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Oklahoma football: Run game vs. Alabama gets LSU's attentionArsenal make Mikel Arteta proud after smashing Sporting LisbonIs vinyl on the decline? Lately, I have seen a lot of videos on YouTube with people talking about this. Sure there are some valid observations, but there are a lot of wrong assumptions. First of all, the return of vinyl is not a fad. Fads last from a few weeks to a few months such as the Macarena, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Game Boy to name but a few. Trends last longer and are measured over seasons, years, or even decades such as the selfie movement and social media – once more to name but a very few. Many people casually throw about these terms without even understanding what it means. It is like saying an album is a record. Wrong, it is not. Vinyl has grown in popularity and sales from 2007 to this day. That alone does not equate its return as a fad. Everything in this world had a shelf life from lifespan to empires to even the food inside your refrigerator. Is there a point to the postulate of declining sales? Let’s take a look. Baby Boomers/GenXers got what they wanted For the Baby Boomers and Generation X who returned to the physical format, some preferred to get old or second hand records, some opted for new pressings and or remastered ones, while others got a combination of both. The millennials and Gen Z got into it as well. Now for the aforementioned first two generations, many of them have gotten back what they wanted or got titles for the first time in their life. And not many need any more. There aren’t many Gen Xers who explore beyond the 80s and the 90s. The people of these generations are enjoying their years by revisiting the past, but also have other things to think about and at a certain age, you stop buying things that you do not need. You’ll keep some to pass down to your kids, but if you look at old-time collectors, they let them go. Those Damned Soaring Prices And in the last eight years, prices – let me talk about the Philippine market – have soared. Eight years ago, you could buy a record of a second hand copy of Duran Duran for P450-500. Now, it’s more like P750 upwards. In this shop in Greenhills a seven-inch record of the Stray Cats’ “She’s Sexy and 17” sells for P300, but in this shop in Ali Mall (of all places), it is priced at P1200. Very unrealistic. Who is going to buy that? Eight years ago, many new records were priced around P1,500-1,700. With the rise in costs, taxes, and other factors, a copy of the Cure’s new album Songs from A Lost World sells for almost P3,000 despite it being a single record? You have to be an absolute fan of the band or you must make a lot of money to buy an overpriced product. By saying sales are declining, are these retailers referring to brand new records or second hand or both? To compound matters, shipping rates, especially for international sales, have gone up. I have had buyers from Japan not push through because the courier rates are absurd. They cost even more than the record itself. The Secondary Market Remains a Viable Option There is a reason why second hand records remain a viable collection for enthusiasts. Some remain in great shape despite being several decades old plus, they are considered “OG” copies. Plus, it’s cheaper. Not everyone is an audiophile who must have the best sounding system and records that give off an optimum sound quality. When we were kids, it didn’t matter if we had these suitcase turntables with needles that eventually shredded the records. We just wanted to listen to them. It is when we got older that we took better care of the records and wanted better sound systems. However, the second-hand records for sale here are mostly terrible in their selection. It’s the same for many – 1970s-80s records. Yes, there are millions of them floating around, and second hand 90s titles are more expensive, hence fewer copies available. I mean, you see OG Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, they go pretty quick. By the same token, if you go to Japan, Europe, or North America, you will find lots of them. Personally, I prefer digging in Singapore or Hong Kong here in Southeast Asia. You have much better selections. Too much product and gimmicks How many copies of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend can you buy – there’s the regular edition, the remastered, there’s the half-speed, there’s the colored vinyl, the 75 th Anniversary edition, and the picture disc. Oh, there’s the Japanese version with the obi strip (that I personally think is overrated). How many Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band records can you get – the standard version, the mono version, the picture disc, the remastered, the Giles Martin version etcetera etcetera etcetera. Yes, the die-hard Marley and Beatles collectors will lap it up. But not everyone. You have the Walmart edition, the Barnes & Noble edition and what have you. And there’s the Record Store Day release. In the last few years, I have grown disenchanted with this. It has become nothing more than a gimmick now. For example, the soundtrack of the movie The Crow was never released on vinyl until 2019 as a RSD exclusive. I paid a good amount for that one. To my chagrin, it was released next year without the RSD hype sticker but with different colored label text. That is my fault for thinking that a major release like The Crow would not get mass produced. Since then, I scaled down on these RSD releases where only the colored and the sticker are the only difference. I forgot that I bought records for the music and the packaging and not the color or edition. I am not alone in that thinking. You will see many on YouTube angrily decrying this sales gimmick. There are more sellers today In Metro Manila alone, there are about 50 physical stores that sell records. That isn’t counting the online sellers. In Cubao there are five. That is the most since 1995 when there were 20. Of course, 20 is a far cry from five, but still.... For such a small area and a small market. Many stores offer the same product. It boils down to marketing, social