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Tabitha Nauser became a mum in October last year, welcoming a daughter. A year on, the 32-year-old singer and former Singapore Idol contestant reflects on the whirlwind of new motherhood and how it’s reshaped her life . CONGRATS ON THE FIRST YEAR OF MOTHERHOOD. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PAST YEAR? This past year has been equal parts euphoric and challenging, but in all the ways I didn’t quite imagine or predict. It’s just been so beautiful. HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR DAUGHTER’S FIRST BIRTHDAY? (My partner) Louie and I decided to celebrate her birthday in Thailand. We wanted this first birthday to just be for the three of us, so we could take it all in and reflect on the past year. It was emotional – my TikTok algorithm kept giving me these bittersweet videos of mums at their kids’ first birthday parties, crying because they were getting flashbacks of their tiny little newborns, and that was so me. I have become the biggest emotional faucet since becoming a mum. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT YOURSELF IN YOUR FIRST YEAR OF MOTHERHOOD? Rozz (Lee, former radio DJ) told me a few months before I was due to give birth, “Oh, it’s so exciting, you’re about to meet someone new, and I’m not just talking about the baby.” And she was right – this past year has taught me so much about myself. I’ve never been this clear about myself and what I want out of life and I think a lot of that has to do with me not being the centre of my universe anymore. There is now something else more important and it’s really changed how I view the world. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE – AND LEAST FAVOURITE – THINGS ABOUT BEING A MUM? My favourite thing – and this will sound so cliche, but it’s the truth – is seeing the world through her eyes. As she takes everything in for the first time, I feel so lucky to get to experience that alongside her. My least favourite is that it sometimes feels like there’s so much to do and not enough time to do it. But I’ve also realised that a lot of that stress comes from the pressure I put on myself, so I’m learning how to be kinder to myself. THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF PARENTHOOD DROVE MY HUSBAND AND ME A LITTLE CRAZY. HOW HAS PARENTHOOD CHANGED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER? Parenthood made Louie and me stronger because it showed us how in sync we are. Sure, we have our few cranky arguments here and there, but we’ve always approached each challenge as an ‘Us vs The Problem’ situation rather than keeping tabs or holding score. I do think it’s also important to say that we are quite lucky because our little one was, and still is, a really, really easy baby. HOW DO YOU HANDLE WORK AND CARING FOR YOUR DAUGHTER? I have so much respect and admiration for mothers who return to work, especially soon after birth. It’s not easy at all. I recognise that I’m privileged as I can spend 90 per cent of my time with my daughter while still working, so it’s different from most other working mothers. But I did feel the pressure to show that, “Hey I’m still working! I’m still here! Like I’m singing and performing even though I had a kid just one month ago!” I had to be honest with myself and realise that I can hold space for two truths: I love my career, and I love being a mum. And sometimes, it’s okay to embrace one more than the other. Working as a mum also taught me to be more selective with my time and who I choose to give my time to. Time is a precious commodity now, I don’t want to squander it like I used to. DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE NEED TO ‘REFILL YOUR CUP’ AS A MUM? It’s so important for mums to have the time to do things for themselves. I truly believe that the better we care for ourselves, the better we can show up for our partners and children. Doing activities like getting my nails done, hanging out at a cafe by myself, spending time with my close friends, or going on date night with my partner, brings me so much joy. They retain my sense of self and fill me with love that I can then pour into my little one. NEW MUMS OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE TENSION BETWEEN THEIR NEW ROLE AND THEIR FORMER SELVES. HOW HAVE YOU NAVIGATED THIS SHIFT IN IDENTITY? I feel like a completely new person. The old me is dead and gone, and I’m completely fine with that. There were a lot of shifts that happened the moment I realised I was pregnant. Now, I feel much more centred, driven, focused and stronger. I trust my instincts and voice more, my perspectives have changed, and things that served me before no longer serve me now. I’ve said this a few times before and I’ll say it again – becoming a mum changed me for the better. I’m 100 per cent leaning into this new and improved version of myself, and I’m still learning more about who I’ll become. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT PARTS OF MOTHERHOOD TO SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? If I hadn’t pursued the line of work I’m in now, I don’t think I’d have public social media accounts. Social media has always been work-led and work-focused. And so, I’m always acutely aware of showcasing my family or close friends who are not in the media industry. It’s the same for my daughter. I want to respect her privacy. When she’s old enough and can express her interests, then we can discuss being on social media. HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF MOTHERING, AND WHO DO YOU TURN TO FOR HELP? Louie and I don’t have immediate family living in Singapore, and we both were uncomfortable with the idea of getting a helper or nanny, so we’ve worked hard to become the best team ever and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished in our daughter’s first year, and our first year as parents. People laugh whenever I say this, but the internet was our best friend – we asked it everything and anything, and we always found our answer. I also had a handful of mums around me who were eager to help with advice or their own experiences, which made a huge difference. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE TO TELL OTHER NEW MUMS? Trust yourself. Trust that you know yourself better than anyone and you know your baby better than anyone. I’ve learnt in this past year that my instincts are spot on, and it serves me well to listen from the start. Allow the changes to happen. Flow with them, don’t push against them. It makes the experience so much more enjoyable . You’ll be surprised at how well you adapt and how truly strong you are. Watch Tabitha Nauser perform at the Mediacorp Let’s Celebrate 2025 countdown show on Dec 31, 2024, at OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub. Admission is free and activities start at 5pm. The countdown show is also live on mewatch , Mediacorp Entertainment on YouTube and Mediacorp TikTok from 10pm, and on Channel 5, from 11pm to 12.15am. CNA Women is a section on CNA Lifestyle that seeks to inform, empower and inspire the modern woman. If you have women-related news, issues and ideas to share with us, email CNAWomen [at] mediacorp.com.sg .
On Jimmy Carter’s Deep and Historic Connection With Musicians: Why He Is Remembered as the ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll President’
As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche.Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen fl oor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. "I had a stroke, and my life made a 180-degree turn," Lara said, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The stroke aff ected my left side of the body." Lara, an avid runner and gym-goer couldn't even walk. "It was hard," said the 50-year-old mom from North Miami and former high school math teacher. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved-nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke, with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood fl ow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System — the device implanted in Lara's chest — could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Lara underwent the procedure. How the device works The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara's occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body's nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor's ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. "Little by little, I'm noticing that my hand is getting stronger," Lara said in September. "I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand." Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivistim therapy program and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Going beyond the 'plateau' Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors usually can recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a "major plateau" after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, "when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone." The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years after their original stroke, according to Starke. "So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10 to 15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous," Starke said. More about the device Vivistim's vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas' Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression. For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. "Everything becomes a challenge, so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible," Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history. "Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue," the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is "covered by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis." Get local news delivered to your inbox!Albania's prime minister has announced the government intends to block access to TikTok for one year after the killing of a schoolboy last month raised fears about the influence of social media on children. Speaking on Saturday Edi Rama declared the proposed ban would start in January. TikTok said it is seeking urgent clarifications from the Albanian government about the proposed ban. The social media platform told the BBC it had found no evidence the person who allegedly stabbed the 14-year-old boy, or the victim himself, had TikTok accounts. During a meeting in Albania's capital Tirana with teachers, parents and psychologists Rama branded TikTok as "the thug of the neighbourhood". "We are going to close it for a year and we are going to start rolling out programs that will serve the education of students and help parents follow their children's journey," Rama said. The blocking of TikTok comes less than a month after the 14-year-old student was killed and another injured in a fight near a school in southern Tirana which had its roots in a confrontation on social media. The killing sparked a debate in Albania among parents, psychologists and educational institutions about the impact of social networks on young people. "In China, TikTok promotes how students can take courses, how to protect nature, how to keep traditions, but on the TikTok outside China we see only scum and mud. Why do we need this?", Rama said. TikTok is already banned in India, which was one of the app's largest markets before it was outlawed in June 2020. It is also blocked in Iran, Nepal, Afghanistan and Somalia. TikTok is also fighting against a law passed by the US Congress which would ban the app from 19 January unless it is sold by ByteDance - its Chinese parent company. T he US Supreme Court has agreed to hear last-minute legal arguments from TikTok as to why it should not be banned or sold with a hearing scheduled for 10 January - just days before the 19 January deadline imposed by Congress. The US government is taking action against the app because of what it says are its links to the Chinese state - links which TikTok and ByteDance have denied. Several European countries including France, Germany and Belgium have enforced restrictions on social media use for children. In November Australia passed the world's strictest measures by voting to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. That particular ban will take at least a year to implement. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC that a similar ban for under-16s is "on the table" but added that he wanted to see more evidence first.
