50jili vip
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Daylen Berry scored 27 points as Charleston Southern beat Columbia International 95-89 on Saturday. Berry had 10 rebounds for the Buccaneers (4-11). RJ Johnson scored 25 points while shooting 7 for 19 (0 for 6 from 3-point range) and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line and added seven assists. Keenan Wilkins went 4 of 12 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to finish with 11 points, while adding six rebounds. JJ Vaughan finished with 24 points for the Rams. Columbia International also got 22 points from Christian Howard. Brandon Hunt also had 13 points and 11 rebounds. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Last 2 defendants in Atlanta's Young Thug trial are acquitted of murder and gang charges
After three losses this year by a combined eight points, Northwestern has found the finishing touch, winning three straight games, all against power conference teams. Northwestern (9-3) tries to extend its streak Sunday in Evanston, Ill., when it takes on Northeastern (8-4) in the final nonconference game for each team. Making a difference recently for the Wildcats has been their defensive pressure and care of the ball. During the Wildcats' three-game run, which included a 70-66 win in overtime against then-No. 19 Illinois, they forced 45 turnovers while committing just 18. That translates to a 43-16 edge in points off the mistakes. "That's something we've really talked about as a team," Northwestern coach Chris Collins said after an 84-64 win over DePaul on Dec. 21. "We're a really good defensive team and we need to turn some of those live-ball turnovers, so points can come a little easier." Brooks Barnhizer has done a little bit of everything during the Wildcats' mini-streak, averaging 19.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 steals, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks. Nick Martinelli has continued to excel with his rare skill set, combining crafty work in the paint with his expanded range from the perimeter. The left-hander has averaged 22 points in the last three games. For the year, Martinelli has hit 14 of 25 shots (56 percent) from beyond the arc. For Northeastern of the Coastal Athletic Association, this is the only game on its schedule against a power conference team. In 19 seasons under coach Bill Coen, Northeastern has pulled off nine victories over major conference foes. With an all-junior starting lineup, the Huskies are off to their best start since the 2015-16 season. Northeastern is led by guards Rashad King, who averages 17.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, and Harold Woods, who puts up 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Considering both are perimeter players, the rebounding numbers are extraordinary, especially for the 6-foot-5 Woods. "He hunts for those offensive rebounds and the tight spaces where he can finish behind the defense," Coen said. "And he works on that daily." This is the first meeting of the teams since 1993. The Wildcats hold a 3-1 edge in the series. --Field Level Media
OTTAWA — The Israeli expert leading a civilian commission into sexual violence by Hamas is calling for global bodies to recognize "a new crime against humanity" involving violence targeted at families. Cochav Elkayam-Levy said the world should take a stance against the destruction of families as a specific, identifiable weapon of war, aimed at terrorizing one's kin. She is proposing the crime be called "kinocide." In an interview, she also said Canadians can demand Hamas be brought to justice while also seeking accountability when Israeli troops commit sexual violence against Palestinians, without drawing a false equivalence. "We have to see Canada's leadership in addressing the lack of moral clarity of international institutions," Elkayam-Levy said in an interview during a visit to Ottawa last month. Elkayam-Levy is an international-law professor at Reichman University and a former Hebrew University researcher, who chairs Israel's Civil Commission on Oct. 7 Crimes Against Women and Children. That non-governmental body originally set out to document patterns in sexualized violence by Hamas and its affiliates during the 2023 attack and against hostages it took into the Gaza Strip. The aim wasn't to come up with a tally of assaults, but to instead document systemic factors in how women were raped, tortured and mutilated. The idea was to have an understanding that could help victims and their descendants cope with intergenerational trauma, and to create an archive for researchers and prosecutors to use for possible investigations. Elkayam-Levy's team reviewed hours of footage featuring "very extreme forms of violence" from closed-circuit cameras and what militants themselves recorded. They started to notice six patterns of violence involving among the circumstances of more than 140 families. These include using victims' social media to broadcast that person being tortured to their friends and family, including hostages and those killed. Another involved murdering parents in front of their children or vice versa, while another is the destruction of family homes. "We started understanding that there is something here, a unique form of violence," she said. "The abuse of familial relations to intensify harm, to intensify suffering." Elkayam-Levy said she developed the term with the help of experts, including Canadians like former attorney general Irwin Cotler. The rules undergirding the International Criminal Court only mention families in procedural contexts, but not as a factor in war crimes, she noted. "It's a crime without a name," she said, arguing that impedes victims' healing. She said experts in past conflicts have agreed with her, saying kinocide should have been a factor in how the world understood and sought justice for atrocities on various continents, such as how Islamic State militants targeted Yazidi families from 2014 to 2017. "Justice begins with this recognition; healing begins with recognition," she said. Elkayam-Levy noted "gender-based violence" existed for centuries before the United Nations officially recognized the term in 1992. She's also taken aim at "the silence of many international organizations, and the lack