Sutton scores 23, Omaha knocks off Sacramento State 70-60Sabres wrap: Jiri Kulich's highlight-reel goal helps Buffalo win third in a row
Jones scores 20 in Cent. Conn. St.'s 69-56 win against Holy Cross
Disney’s Quest for Lifelike Robots Takes a Giant Leap Forward Disney’s latest advancement in robotics has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts everywhere. In a recently released video, an incredibly sophisticated humanoid robot demonstrates its dancing abilities by executing complex moves like tapping, spinning, and even moonwalking. The secret behind this impressive display is the innovative Robot Motion Diffusion Model (RobotMDM) developed by Disney Research. This groundbreaking method addresses the challenge of creating lifelike movements in robots, which have traditionally struggled to combine realistic motion with adherence to physical laws. The newly unveiled technology merges kinematic motion generation with a reinforcement-learning tracker that ensures the robot’s actions remain believable and diverse. Disney Research has showcased the RobotMDM’s capabilities through tests on humanoid robots, displaying its robustness and practical applications in dynamic settings. They’ve even provided visual comparisons with other models to prove the effectiveness of this new technology. In recent years, Disney has emerged as a leader in robotic innovation, unveiling creations like free-roaming droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the impressive Hulk meet-and-greet technology. Other notable developments include interactive robots such as a skating Judy Hopps at SXSW and the daily performances of a Spider-Man acrobat at Avengers Campus. The introduction of the RobotMDM paves the way for even more immersive experiences at Disney parks, highlighting their commitment to blending technology and storytelling in unique ways. For more updates on Disney’s latest innovations, connect with WDW News Today on social media platforms. Disney’s Robotic Revolution: Bringing Stories to Life with Cutting-Edge Technology Disney’s relentless pursuit of innovation in robotics is setting new standards in the entertainment industry. The company’s latest breakthrough—the Robot Motion Diffusion Model (RobotMDM)—has revolutionized lifelike robot movement, capturing the imaginations of tech enthusiasts globally. How RobotMDM Enhances Robotic Movement The Robot Motion Diffusion Model is a state-of-the-art approach developed by Disney Research to solve the perpetual challenge in robotics: replicating human-like movements that adhere to physical laws. The model ingeniously integrates kinematic motion generation with a reinforcement learning tracker, ensuring that robots can perform a myriad of actions—from simple gestures to complex dance routines like tapping, spinning, and moonwalking—while maintaining an aura of authenticity and fluidity. Applications and Innovations at Disney Parks With the advent of RobotMDM, Disney is set to revolutionize experiences at its theme parks. The technology is already being tested on humanoid robots, demonstrating robust performance in diverse environments. This innovation promises to enhance interactions, making them more engaging and lifelike. From free-roaming droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to the interactive Spider-Man acrobatics in the Avengers Campus, Disney’s commitment to robotics is transforming visitor experiences like never before. Pros and Cons of RobotMDM Technology Pros: – Enhanced Realism: Provides robots with more lifelike and diverse movements, enriching guest interactions. – Versatility: Applicable in various settings, from entertainment to customer service. – Innovation Leadership: Reinforces Disney’s position as a pioneer in integrating technology with storytelling. Cons: – Complexity: The sophisticated nature of the technology might lead to higher maintenance requirements. – Adaptation Period: There may be a learning curve for operators to maximize its potential. Future Predictions and Market Implications As Disney continues to refine and deploy the RobotMDM, it is expected to set a benchmark for the entertainment industry, influencing trends toward integrating more advanced robotics into consumer interactions. This innovation may stimulate other sectors to explore similar technologies, potentially leading to collaborative projects or spin-offs that benefit various industries. Trends and Insights The introduction of RobotMDM is indicative of a larger trend within the tech ecosystem: the blending of artificial intelligence with robotics to create personalized and interactive user experiences. Disney’s commitment to sustainability in technology development ensures that these innovations are eco-friendly, potentially inspiring future advancements in eco-conscious robotics. Connecting with Disney To stay updated on Disney’s continual advancements and technological breakthroughs, follow WDW News Today across their social media channels. This ensures you won’t miss out on the fascinating developments as Disney shapes the future of entertainment through technology.What is the state of the global mortgage market and to what extent can we rely on the headline data? The company BestBrokers has issued report on the housing affordability and real mortgage interest rates. This report reveals that Russia tops that list, with a rate of 12.30 percent. What does this headline rate reveal? Perhaps not as much as economists hope since the nominal mortgage interest rate does not always depict a realistic picture of the real estate market. BestBrokers have calculated the ‘real’ mortgage interest rates across 62 countries around the world by subtracting the inflation rate from the nominal mortgage rate. Based on data for the third quarter of 2024, it was found out that Russia holds the highest real