College Basketball Picks Against the Spread: SWAC Games Today, December 30
Cruiser Bike Market Report: Comprehensive Overview of Development Trends, Market Drivers, Growth Opportunities, and Strategic Competitive Insights Through 2031 12-21-2024 01:15 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Coherent Market Insights Pvt Ltd Cruiser Bike The latest report titled ""Cruiser Bike Market: Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunities, and Forecast 2024-2031"" by Coherent Market Insights delivers a thorough analysis of the industry, encompassing market insights. It also covers competitor and regional analysis, along with recent advancements in the market. The report includes a detailed table of contents, figures, tables, and charts, offering in-depth analysis. The Cruiser Bike market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, driven by factors such as rising product demand, a growing customer base, and technological progress. This report provides an in-depth evaluation of the Cruiser Bike market, focusing on market size, trends, drivers, challenges, competitive landscape, and future growth potential. The report highlights the competitive landscape, market segmentation, geographical expansion, and the growth in revenue, production, and consumption within the Cruiser Bike market. It covers the market size, growth analysis, industry trends, and forecast, detailing the factors shaping the business outlook. Additionally, the report examines future products, joint ventures, marketing strategies, developments, mergers and acquisitions, as well as promotional activities. It also analyses revenue trends, import/export data, CAGR values, and provides an overview of the industry as a whole, along with the specific challenges posed by competitors. Buy Now to avail discount up to 45% @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/102418 Report Overview and Scope: This report focuses on the global Cruiser Bike market, with particular emphasis on key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. It segments the market based on manufacturers, regions, types, and applications. The report provides a thorough overview of the current market landscape, including both historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume. Additionally, it examines technological advancements and considers macroeconomic and regulatory factors that impact the market. Regional Analysis: ◘ North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) ◘ Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) ◘ Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South America) ◘ Middle East & Africa (GCC, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Key Highlights of This Report: Comprehensive Market Analysis: An in-depth exploration of manufacturing capabilities, production volumes, and technological advancements in the Cruiser Bike market. Corporate Overview: A thorough examination of company profiles, highlighting key players and their strategic moves in the competitive landscape. Consumption Insights: A detailed assessment of consumption trends, offering a look into current demand patterns and consumer preferences. Segmentation Overview: A complete breakdown of end-user segments, showcasing the market's distribution across different applications and industries. Pricing Analysis: An evaluation of pricing models and the factors influencing market pricing strategies. Future Projections: Predictive insights on market trends, growth opportunities, and potential challenges on the horizon. Reasons to Purchase this Report: Comprehensive competitive landscape, including market rankings of major players, recent product/service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions over the past five years. In-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market, covering both economic and non-economic factors. Detailed market value data for each segment and sub-segment. Identification of the region and segment expected to experience the fastest growth and lead the market. Geographic analysis, highlighting regional product/service consumption and the factors influencing market conditions in each area. Detailed company profiles, including overviews, insights, product comparisons, and SWOT analyses of key market players. Current and future market outlook, focusing on growth opportunities, key drivers, challenges, and constraints in both emerging and developed regions. Market dynamics and future growth opportunities in the coming years. Buy Now to avail discount up to 45% @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/102418 FAQ's: Which are the dominant players of the Cruiser Bike Market? What will be the size of the Cruiser Bike Market in the coming years? Which segment will lead the Cruiser Bike Market? How will the market development trends change in the next five years? What is the nature of the competitive landscape of the Cruiser Bike Market? What are the go-to strategies adopted in the Cruiser Bike Market? About Authors : Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement. 