of moral clarity," in calling out sexual violence by Hamas, which Ottawa deems a terrorist group. In particular, UN Women did not condemn Hamas' sexual violence until nearly two months after that attack, and Elkayam-Levy argued the institution has stayed largely silent, setting a bad precedent for upholding global norms. "They have fuelled denial of the sexual atrocities," she said, adding that a constant demand for physical evidence pervades social media "in a very antisemitic way." Israeli police have said forensic evidence was not preserved in the chaos of the attack, and people believed to be victims of sexual assault were often killed and immediately buried. Acts of sexual violence were not part of 43-minute video that Israel's foreign ministry has screened for journalists, including The Canadian Press, which was sourced from security footage and videos filmed by militants during their October 2023 attack. In March, a UN envoy said there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Hamas committed rape and "sexualized torture" during the attack, "including rape and gang rape," despite the group's denials. That same month, released hostage Amit Soussana went public about her captors groping her and forcing "a sexual act" that she asked not be specified. As part of its avowed feminist foreign policy, Canada funds initiatives abroad to prevent sexual violence and support victims. Yet the Conservatives have lambasted the Liberals for not condemning Hamas' sexual violence until five months after the attack. In March, Ottawa came under fire for pledging both $1 million for groups supporting Israeli victims of Hamas sexual violence and $1 million for Palestinian women facing "sexual and gender-based violence" from unspecified actors. Global Affairs did not say whether that referred to domestic abuse or sexual violence by Israeli officials, drawing a rebuke from a senior Israeli envoy. Human-rights groups have long accused Israeli officials of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainees in the West Bank. In July, those concerns escalated when Israeli soldiers were accused of perpetuating the filmed gang rape of a Palestinian prisoner from the Gaza Strip. Far-right Israeli cabinet ministers voiced support for mobs attempting to free soldiers under investigation. Elkayam-Levy said Canadians can call out the patterns of sexual violence by Hamas against Israelis, while still demanding the Israeli state investigate and prosecute its soldiers who undertake individuals acts of sexual violence. "The fact that (Western leaders) are trying to make the right political decision, instead of the right moral decision, is creating confusion, is creating moral blur — instead of making space for all victims to be heard for what they have endured," she said. To her, there is a "false parallel" being made between individual cases of sexual assault from soldiers who should be held to account, and a group using patterns of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Elkayam-Levy said people should uphold the principles of international law instead of what she deems to be weaponizing global institutions against Israel. She is aware that many have instead argued that Israel's military campaign has broken international law and undermined the systems meant to uphold human rights. Elkayam-Levy has been critical of the Israeli government, arguing before the war that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought anti-democratic reforms to the country's judiciary. She has been critical of his war cabinet for lacking any women, and has highlighted extensive media reports that female military personnel had detected Hamas was planning a large attack only to be dismissed by male leaders. She said the world needs to condemn Hamas' violence against families and try prosecuting those responsible. Otherwise, she fears combatants in other countries will take up its brutal tactics. Otherwise, "we are going to see an international system that will not last for long," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2024. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian PressWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump appears to be siding with Elon Musk and his other backers in the tech industry as a dispute over immigration visas has divided his supporters. Trump, in an interview with the New York Post on Saturday, praised the use of visas to bring skilled foreign workers to the U.S. The topic has become a flashpoint within his conservative base. ''I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That's why we have them," Trump said. In fact, Trump has in the past criticized the H-1B visas, calling them ''very bad'' and ''unfair'' for U.S. workers. During his first term as president, he unveiled a ''Hire American'' policy that directed changes to the program to try to ensure the visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants. Despite his criticism of them and attempts to curb their use, he has also used the visas at his businesses in the past, something he acknowledged in his interview Saturday. ''I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program," Trump told the newspaper. He did not appear to address questions about whether he would pursue any changes to the number or use of the visas once he takes office Jan. 20. Trump's hardline immigration policies, focused mostly on immigrants who are in the country illegally, were a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and a priority issue for his supporters. But in recent days, his coalition has split in a public debate largely taking place online about the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Hard-right members of Trump's movement have accused Musk and others in Trump's new flank of tech-world supporters of pushing policies at odds with Trump's ''America First" vision. Software engineers and others in the tech industry have used H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers and say they are a critical tool for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated.Published 23:35 IST, December 23rd 2024 The Himachal Pradesh government will take strict action against any entity trying to intimidate or harass industries, CM Sukhu said. Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government will take strict action against any entity trying to intimidate or harass industries, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told a delegation of industrialists which called on him on Monday. As the delegation apprised the chief minister about their various demands, Sukhu said the state government is facilitating the industries by creating a conducive atmosphere for their growth in Himachal Pradesh. "Any kind of intimidation or harassment of industries would be dealt with sternly and strict action would be ensured against the culprits," a statement quoting the chief minister said. Sukhu also said the state government is promoting green industries in line with the target of transforming Himachal Pradesh into a green energy state by March 31, 2026. Urging the industrialists to invest in information technology, food processing, tourism, and hydropower energy, Sukhu said that climate change is the biggest challenge and green initiatives can play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of global warming. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan was also present at the meeting. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 23:35 IST, December 23rd 2024
By MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK (AP) — Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday he was withdrawing his name from consideration, becoming the second person selected by the president-elect to bow out quickly after being nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation. Sheriff Chronister, the top law enforcement officer in Hillsborough County, Florida, said in a post on X that he was backing away from the opportunity, which he called “the honor of a lifetime.” “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration,” Chronister wrote. He did not elaborate, and Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Chronister follows former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz , Trump’s first pick to serve as attorney general, in withdrawing his name for a post in the administration. Gaetz withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Trump’s pick of Chronister for the DEA job drew backlash from conservatives, who raised concerns over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his saying that his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities.” In March 2020, Chronister arrested the pastor of a megachurch who held services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order in place aimed at limiting the spread of the Covid virus. “Shame on this pastor, their legal staff and the leaders of this staff for forcing us to do our job. That’s not what we wanted to do during a declared state of emergency,” Chronister said at the time. “We are hopeful that this will be a wakeup call.” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky, was among those airing public complaints, saying Chronister should be “disqualified” for the arrest. Others flagged comments Chronister made in a video about Florida’s immigration laws that he released in 2023 that circulated again online after Trump named him last weekend. Related Articles National Politics | Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff National Politics | President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction National Politics | Democrats stick with Schumer as leader, their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain National Politics | Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs National Politics | Democrats’ outgoing chair says Trump’s win forces party to reassess how it reaches voters In the video, Chronister praised the “rich diversity” of his community and called it “a place where people from all walks of life come together.” He said it was important to note his office “does not engage in federal immigration enforcement activities. We do not target individuals based on their immigration status. That’s the authority of federal agencies.” Trump has made a sweeping crackdown on immigration a central focus of his campaign and his aims for his coming administration. Associated Press writer Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contributed to this report.
Griezmann double makes it nine wins in a row for Atletico after stunning 4-3 victory over SevillaRaj CS urges Centre to release funds for social security schemes on timeFollow live: Cavs face Heat, seeking fifth-straight win
Vanden boys finish up prestigious basketball tournament in Las Vegas with victorySeyi Tinubu Greeted By Military +Tinubu’s Convoy In Lagos+ 70 Nigerians Die In Stampede – Trending With Ojy Okpe
EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste. Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C, the port chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools. "Starting today, all new mobile phones, , digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port," the EU Parliament wrote on social media X. The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, it will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued. The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with US tech giant Apple. It allowed companies until December 28 this year to adapt. Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit. Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant. The firm said in 2021 that such regulation "stifles innovation", but by September last year it had begun shipping phones with the new . Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission. But Apple, the world's biggest seller of smartphones, refused to abide by it and ditch its Lightning ports. Other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there were about half a dozen types knocking around, creating a jumble of cables for consumers. USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays. At the time of its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year. "It's time for THE ," the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday. "It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss to find the chargers you need." © 2024 AFP
Last 2 defendants in Atlanta's Young Thug trial are acquitted of murder and gang charges
