National People’s Power (NPP) National List MP Lakmali Hemachandra has defended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake against allegations by the Opposition that his expenditure allocation mirrors that of his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Speaking during the Parliamentary debate on the Government’s Vote on Account last week, Hemachandra clarified that a significant portion of the allocation under the President’s Office – $ 1.3 billion provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) – was earmarked for the Presidential Secretariat. She clarified that this inclusion had inflated the overall expenditure figures. Hemachandra emphasised that President Dissanayake has reduced expenses for his private staff by 64%, demonstrating a commitment to fiscal prudence. This, she argued, counters Opposition claims that the NPP Government has continued the excessive practices of its predecessors. “There is an attempt by the Opposition to suggest that the NPP has no intention of curtailing benefits for political leaders and is following the same path as previous Governments,” she said. “We are here to change the paths taken by others. Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Cabinet have been comprehensively rejected by the people, with only MP Thondaman surviving. This is a major rejection, and the Opposition has yet to grasp its significance.” Hemachandra’s remarks were a response to accusations made by Opposition MPs, including Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) Kabir Hashim. Hashim alleged that President Dissanayake’s allocation for the period January to April 2025 matched the Rs. 1.4 trillion previously allocated by Wickremesinghe, a figure the NPP had strongly criticised when in Opposition. “When Wickremesinghe made such allocations, the NPP and its leader Dissanayake were vocal in their criticism. People voted for them expecting change. Where is the promised change?” Hashim had questioned during the debate. Hemachandra countered by reiterating the NPP’s commitment to systemic reform and fiscal accountability, asserting that the inclusion of the FAO funds in the allocation distorted the comparison. She maintained that the President’s efforts to reduce personal expenditures signal a departure from the practices of previous administrations.Holiday shopping doesn't have to be stressful
Just_Super ETF Overview iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF ( BATS: IETC ) invests in U.S. technology companies that derive a significant portion of their technological capabilities, revenues, and production from within the United States. The result is a portfolio of nearly 120 large-cap U.S. technology Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has charged state governments policymakers to take advantage of technology to drive economic prosperity in their states. He also urged them to develop policies that would harness competencies of the youth to enable them secure remote jobs. While emphasizing the importance of adopting a strategic mindset and integrating technology into everyday workflows, he urged participants to start with small changes in their own offices and inspire others to adopt strategic approaches to problem-solving. He noted that effective service delivery starts with individual commitment and grows into collective action. He stated this at a capacity building Workshop held at FutureMap Academy, in Hadejia, Jigawa state. The theme of the workshop is “AI for Office Productivity, Design Thinking, Agriculture, Health, Education, Energy, and Climate Change.” The participants included academics, professionals, startup founders, students, government officials, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, Highlighting the need for state policymakers to identify and harness their resources effectively, Inuwa said the large pool of computer science graduates from Jigawa state could be empowered to contribute to the state’s development if equipped with the right skills and opportunities. Sharing his personal experience and journey into digital transformation, explained how local mentors can inspire the next generation to explore careers in technology. He shared the success stories of young Nigerians who transitioned from being workers in organisations to a high-paying remote role with foreign companies. The DG advocated for integrating technology into various sectors, including agriculture, to create diverse employment opportunities. In his remarks, Representative of Huawei, Dr. Nihinlola Mary Fafore, According to her, In partnership with stakeholders, Huawei aims to bridge the digital divide, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance employability among young Nigerians. She said the initiative is part of Huawei’s efforts to develop a robust tech ecosystem in Nigeria, ensuring that no region is left behind in the journey towards technological advancement.