media presence, proximity, and price. There’s this store in Cubao that sold Echosmith’s “Cool Kids” EP back in 2014 for almost P2,000. It was so darn expensive, especially it was 10 years ago with a wholly different price scheme. Of their stock of about five copies, they sold one. And to this day, the other four are still there and with the same price. Talk about being unrealistic and in touch with the times. Yes, variety and number allow more people to get the product rather than a few stores hoarding them. But remember, not everyone purchases here in the Philippines. Many buy abroad or order from abroad where it is often cheaper. There are some sellers whose product line is vastly different from the majority. While niche as they aren’t mainstream, they are still around to this day and thrive too. Many still cannot afford proper turntables and sound systems. I know a bunch of music fans who buy records in spite of not having a turntable. They purchase records they really like and know that it will be sold out soon. But there is no impetus for them to get other titles as they reason – ironically enough – that they do not have a player just yet, and that they think the product will be on the shelf forever. Hard times call for desperate measures I know of four friends who are in varying stages of dispatching their collections. One lost his job and had to let go of almost everything. Another moved homes and needed the money. Another sold his collection because of medical bills. While another, got sick and tired of the rising costs and stopped. While the growth and sales of vinyl has been on an upsurge since 2007, so have prices not just of records, but basic commodities. The world is still reeling from the effects of Covid-19 as well as the wars in Ukraine, Palestine, and Lebanon. When I began working in 1990, my minimum wage salary afforded me to pay the rent, my upkeep, transportation allowances, and at least a record every payday. And I still had a bit of savings. Today, it is really disposable income if you have this vinyl habit. I have greatly slowed down in the last two years. For one, I got back the records I lost to my mom, throwing them out when I was abroad, to Ondoy, and a fire that hit my place. I have gotten them back and then some. In fact, I am looking to scale down and make my collection leaner. At the end of the day, the music industry is thriving to a certain degree. If sales have slowed down, it isn’t even a trend just yet. It could be an aberration. Now, if it drops for several years running, then it is a trend even if it surely isn’t a fad. With all these factors possibly contributing to slower sales, one can always say, if you cannot afford it then do not buy. You just answered the question. Image credits: Elviss Railijs Bitāns/Pexels
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The opinion editor at Germany’s leading newspaper Die Welt has resigned over the decision to publish an op-ed by Elon Musk, in which he defended the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “I have always enjoyed running the opinion pages of Welt and Welt am Sonntag. Today, an article written by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday, after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote on X. The billionaire owner of SpeceX, Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) wrote the article after praising AfD on social media. In his op-ed, the major ally of US President-elect Donald Trump hailed AfD as “the last spark of hope” for Germany. The billionaire insisted that its “pragmatic” approach will usher in a revival of the country, while arguing that other parties are out of touch with regular people. “The traditional parties have failed Germany. Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest and an erosion of national identity,” Musk wrote. “Despite being far-right, AfD represents political realism that resonates with many Germans who feel that their concerns are being ignored by the establishment.” Musk further defended the AfD, stating that “their portrayal as far-right is clearly false.” According to German media, the publication of the op-ed sparked intense debates among the staff at Die Welt, with some viewing it as meddling in the snap parliamentary election, which is scheduled for February 2025. Jan Philipp Burgard, Die Welt’s senior reporter, penned a rebuttal to Musk, calling his praise of AfD “fatally flawed” and arguing that it was “a big mistake” not to label the party as far-right. Another Die Welt journalist, Franziska Zimmerer, insisted in her own op-ed that the text written by Musk “should not have appeared” in the paper. “Election appeals, no matter the party, have no place in independent media,” she wrote. Founded in 2013, AfD has been pushing for the tightening of asylum laws and fighting organized crime and Islamic extremism. The party has become more popular in recent years, winning its first regional election in Thuringia in September. The 2025 election was called after the ruling three-party coalition collapsed due to the conflict over budget.Faraday Future director Chad Chen sells $23,550 in stock
EXCLUSIVE High Street retailers closed up shop on Boxing Day due to fears of spiralling staff costs, expert claims By CALUM MUIRHEAD Published: 22:41, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 22:54, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments Spiralling staff costs for High Street retailers, compounded by fears over Rachel Reeves ’ Budget , pushed many to keep their shops closed on Boxing Day, it was claimed last night. More than 7,500 shops remained shut on Thursday, with Next and Marks & Spencer claiming it was to allow staff more time with their loved ones over the festive season. But insolvency expert Julie Palmer said many retailers may have had a less empathetic motive – to cut down on wage bills as staff can often earn up to triple pay for working on bank holidays. Ms Palmer, a partner in restructuring firm Begbies Traynor, said staffing costs were ‘breaking the back’ of some shops, adding: ‘Do they want to spend extra getting those staff in when they’re not sure what footfall is going to be like?’ She said some retailers may have used the idea of an extended Christmas break for their workers to put a ‘positive spin’ on what was essentially a cost-cutting measure. Her comments come as Begbies Traynor revealed data showing that the number of UK retailers in ‘critical financial distress’ hit 2,124 in the final three months of the year – a 25 per cent increase on the previous three-month period. It follows a bleak festive season for the High Street as demand dropped sharply in the run-up to Christmas as well as Boxing Day. Some retailers have been pushed to the brink as consumers tightened their belts due to the cost of living crisis. To make matters worse, productivity plummeted as workers took longer breaks due to the timing of Christmas. High Street giants closed on Boxing Day to cut down on wage bills, an expert has said. Pictured: Shoppers on Regent Street for the Boxing Day sales Marks & Spencer kept stores closed on December 26, claiming it was to allow staff more time with their loved ones over the festive season (Stock image) Many offices closed on Friday, December 20, and will not reopen until January 6, as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all fall in the middle of the week. Ms Palmer said the signs were ‘not looking good’ after the sluggish Christmas trading left many firms facing collapse at the start of the new year. She added: ‘The first three months of 2025 could be one of the most dangerous quarters for retailers in recent years.’ Last week, data from Rendle Intelligence and Insights revealed the number of shoppers hitting the High Street in the final week before Christmas was 11 per cent lower than last year. Even ‘Super Saturday’, the final Saturday before Christmas Day, saw only a disappointing 0.9 per cent rise in shopper numbers compared to 2023. Boxing Day, when people traditionally search for post-Christmas bargains, also seems to have failed to provide a much-needed uplift, with many leading chains closing their doors – as they have done in the four years since the pandemic. Shopping activity on the morning of December 26 was down by nearly 9 per cent on last year, with high streets experiencing the sharpest declines, according to data from MRI Software. Analysts noted that rather than queuing up outside shops to hunt for bargains, many were using Boxing Day to spend time with family, dine out or attend sports matches. Boxing Day, when people traditionally search for post-Christmas bargains, also seems to have failed to provide a much-needed uplift, with shopping activity down by nearly nine per cent on last year. Shoppers pictured on Oxford Street on Boxing Day It comes as businesses brace themselves for the National Insurance and minimum wage hikes unveiled by Ms Reeves in October. The Chancellor’s tax increases are predicted to push many small and medium-sized firms into insolvency when they come into force in April. Changes to workers’ rights, including a clampdown on zero-hours contracts – jobs that do not offer guaranteed working hours for employees – are also expected to increase costs for businesses. Retailers have been among those most fiercely opposed to the measures, with major supermarkets and retail giants such as Amazon warning that the tax hikes will lead to store closures and job losses. Ms Palmer said the Budget measures were seen as ‘unnecessarily punitive and harsh’, with many firms deciding to close rather than suffer ‘death by 1,000 cuts’. She added: ‘Many businesses feel like they are wading through treacle. It’s been made increasingly impossible to be a small business owner at the moment.’ Official figures revealed the economy shrank in October amid anxiety over the Budget. The Confederation of British Industry has warned of a ‘steep decline in activity’ at the start of next year. Marks and Spencer Share or comment on this article: High Street retailers closed up shop on Boxing Day due to fears of spiralling staff costs, expert claims e-mail Add commentThe opinion editor at Germany’s leading newspaper Die Welt has resigned over the decision to publish an op-ed by Elon Musk, in which he defended the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “I have always enjoyed running the opinion pages of Welt and Welt am Sonntag. Today, an article written by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday, after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote on X. The billionaire owner of SpeceX, Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) wrote the article after praising AfD on social media. In his op-ed, the major ally of US President-elect Donald Trump hailed AfD as “the last spark of hope” for Germany. The billionaire insisted that its “pragmatic” approach will usher in a revival of the country, while arguing that other parties are out of touch with regular people. “The traditional parties have failed Germany. Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest and an erosion of national identity,” Musk wrote. “Despite being far-right, AfD represents political realism that resonates with many Germans who feel that their concerns are being ignored by the establishment.” Musk further defended the AfD, stating that “their portrayal as far-right is clearly false.” According to German media, the publication of the op-ed sparked intense debates among the staff at Die Welt, with some viewing it as meddling in the snap parliamentary election, which is scheduled for February 2025. Jan Philipp Burgard, Die Welt’s senior reporter, penned a rebuttal to Musk, calling his praise of AfD “fatally flawed” and arguing that it was “a big mistake” not to label the party as far-right. Another Die Welt journalist, Franziska Zimmerer, insisted in her own op-ed that the text written by Musk “should not have appeared” in the paper. “Election appeals, no matter the party, have no place in independent media,” she wrote. Founded in 2013, AfD has been pushing for the tightening of asylum laws and fighting organized crime and Islamic extremism. The party has become more popular in recent years, winning its first regional election in Thuringia in September. The 2025 election was called after the ruling three-party coalition collapsed due to the conflict over budget.