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States Phone: US +12524771362 / UK +442039578553 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com About Coherent Market Insights Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. This release was published on openPR.Denver (9-6) at Cincinnati (7-8) Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST, NFL Network BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals by 3. Against the spread: Broncos 11-4, Bengals 9-6. Series record: Broncos lead 22-11. Last meeting: Bengals beat Broncos 15-10 on Dec. 19, 2021, at Denver. Last week: Chargers beat Broncos 34-27; Bengals beat Browns 24-6. Broncos offense: overall (22), rush (19), pass (22), scoring (10). Broncos defense: overall (9), rush (5), pass (18), scoring (4). Bengals offense: overall (10), rush (29), pass (1), scoring (6). Bengals defense: overall (28), rush (21), pass (26), scoring (28). Turnover differential: Broncos plus-6, Bengals: plus-4. Broncos player to watch CB Riley Moss. The second-year pro is returning from a sprained MCL that sidelined him for a month. Denver’s defense wasn’t the same without Moss, who has 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception in his first season as a starter opposite Patrick Surtain. With him back, the Broncos could return to their favored man coverage after their zone coverage was exploited by the Browns, Colts and Chargers. Bengals player to watch QB Joe Burrow is having perhaps the best season of his career. He passed for 252 yards and three TDs last week against the Browns and is among the NFL leaders in most passing categories. Burrow has thrown at least three TD passes in each of his past seven games. Key matchup Bengals passing game against the Broncos secondary. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for 14 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns last Sunday. After Week 16, Chase led the NFL leaders in receptions, yards and touchdowns. The Broncos passing defense is ranked eighth in the NFL. Surtain has allowed 234 receiving yards this season, the fewest allowed by a cornerback in a season through 16 games since at least 2018. Key injuries The Broncos are as healthy as they've been all season. The only player who was limited at practice this week was RB Jaleel McLaughlin (thigh), but he was a full participant by Wednesday. Bengals: DE Sam Hubbard (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) are out for Saturday. WR Tee Higgins (ankle/knee), DT Amarius Mims (ankle) and S Geno Stone (illness) are questionable. TE Tanner Hudson (knee) is doubtful. Series notes The teams have traded wins in their past four meetings since 2016. ... The Broncos' longest win streak was eight from 1983 to 1998. ... The Bengals have managed to win two in a row in the series just twice in 1971 and '72; and 1975 and '76. The largest margin of victory was a 45-14 win by Denver in 1991. Stats and stuff Denver QB Bo Nix is three touchdown throws shy of becoming the fifth rookie in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns his rookie season. The others: Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert. ... WR Courtland Sutton needs 72 yards to reach 1,000 for just the second time in his career (2019). ... The Broncos have scored 166 points in their past five games, their most in a five-game span since 2014. ... Zach Allen's 26 quarterback hits are the most by an interior defensive lineman in the NFL this season. His 67 QB pressures are the second most by an interior DL, behind only the Chiefs' Chris Jones (74). ... Nik Bonitto has sacks in 10 games so far, two shy of the Broncos record held by Von Miller. ... Brandon Jones is the first Broncos safety since Hall of Famer Steve Atwater in 1995 to have 100 or more tackles and three or more interceptions in a season. ... Cincinnati's defense forced three turnovers and had five sacks in the win over Cleveland last week. ... Burrow was sacked four times by the Browns, but also passed for three touchdowns. ... Cincinnati has won its past three games to improve to 7-8 on the season and can get to .500 in the final home game of the season. ... All of the Bengals' seven wins have come against teams with losing records. ... Seven of Cincinnati's eight losses have been by one score. ... Bengals K Cade York is 4 of 5 on field goals since being promoted from the practice squad to replace the injured Evan McPherson. York was drafted by the Browns in 2022 ... Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has 13 1/2 sacks. Fantasy tip Bengals RB Chase Brown is poised for a breakout. Brown has 91 rushing yards in the win over Cleveland last week and 97 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee the previous week. The second-year player is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press
