is an ace a wild card in poker
On Saturday night, the famed reggaeton duo Jowell & Rand y capped off what was undoubtedly one of the most impressive runs of their career with a historic concert at San Juan’s famous José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum. The acclaimed stars had sold out six dates over the last two weekends, playing their hits for nearly three hours every one of those nights. The concert series was billed as the first to incorporate 3D technology at El Choli, with staff handing out special glasses to all attendees at the entrance. Once the lights dimmed, a pre-recorded skit played, featuring both Jowell and Randy interacting with popular local comedian and TV personality Raymond Arrieta. During the segment, which plays out as a fake morning show interview, Arrieta gives the duo a magic remote control with which they can “change channels” and shift reality, warning them to use the power wisely. Obviously, they don’t, because where’s the fun in that? A wormhole appeared on the screens and a sign prompted fans to put on their glasses, with a tunnel taking shape. All the while, various props and set dressings moved onto the stage to make it look like a dystopian cityscape. Then, the classic sample of Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” rang out, igniting the crowd who recognized the opening notes of Jowell & Randy’s 2007 hit “Un Poco Loca.” In no time the twosome appear onstage, dressed in absurd muscle suits made to look like superhero costumes. Robots appeares with long mechanical tendrils that stretch out towards the audience in 3D; this was the “Sci-Fi Channel,” the first of five settings the concert visits throughout the night. Over the half dozen nights of music, various guests made appearances to show their love for Jowell & Randy. Before Saturday, names like Miky Woodz, Dei V, Tito El Bambino, Yailin La Mas Viral, Zion, and Young Miko had stopped by to regale the audience with some of their collab joints. Zion and Miko came back on the last night; Miko was loudly received by the screaming crowd as she and the duo sang their hit “ID.” At the end of each part of the concert, Jowell and Randy would segue into a quick skit where they’d use the magic remote control to reconfigure reality again. Each time, a 3D video would pop up while the stage was redressed. A horse-drawn carriage gave way to a “Western” theme, and after that, the stage became an animated “Cartoon” world with backup dancers dressed as funny animals and mascots. The duo is known for making perreo that has zero filter when it comes to sex, and their show leaned into that with a sense of humor at times, most hilariously when some of the mascots began “getting it on” onstage. Randy slid up behind one pair of mascots, saying, “I dunno if there’s a guy or girl in there, but fuck it.” Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time It’s been a hectic year for Jowell & Randy, as 2024 saw them release two full-length LPs, both with their respective tours. (The second, Mazorkeo.com , recently made Rolling Stone’s list of 50 Best Latin Albums of 2024 .) The duo also joined fellow artists at the Festival de La Esperanza rally , in an effort to bring out the vote for then-candidate for governor Juan Dalmau. Jowell, for his part, has continued lobbying for a music school dedicated to urban music , which has long been a passion project of his. They two have been making music since they were teens, and longtime fans remember how in the early-2000s they were often overlooked and relegated to the last handful of songs on compilation albums like Kilates , The Majestic , and others. Things began to turn for the better when they signed to White Lion Records, and took off in full steam after the release of their Arcángel collab “Agresivo” in 2006. Ten albums later, they’re now considered one of the top reggaetón duos of the genre. When Bad Bunny brought them out during his 2022 livestreamed concert to celebrate the release of Un Verano Sin Ti , he introduced them as “the best reggaeton duo ever.” Benito’s admiration for them has translated into multiple collaborations on stage and in the recording booth, going so far as to quietly penning a few tracks on their 2020 album Viva el Perreo . Back at the concert, with another click of the remote control the stage transformed into a “Horror” theme. Respectively dressed as a bedazzled Jason Voorhees and Chucky doll, Jowell & Randy sang hits like “Chulo Sin H,” “Soy Una Gárgola,” and “Rastrillea” as dancers wearing Freddy Krueger, Valak the Nun, and Art the Clown get-ups twerked and danced behind them. The fifth and final “channel” was a Christmas-themed world, with Randy promising the crowd special gifts for them. They did not disappoint, as a high-energy De La Ghetto came onstage to sing many of their numerous songs together, going back over a decade. The crowd’s enthusiasm