Randy Boissonnault, whose shifting claims to Indigenous identity cost him his job as employment minister, told a House of Commons committee today that he is not Indigenous. Boissonnault was called to testify at the Indigenous and northern affairs committee after a series of media reports, led by the National Post, raised doubts about his past claims related to his heritage. The Edmonton MP has been described as Indigenous multiple times in communications from the Liberal Party, has referred to himself as "non-status adopted Cree" and has said his great-grandmother was a "full-blooded Cree woman." He has since clarified that his adoptive mother and brother are Metis, and he apologized for his shifting claims. Boissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritage Boissonnault apologizes for shifting statements about family's Indigeneity At the committee this morning, Boissonnault said he came up with the term "non-status adopted Cree" after a conversation with an Indigenous researcher and that he was trying to convey his family's heritage. NDP MP Lori Idlout, who is Inuk, pressed him on which Cree nation his family belonged to. Boissonnault had no answer. "I grew up understanding that my family was Cree, and I didn't question my family about which nation," he said, adding that his great-grandmother "married a settler and so there was no First Nation that she was connected to." Idlout later asked what he was doing to correct the mistakes about his identity. "I would be happy to meet with you separately to get your advice on what you think I should do," Boissonnault said, as Idlout replied "No, no." "I have not stated that I'm Indigenous, I've not ever stated that I seek Indigenous status so I haven't taken any step," he said. Idlout cut him off, saying in Inuktitut that "Pretendianism is not only harmful, it is fraud." WATCH | Boissonnault leaves cabinet after uproar over Indigenous heritage claims Boissonnault leaves cabinet after uproar over Indigenous heritage claims 15 days ago Duration 4:18 Alberta MP and now former employment minister Randy Boissonnault has stepped away from the Liberal cabinet after days of criticism over his shifting Indigenous ancestry claims. Boissonnault told the committee he has been speaking with Indigenous leaders and elders and seeking advice on how to make amends. He said the phrase "non-status adopted Cree" was something he came up with because there was no term that described his situation. He said he was sorry that it was "not as clear as it could have been." He also said he felt the committee's work in "unpacking the nexus of identity, heritage and status" is important. Bloc Quebecois MP Nathalie Sinclair Desgagne asked why Boissonnault used to begin some of his speeches in the Cree language, and whether that amounted to cultural appropriation. He defended that practice, saying in French that he wanted to be an ally of Indigenous Peoples, that some Indigenous people told him he was "talented in languages" and that it was important for him to add Cree to his speeches. It is not uncommon for politicians to include words in Indigenous languages in addresses to Indigenous communities. Newly released texts raise fresh questions about Randy Boissonnault's business dealings Boissonnault cleared in preliminary ethics probe of his business dealings Conservatives call for 'other Randy' to testify as minister's business dealings face ethics probe The National Post also reported that a company he co-founded when he was not an MP had described itself as wholly Indigenous-owned in order to apply for government contracts set aside for Indigenous businesses. It was not successful in those bids. Boissonnault said Thursday he was "glad the current safeguards worked correctly." He also said his former business partner and the company's other co-founder, Stephen Anderson, used his name without his consent and "conducted himself unethically." Boissonnault insists he has not been involved in the business since he was re-elected in 2021 and said he has sought legal advice on the matter. Conservative MP Michael Cooper asked why he hadn't sued Anderson already. Boissonnault said he has started the process to begin legal action and it was one of the reasons he resigned from cabinet. The pair's business dealings and the company they founded, Global Health Imports, have been the subject of two ethics committee probes. The Conservatives have accused Anderson of lying to committee and want to call him before the bar in the House of Commons for a formal reprimand. That authority has only been used twice since 1913.The rise of political movements inspired by the recently concluded American and Ghanaian elections offers a glimmer of hope for the opposition, ISMAEEL UTHMAN writes In the wake of the American and Ghanaian presidential elections, several political movements have emerged in Nigeria, each aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. In both the United States and Ghana, the opposition defeated the ruling parties in landslide victories. In the US, former President Donald Trump of the Republican Party defeated Kamala Harris, the incumbent Vice President and candidate of the Democratic Party, in the November 5 election. Similarly, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, lost to the National Democratic Congress’s candidate, John Mahama, in the December 7, 2024 elections. Following Trump’s election, opposition parties expressed hope that they could replicate the US and Ghanaian political trajectories in Nigeria. The outcome of the Ghanaian election has injected a renewed sense of optimism among opposition parties, as they step up their political games towards significant political realignment. On November 26, it was reported that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had concluded plans to form a new political party or adopting an existing one to form a coalition ahead of 2027. After the report, Obi and Atiku met again in Adamawa, Yola State, on November 30, but the two camps of the political leaders denied having discussions for a