mortgage interest rate with 12.30 percent. The Dominican Republic ranks second with an average real rate of 9.55 percent, followed by Mexico in the third place with a real mortgage rate of 7.48 percent. To fight inflation, the Bank of Russia increased its key interest rate five times in 2023, and by July of this year, it had reached 16 percent. In late October, the central bank hiked the interest rate to record-high 21 percent. How affordable is this? By considering the average net salary in Russia (which is $848.55) and an 8 percent inflation rate (which was current for the third quarter of year) then the “real” salary drops to $780.67 per month. This means Russia actually ranks 30th in terms of home price-to-income. In 2020 the Russian government introduced a preferential mortgage programme with rates of up to 8 percent. The approach was intended to support the real estate market during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy also became popular among homebuyers and was extended until 2024. That was 2019. In 2024, is this mortgage goal within reach of the average citizen under Putin? The cost of a 100-square-metre property in Russia is about 222 real monthly wages ($173,481.50 according to Numbeo). This equals the average net earnings for 18 years and 6 months in the country. Mortgages vary considerably from one country to another. Beyond Russia, Sweden has the lowest real interest rate in Europe with minus 1.21 percent, followed by Belgium with minus 0.52 percent and Malta with minus 0.44 percent. Another interesting country is India, now ranking 10th with 6.63 percent, while South Africa appears on the list in11th position with 6.55 percent. Indonesia is 13th on the list with a rate of 5.73 percent, followed by Brazil with 5.55 percent and Poland where the real mortgage interest is 5.1 percent. As a comparator, the U.S. ranks 17th with 3.98 percent. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
#BTColumn – Living in hope: A New Year’s call to action
In 2024, Denton bid farewell to academic visionaries, former city leaders and journalists who left legacies for students. They were remembered for building college programs, mentoring athletes, leading the city through change and pursuing truth. Nov. 20, 1943-Jan. 9, 2024 This University of North Texas professor taught and researched environmental science for 32 years. Kenneth Dickson contributed more than 225 publications in his field — the environmental connections between water, energy, agriculture, natural resources, as well as sustainability. He was credited with bringing just over $20 million into UNT. His ideas around connection inspired the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building on the UNT campus, which brought together offices, classrooms, experimental and educational spaces where scientists and faculty across the range of environmental studies can exchange ideas and inspire the next generation. As the founding director of the Elm Fork Education Center, Dickson created space for children to experience the excitement of discovery. His aim was to open doors for his students as others had opened doors for him. d. Jan. 28, 2024 Argyle Middle School Principal Scott Gibson, 49, died after an accident in another state. Gibson taught in Denton and Northwest ISD schools, then joined Argyle ISD as an assistant principal at Argyle Middle School in 2006. He became the principal in 2009. He is remembered as an engaging leader who inspired staff members and created a positive learning environment for Argyle students. Gibson was inspired by his parents’ dedication to their students and followed their footsteps into education. March 8, 2007-Feb. 3, 2024 The 16-year-old Denton High School student was killed in a shooting at Denia Park. Family, friends and classmates remembered Ely Mendez Gomez as a free-spirited and respectful teen who had a host of hobbies and interests and faithfully walked the family dog. His death left an absence in the lives of his peers, and teachers recalled a positive, quiet young man in their classes. June 19, 1948-April 9, 2024 UNT professor John Spencer Baen, an Argyle resident, built his academic career as a key player and teacher in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business real estate program. Baen died suddenly in Costa Rica, where he was on a fishing trip with friends. Baen taught in the Mean Green real estate program for nearly 40 years, after earning a Ph.D. in real estate from Texas A&M University in 1982. He was a prolific academic writer, authoring 70 articles and five books. He served as a representative of the American Real Estate Society and director of the International Real Estate Society. He was a co-founder and principal of Real Capital Investments, a retail investment brokerage firm. Nov. 3, 1957-May 2, 2024 Former Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs died unexpectedly in the spring. At age 66, Burroughs left his mark as a father, grandfather, attorney and public servant. Burroughs was the second of seven children who excelled in school, in debate and math clubs as well as a French horn player at Klein High School. He went to Stephen F. Austin State University and finished in three years, getting degrees in history, business and political science. He earned his law degree at the University of Texas School of Law and practiced in Houston and Fort Worth before opening a practice with Gregory J. Sawko in Denton. Burroughs served three terms on the Denton City Council as an at-large member. He worked on regional agency boards and committees in North Texas and worked with local and regional transportation and clean air groups. He kept a busy civic calendar as well, lending his time and talent to the arts and public broadcasting. He served as the mayor of Denton from 2008 to 2014, applying his knowledge