was raised even more when Arcángel made an appearance. The foursome’s rendition of “Agresivo” in particular brought the house down, as neon Christmas symbols floated in the background in 3D. And then the show closed with “Safaera,” the tremendous megahit off Bad Bunny’s 2020 album YHLQMDLG that has become one of the most ubiquitous perreo songs of the genre. Floating sharks were lowered from the ceiling to “swim” around over Jowell & Randy, as a nod to the song’s sample of the Alexis & Fido song “El Tiburón.” As they sang the first half of the song, a human-sized Christmas gift box was discreetly brought to the stage. Right as they reached the track’s bridge, a spotlight shined on the box as Jowell and Randy took a pause. The crowd cheered, suspecting what was about to happen. “Call him,” yelled Randy to the fans. “Call him!” Suddenly, Bad Bunny walked out of the box and made the “Choliseo” shake. With a bottle of pitorro in hand, he and Jowell & Randy closed out the evening — and all six events — in an epic way that also brought one last rush of Christmas cheer to their fans. For a duo that has spent 24 years working to get there, it was a creative and energetic realization long in the making that proved they’ve earned their title as “los más sueltos.”
Rakovina Therapeutics Announces Closing of Oversubscribed $3M Private PlacementMovie Review: Nicole Kidman commands the erotic office drama 'Babygirl'Unhappy shareholders boot a record 25 directors from Dish TV board in 3 years
Couple charged in ring suspected of stealing $1 million in Lululemon clothesFormer PM Manmohan Singh Leading figures from India’s business and corporate world, including Infosys founder Narayana Murthy , Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath , billionaire Anand Mahindra and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal, have paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh . Widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic liberalization, Singh’s contributions to the nation’s growth have been celebrated for decades. Singh passed away on December 26 at the age of 92. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here following a deterioration in his health. The heartfelt messages highlight his visionary leadership, integrity, and the profound impact he has had on India’s economic and political trajectory. Infosys founder Narayan Murthy mourns death of former PM Manmohan Singh In an official statement, Narayan Murthy said “Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was a gentleman, a scholar, and a value-based politician. His leading the economic reforms, under the guidance of Sri Narasimha Rao, is what laid a strong and durable foundation for the acceleration of India’s economic growth. Therefore, every Indian should be extremely grateful to this extraordinary individual for enhancing the prosperity of our country.” Anupam Mittal pay tributes to Manmohan Singh In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mittal wrote “Some leaders fail their nations; sometimes nations fail their leaders. Some called him a puppet and we joked along > about a man who gave India hope, progress, & dignity😔 However, no power can deny Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy as one of India’s greatest change-makers. Rest well sir 🙏🏻 U were & always will be, a class apart 👳🏼♂️👑”. Ananda Mahindra bids farewell to Manmohan Singh Mahindra in an X post wrote “Farewell Dr. Manmohan Singh. You loved this nation. And your service to it will long be remembered. Om Shanti 🙏🏽”. Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath pays tribute to Manmohan Singh In a post on X, Kamath said “RIP Dr. Manmohan Singh. In the journey of a nation, it’s the ones who see the future before others do, who leave the most lasting marks..”Best Boxing Day deals from Amazon Australia: Retailer launches December 26 deals early
Uwill Founder & CEO Michael London Named Innovator in Healthcare
None
Buccaneers veteran ‘definitely surprised’ Giants started Tommy DeVito in brutal lossLYNN — The Lynn Classical vs. Lynn English powderpuff game, an annual tradition in which senior girls compete in a two-hand-touch football game, delivered the theatrics on Sunday – and then some. The Rams escaped the Bulldogs, 20-19, in a thriller that came down to the very last play. With English trailing, 20-13, in the final minute, the girls in maroon nearly pulled it off. Jade Quero rushed for a 12-yard touchdown as time expired, but the extra-point attempt to tie was no good. The Classical faithful bounced up and down on the bleachers in celebration, and that was all she wrote on the Manning Field scoreboard. But truth be told, this one was back-and-forth from the beginning. Classical came out hot on its first drive, led by the explosive ground game of Keisha Perez. From there, Maegan Baker broke free and rushed for a touchdown down the right