Published 23:43 IST, December 23rd 2024 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said there is hesitancy among people towards organ donation and urged the medical fraternity to motivate people for the noble New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said there is hesitancy among people towards organ donation and urged the medical fraternity to motivate people for the noble cause. Addressing the 6th Convocation ceremony of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital, she underlined that the list of people waiting for organ transplant is growing. "To address this issue, development of artificial organs and organ donation by the families of the deceased is necessary," Murmu said. "There is a kind of hesitancy among people towards organ donation. Doctors can play an important role in removing this and can help build awareness to motivate people for the noble cause," she stated. To boost organ donation, National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) was set up in this institute, she said. Growing use of technology in medical stream has made collaboration between engineering and medical institutes very important, she said. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), mRNA technology, robotics and the likes are going to bring a major change in the field of medical science, she added. Murmu mentioned that she recently inaugurated India's first CAR-T cell therapy developed through collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH). She urged the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung hospital to tie up with premier engineering and technical institutes to boost research and innovation. Interdisciplinary knowledge is beneficial for everyone, she said. The president said medical profession is unlike any other profession. It involves the noble cause of treating and curing people of diseases and saving lives. She said doctors provide the healing touch to humanity and they can make a difference between life and death. "You have a big responsibility being doctors, because you will be taking care of people's health," she stated. Crediting Safdarjung Hospital for treating 10,000 people every day, she said, "It is a matter of pride that Safdarjung Hospital is among the top 20 medical institutes in the country as per the latest NIRF rankings." She also noted the achievements in the healthcare sector during the last 10 years. "The number of medical institutions has increased and the number of PG seats has doubled. New AIIMS have been established and undergraduate courses have been introduced in these institutions." "The recently announced Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme will help catering to the needs of the 70 plus elderly population," she said (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 23:43 IST, December 23rd 2024
India is not pursuing the creation of a shared BRICS currency, an idea that has met with a strong verbal pushback from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, but the South Asian giant is making efforts to promote trade in its local currency, according to analysts in New Delhi. Trump has threatened a 100% tariff on products from BRICS nations if they develop their own currency to replace the U.S. dollar. The BRICS bloc, which began with China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa, expanded this year to include Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Egypt. “We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. dollar,” Trump said in a post on the Truth Social media platform. Talk of a BRICS currency gained some momentum following U.S.-led sanctions on Russia in 2022 and since, in recent years, economic and political tensions have grown between the West and China. Russia and China have publicly expressed a desire to explore diversification of international trade away from the dollar. Ajai Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organizations, though, said New Delhi does not plan to move away from the American currency. “Trump’s post is like a forewarning to tread carefully down this road. But at the moment, this is just an idea, and a common BRICS currency is simply not on India’s agenda,” Sahai said. The creation of such a currency is unlikely to gain traction due to mistrust and internal differences within major countries in the alliance such as India and China, according to analysts working in the Indian capital. “India is not supportive of this particular initiative. Any common currency is not going to help anyone; only the dominant countries like China ultimately will dictate. So, it is very difficult to develop a consensus to have a common currency,” according to Chintamani Mahapatra, founder of the Kalinga Institute of Indo Pacific Studies. The emerging countries group is also too diverse to make it economically viable to forge a competing currency, according to Mahapatra. “Unlike the European Union, we [BRICS countries] don’t have a common market. We don’t have a common trade policy. We have nothing in common,” Mahapatra said. At the same time, several BRICS members have accelerated efforts to explore ways to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar, which has been the world’s dominant currency since the end of World War II. BRICS countries account for about 40% of the world’s population and an estimated one-third of global gross domestic product. At a summit held in the Russian city of Kazan in October, BRICS nations agreed to boost efforts to trade in local currencies rather than in U.S. dollars and said they would strengthen banking networks within the group to facilitate settlements in their currencies. “Trade in local currencies and smooth cross-border payments will strengthen our economic cooperation,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. India, which adopted a new foreign trade policy last year to support using the rupee more frequently for trade, has identified 17 countries with which it wants to use rupees or the other country’s currency, according to Biswajit Dhar, a senior professor at the Council for Social Development in New Delhi. Those countries include Russia. New Delhi, which did not join U.S. sanctions against Russia, is paying for its crude oil imports from Moscow in rupees. As trade with Russia increases exponentially, though, that also presents problems. “India runs a huge trade deficit vis-a-vis Russia, which means that when India is buying a lot of oil and is paying in rupees, Russia does not know what to do with the stock of rupees it is holding now,” Dhar said. “Indian businesses are wary of selling to Russia because of the sanctions.” he said. Aside from Russia, other countries such as Malaysia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have agreed to facilitate trade in rupees. Such efforts however are modest, and India’s international trade is still dominated by the dollar. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Subramanian has said that moving away from the U.S. currency is not part of New Delhi’s economic policy. “We have never actively targeted the dollar. That's not part of either our economic policy or our political or strategic policy,” he said responding to a question on dedollarization at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington in October. But in an indirect reference to Russia, he said that India had to look for “workarounds” when trade in dollars with some partners became difficult. “It was the U.S. actions targeting Russia that made countries search for mechanisms and options to the dollar. It was not to dislodge the dollar’s position,” according to Ajay Srivastava, of the Global Trade Research Initiative. However, he said Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on products coming from countries adopting a BRICS currency makes the idea of such a potential new currency “unrealistic and more symbolic than practical.”2024’s top 10 climate disasters cost more than 200 billion dollars, charity says
In August 2021, when Sneha Saikia, a Delhi-based home chef who is known for her Table for 6 Luncheon invited me to experience Assamese food and talk about food of other Northeastern state, it was quite an enriching experience that helped me understand the new wave of change humble home kitchens were ready to bring in the dynamic commercial food and beverages market. And today, Sneha along with a brigade of many other home chefs across the country are cooking up a storm, bringing the warmth and authenticity of traditional cooking into modern kitchens, celebrating the essence of home food that nourishes both body and soul. Unlike mass-produced meals, these home-cooked dishes are crafted with care, using fresh ingredients, time-honored recipes, and a personal touch that evokes comfort and nostalgia. Home chefs like Nitika Kuthalia, who is a culinarian and Himalayan chef and runs her Instagram page by the handle Pahadipatal, are preserving cultural heritage, showcasing regional flavors and culinary traditions passed down through generations. They not only cater to taste but also focus on health , ensuring balanced and wholesome meals free from artificial additives. In a fast-paced world, home food reminds us of simplicity, love, and the joy of sharing meals with family and friends—making it more than just food, but an experience rich in memories and emotions, and as the year comes to an end, we trace back the journey of these unsung heroes and what the new year holds for them. Achievements The biggest achievement for many home chefs who are running on-invite tables and even home deliveries in 2024 has been the shift from home kitchen to catering services. The word of mouth and authentic flavours by these home chefs have now reached the mass market, where they are having dedicated stalls or sit-down dinner/lunch setup for regional delicacies these chefs offer. Nitika, who is known for her Himachali food, did a catering of 125 Himachali Dham from her home kitchen. and even hosted a food pop-up at ITC Kohinoor, which helped her broaden her horizon in a commercial kitchen setup too. Abhilasha Jain, who runs her business called Marwadi Khana and expertise in vegetarian Rajasthani food and mithais, hosted Rajasthani three 5-star hotel pop-up and 100+ gathering catering in 2024. And Poushali Mullick, who runs the page called A Pinch of Bong on Instagram, did Bengali food catering for 60 packs in this year, which she is expecting will increase to be in the hundreds in 2025. Challenges "Where there is a will, there is a way", these words of wisdom have helped many home chefs to grow in the post-pandemic times. For Poushali, the biggest challenge has been to manage cooking and promote her work on social media to get more business opportunities. She accepts, "In terms of challenges, I feel balancing between cooking and promoting my work by posting on social media and clicking food shots, is where I lack, but then I guess my food does the talking and even without doing much of promotion I have been mostly occupied with orders, dinner tables, and catering opportunities in 2024." However, I am trying to create a balance and my family is helping me in this regard", she adds. Abhilasha feels that the only challenge her team faced this year had been to adapt the change from a cloud kitchen setup to a massive commercial kitchen setup, where you have to coordinate with a large number of people to execute your menu. Rest, it is always about enjoying what you do and that reflects in the flavours you offer, affirms Abhilasha, who recently did a dedicated Rajasthani cuisine catering for haldi function at a 5-star hotel in Delhi/NCR. Chef's Take Ace chef Anuj Wadhawan, who is currently consulting for several restaurants in India and abroad, believes that home chefs have become true stars in promoting regional cuisines. He explains, "Variety is the spice of life, and while international cuisines are widely available in restaurants and cafes, home chefs are filling a gap by offering authentic Indian dishes that are difficult to include on a commercial menu." He further elaborates, "The popularity of home chefs has also increased in metropolitan cities because people from across the country are residing here and after a while they do miss their authentic regional food , which these home chefs provide with a cosy setup, which helps people reconnect with their roots." Change in Market As per CRISIL's November 2024 data, the cost of a vegetarian thali has increased 7% year-on-year, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali increased 2% year-on-year. And this shift in price has surely raised concerns for regular diners who