and experience to local growth and city leadership. May 2, 1954-May 3, 2024 “Big” Mike Sutton could seem gruff, but locals remember him as a Fry Street business owner whose heart was as big as his personality. Sutton died in Missouri, where he had retired, the day after his 70th birthday. Sutton was best known for his business Voyager’s Dream on Hickory Street near UNT, selling crystals, hand drums, new age music and all sorts of trinkets meant to make you feel centered. He was also a dedicated pacifist who turned his car into a “deathmobile,” writing the names, ages and hometowns of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. He ran several times for the Denton City Council from 2008 to 2011, filing for a recount in his last bid after losing the District 3 race by 29 votes. Sutton turned Voyager’s Dream into Big Mike’s Coffee in 2009 before selling it to a new owner and retiring. As Aura Coffee, it still serves as a hub for the community. April 29, 1945-June 13, 2024 Attorney Mike Gregory shared his experience and skills as a public servant as a lawyer, a seminar leader and eventually as an adjunct professor at Texas Woman’s University and UNT as an undergraduate law lecturer. Gregory, a graduate of the University of Texas and its School of Law, began his law practice in 1974. He was a board-certified family law specialist and a certified mediator. He lent his time to the local and state bar association, serving as president of the Denton County Bar, president of the Denton County Collaborative Professionals, president of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and director of the State Bar of Texas. He was named Denton County Bar Association Member of the Year in 2014-15. In 2018, he was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court as a member of the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. He was a devoted volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Sept. 19, 1937-July 17, 2024 UNT Athletics Hall of Fame member Abner Haynes’ legacy on the football field is considerable, but the role he and Leon King played in the integration of the South might be even more impactful. Haynes, who died at the age of 86 in Dallas, and King were the first Black players to integrate a football program at a four-year Texas school. Haynes was a two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference running back, led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl and was named an All-American by Time magazine that season. He went on to play for the Dallas Texans, who later became the Kansas City Chiefs. He led the American Football League in rushing in 1960 and was its first Player of the Year. UNT’s history as a pioneer of integration in the South is a source of pride for the school, which honored Haynes and King with the opening of Unity Plaza in 2022, featuring busts of both Haynes and King. d. Aug. 3, 2024 Dallas musician Shaun Martin, singer and keyboardist of Denton-born jazz band Snarky Puppy and a UNT graduate, died in August at the age of 45. While Martin was still a student at Dallas’ Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he began working with gospel choir director Kirk Franklin and later became his music director. As a music major in college, Martin worked with Erykah Badu on her second album, Mama’s Gun . It was also at UNT where he joined a group of student musicians to create Snarky Puppy, a jazz fusion band that went on to win five Grammy Awards. Martin himself has won seven Grammys: three as a Snarky Puppy member and four for his work with Franklin. Dec. 31, 1950-Aug. 11, 2024 Herschel Voorhees was a Denton High School alumnus and a UNT graduate who spent 40 years in medicine. The bulk of his career was spent serving as the chief of staff and executive director of the UNT Health and Wellness Center, where students could get primary health care on campus. Voorhees was an outdoorsman and an outspoken advocate for students and for medicine. He applied his curiosity to medicine and the many trails and parks he hiked. June 19, 1976-Aug. 22, 2024 Daron Beck, best known as the vocalist and keyboardist of experimental sci-fi synth-doom duo Pinkish Black, died after an illness at his home in the Fort Worth area. Beck previously lived in Denton, where his bands in the ’90s and early 2000s included Pointy Shoe Factory, Maxine’s Radiator and Thorazine Dreams. In 2005, he appeared in an episode of American Idol , making an impression on the judges with his audition although he didn’t advance in the competition. “I knew they were going to play me up as some kind of weirdo freak, but I’d rather be that than American Idol anyway,” he told the Denton Record-Chronicle at the time. May 6, 1975-Oct. 8, 2024 Aaron De La Torre, a college athlete who turned pro, then went into high school coaching, died suddenly on Oct. 8. He grew up in Irving and played football at Stephen F. Austin State University and then played with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and in NFL Europe before retiring from playing professionally. De La Torre settled in Denton as Ryan High School’s assistant football coach. He was in his seventh season when he died. He coached with his son, Alex, for two years, including the the program’s journey to the 2019 state championship game, in which his youngest son, Kolt, was a player. While his leadership on the field is missed, the mentorship De La Torre gave to students is a bigger loss, friends and family said. Oct. 8, 1932-Dec. 11, 2024 Retired journalist, editor, teacher and author Keith Shelton died this month after a short time in hospice care. Shelton cut his teeth on the country’s biggest modern stories. He began as a city hall reporter for the Wichita Falls Record-News and then the Dallas Times-Herald . In Dallas, Keith covered the assassination of