US stocks take a breather, Asian bourses rise in post-Christmas tradeClarksville, TN, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee Doug Keenum is making waves in Tennessee with a remarkable expansion journey. Since stepping into the world of Legit. Texas. Barbecue. in 2022, Keenum has transformed locations, opened a brand-new store, and taken on new opportunities with grit and determination. Doug began his barbecue journey by taking over the Madison Street location in Clarksville, TN, in August 2022. “The Madison location had a challenging reputation,” Keenum recalls. “We brought that one back to life, and now it’s getting great feedback from our guests.” Building on this success, Keenum opened a new Dickey’s location on Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville in July 2024, just a stone’s throw from the local military base. “This store has been an exciting addition,” says Keenum. “We’re working hard to introduce our brand to more of the Clarksville community and make this location a favorite among military families.” In August 2024, Keenum expanded again, taking over an existing location in Brentwood, TN, just outside Nashville. “This location is another opportunity to make a positive impact,” says Keenum. “We’re focused on improving operations and creating a welcoming environment for our guests.” Doug’s efforts exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Dickey’s franchisees. Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., praises his resilience and strategic growth. “Doug’s dedication to excellence and his ability to revitalize locations are truly inspiring,” she says. “He’s a tremendous asset to the Dickey’s family, and his success showcases the power of hard work and community focus.” Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, echoes these sentiments. “Doug has embraced the life of franchise ownership,” Roland says. “His growth in Tennessee reflects the strength of the Dickey’s brand and the entrepreneurial vision that drives it forward.” Doug’s three Tennessee locations are part of his mission to bring Legit. Texas. Barbecue. to more communities. With a focus on quality, hospitality, and community engagement, Keenum continues to expand and enhance the Dickey’s experience for families across the state. About Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Founded in 1941 by The Dickey Family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world’s largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For over 80 years, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.TM Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey’s barbecued meats are paired with a variety of southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey’s never takes shortcuts—because real barbecue can’t be rushed. With over 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey’s Barbecue Franchise and Dickey’s Restaurant Brands continues to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey, Jr ., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Inc. Dickey’s has been recognized on Newsweek’s 2022 "America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation’s Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology’s Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine . For more information, visit www.dickeys.com . For information about becoming a franchise partner, visit www.dickeysfranchise.com Attachment Doug Keenum and TeamATLANTA — Fulton County prosecutors didn’t even take a weekend after the conclusion of the longest trial in Georgia history before they started gearing up for a second trial in the gang and racketeering “Young Slime Life” case. Prosecutors said in a filing on Friday they are planning to take the remaining five defendants in the case to a jury in February. The request for a trial comes days after a jury rendered a verdict of not guilty on the most serious charges for the two defendants left standing in the first trial in the sprawling case on Tuesday. Prosecutors dropped charges against six other defendants on Wednesday. The judge had asked the parties to work out plea negotiations by Dec. 17. In a motion on Friday requesting the trial, Chief Deputy District Attorney Adam Abbate said prosecutors intend to go to trial against Christian Eppinger, Miles Farley, Damekion Garlington, Demise McMullen and Tenquarius Mender. The DA’s office is asking Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to set trial proceedings to commence on Feb. 24. “This request is made to ensure adequate time for the resolution of any outstanding motions that may be filed by the five remaining defendants, as well as to facilitate the coordination of witness appearances and transportation,” prosecutors said. Unlike the previous trial, which involved Atlanta rapper Young Thug and five other alleged associates