love dining out, and that is the reason there are people who are opting out to go for homechefs to either visit their place for a regional food experience or order-in through their social media pages. Pratibha Tripathi, a Gurgaon-resident who lives by herself says that being alone gives me the scope to make impromptu dinner plans, and in 2024, I have made a switch from restaurant to homechef's table, as it is peaceful and you get to experience more personalised attention. Sneha adds, "I recently did a birthday table, where the family opted my house to be their celebration venue over a cafe/restaurant, offering more personalised experience and there is no rush to empty the place." Future File While the market of Delhi/NCR is growing rapidly and according to the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the food services sector in India is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1% from 2024 to 2028, the home chefs feel that the market is right for their growth too and all of them are expecting a booming 2025, were sit-down lunches and dinners and more of catering services will come their way. Abhilasha quips, "I am expecting more catering offers at weddings and luxury hotels in 2025, as it will help me and my team push the envelope and offer more in terms of flavours and at the same time help the team to learn management skills at such a larger setup." Poushali, who enjoys inviting people home and offering food in a cosy setup also feels that cooking for a larger audience from her home kitchen is something that she loves to challenge herself and gives her a sense of achievement, when accomplished. Sneha, on the other hand feels that its the time for us (homechefs) to make people understand the value of home cooked food and the variety that Indian regional cuisines offer, and that can happen only when more and more people will experience it and share about it via social media, which has already helped many home chefs to grow with word of mouth. Nitika is looking forward to flourishing her other dynamic of a home chef, where she makes pickles of seasonal fruits and veggies and makes people understand its benefits too. She also offers homemade panjiri, which she is planning to expand in 2025, as it is something that many people don't know, and I want to spread knowledge about it in the coming year. Takeaway Home chefs are redefining the dining experiences and are now making their ways to larger caterings, which is expected to change the catering business model, in terms of quality, stress on lesser-known regional cuisines, and will also provide job opportunities to many housewives, who wish to grow with their cooking skills, but often miss out opportunities due to lack of information, scope, and opportunities. What do you think of the growing market of home chefs? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: Sneha Saikia, Abhilasha Jain, Nitika Kuthalia, and Poushali Mullick
Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge ended with a 3-1 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. The Dutchman, who was out of work for just two weeks following his four-game spell as Manchester United interim boss, only started on Sunday so was happy to end a hectic three days in style. “It has been very busy getting to know everyone, start working together,” he said. “Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy, long days, but worth it. I was focused on the game and what the game needed, the subs, the half-time talk, so focused on the moment, so I am going to get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.” He endured a dream start as Vardy scored after just 98 seconds with El Khannouss and Daka adding second-half goals. It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as West Ham – who scored a consolation through Niclas Fullkrug at the death – had 30 shots on goal. But Van Nistelrooy saw enough to think he can deliver on his objective of keeping the Foxes in the Premier League. “I am very happy, if you look at the result – and it is about the result – it was a great night, three points, three good goals and also very effective. Ruud at the wheel 🛞 — Leicester City (@LCFC) “Overall the game of course we have seen and how dominant West Ham were at certain stages and what they created, that is a fact and something we have to look at. “Overall, what I expected of the players going forward was togetherness and hunger, energy and spirit in this team that is fighting for every inch. “Eleven players on the pitch who are fighting as a foundation to play the rest of the Premier League. I saw that completely with every single player that started and came on. “That’s the foundation we have to build on, without that it will be impossible to get where we want to go. I am very happy about that.” West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Julen Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Lopetegui expects to keep his job but forthcoming games against his former club Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. “The only thing that I am worried about is to go to training session tomorrow and stand up the players and prepare the next challenge,” he said. “We have one month of December with a lot of matches and I am sure with this attitude we are going to achieve many more points. “I believe in the players. I am confident that tomorrow we are going to be ready to prepare the next match. “Understanding the question, but at the end of the season maybe we talk in another way. There are a lot of matches and points, a lot of things can happen. “I believe in these players and team, I am sure the position is going to be much better. They are only words but we have to work a lot to achieve this.”The Social Security Administration Will Make Big Changes for Retirees Starting in January – The 4 Most Important Changes