John F. Kennedy, as well as the careers of four other presidents. He also covered the tenure of Gov. John Connally. He served on the Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics, became president of the Dallas Press Club and served as secretary of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, later becoming its director. He was named the editor of the Denton Record-Chronicle in 1965. He later served as managing editor and then executive editor of the Record-Chronicle, the Lewisville News and the Grapevine Sun . His work with Denton Publishing Co. spanned 35 years. Shelton launched a 23-year tenure as a member of journalism faculty at UNT. He earned his master’s degree in journalism, taught three future Pulitzer Prize winners and became the first faculty adviser to the student newspaper. He transitioned to director of news and information services and journalist in residence in the 1990s and early 2000s, as he became the sole caregiver of his late wife, a polio survivor. In his retirement, Shelton chronicled his work as a reporter in Chance: My Life as a Series of Chances.
Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100
Heat say Jimmy Butler will miss 2 more games before rejoining team next week
Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
Makinde propelling economic devt through AfCFTA in OyoYet another billionaire is clambering to get into President-elect Donald Trump’s hyper-rich inner circle, the MAGA chief has claimed. Trump, who will take the hot seat on Jan. 20, 2025, has seen his popularity surge among Silicon Valley types after he was endorsed by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk . The number two, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , soon made a beeline for the big man too, after he was spotted dining with Musk and Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. Now Bill Gates wants a slice, according to Trump. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the former CEO of Microsoft— whom Forbes says is the 16th richest in the world— personally asked for an audience with him. In a somewhat incoherent post, he said: “Where are you? When are you coming to the ‘Center of the Universe,’ Mar-a-Lago. Bill Gates asked to come, tonight. We miss you and x! New Year’s Eve is going to be AMAZING!!! DJT.” Tom Cruise ’s first movie project after wrapping up the Mission: Impossible franchise next year with The Final Reckoning has been revealed. And it could land him back in the Oscar conversation. Warner Bros. announced Friday that Cruise will star in an untitled film from two-time Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu ( Birdman , The Revenant ), set to be released on Oct. 2, 2026. The logline reads: “The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything.” Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, and Riz Ahmed are among the other actors in the cast. The project is Iñárritu‘s first English-language film since 2015’s The Revenant , which won Leonardo DiCaprio his first Oscar for Best Actor. Cruise has been nominated for three acting Oscars over the course of his long career—for Born on the Fourth of July , Jerry Maguire , and Magnolia —but has never received a trophy at the ceremony. After all the chaos of the holiday season, you and your loved one deserve a little one-on-one time. For 2025, make the resolution to create unforgettable date nights with The Fantasy Box . The subscription box comes with everything you need to spice up your love life, like step-by-step scenarios for role-playing, lingerie, accessories, lube, and props. Each box has a unique theme and there are over 30 different themed fantasies to pick. The Ride ‘Em Cowgirl scenario brings you to the wild west. She is a flirty cowgirl in sexy denim shorts and cow print pasties, while he is a charming bartender with a paddle. Perhaps you’re intrigued by the idea of exploring a more dominant and submissive dynamic. In the D is for Discipline box , she is the Mistress with drip candles and he is her toy in a satin blindfold and bondage collar. The Fantasy Box has created a quick quiz you can take to uncover you and your partner’s fantasies. After taking the quiz, you’ll be recommended three boxes. From there, you can buy any box you want directly. Don’t forget to use the code NEWYEAR at checkout to save $50 on your order. If you and your partner love it, try subscribing monthly or bi-monthly for only $99 the first month. Monthly subscriptions renew at $129 per box; bi-monthly at $139 per box. You’ll receive a new themed box, enjoy free shipping, and get up to 20% off at The Fantasy Box’s shop. Free Shipping Free Shipping If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Entire stalls were engulfed by flames at the Bryant Park holiday market in Manhattan on Friday morning, videos show. A cause for the blaze is yet to be determined, but a spokesperson for FDNY told Gothamist it’s under investigation. The fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. and nobody was injured, the spokesperson said, adding that the fire was between “six feet wide by 40 feet long” at its peak. Clips of the flames quickly went viral on social media and the market has been closed indefinitely. New York City Emergency Management advised people to avoid the area and warned there will be traffic delays while a probe is completed. It’s the second time this season a holiday market has gone up in flames in the city, coming a week-and-a-half after a fire ignited a swath of Herald Square’s festive shopping corridor. Eighteen shops—and their merchandise, ranging from shirts to glass ornaments—were reportedly razed by that blaze. Bryant Park Christmas Village is on fire 🔥 #whatisnewyork pic.twitter.com/031iZ2D6He Kevin O’Leary , of Shark Tank fame, says half of Canada is “interested” in merging with the U.S.