joint ticket ahead of the 2027 election. However, Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, later revealed that the two political leaders had been engaging in discussions to form a united front against the APC. Ibe, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on December 10, said, “The truth of the matter is that Atiku Abubakar has promoted opposition parties to work together, to come together; that is the only way they can kick out this incompetent and clueless government. And I believe that discussions have been going on.” This was as the Peoples Redemption Party and African Democratic Congress confirmed that they had initiated discussions with each other on a potential merger ahead of the elections. Similarly, some parties under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties and the Social Democratic Party had also expressed readiness for talks of a possible alliance, saying the country needed more than just a coalition of only Atiku and Obi. Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last Saturday, hosted former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to Kwankwaso, the discussions centred on “significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria.” A former Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman, in an open letter titled, ‘Satanic Leadership and Nigeria’s Boiling Point,’ on Monday, called on Obasanjo to lead efforts to unify opposition parties to challenge Tinubu in 2027. Lukman warned that disunity within opposition parties would make it easier for President Tinubu to secure a second term. He called on Obasanjo, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida(retd), Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar(retd), Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari to lead efforts to rally opposition parties. While the rise of these political movements brings hope, it also presents significant challenges. The political landscape in Nigeria is complex. In Nigeria’s recent political history, only once has an opposition party defeated a ruling party. In 2015, Buhari of the APC defeated Jonathan of the PDP. Buhari had contested and lost three presidential elections before his party, Congress of Progressives Change, the Action Congress of Nigeria, and a faction of the PDP (new PDP) merged in 2013 to form the APC. The merger provided a bigger platform to achieve his presidential ambition in 2015 and for his re-election in 2019. If the coalition of major opposition leaders works out (like that of the APC in 2013), it will pose a serious challenge to President Tinubu, who won his first election with a 1.8 million vote margin. In the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 (36.61%) to defeat the runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who secured 6,984,520 (29.07%). Obi, the LP candidate, had 6,101,533 votes (25.40%) while Kwankwaso, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, polled 1,496,687 (6.40%). Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso’s votes totalled 14,582,740. Beyond the coalition of these individuals, many analysts believe that President Tinubu would face the challenge of convincing people for his re-election because of his economic crisis, which the opposition has already capitalised on to discredit his government. Analysts argue that a similar scenario won the election for Ghana’s opposition leader, John Mahama, as the country’s economy plummeted, went through a debt crisis, default, and currency devaluation. Analysing why the opposition won the Ghanaian election, the Guardian Weekly, an international news magazine based in London, said, “Economic hardship was a major factor: at one point, inflation was as high as 50% and the cedi plummeted to historic lows while the number of taxes increased. A banking sector purge that was hailed by economists but led to thousands of job losses also angered voters, as did a bloated government in which several relatives of the president and ruling party members served.” Currently, Nigeria’s inflation is at 34.6 per cent while the country’s debt stands at N134.3tn. The rise in inflation is largely driven by food price increases, which continue to place a strain on Nigerian households. Commenting, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, expressed optimism that there would be a replica of the US and Ghanaian elections in Nigeria, considering the similarities in the two countries’ economies. But Ologunagba said the replica could only be achieved if the Independent National Electoral Commission allowed elections to be free and fair and respected the people’s will. He said, “You will see the replica if INEC allows the election to be free and fair. The American and Ghanaian elections reflect the will of the people, and you have independent electoral bodies that are willing to respect that will. “The challenge of elections in Nigeria is not just the people. Yes, the APC has promoted poverty as an act of governance that has impaired the capacity to make rational decisions. But beyond that, even when the people make a decision and vote, INEC does not allow the people’s will to prevail as expressed in the ballot. “INEC has been the major challenge for the electoral process, and so the issue of the opposition party winning will be a mirage, except INEC is informed, and INEC leadership is certain that it allows the will of the people to prevail. But there is a snag here, and that is a caution for the country.” He warned of grievous consequences if the will of the people was not allowed to prevail. “When you don’t allow the will of the people to prevail, the consequences for democracy can be grave,” Ologunagba stated. Related News 2027: APC, opposition differ on calls to end defections APC chieftain urges Bago to pull out of AEDC APC denies internal rumblings after Obasa’s 2027 gov comments as opposition watches closely The PDP spokesperson said the Ghanaian election gave hope to the Nigerian opposition for the 2027 presidential election. “The Ghanaians were angry because of the ill-advised policies of the government in that country, and the people expressed it. “In Nigeria, you can feel the economic hardship. You know that the twin policy of irresponsible floating of the naira, and withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products without any cushioning effect, is what brought us to this level. “So, when you have a government that does not respect the will of the people, and how the welfare of the people matters under the constitution, what happened in Ghana is the consequence of such behaviour.” Similarly, the NNPP also stated that the Ghanaian election had increased the opposition’s hope of winning the 2027 presidential election. “The Ghanaian election has given us confidence as opposition parties that we just have to keep working,” said the spokesman for the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson. However, Johnson maintained that for Nigeria to have a replica of the Ghanaian election, the institutions must allow the will of the people to prevail. He said, “The Ghanaian election has increased our hope. We hope that Nigerians, especially those in authority, like INEC, the police, and others see that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail. That is the key to it. “We need stronger institutions in Nigeria. Our institutions are weak. A lot of the people in our institutions wrongly feel that they owe a sense of duty to either the president or the governor or local government chairman or whoever appointed them. Meanwhile, their duty is to the constitution and to the commonwealth and the well-being of the people of Nigeria. “The moment public servants start to feel that they owe a duty to an individual, then democracy is gradually being eroded. Once we get to that stage, once there is reasonably a level playing ground, then the will of the people will come through.” Johnson said the opposition parties were hopeful that the wind of change in Ghana would extend to Nigeria. “When you see the system of one of your neighbouring countries improving, you always hope that the wind of improvement and positive change will blow your way. Things tend to influence each other, and that was why when there was a coup in Niger, a lot of people were panicking in Nigeria, because we all know that at times, the wind blows from area to area, country to country. “The Ghanaian election has given us confidence as opposition parties that we just have to keep working. We just have to keep talking to Nigerians and make them understand that when someone is giving you palliatives, it means that the government is not working properly,” he added. Johnson said the NNPP was open to coalition because the party believed in good governance and it wanted the best for Nigeria. “If we need to enter into a partnership, into a coalition, into a merger, to bring about a government that will help move this country forward, salvage this country, and move it forward, then so be it,” he stated. But the APC said it was not frightened by the political movements of the opposition figures, describing the participants as enemies of the country. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare, said there was no serious opposition currently in Nigeria that could threaten President Tinubu’s re-election. “They have every right to be optimistic, but the fact is that winning an election goes beyond mere wishes. They need to work for it. As it stands now, we do not even have any opposition at the federal level. My fear is that we may not even have anything called PDP or Labour Party in 2027,” said Sadare. According to him, discerning minds would support Tinubu in 2027 because of his performance and pedigree. “President Bola Tinubu is not resting on his oars; he is performing, and the 2027 election will be determined on account of pedigree and performance. When we move closer to 2027, every discerning mind in Nigeria will queue behind the president. So, in APC, we don’t have any cause to panic. “Why should we be frightened by the opposition’s political movements or realignments? They are a bunch of clowns. They just want to remain in the heart of the media. These are known enemies of the country. You talk about a former president or his co-travellers. So, we are not bothered. They can afford to meet on an hourly basis. It is none of our business.” Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, Seye Oladejo, described the political movements and optimism of the opposition parties as wishful thinking that would not materialise. Oladejo said those involved in political realignment were those who had failed the country at one time or the other. He stated the political and economic situations of the US and Ghana were not the same as Nigeria’s, promising that whatever seemed to be hardship now in Nigeria would no longer be in place in 2027. The Lagos APC spokesperson said, “The opposition has been busy daydreaming in recent times, and for reasons that are known to them, they are drooling over the results of the election in Ghana and the US. One could wonder if they have been able to situate those results properly. But the truth of the matter is the situations in Ghana and the US are not exactly the same as Nigeria’s. “The only thing that would be comparable would be that Nigerians will vote for good governance, being put across by APC at different levels in 2027. There is nothing in the camp of the so-called opposition parties to elicit the confidence of Nigerians to entrust them with the mantle of leadership. They are daydreaming. “I can assure you that before 2027, a lot of things that have been put in place in terms of the reforms would have started yielding fruits. The ruling APC government means well for all.”