Ruud van Nistelrooy treated himself to a beer after enjoying a perfect start to his reign as Leicester manager. Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge ended with a 3-1 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. The Dutchman, who was out of work for just two weeks following his four-game spell as Manchester United interim boss, only started on Sunday so was happy to end a hectic three days in style. “It has been very busy getting to know everyone, start working together,” he said. “Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy, long days, but worth it. I was focused on the game and what the game needed, the subs, the half-time talk, so focused on the moment, so I am going to get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.” He endured a dream start as Vardy scored after just 98 seconds with El Khannouss and Daka adding second-half goals. It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as West Ham – who scored a consolation through Niclas Fullkrug at the death – had 30 shots on goal. But Van Nistelrooy saw enough to think he can deliver on his objective of keeping the Foxes in the Premier League. “I am very happy, if you look at the result – and it is about the result – it was a great night, three points, three good goals and also very effective. Ruud at the wheel 🛞 pic.twitter.com/eVgIwWAcYw — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 “Overall the game of course we have seen and how dominant West Ham were at certain stages and what they created, that is a fact and something we have to look at. “Overall, what I expected of the players going forward was togetherness and hunger, energy and spirit in this team that is fighting for every inch. “Eleven players on the pitch who are fighting as a foundation to play the rest of the Premier League. I saw that completely with every single player that started and came on. “That’s the foundation we have to build on, without that it will be impossible to get where we want to go. I am very happy about that.” West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Julen Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Lopetegui expects to keep his job but forthcoming games against his former club Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. “The only thing that I am worried about is to go to training session tomorrow and stand up the players and prepare the next challenge,” he said. “We have one month of December with a lot of matches and I am sure with this attitude we are going to achieve many more points. “I believe in the players. I am confident that tomorrow we are going to be ready to prepare the next match. “Understanding the question, but at the end of the season maybe we talk in another way. There are a lot of matches and points, a lot of things can happen. “I believe in these players and team, I am sure the position is going to be much better. They are only words but we have to work a lot to achieve this.”Matt Lafleur Net Worth: What is the salary of the Green Bay Packers head coach?Deion Sanders Confirms If Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders Will Play in Bowl Game
US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country. In the first full US reaction to Assad's overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will "remain vigilant" against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that US forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization. "The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said, speaking from the White House. "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria." Asked by reporters what should happen to the deposed president, who reportedly has fled to Moscow, Biden said that "Assad should be held accountable." Biden -- set to step down in January and make way for Republican Donald Trump's return to power -- said Washington will assist Syrians in rebuilding. "We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign" Syria "with a new constitution," he said. However, Biden cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance will be under scrutiny. "Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses," Biden said. The United States had "taken note" of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, he said, but cautioned: "We will assess not just their words, but their actions." Biden said Washington is "clear eyed" that the Islamic State extremist group, often known as ISIS, "will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish" itself in Syria. "We will not let that happen," he said, adding that on Sunday alone, US forces had conducted strikes against ISIS inside Syria. The US military said the strikes were conducted by warplanes against Islamic State operatives and camps. Strikes were carried out against "over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s," the US Central Command said on social media. Earlier, Biden met with his national security team at the White House to discuss the crisis. Assad's reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning rebel offensive that broke long-frozen frontlines in Syria's civil war. They announced Sunday they had taken the capital Damascus and that Assad had fled, prompting celebrations nationwide and a ransacking of Assad's luxurious home. A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that the deposed leader was now in Moscow, along with his family. The US military has around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State jihadist group. It has regularly struck targets in the country including those linked to Iranian-backed militias. Tehran was a major backer of Assad's government. Biden also confirmed US authorities believe the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, still lives. "We believe he's alive," Biden said, but the US has yet "to identify where he is." bur-sms/mlmMajor An Post update following Storm Darragh disruption as deadline for Xmas delivery closes in
Chamber of Commerce sees new US export crackdown on China, email saysNORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Daylen Berry scored 27 points as Charleston Southern beat Columbia International 95-89 on Saturday. Berry had 10 rebounds for the Buccaneers (4-11). RJ Johnson scored 25 points while shooting 7 for 19 (0 for 6 from 3-point range) and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line and added seven assists. Keenan Wilkins went 4 of 12 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to finish with 11 points, while adding six rebounds. JJ Vaughan finished with 24 points for the Rams. Columbia International also got 22 points from Christian Howard. Brandon Hunt also had 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .