Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”
Atlanta United ’s Cinderella playoff run came to an end on Sunday in Orlando. The hosts walked away with a hard-fought 1-0 win to advance to the Eastern Conference final. Orlando City will face the New York Red Bulls in Orlando next Saturday. Orlando City scored in the 39th after center forward Ramiro Enrique pounced on a deflected ball inside Atlanta United’s penalty area. Enrique’s lunging shot beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan from close range. Atlanta had spells of possession and even carried much of the momentum early in the second half. RAMIRO WITH THE SLIDING FINISH 🛝 pic.twitter.com/9L7fNfoW7n — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 24, 2024 However, injuries to both of Atlanta’s strikers were challenges that interim manager Rob Valentino had to navigate. Jamal Thiaré exited the match in the 43rd minute with an apparent leg injury. His replacement, Daniel Ríos , was forced off the pitch after a head injury at the start of the second half. Valentino again tinkered with his tactics, moving winger Saba Lobzhanidze to a false 9 role. The chances for Atlanta increased, but Orlando stood firm in their defensive formation. Atlanta ended the match without a single shot on target. Advertisement For Orlando, the opportunity to earn their first-ever MLS Cup berth is now on the line. They had never qualified for a conference final until Saturday. Óscar Pareja’s side have at times looked the part of a contender. Inconsistent play and underwhelming outing have also been a characteristic of this Orlando team. Against Atlanta, Orlando put in a brave performance, securing a 1-0 win when history was not on their side. Atlanta’s remarkable run as the ninth seed and play-in match winner ended by the narrowest of margins. Their elimination was preceded by what many considered to be the biggest upset in MLS playoff history. Atlanta knocked out Inter Miami and Lionel Messi , the top seed in the East and the current Supporters’ Shield winners. This is the second straight year that a play-in team has reached and lost a conference semifinal. “I told (the players) I’m grateful for their effort and their work. It was tremendous. We’re not gonna stop until the whistle goes. But that is something that I would always like if I’m a coach anywhere. That’s a bare minimum, like, that’s the minimum requirement for a team that I want to be associated with,” said Valentino. The loss to Orlando means that Valentino’s stint as head coach will likely end. He has been in the running for the full time position, according to club president and CEO Garth Lagerwey. But it was understood that Valentino would need to reach the MLS Cup final and potentially win it to earn the job. Atlanta’s offseason of change will accelerate, as Lagerwey must hire a new manager and sporting director. The 1-0 loss also marked the end of Dax McCarty ’s MLS career. Over the summer, the 37-year-old announced that he would retire at the end of the season. McCarty started his fourth consecutive match in midfield on Sunday and will now walk away from his professional career after playing more than 500 MLS matches Required reading (Photo of Ramiro Enrique: Alex Menendez / Getty Images)GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Luke Musgrave had no idea just how serious his ankle injury was when it first happened in the Green Bay Packers ' Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings . The second-year tight end finished that game and even suited up for the next one, although he did not take the field in the Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Rams . He even practiced one day the following week before the Packers shut him down. Nearly 11 weeks after he last played in a game, Musgrave returned to practice on Wednesday and revealed that he sustained a torn ligament in his left ankle that required surgery by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, North Carolina. Editor's Picks Why Jayden Reed didn't get the ball and how Packers aim to change that Latest NFL Week 15 buzz: What we're hearing on potential coaching openings and the Falcons' QB situation NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 15: Which teams can secure a postseason berth this weekend? "We didn't know that it probably needed surgery until after the Rams week," Musgrave said Wednesday. Musgrave said he did only individual drills in Wednesday's practice, so it's unlikely he will be cleared to play for Sunday's game at the Seattle Seahawks ; he would need to be added to the active roster, although the Packers still have an open spot on their 53-man. But the hope is that Musgrave could return well before a possible playoff rematch against the Seahawks -- or whoever the Packers would face in a wild-card playoff game. "I think it's as soon as practical," Musgrave said when asked about a timeline to return. "I don't know if there's a timeline, but as soon as possible that they'll let me go, I'll go." Musgrave, who has only five catches for 22 yards this season, has missed 15 of a possible 30 games since he entered the league as a second-round pick in 2023. He missed six games last season because of a lacerated kidney. In the meantime, Tucker Kraft (39 catches for 521 yards and seven touchdowns) has become the Packers' go-to tight end. But the oft-anticipated, seldom-seen combination of Kraft and Musgrave might finally come to fruition as the Packers (9-4) make their playoff push. Picked one round apart -- Musgrave in the second round and Kraft in the third -- in the 2023 NFL draft, the pair of tight ends have been on the field at the same time for only 125 total snaps in their careers, according to ESPN Research. Only 54 of those have been this season. "It would be big-time," Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. "I think the last time we had it was really during training camp, having both those guys out there. And it definitely changes the plays we call and some of the formations we have and personnel groupings. "It's been tough not having Luke out there, so to get him back healthy and back out on the field would be big time." The Packers got more promising injury news on Wednesday, when cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was a full participant in practice for the first time since his last game action on Nov. 17 against the Bears. Receiver Romeo Doubs also was a full participant for the first time since his concussion on Nov. 24, a sign that he's in the final stage of the concussion protocol. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper also practiced Wednesday for the first time since the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the past three games. However, the Packers could be without a pair of defensive backs because safety/nickelback Javon Bullard (ankle) did not practice and safety Evan Williams practiced on a limited basis but was still in the concussion protocol.