This is the first in a two-part series about the tariffs likely to be levied on China during Donald Trump’s second term as US president. This part examines the state of trade and taxation from the Americans’ point of view, while part two explores China’s side of the story. When Robert Lighthizer speaks of his early life – spent in a once-thriving industrial town deep in the American rust belt – the long-time Donald Trump ally makes it clear his commitment to reviving domestic manufacturing is as personal as it is political. Having shaped trade policy during Trump’s first term as president, the former United States Trade Representative (USTR) views reindustrialization – and wiping out what he sees as China’s edge in trade – as a patriotic mission and economic necessity. “We need substantial tariffs on China because they are an adversary, they’re taking advantage of us. Now we have to get that back to balance,” the 77-year-old lawyer said last month in a lengthy talk with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), a conservative educational non-profit. Now, as Trump prepares a return to the White House, a new era of economic policy driven by tariffs appears all but certain. Trump’s choice for commerce secretary, the investment banker Howard Lutnick, issued a full-throated defence of import duties in an October interview on finance broadcaster CNBC. “Tariffs are an amazing tool,” he said. “If we want to make it in America, tariff it.”
Drew McIntyre On Being Left Out of WWE Raw on Netflix Trailer, Says He’ll ‘Step Up In 2025’Food photography has never been more popular — all you have to do is open TikTok or Instagram and you’ll be flooded with an array of recipe videos and stunning photographs of culinary creations. In a bid to elevate the art of food photography, FujiFilmAustralia has launched an exciting new experience for Sydneysiders — Foodtography Tours. Designed to help food lovers and content creators level up their social media game, the exclusive tours will run until November 30 with tickets available from $60. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today They offer a unique opportunity to explore some of Sydney’s hottest culinary spots while learning the ins and outs of capturing the perfect food shot. The initiative comes on the heels of new research conducted by FujiFilm revealing that 32 per cent of young Aussies struggle to snap good food photos, with many admitting they lacked the right tools or skills to do justice to their meals. The Foodtography Tours have been developed in collaboration with Local Sauce Tours, one of Australia’s leading culinary tour operators, and TikTok sensation Adrian Widjonarko (aka Adrian Widjy). The tours will give participants a chance to taste their way through Sydney’s Newtown neighbourhood. Some of the delicious treats, you’ll get to try include Turkish ice cream, Italian fritti, modern Cantonese dishes and Mexican street food, and even a twist on the classic Aussie meat pie — all while Fujifilm’s expert photographers share tips and tricks to get that picture-perfect shot. The tours are a perfect introduction to FujiFilm’s latest innovation, the X-M5 mirrorless digital camera, launched in October as the brand’s first camera aimed squarely at the creator generation. The X-M5 boasts a lightweight, compact design, superior image quality, and a 9:16 recording mode ideal for creating engaging content. It’s a camera that allows content creators, whether beginners or experienced, to snap vibrant photos and videos with ease, perfect for everything from food shots to vlogs. “At FujiFilm we are passionate about inspiring creativity, and we know that food photography has become a beloved genre for many Australians,” general manager of the Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division at FujiFilm Australia Shaun Mah explains. “With the launch of the X-M5, we saw an opportunity to bring together the worlds of food, photography, and technology.” Throughout the Foodtography Tours, guests will be guided by Adrian Widjonarko, a renowned food content creator who has become a household name thanks to his TikTok presence. Widjonarko, who has been documenting Sydney’s must-try food spots for over four years, is excited to share his knowledge with participants and show them how to bring their food photography skills to the next level. “It’s been an incredible journey capturing and sharing Sydney’s food scene, and I’m thrilled to work with FujiFilm and Local Sauce Tours to help others do the same,” Adrian says. Whether you’re a food lover looking to capture the perfect shot, or an aspiring content creator ready to take your social media presence to the next level, these tours promise to offer a deliciously creative experience you won’t want to miss. The tours also make a perfect early Christmas present for any foodies in your life. To book, head over to Local Sauce Tours website here for more information and to secure a place on one of the exclusive tours.
Julia Wick | (TNS) Los Angeles Times As California politicos look ahead to 2025, the biggest question looming is whether Vice President Kamala Harris — a native daughter, battered just weeks ago by presidential election defeat — will enter the 2026 California governor’s race. Related Articles National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump National Politics | What Americans think about Hegseth, Gabbard and key Trump Cabinet picks AP-NORC poll Harris has yet to give any public indication on her thoughts and those close to her suggest the governorship is not immediately top of mind. But if Harris does ultimately run — and that’s a massive if — her entrée would seismically reshape the already crowded race for California’s highest office. Recent polling suggests Harris would have a major advantage, with 46% of likely voters saying they were somewhat or very likely to support her for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey co-sponsored by The Times. “If Vice President Harris were to choose to run, I am certain that that would have a near field-clearing effect on the Democratic side,” Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, said during a recent UC Irvine panel interview . Porter, a high-profile Democrat who has been eyeing the wide-open governor’s race, has yet to say whether she plans to run. Porter’s point was broadly echoed in conversations with nearly a dozen California political operatives and strategists, several of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Most speculated that a Harris entry would cause some other candidates in the race to scatter, creating further upheaval in down-ballot races as a roster of ambitious politicians scramble for other opportunities. “In politics, you always let the big dogs eat first,” quipped Democratic political consultant Peter Ragone. The current gubernatorial field is a who’s who of California politicians, but lacks a clear favorite or star with widespread name recognition. The vast majority of California’s 22 million voters have yet to pay attention to the race and have little familiarity with the candidates. The list of Democratic candidates includes Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in more than a century ( Antonio Villaraigosa ); the first female and first out LGBTQ leader of the state Senate ( Toni Atkins ); the sitting lieutenant governor and first woman to hold that post ( Eleni Kounalakis ); the state superintendent of public instruction ( Tony Thurmond ) and the former state controller ( Betty Yee ). Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is serving his second term as California governor, meaning he is ineligible to run again. Several other Democrats, including Porter, outgoing Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta have also publicly toyed with the idea of a run. They could be less likely to enter the fray should Harris decide to run. What the billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso — who has also been exploring a run — would choose to do is an open question, as Caruso might contrast himself with Harris as a more centrist candidate. The real estate developer was a registered Republican until November 2019. It’s unlikely that Harris will proffer a public decision in the immediate term, leaving plenty of time for political insiders to game out hypotheticals in the weeks and months to come. Harris’ office did not respond to a request for comment. “I think every candidate for governor is trying to get some kind of intel,” Mike Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based Democratic political consultant and former Villaraigosa staffer, said of a potential Harris run. Trujillo speculated that Harris’ current state was probably similar to Hillary Clinton’s hiking sojourns in the Chappaqua woods after losing to Donald Trump in 2016, or Al Gore growing a beard in the bruising aftermath of his 2000 defeat. “The first thing she’s probably thinking about is, ‘Well, can I run again for president in four years?’ Not, ‘Do I run for governor in two years?’” said one political operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. Harris maintains a home in Brentwood and previously served as California’s senator and attorney general. A successful run for governor in 2026 would almost certainly impede a grab for the presidency in 2028. (Though if history is any guide, an unsuccessful run for California governor does not definitively preclude a bid for the Oval Office: Two years after losing the White House to John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon lost the 1962 contest for governor to Pat Brown . The Yorba Linda native became the nation’s 37th president in 1969.) As the chief executive of a state that doubles as the world’s fifth-largest economy, Harris would have more power to steer policy and make changes as a California governor than she did as vice president, where her job required deference to President Biden. But leading a state, even the nation’s most populous, could feel like small potatoes after being a heartbeat (and a few dozen electoral votes) from the presidency. The protracted slog to November 2026 would also be a stark contrast to her ill-fated 107-day sprint toward the White House, particularly for a candidate whose 2020 presidential primary campaign was dogged by allegations of infighting and mismanagement. “I don’t think Kamala Harris has a deep psychological need to be governor of California, or to be in elective office in order to feel like she can contribute to society,” said the operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. “I think some of these people do, but she’s somebody who has enough prominence that she could do a lot of big, wonderful things without having to worry about balancing California’s budget or negotiating with Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel,” the Encino Democrat who chairs the Assembly’s budget committee. Technically, Harris has until March 2026 to decide whether she enters a race. But political strategists who spoke to The Times theorized that she probably would make a move by late spring, if she chooses to do so. “People will be more annoyed if she drops in in June,” a Democratic strategist involved with one of the gubernatorial campaigns said. Sending a clear signal by February would be more “courteous,” the strategist continued, explaining that such a move would give candidates more time to potentially enter other races. Kounalakis is a longtime friend and ally of Harris’ , and the vice president also has long-term relationships with some of the other candidates and potential candidates. California has eight statewide elected offices and campaign finance laws allow candidates to fundraise interchangeably for them, meaning money already raised for a candidate’s gubernatorial campaign could easily be redirected should they decide to run for, say, lieutenant governor instead. There are already a number of candidates running for lieutenant governor, including former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, former state Sen. Steven Bradford and former state Treasurer Fiona Ma. But that office probably would see even more interest should Harris enter the gubernatorial race. It’s a largely ceremonial position, but one that has served as a launching pad for the governorship. Still, even if Harris does enter the race, Republican political strategist Mike Murphy threw cold water on the idea that she would have an automatic glide path to the governor’s office. “It’s like Hollywood. Nobody knows anything. She’s famous enough to look credible in early polling. That’s all we know for sure,” Murphy said. “Does that predict the future? No. Are there a lot of downsides (to a potential Harris candidacy)? Totally, yes.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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