and became the longest trial in Georgia’s history, prosecutors expect this next trial to last around three months. In the first YSL trial, prosecutors called more than 175 witnesses and spent more than a year presenting evidence. Jury selection began January 2023, lasting 10 months and included some of the remaining defendants before they were removed from the case. Eppinger is facing 14 charges, including violating the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, armed robbery and attempted murder. He is accused of shooting an Atlanta police officer in February 2022 while on probation. He was granted bond on that case but never released. He was severed from the original case after it was revealed he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a courtroom deputy . Officials alleged Eppinger was using his attorney’s laptop to message the deputy on social media. The attorney’s laptop was seized as a result and Eppinger was removed from the case. Farley, who is the alleged creator of the “Make America Slime Again” clothing line, has been on house arrest while awaiting trial after he was granted bond at $625,000 . He remains the only defendant indicted in the case that received a bond. He faces five charges including RICO and murder in the 2022 death of Shymel Drinks. Farley was removed from the case after his attorney, Anastasios Manettas, was arrested in April 2022 after he allegedly entered the courtroom with some of his prescription medication . Manettas said his client is innocent and prepared to go to trial. Similar to Farley, Garlington faces murder charges in relation to the Drinks’ murder . Shannon Stillwell was acquitted of Drinks’ murder on Tuesday, while Quamarvious Nichols had his murder charge dropped after taking a plea deal in October. Garlington and Eppinger are also charged with the stabbing of Rashawn “YFN Lucci” Bennett, a rapper and alleged rival gang member, inside the Fulton County Jail. McMullen remains the lone defendant still charged in the 2015 murder of Donovan Thomas Jr. after Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick were acquitted and prosecutors said they would drop charges against Justin Cobb and Javaris Bradford. Garlington and McMullen were removed from the case in December 2022 because they didn’t yet have attorneys. Mender, who faces RICO and gang charges, rejected a plea deal in December 2022 but was later severed from the case because his attorney, Nicole Fegan, was pregnant , which raised issues related to the unknown timetable for jury selection. Whitaker, who was the third judge to oversee the first YSL trial before its verdict, is expected to preside over the trial against the remaining five defendants. ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . 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Southern Miss secures 68-66 victory against MarshallIt was a smart move by the U.S. president-elect to invite Xi to his inauguration in January (the Chinese leader reportedly turned it down), but future attempts need to be more than just empty gestures to make a real difference. A face-to-face meeting, sooner rather than later, is essential to set the tone of the bilateral relationship over the next four years. The alternative is continued misunderstanding, which in the worst-case scenario could lead to actual conflict. During Trump’s first term, he regularly talked up his warm ties with Xi, going so far as to say the two leaders “love each other.” Still, that didn’t stop the then-U.S. president from imposing harsh trade tariffs on Beijing, the start of a prominent shift in U.S.-China relations that solidified during the Biden administration. Next year looks to be another challenging one for Xi. China is facing a continued loss of investor confidence, a deepening real estate crisis, ballooning local government debt, a volatile stock market, deflationary pressures and increasing popular discontent. Improving relations with the U.S. could go a long way toward lifting sentiment at home. To do that, Xi will have to find some common ground with Trump. That won’t be easy. During his campaign, Trump floated revoking Beijing’s most-favored-nation status. He also said he would slap tariffs of as much as 60% on all imports from China. Bloomberg Economics says this would manifest itself in three waves of tariff hikes, starting in summer 2025, with levies on China ultimately tripling by the end of 2026. Further analysis indicates China could say goodbye to 83% of its sales to the U.S., a huge pressure on exports, which are already suffering. A Trump presidency is forcing China to change economic policy. Last week’s annual economic work conference made “boosting consumption” China’s top priority, with measures such as increasing government-sponsored pension and medical-insurance payments. Trump is using tariffs as leverage. He has a potential Cabinet lined up with China hawks who