sideline. “This is something that I’ve thought about since freshman year,” Baker said. “It’s something I really look forward to and I’m really proud of myself and the rest of the team. I think they did really well.” Baker, who has committed to Marymount University (Virginia) to study and play flag football, said powderpuff is “a really good way to involve everyone. “Everyone I play with now, I wouldn’t have expected to be close with,” she said. “It’s a really good way to include everybody and get them out on the field.” English answered Classical’s early score with a touchdown of its own, courtesy of Yankarla Matias in the first quarter. “I had a lot of fun,” said Matias, who found the endzone twice on Sunday. “I was really excited, nervous, and I really wanted to make it down there (the endzone).” But Classical recaptured its lead in the second quarter as Perez spotted Nevaeh Eth for a touchdown through the air. The Rams led, 13-7, at halftime. Matias found the endzone again in the third quarter. This time, a 40-plus yard rush to tie the game, 13-13. But Baker did her thing again in the fourth, just barely squeezing into the endzone for a 7-yard rush. The point-after attempt was good (20-13). “I think we just needed to stay positive,” Baker said. “Our team has worked together a lot and we backed each other up.” Sunday made it three consecutive wins for the Rams. They won last year’s matchup, 34-18.
Yellowstone insiders hint what Taylor Sheridan has in store for finale and spinoff series as Season 5 wraps Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By TERRY ZELLER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:55, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 23:59, 13 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments With Yellowstone quickly approaching its fiery finale this Sunday and a spate of spinoffs in the works, fans are practically clawing for any scraps of info about what’s next for their beloved Western soap opera. And lucky for them, insiders from the Paramount juggernaut have teased what’s in store, thanks to the sharp mind of creator Taylor Sheridan. As for the epic conclusion of the series— which recently bid adieu to star Kevin Costner —executive producer David Glasser says he’s 'very happy' with how it all shakes out. 'I’m very happy with the way audiences have embraced the show, and with the journey that Taylor has created in the present time and in buttoning it up the way he always would,' Glasser explained to The Los Angeles Times on Friday. He added, 'From day one, Taylor was very clear how the show was going to end. Like anything else, this show has been through an incredible journey.' 'At the same time, it seems like it’s the right moment for it to evolve. This part of the story had to close, and I think the timing of it now is the right time.' Yellowstone insiders have teased what’s in store for the franchise, thanks to the sharp mind of creator Taylor Sheridan; (pictured 2017) As for the epic conclusion of the series— which recently bid adieu to star Kevin Costner —executive producer David Glasser says he’s 'very happy' with how it all shakes out But before you start mourning the Duttons, here’s the good news: The Season 5 finale isn’t the last time we’ll see them on screen. Series regulars Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser have signed on to lead a spinoff, reprising their roles as the fiery Beth Dutton and stoic Rip Wheeler, respectively. While there’s no word yet on when the Beth-Rip saga will premiere—or which other Yellowstone characters might make the leap—Glasser did throw fans a tantalizing bone. 'It’s still early, [but] audiences have shown us that Beth and Rip continuing on in some fashion is a good thing,' he teased. And as for the penultimate episode of Season 5, which got some online flack for its heavy focus on Sheridan’s own character, horse trainer Travis Wheatley —Glasser took the opportunity to defend the move. It didn’t take long for fans to notice that Wheatley, a bit-part character, was suddenly front-and-center. Some speculated that this was part of a deliberate shift, with Costner's exit leaving a bit of a hole in the cast. 'From the social media we saw, audiences love the Wheatley character,' Glasser said, leaning into the praise. 'I’m very happy with the way audiences have embraced the show, and with the journey that Taylor has created in the present time and in buttoning it up the way he always would,' Glasser explained to The Los Angeles Times on Friday But before you start mourning the Duttons, here’s the good news: The Season 5 finale isn’t the last time we’ll see them on screen 'In wrapping up all the characters on the show, there needed to be a completion to that character.' Meanwhile, Yellowstone fans banded together to fire back at Quentin Tarantino after the iconic director dismissed their favorite Western drama as little more than a 'soap opera.' Read More Yellowstone SLAMMED by Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino sparking fierce fan outrage The online drama kicked off after the Pulp Fiction creator, 61, was asked to compare movies with modern TV shows during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. While Tarantino admitted that some recent TV series are 'pretty good,' he argued they are never as 'compelling' as feature films and used Yellowstone— which recently saw the departure of Kevin Costner —as his prime example. 