CORVALLIS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 26, 2024-- NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) technology, today announced the results of its previously announced redemption of all of its outstanding warrants (the Warrants) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock). As of December 19, 2024 (the Redemption Date), approximately 97% of the Company’s outstanding Warrants were exercised by the holders thereof to purchase fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which includes Warrants that were exercised prior to the announcement of the redemption. As a result, holders of the Warrants received an aggregate of 19,800,548 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in exchange for $227.7 million in cash proceeds to the Company. All unexercised and outstanding Warrants as of 5:00 p.m. EST on the Redemption Date were redeemed at a price of $0.01 per Warrant and, as a result, no Warrants currently remain outstanding and the Warrants have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. About NuScale Power Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The Company’s groundbreaking SMR technology is powered by the NuScale Power ModuleTM, a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. As the first and only SMR to have its design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. To learn more, visit NuScale Power’s or follow us on , , , and . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any offer of any of the Company’s securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. View source version on : CONTACT: Investor contactScott Kozak Director, Investor Relations contactChuck Goodnight Vice President, Business Development KEYWORD: OREGON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NUCLEAR ENERGY SOURCE: NuScale Power Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM
Most of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Pro-Palestinian protesters are planning to descend on a synagogue in Melbourne’s southeast on Monday night. Organisers of the Melbourne protest group , Free Palestine Coalition Naarm, took to social media to urge followers to join the “peaceful demonstration against Zionist genocidal, colonial expansion” at the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation on Inkerman St in Caulfield North. It is expected to run outside the Orthodox synagogue from 7.30pm to 9pm. The protest is in response to a planned talk on “Israel’s challenges and opportunities in a new Middle East”, held by the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, together with the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation and United Israel Appeal Victoria. Guests on the panel include former chief of the Israeli air force Eitan Ben Eliyahu and Israel’s former interior and justice minister Ayelet Shaked. The protest is in response to a planned talk held by the Australia Israel and Jewish Affairs Council. “We need to let them know their genocidal planning is not welcome on sacred Boonwurrung land. We will peacefully demonstrate across the road,” the pro-Palestinian organisers wrote online. “This is a protest called by Jewish anti-Zionists, many of whom grew up going to synagogues – and do not acquiesce to our (religion) being weaponised as a tool of imperialist genocide. “We stand for the liberation of Palestine and justice for Palestinian people, and refuse to allow Zionist Jews to hide behind religion to avoid culpability.” Protest organisers said they will “peacefully demonstrate” across the road from the synagogue. “It is important to respect places of worship. Attendees are asked not to go within 10 metres of the Synagogue and attendees of the Synagogue’s event,” they wrote. A Victoria Police spokesperson said officers will provide a “visible presence” to ensure the safety of the community at the planned protest. Natalie Gunn from Zionism Victoria said she was “deeply disturbed” to hear of the protest outside one of the community’s major synagogues. “These people do not subscribe to Australian values of multiculturalism,” she said. “The police and authorities should take immediate action to avoid a repeat of the antisemitic incitement and violence of November 2023 for the safety and security of all Victorian citizens.” Protest organisers said they will demonstrate “peacefully”. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui Premier Jacinta Allan said on Monday she was still being briefed on the details of the protest. “I want to be absolutely clear that there is no place in this state for hateful behaviour, for hateful protesting, for people to attend places with hate in their heart. There is no place for that,” she said. Ms Allan said that these sort of demonstrations are one reason why her party is introducing new anti-vilification laws in parliament on Tuesday. “They will be a set of laws that will look at strengthening what makes our state great,” she said. “Everyone deserves to live in this great state, free from hate, free from vilification and they also deserve the right to be who they are, practice their faith, believe in who they believe in, and have their identity respected.” It comes after a violent clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups erupted in Caulfield in November last year. The clash occurred near Princes Park after a synagogue was evacuated as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in a park across the road. Rocks were allegedly thrown from some members of the protest, with police officers forced to use pepper spray to separate the two groups. 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