with procedural abortions to come later if restrictions, such as the 72-hour waiting period, are lifted. Planned Parenthood Great Plains is also prepared to offer medication abortion at its Kansas City clinic. If telehealth restrictions are lifted, Missourians will immediately be able to use the Planned Parenthood Direct app to connect with a provider and explore the option of having drugs for a medication abortion shipped to them. Five other Planned Parenthood Great Rivers clinics also could soon provide medication abortion services as well, depending on whether restrictions such as limiting care by advanced practice clinicians and telehealth are lifted, McNicholas said. McNicholas said the need to legally remove state restrictions has confused people who thought abortions would be available immediately after the November vote. “There’s all sorts of patients who are completely confused,” she said. “And we did certainly see that right after Amendment 3 passed, where folks who were calling to make appointments were confused, (asking), ‘Why can’t I just go to the center in St Louis?’” Looking ahead, McNicholas said Planned Parenthood is prepared to continue the yearslong battle over abortion access in Missouri. “That is a reality that this team has been familiar with for a really long time,” she said. “It shouldn’t be that way, and we wish it weren’t that way, but it is a fight we know how to fight, and we’re prepared to do that if that’s what’s needed to restore access for folks.” Outside the St. Louis clinic earlier this week, as well as locations in Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia and Rolla, members of the anti-abortion nonprofit Coalition Life joined Republican state lawmakers in also promising a fight. They held simultaneous press conferences on Tuesday to argue that Planned Parenthood clinics are not safe and require strict oversight. “We call for all of these safety standards to stay intact, and if they are overturned, we call on the people of the state of Missouri, we call on our Legislature, to reenact these safety standards,” said Brian Westbrook, Coalition Life’s executive director. Westbrook cited 80 ambulance calls to the St. Louis clinic for mostly life-threatening conditions, but documentation provided by Coalition Life listed 58 emergency calls between January 2009 and April 2016 for conditions such as fainting, falls and hemorrhage — details of which are private. Westbrook also said that sidewalk counselors, who approach patients with information about support services for continuing their pregnancies, will return to the St. Louis clinic. “We plan to be back here doing sidewalk counseling at this location or wherever is in need,” he said, “because we want to specifically meet those women who are going in for an abortion and offer them real, tangible resources to help them to choose life.” Meanwhile, Republican legislators are considering other ways to ban or restrict abortions, whether through another state ballot question or through legislation, setting up the potential for more court fights.
London - The third season of HBO’s hit TV series “The White Lotus” will premiere in February, followed months later by the second instalment of “The Last of Us”, Warner Bros. Discovery said Thursday. Unveiling its upcoming global programming slate, HBO and Max streaming service CEO Casey Bloys also confirmed the much-anticipated “Game of Thrones” prequel “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is set for release later next year. Beyond that, the first “Harry Potter” television series -- announced last year and currently in casting -- is scheduled to start filming in mid-2025 at Warner Bros.’s Leavesden studios in the UK, Bloys said. With the mega-selling books author JK Rowling among its executive producers, it is envisaged as “a decade-long series” featuring a new cast from the films. “Succession” director and executive producer Mark Mylod revealed at the London announcement event that the casting team were currently reviewing 32,000 submissions for kids’ roles. “We will watch every one,” Mylod said, adding the team were currently reviewing between 500 and 1,000 tapes daily. They then hope to “workshop with some of our shortlisted candidates” in January. He noted they took following the “extraordinary actors” from the films “incredibly seriously”. “But we do follow the ethos of the films in searching out the cream of British acting talent, not necessarily the biggest stars,” he added. Artists abandon Abidjan for Ivory Coast beachside haven Rowling has faced accusations of transphobia in recent years for putting an emphasis on biological sex over gender identity in comments about trans women. She denies the accusation. Asked if he was worried her involvement in the production could prove problematic, Bloys said he was “not concerned”. Tags: white lotus season
Voters have slashed their core support for federal Labor to a new low of 27 per cent amid a deepening dispute over the cost of living, backing the Coalition to deliver more help to households over the next three years. In a rebuff to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the latest Resolve Political Monitor shows that 56 per cent of voters have rejected his – “we have your back” – after years of pressure on family budgets. The survey also reveals that 59 per cent of voters believe they are worse off than when Labor came to power at the last election, with only 13 per cent feeling better off. Asked to name the party and leader most likely to make them better off over the next three years, Australians backed Dutton and the Coalition over Albanese and Labor by 36 to 27 per cent. Meanwhile, the latest Newspoll published by , also spelled trouble for Labor, with Albanese found to be the weakest prime minister Australia has seen in the 16 years the poll has tracked the “strong and decisive” rating. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is considered to be the stronger and more decisive leader, according to the poll. However, Albanese was still ranked as less arrogant than Dutton and remains the preferred prime minister. An emergency declaration was made in the centre of the Gold Coast’s busy tourist strip after a suspected underground explosion sparked chaos. Fire investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast in Surfers Paradise on Sunday afternoon. A woman in her 20s was left with lower leg injuries and remained in a stable condition. Police declared an emergency around Cavill Avenue, Elkhorn Avenue, The Esplanade and Surfers Paradise Boulevard about 6.15pm. An exclusion zone was put in place, which was later revoked about 8.15pm. Voters have slashed their core support for federal Labor to a new low of 27 per cent amid a deepening dispute over the cost of living, backing the Coalition to deliver more help to households over the next three years. In a rebuff to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the latest Resolve Political Monitor shows that 56 per cent of voters have rejected his – “we have your back” – after years of pressure on family budgets. The survey also reveals that 59 per cent of voters believe they are worse off than when Labor came to power at the last election, with only 13 per cent feeling better off. Asked to name the party and leader most likely to make them better off over the next three years, Australians backed Dutton and the Coalition over Albanese and Labor by 36 to 27 per cent. Meanwhile, the latest Newspoll published by , also spelled trouble for Labor, with Albanese found to be the weakest prime minister Australia has seen in the 16 years the poll has tracked the “strong and decisive” rating. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is considered to be the stronger and more decisive leader, according to the poll. However, Albanese was still ranked as less arrogant than Dutton and remains the preferred prime minister. After sweating through a sweltering Sunday, we’re back to a muggy Monday in Brisbane today. The outlook is for a cloudy day with a top of 30 degrees, and a 60 per cent chance of showers. The weather bureau is also suggesting a storm might blow up this evening. Here’s the forecast for the warm week ahead: Stories making the rounds beyond Brisbane this morning include: Voters have slashed their core support for federal Labor to a new low of 27 per cent amid a deepening dispute over the The Coalition told the CSIRO to re-do its nuclear report. It’s . ‘The net is tightening’: Police have . , ending 50 years of iron rule by Assad family. Opinion: ‘Fatty’ Vautin was a TV trailblazer. says a lot. Good morning, thanks for joining us for live news blog. It’s Monday, December 9, and we’re expecting a cloudy day and a top temperature of 30 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: Premier David Crisafulli has after his own attorney-general conceded they would be a violation of human rights. Queensland’s Housing Minister Sam O’Connor after a change to rules that had previously meant doing so would cost them grants and concessions. Two unique Brisbane fashion brands, which aim to empower women, both had modest beginnings – Thirty years ago, Peter and Carolyn Hoffman faced the worst day of their lives. with impressive Christmas light and displays. And NBA legend George Gervin has revealed his hopes of creating a “feeder” system between Australian and American basketball,Trump Calls For Immediate Ceasefire In Ukraine, Suggests US Withdrawal From NATOOliver Glasner: "Caleb Kporha will definitely get several more minutes this season"