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Struggling Syracuse looks to climb back above .500 when it hosts Albany on Tuesday night. The Orange (4-4) are coming off a conference loss to Notre Dame where they failed to make a 3-pointer in a game for the first time in more than 10 years, going 0-for-9 from behind the arc. They will be without leading scorer J.J. Starling, who broke his hand in practice last Monday. Orange coach Adrian Autry said there was "no timetable" for Starling's return after the loss to the Fighting Irish and lamented his team's struggles with turnovers and free-throw shooting in the defeat. "Too many blown opportunities," Autry said. "We're not shooting the ball well. We have to adjust and go game by game now. Our front court has been pretty secure, but we have to keep working and getting better." Starling was averaging a team-high 19.8 points before his injury. The Orange may need to lean more on freshman Donnie Freeman, who has been a standout for Syracuse this season. He's averaging 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds and already has four double-doubles. He was co-ACC Rookie of the Week last week. Defensively, the Orange have struggled. They rank No. 329 in scoring defense, giving up 79.4 points per game. Albany is scoring 77.2 ppg so far this season. The Great Danes (6-4) were downed by Boston University 80-74 in overtime on Saturday. They started the season 5-1 but have lost three of their last four. Senior guard Byron Joshua, a transfer from Alcorn State, is the Great Danes' leading scorer at 13.6 ppg. Amar'e Marshall was an All-America East Conference pick last season after averaging 16.7 points, but his field goal shooting has dropped from 43.4 percent last season to 34.5 percent this season. He is scoring 11.7 ppg. "I think we're learning how to compete at the right level," Albany coach Dwyane Killings said after a loss to Georgetown on Nov. 30. "I think the one thing that troubles us a lot is that our identity and our energy comes when the ball goes in the basket. When it doesn't, I don't think we have the grit that we need right now." Albany has been one of the best teams in the country in terms of steals. The Great Danes average 10.2 steals per game, which is tied for No. 12 in the nation. Syracuse is 8-0 against Albany all-time with the teams last meeting in 2011. Syracuse is 4-0 at home and 4-0 against non-power-conference opponents. --Field Level MediaJERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday recommended his Cabinet approve a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. A ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers later Tuesday, when they are expected to vote on it. He listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region and said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
More than 50 years ago, the late Father David Bauer pointed out that studies and reports on problems in Canadian ice hockey have had a “characteristic ineffectiveness.” This was because they have “come from outside the structure of organized hockey and they have been isolated efforts.” Those inside the game tend to get “impatient with well-meaning outsiders” who often “oversimplify” the issues at hand. Bauer was born just over 100 years ago. Some have called him the moral conscience of hockey; others saw him as the father of Canada’s hockey team. There are arenas in Vancouver and Calgary named after him, while a major street in downtown Waterloo, Ont., is dedicated to him. Bauer’s 1973 depiction of Canadian hockey as “complex” and constantly in “rapid transition” feels remarkably similar to the state of the game today. As detailed in my recent book, Hockey Priest: Father David Bauer and the Spirit of the Canadian Game , Bauer brought change to the sport through his work as a coach, manager and philosopher. Today, Canadian hockey faces a number of challenges, from new eligibility rules in junior and college hockey to calls for greater inclusion across the sport and alleged cover-ups of abuse, to a decline in youth participation . With questions swirling about the state of hockey in Canada, it is valuable to hear from a central historical figure whose insights can help reshape its future. Bauer and the national team Bauer played junior hockey at St. Michael’s College-School in Toronto and went on to win a Memorial Cup championship as a player and later as a coach. Meanwhile, he became a priest of the Basilian Fathers and notably established Canada’s national hockey team . It was the first time Canada was represented internationally with a hockey team composed of players from across the nation. The national team played at three Winter Olympics and several international tournaments under Bauer’s leadership. He was also the longest-serving original member of the Hockey Canada Corporation board from 1969 to 1988. He was among the first recipients of the Order of Canada and was posthumously named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. Although he was a celebrated hockey personality, Bauer had serious misgivings about the way hockey was run and organized. He argued about the educational needs of young men in junior hockey with Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe. He advised top junior players, like Dave Keon and Gerry Cheevers, in contract negotiations, leading Maple Leafs general manager Punch Imlach to famously retort: “That man should no more be a priest than me.” Bauer set before the Canadian public a different vision of the game in contrast to overly commercialized hockey that was simply viewed as entertainment. He saw no need for fist-fighting in the game, especially goonism. He promoted a game of speed and checking without physical intimidation, and believed the game ought to be more of an art form than a crash-and-bang event on ice. He commented that “too much board-thumping hockey” became popular in the post-Second World War period and was pleased to see the rise of puck possession play. He learned from both his family and the Basilian sporting tradition that hockey is also an educational experience. He argued that sport properly directed could assist young people and strengthen communities. To a reporter, he added a not-so-subtle challenge to the status quo in Canadian hockey: “If we say economics are the only thing that counts, which the NHL keeps saying, we’re in serious