'I didn’t really get around to watching Yellowstone’the first three years or so. Then I watch the first season, and I’m like, "Wow, this is f****** great!" I’ve always been a big Kevin Costner fan, he’s f******wonderful in this,' Tarantino recalled. 'And I get really caught up in the show, I’m having a great time watching. And the first season, I’m kind of talking like, "Oh, this is like a big movie."' He continued: 'While I’m watching it, I’m compelled. But at the end of the day, it’s just a soap opera.' And just to drive the point home, he added, 'You don’t remember it five years from now,” which, naturally, set fans of the hit show on fire. Yellowstone fans banded together to fire back at Quentin Tarantino after the iconic director dismissed their favorite Western drama as little more than a 'soap opera.' The backlash came fast and furious, with Yellowstone lovers flooding social media to defend their beloved series and call out Tarantino for his 'dismissive' take. One critic clapped back, 'Is there anything that man does like besides his own work?' an another chimed in, 'He also loves to hear himself talk.' Yet another even took aim at Quentin's own recent Oscar-winning work, posting, 'In that case once upon a time in hollywood is a tv movie.' Yellowstone returns with the massive finale on Sunday, December 15 at 8 PM ET on Paramount Network. Kevin Costner Share or comment on this article: Yellowstone insiders hint what Taylor Sheridan has in store for finale and spinoff series as Season 5 wraps e-mail Add comment
TOPEKA, Kan. — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner marked final preparations for departing Congress with a speech connecting his rise in Kansas politics to a family legacy of resilience and featuring a special request that colleagues aid children suffering extreme malnutrition. LaTurner, 36, a Republican who served in the Kansas Senate and as state treasurer before entering the U.S. House, declined to seek reelection to a third term in 2024. He was elected in 2020 by 2nd District voters eager to replace troubled GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins. He said in April the requirements of serving in Congress and running for reelection every two years had “taken a toll.” A native of Galena, Kansas, and a graduate of Pittsburg State University, he has four children and wanted to “be more present” for them. “I want to thank my friends both at home and my colleagues here, my supporters who helped me get here, and my family,” LaTurner said. “To my kids, the best title I’ve ever had is dad. And that title is about to get my full attention.” In remarks offered on the House floor ahead of his January exit, LaTurner requested Congress and the White House approve $300 million in funding for a global health initiative making use of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods, or RUTF. It would expand the reach of this U.S.-made, medical-grade, nutrient-dense paste given to children suffering severe malnutrition. “That increase should be realized. It is the right thing to do,” LaTurner said. LaTurner said starving children consuming RUTF — at a cost of about $1 per day — had a survival rate near 90%. The nutritional product could be made with ingredients from 28 states, including peanuts, dairy, soy, sugar and micronutrients. He recalled entering the House in 2021 and speaking with U.S. Rep. Don Young, who became the longest-serving Republican in House history. Young represented Alaska until his death in 2022. “He told me when he arrived in 1973, it was customary for freshmen members to wait six months before speaking on the House floor,” LaTurner said. “To his surprise, I adopted this tradition. I did so partly out of deference to the dean, but mostly because it showed respect for this institution.” LaTurner said it was the responsibility of people serving in Congress to preserve “an institution and a system of government that our founders painstakingly designed to safeguard against human nature.” The departing Republican originally said he followed a path carved through sacrifice and tenacity of his family. LaTurner said his single-parent father worked long hours managing a Sonic restaurant while putting himself through college. His dad became the first in the family to earn a college degree. He was as an educator and mayor of Galena. His grandmother dropped out of school in the ninth grade because she had only one dress and couldn’t endure ridicule by her classmates. She raised six children and earned a GED before working as a nurse. LaTurner’s grandfather was the first in the family to graduate high school. He lost the sight in one eye while serving in Korea. Unable to pass a physical, he worked odd jobs until he found his calling as a lay judge. His grandfather’s father was killed in the mines at the age of 41 and left behind a widow and six children. They endured hardships most people cannot fathom, LaTurner said. “Yet three short generations later, his great-grandson was called ‘the gentleman from Kansas’ on the floor of the United States House of Representatives,” LaTurner said. “I share these stories because they remind me every day that I did not get here on my own. What a country this is. But it’s not just my story. It’s the American story.”
‘It’s the best secret’: Man reveals little-known trick to boiling water properly when cooking. But does it work?The Dyson WashG1 Is The Ultimate Holiday Helper
Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. At the beginning of the year, we looked to our correspondents for tips of what to expect around the world in 2024. Among them was hope for change for millions of people who were to vote in elections in 50 countries. At least in the United States, that change turned out to be more of the same. Among the surprises, however, there was the end of a dynasty in Syria and the beginning of another in Indonesia. Here are some of the biggest stories of the past 12 months: Europe If 1992 was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s annus horribilis , then it’s hard to know how she’d have ranked this year for Britain ’s royal family. In January, her son and successor, Charles III, put out a rather benign statement that he would attend hospital the following week for a “corrective procedure” on his enlarged prostate . King Charles, Princess Catherine and Princess Charlotte at the Trooping of the Colours in June. Credit: Getty Images The statement was made shortly after it was revealed his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was expected to be in hospital for 10 to 14 days after undergoing abdominal surgery. Things would snowball from there. Weeks later, the King would announce he had been diagnosed with cancer. Catherine’s recovery was kept under wraps until the rumour mill went into overdrive . A family photo was released, and it was a disaster. Even more questions were asked. Suddenly came an announcement: she, too, had cancer . Neither have been given the all-clear but have returned to light duties. Charles joined with Queen Camilla for a royal visit to Australia. But his relationships with son Harry and brother Andrew have continued to plague him. Australian-born Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark. Credit: Steen Evald Our own Princess Mary, was crowned Queen of Denmark in January after her mother-in-law, Margrethe, stepped down to make way for her son, Frederik. Two decades on from Mary’s fairytale wedding, she waved to the crowds in Copenhagen as the sovereign’s wife. Rumours have swirled about her marriage, too , and the Danish royals showed it ain’t just the Brits who have their problems. But 2024 was the year of the election. In Britain, Labor was swept to power after 14 years of Conservative rule, with Keir Starmer moving into 10 Downing Street in a landslide victory. Within weeks, however, his popularity would start to tumble in a string of scandals and misjudgments. In the European Union elections, success by right-wing populist movements delivered a major shock across the continent. Germany ’s far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) was jubilant after beating Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD to second place in the European Parliament elections with 16 per cent. His problems at home reached a peak in December when he lost a confidence vote. In France , the EU results triggered an electoral earthquake. President Emmanuel Macron called a bombshell snap parliamentary election after his party was resoundingly defeated by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. That result left the country without a clear winner but one clear loser: Macron. He continues to struggle to grasp any real power. But it was another story in France that shocked the nation and the world. Seventy-two-year-old grandmother Gisele Pelicot bravely retold the horrors done to her by her husband of 50 years and his 50 accomplices , to stop rape from being swept under the carpet. Gisele Pelicot exits the Avignon courthouse, in southern France, after all the men accused along with her husband of raping her were found guilty. Credit: AP In Georgia, mass protests were sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the EU and push back on