—a longshot arrangement that topped Donald Trump ’s wishlist this Christmas. “Canadians over the holidays—the last two days—have been talking about this,” O’Leary told Fox Business. “They want to hear more.” The 70-year-old Montreal native said he’s headed to Mar-a-Lago to start a conversation that, at the least, may lead to his homeland and the U.S. striking a partnership agreement akin to the European Union. “So secure [the northern territories], give a common currency, figure out taxes across the board, get everything trading both ways, create a new, almost EU-like passport—I like this idea and at least half of Canadians are interested,” he said. O’Leary acknowledged there’d be “a lot of issues” with a merger, but suggested now’s the time to get a deal done with Trump returning to office as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s power is waning. O’Leary may not be the best barometer for what the average Canadian thinks, however. The businessman, worth an estimated $400 million , has ditched the great white north for sunny Miami Beach . He was also soundly rejected by voters when he ran for the leadership of the Canadian Conservative Party in 2017 and won just one percent of the vote. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Elon Musk has further stoked the flames of the MAGA H1-B civil war after he agreed with a post that called Americans too “retarded” to exclusively fill the U.S. tech workforce. The eye-popping endorsement came after a pro-Musk account on X summed up the right-wing divide on visas to skilled workers as such: “So basically the right split into two factions, tech right and right right, and the tech right is like ‘hey we need h-1b visa people to do the jobs,’ and the right right was like ‘no you need to hire Americans,’ and the tech right is like “but you guys are retarded,” and the right right is like ‘well you don’t train us,’ and the tech right is like ‘you can’t outtrain being retarded,’ and while all this was going on we learned some people *really* don’t like Indians.” Musk, a 53-year-old South African who’s recently enjoyed a spot inside the “America First” Trump’s inner circle, apparently thought that assessment was a fair one. He responded, “That pretty much sums it up. This was eye-opening.” Trump is yet to weigh in on the latest right-wing divide that pits his longtime loyalists against his new tech bro faction. That pretty much sums it up. This was eye-opening. Several aviation experts said they believe that a Russian defense system caused the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that killed 38 people on Christmas Day, according to the Associated Press. The flight was headed from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, but diverted course amid bad weather before crash landing near Aktau, Kazakhstan. The incident left 29 survivors, all of whom are injured, the AP reported. With investigations underway in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, officials in those countries have urged against speculation about the crash’s cause. Russia’s aviation authority has suggested, nevertheless, that a bird strike could have played a role. But aviation experts seem to disagree. Mark Zee, founder of the aviation safety organization OPSGroup, told the AP that based on images of the plane, he is “90-99%” sure it was struck by a missile. Independent Russian military expert Yan Matveyev agreed that the plane’s tail appeared to have been struck by shrapnel from a missile like the ones used by Russia’s defense system. Meanwhile, the UK aviation security firm Osprey Solutions reportedly cautioned its clients that “Azerbaijan Airlines flight was likely shot down by a Russian military air-defense system.” The man suspected of lighting a woman on fire in a Brooklyn subway car faces life without parole after he was charged with murder . Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, has been indicted on charges of murder in the first and second degree and arson, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. The horrific scene unfolded on an early morning F train stopped at the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave. stop in south Brooklyn on Dec. 22. Zapeta is accused of igniting the woman’s clothes and “fanning the flames” with a shirt. “These are significant counts. Murder in the first degree carries the possibility of life without parole. It’s the most serious statute in New York state law and my office is very confident about the evidence in the case and to hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly deeds,” Gonzalez said. Zapeta, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 7. Chaos descended in South Korea ‘s parliament again after the man tasked with succeeding the country’s recently impeached president was also given the boot. Acting president, formerly the Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, was brought in two weeks after parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed bid to impose martial law on the country. But Han was accused Friday of dragging his heels in pushing through the Yoon impeachment after he refused to appoint three judges to fill vacancies in the Constitutional Court that would vote on Yoon’s future. As a result, 192 lawmakers voted for Han’s impeachment. However, it was the decision to lower the threshold of required votes from 200 for Yoon’s removal to just 151 that caused lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party to swarm National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik. “Invalid!” and “Abuse of power!” were among the angry chants. The majority of the parliament in South Korea is from the opposition Democratic Party. Yoon is from the right-wing People Power Party, while Han is an independent. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has taken the reigns... for now. South Korea's parliament voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, prompting chaos as ruling party lawmakers protested the speaker’s decision to allow only 150 votes to pass the bill against Han, which meant no ruling party lawmakers’ votes were needed. pic.twitter.com/BgX9D8vrwh Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. The 92-year-old mother of a murder victim whose death spurred the conviction—later overturned—of a member of the Kennedy family, died Tuesday of complications from the flu, her son said. Dorthy Moxley fought nearly 50 years for justice after her teenage daughter, Martha, was found dead across the street from the family home of Michael Skakel, a cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Skakel was convicted of Martha’s murder in 2002 and freed in 2013 after a judge said he hadn’t received adequate representation. The Connecticut Supreme Court reinstated the conviction in 2016, only to order him freed two years later. A second trial never occurred, in part because some witnesses had died. “It was just incredible how much support we got from people that we knew and people that we didn’t know,” Moxley’s son, John, told the Associated Press . “My mother was always grateful and chose to focus on the communal spirit, if you will, rather than the law. My mother always said she believed in angels and the angels really came out to support her, to support us.” John added: “She was able to take that spirit of support and knowing how important it was to share that with others. And that gave her a lot of joy, knowing that she could help somebody else.” Kim Kardashian , who parlayed nepo-baby roots , a viral sex tape , and reality stardom into billionaire status has come close to admitting that rarest of things: failure. The 43-year-old mother of four is no longer helping manage SKKY Partners, the private equity firm she founded with a dealmaking hotshot in 2022. Instead, Axios reports, she will be a “senior operating adviser,” according to new documents filed with the Securities Exchange Commission. When she and Jay Sammons, who had worked for the Carlyle Group set up the fund, they said they wanted to raise $1 billion for investments. But Axios' analysis showed that its latest total raised is a fraction of that, at $121 million, and that so far it has done just one deal, for a hot sauce maker called Truff. Kardashian has not commented publicly on her loss of private equity executive status, while her mother, momager Kris Jenner, has been dropped from the filing documents entirely. Few celebrities have cracked private equity investing status; among those who have are Ryan Reynolds and Ashton Kutcher. Kardashian can console herself that the success of her Skims brand means her billionaire status is secure; earlier this month she opened a “flagship” store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, replacing a Versace store.
GTA 6 Has Some Major Competition In 2025, And It’s Not What You ThinkAP Trending SummaryBrief at 1:56 p.m. EST
Longest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mind
OTTAWA — Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada's new $1.3 billion border plan with members of Donald Trump's transition team, a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Affair Minister Melanie Joly shared few details of their meetings in Palm Beach, simply saying in a statement the U.S. officials they met with took notes and agreed to relay messages to Trump. "Minister LeBlanc and Minister Joly had a positive, productive meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum, as a followup to the dinner between the prime minister and President Trump last month," wrote Jean-Sébastien Comeau, a spokesman for LeBlanc. Lutnick is Trump's nominee for commerce secretary, and Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota and current nominee for secretary of the interior. When announcing Lutnick as his commerce pick Trump said the chief executive of the financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald would be in charge of the Trump "tariff and trade agenda." "Both Ministers outlined the measures in Canada’s Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives." He added the ministers agreed to continue the discussions in the coming weeks. Joly is also expected to meet in Florida with senator Lindsay Graham Friday evening. This trip comes less than four weeks before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada's new border plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada. Comeau said earlier Friday morning the ministers would also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump's threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers were to build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau "governor" instead of prime minister. It isn't clear if LeBlanc raised the issue with Trump's team in Palm Beach Friday. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw "explains Canada to Americans." "Some information about Canada for Americans" was all he wrote in the post. The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. "In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada," Brokaw says in the video. Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau's recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump's antics on X Thursday, calling it "casual disrespect" and "carrying the 'joke' too far." "Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership," said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland's sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau's leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. He did not make a public statement about the meeting as of publication. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press