trouble.” The national team and Bauer were early advocates for coaching clinics that could improve the level of play in Canada. This was something that later national team coaches actively promoted into the 1990s. Bauer’s motto — “ use technique, but let the spirit prevail ” — affirmed the importance of better skills, tactics and conditioning along with promoting the spirit and personality of the individual player. Solutions for Canadian hockey today Bauer was uneasy about any model that focused on skill development and neglected the development of the total person. His overarching goal for youth playing hockey was to instill them with what he saw as the virtues of the game. If a young player could improve “as a person through virtues of hockey — courage, judgment, prudence, fortitude, teamwork and fair play,” he said , they would improve as a hockey player. This perspective stood in contrast to the priorities of those who only cared about the final score and the bottom line. To “capture the fleeting idealism of our youth,” Bauer asked hockey coaches to learn from the young people playing the game, as if to reawaken the aspirations of their own childhood by supporting the dreams of youth. Bauer was not a dreamer, however. For him, economics should not be the sole standard by which to measure the sport. He also was critical of an overly violent form of the game. He questioned scientific and technological advancements that did not consider human values. “Know how” is meaningless by itself: “It is a means without an end,” he said. He demanded that coaches understand the values and spirit they wished to promote in hockey. His was an athlete-centred approach. He wanted the game to “be motivated by a habitual vision of greatness, to help each person we meet have a positive self-image, inner discipline, a sense of loyalty, and responsibility to themselves and society.” This vision of hockey is one that promotes unity of the body and spirit, where everyone in hockey should care about players’ physical development and the growth of their personality and inner life. As stated to a reporter prior to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, he believed that “in a small way, hockey can improve the world.” Bauer’s way was to recognize the limitations of sport and put it in its proper perspective: to specify that hockey is not everything and, at the same time, that it could make a real contribution to the lives of Canadians. Hockey needs to state its values and organize itself accordingly. By having a Bauer-like approach to hockey, sporting bodies, coaches and players can reckon with the challenges facing the game. “Hockey is not the most important thing around...[but] it might be that it is the most Canadian thing,” he said. This statement reflects Bauer’s attempt to put hockey into its proper perspective: a Canadian sporting activity that in its own way can improve people’s lives.
UN envoy urges soil, water actionLOS ANGELES , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — This holiday season, Reolink, an innovative leader in intelligent visual technology for the home, is extending warm wishes for a joyful and safe celebration. With heartfelt celebrations and meaningful connections in mind, Reolink now offers exclusive holiday deals of up to 31% off. Let’s celebrate the spirit of togetherness while safeguarding homes! Season’s Greetings at Your Doorsteps Add a festive touch to every visit with Reolink’s Holiday-themed quick replies! Whether it’s being away from home, welcoming friends, receiving deliveries, or turning away unwanted visitors, Reolink doorbells offer fun and thoughtful quick replies for every situation, spreading warmth and joy while keeping the doorstep secure. One of the recommendations is Reolink Doorbell WiFi , a smart 2K dual-band Wi-Fi doorbell with a full head-to-toe view. This doorbell makes everyday life easier and safer, with crystal-clear video to capture every detail at the front door, two-way audio for convenient conversations, and smart alerts to protect the security of deliveries during this busy holiday season. Now grab this exceptional doorbell at a 29 % discount, available for $ 127 .99 . Gifts that Keep Your Loved Ones Safe Reolink also highlights its top-tier security cameras as ideal Christmas gifts for safeguarding loved ones and homes. Argus 4 Pro is an advanced 4K battery-powered camera with 180° all-around view. With innovative ColorX technology, it ensures clear and detailed views both day and night. This camera helps monitor the entire yard, offering peace of mind by keeping an eye on the property, even when the home is unoccupied during the holidays. Now available at a 23% discount, stands at $ 254.99. E1 Zoom is an indoor 5MP PTZ camera with person/pet detection and auto tracking capability. Whether it’s keeping an eye on kids playing in the living room, automatically tracking the movement of a pet as it roams the house, or ensuring everything is secure when family members are away, this camera provides peace of mind. This camera also adds two more features of cry detection and privacy mode, which will available gradually over the next few weeks. Now available at a 25% discount, stands at $ 97 .99 . Join #reocap Fun Reolink not only offers amazing security camera deals this holiday season but also invites everyone to join the Reocap Challenge on social media from now to 20 th December , for a chance to win Reolink’s latest innovative cameras. Capture the magic moments of the holidays with Reolink cameras and just simply share them on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, X, or Facebook), tag with #reocap. Celebrate the season, enjoy unbeatable deals at Reolink.com and Amazon , and share unforgettable stories with #reocap today! About Reolink Reolink offers smart security solutions for homes and businesses, aiming for a seamless security experience with its wide range of products. Serving millions globally, it provides video surveillance and protection, standing out for its commitment to security technology innovation. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/capture-celebrate-and-save-big-reolinks-holiday-deals-and-reocap-fun-302326260.html SOURCE Reolink Innovation Inc.After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff
Broadalbin-Perth's Perry twins matching in their shoes, college basketball commitmentNone