could revive hard-line trade policies. The Chinese leader is well aware of the impending threats. So after Trump’s election, he reached out with a congratulatory message stating that “both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.” But this relationship has to work on Beijing’s terms, too. Xi’s boundaries are clear. He emphasized last month the “four red lines” Washington should not cross: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, the Chinese political system and Beijing’s right to development. The declaration was a warning to the Trump administration that breaching them could further heighten tensions. Some form of formal communication channels should be established before any further tariffs are imposed by Washington, to prevent a cycle of retaliation from Beijing. If that doesn’t happen, it will take months or even longer to get both sides back to the negotiating table. A potential template exists for talks: The strategic channel between National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Foreign Minister Wang Yi that has helped stabilize relations since 2022. The countries came together by signing an agreement extending scientific cooperation for another five years. It allows for science and tech cooperation but minimizes the risk to national security, and it keeps the development of critical and emerging technologies off-limits to Beijing. On China’s side, rebuilding relations will depend on its perception of Trump’s national-security team and whether back channels can aid future negotiations. The new Washington administration could adopt a more transactional approach that could leave Taiwan’s security as a bargaining chip. China’s recent naval exercises around the Taiwan Strait were among Beijing’s largest in 30 years, according to Taiwanese officials, a reminder that China sees the self-ruled island as its own and it wants the U.S. to stay out of its way. The most we can hope for is a renewed cordiality between Trump and Xi. The nature of the U.S.-China relationship will be defined by strategic competition. Preventing further deterioration is crucial.
After a few months off, Cameron Young was pleasantly surprised to come out to the Bahamas and shoot an 8-under-par 64 at Albany Golf Club for the first-round lead on Thursday at the Hero World Challenge. A field of 20 players is in Albany for the exclusive exhibition event hosted by Tiger Woods. Young has a two-shot lead on Justin Thomas after Day 1. “Yeah, kind of (surprised). I didn’t play great (Wednesday),” Young said. “You always feel like you can shoot a number like that, but I really felt very well in control, which isn’t necessarily surprising but it’s a nice thing to come out and just feel like yourself. “Yeah, really happy with it. I feel like with the driver I was just really comfortable and that’s a huge key out here.” Young spread eight birdies across his card without recording a bogey. His 21-foot birdie putt at the par-3 second hole set the tone for his round, and his last birdie was a 14 1/2-footer at another par-3, the 17th. “I’m sure I missed a fairway or two, but for the most part I was really well in position,” Young said. “Then I made a couple putts early, which was nice. Just kind of got off to a nice start with the putter. There’s a bunch of par 5s and a couple drivable holes, so I feel that if you’re on top of it, especially off the tee, you can make a bunch of birdies.” Young, 27, is one of the highest-ranked players in the world who’s yet to win on the PGA Tour. If he were to win the Hero, it would not count as an official tour victory nor gain him any FedEx Cup points, but Official World Golf Ranking points are on offer this week. Thomas shot a blazing 6-under 30 on the back nine after posting one bogey and one birdie through nine holes. He rolled in four birdies in a row at Nos 14-17. “It was nice to make that birdie on 7,” Thomas said, “and had good chances there on 8 and 9, but then once 10, 11 happened I felt like I got in a nice rhythm there on the back nine.” Tied for third at 5-under 67 are World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala. Scheffler, the defending champion, made a change to his putting grip and rolled in six birdies with one bogey on Thursday. “You know, this year I had thought about it from time to time and it was something that we had just said, ‘Let’s table that for the end of the season, take a look at it,’” Scheffler said. “Took a look at it this offseason and figured this is a good week to try stuff just because you can practice and practice and do all the stuff at home, but there’s just something different about being in competition. I really enjoyed the way it felt, I felt like I’m seeing some improvements in my stroke.” Related Story Qatar celebrates World Soil Day QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and TechnologyNone
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