Russian influence. In the end, a pro-Russia former Manchester City footballer, Mikheil Kavelashvili, became president . An election in Romania was also plagued by interference , with the result annulled and voters to go back to the polls next year. In May, Slovakia ’s Prime Minister Robert Fico survived a “politically motivated” assassination attempt, during which he was shot five times. He recovered and is one of many populists slowly diluting Europe’s unity towards Ukraine and against Russia . Another blow for that cause was Austria ’s far-right Freedom Party, as they celebrated an unprecedented election victory. Its leader, Herbert Kickl , aligned himself closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his self-styled “illiberal democracy”. Kickl had also spoken of becoming Volkskanzler (people’s chancellor), which for some Austrians carries echoes of the term used to describe Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. War continues in Ukraine after almost three years. Where and when it ends, no one knows. Children are struggling with the turmoil . President Volodymyr Zelensky has laid out a plan for peace. It’s likely many will die before that happens. Russia’ s Vladimir Putin is scrambling to conquer as much territory as possible before those peace talks begin. Last month, Russia captured an area the size of London while suffering its highest casualty rates of the war. – Rob Harris, Europe correspondent North Asia This year, China continued its re-engagement strategy with Australia, and finally agreed to remove the remaining trade restrictions on the live lobster trade and two beef exporters, ending the $20 billion of economic sanctions slapped on Australian industries during the Morrison government. China lifted its import ban on Australian lobsters. Credit: Joe Armao Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers was the first Australian treasurer to visit China in seven years when he went to Beijing in September. His trip tapped into ongoing concerns about China’s struggling economy and the flow-on impact on Australia. But the rapprochement has not dimmed security concerns posed by China’s increasingly aggressive tactics in the Indo-Pacific, which included confrontations with Australian naval forces and repeated clashes with Filipino vessels in the South China Sea this year that heightened fears of sparking a full-blown conflict. In the face of a drumbeat of negativity from economic analysts and investors, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to reverse course in the second half of the year and began pursuing stimulus measures aimed at pumping money and confidence into his beleaguered housing sector. Taiwan inaugurated new president William Lai in May, drawing the ire of Beijing, which regards him as a “dangerous separatist” and responded by launching a round of war drills encircling the island. A second round of drills in October piled pressure onto Taiwan’s stretched defence systems. Japan ’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stepped down in September as his government slid to record low approval ratings. His replacement Shigeru Ishiba’s gamble in calling a snap election proved costly, leaving the governing Liberal Democratic Party scrambling to form a minority government. In November, Hong Kong jailed Australian Gordon Ng and 44 other pro-democracy protesters on subversion charges under its Beijing-led national security crackdown, in a case that drew international condemnation for its perceived silencing of political dissent. It also reignited the debate about the role of Australian judges serving in Hong Kong’s top court . And in December, South Korea virtually imploded under President Yoon Suk Yeol who misread his electorate and fellow politicians, and declared martial law as a political manoeuvre, only to have to retract it when he was overruled by parliament . Having been impeached , he now awaits a court decision to confirm the parliamentary move. Members of the national federation of farmers, known as “Junnong”, and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, with effigies of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) and his wife, Kim Keon-hee. Credit: AP The year closed with the future of the Sino-American relationship, and hence global stability, facing a new era of uncertainty under the incoming second presidency of Donald Trump. Trump’s appointment of China hawks Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz to key administration positions, and his pledged to impose 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports , has set the stage for more turbulence between the two nations. – Lisa Visentin, North Asia correspondent South-East Asia After two failed attempts against Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto finally realised his decades-long dream of becoming president of Indonesia . Widodo was constitutionally barred from running for a third term, so when his sniffing around for ways to run again went nowhere, the president and Prabowo teamed up for some win-win. Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto (right) and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, (Joko Widodo’s son) at a post-election party. TikTok helped the strongman dance his way to the presidential palace. Credit: AP Prabowo, the former son-in-law of late autocrat Suharto, enlisted Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to be his vice presidential running mate. Widodo then turned his back on his own party and threw his considerable political and popular weight behind his former enemy. Never mind his dodgy human rights track record as a military strongman, Prabowo won the February elections in a canter. After backroom deals with self-interested politicians and parties in the months leading up to October’s inauguration, the 73-year-old now sits atop a massive coalition, troubling democracy watchers. Singapore changed prime ministers for the first time in 20 years. Credit: iStock Singapore , too, underwent a rare change of boss . Lee Hsien Loong stepped down in May after 20 years as prime minister, handing the reins to his deputy, Lawrence Wong. Wong inherited a middle power punching way above its weight division, a stable and wealthy nation in a region of regular upheaval. He is an erudite statesman and seems eminently capable, but he has shown little interest in loosening the government’s tight grip on free expression. Thailand’s leadership transition, meanwhile, was a bin fire. Srettha Thavisin was tossed out by order of the dubious court system , which many Thais and observers consider a big-time cog in the self-serving military and royalist establishment. Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party won the most votes in the 2023 election but was blocked from forming government by an unelected senate. Amid the chaos, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of controversial and once-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, became prime minister. Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte’s hatred for her boss , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, crossed into the unhinged. In October, she warned “Bong Bong” she would dig up his old man’s bones and throw them into the sea. Last month, she told the press of her done deal with an assassin to have the president killed if she was killed first. She really said this. Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte’s death threat was taken seriously, though she later tried to walk back the remarks. Credit: AP The feud is unfolding amid investigations into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds and her dad’s bloody “war on drugs”. It is not a great time for toxic politics in the Philippines, which is clashing almost weekly with China in the West Philippine Sea. In Vietnam , which has its own claims to the South China Sea, To Lam inherited the job of Communist Party secretary-general after 80-year-old statesman Nguyen Phu Trong died in July . In his 12 years at the top (not to mention nearly three decades in the Politburo), Trong significantly reduced poverty rates, strengthened ties with the United States and implemented a fierce anti-corruption drive dubbed the “blazing furnace”. As is often the case in South-East Asia, and Communist regimes more broadly, he also preferred his dissenters in jail. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet inspects an honour guard during a visit to Malaysia. The prime minister’s family retains control of many senior roles in the Cambodian government. Credit: AP Meanwhile, those who hoped Cambodian leader Hun Manet’s considerable Western education might yield democratic changes were sorely disappointed in his first full year as prime minister . He was gifted the job by his ruthless and ageing father Hun Sen, who still pulls strings, only now as president of the Senate. If anything, the intimidation of opposition and arrests of protesters have only increased. The most high-profile arrest was journalist Mech Dara, whose reporting touched on the businesses of Ly Yong Phat, a senator, tycoon and Hun Sen adviser, who was sanctioned by the US in September . Dara was bailed several weeks after his October arrest after a coerced public apology, a typical ploy of the Huns’ regime that they think demonstrates their beneficence. Myanmar , a nation with so much economic potential, continued to suffer repeated wrecking by military men. Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, still holds onto power through force despite serious losses to myriad armed opposition groups. ASEAN, a wet lettuce leaf among regional blocs, has been unable to bring the general to heel. Underscoring the complexity of this multi-front civil war, one of the worst atrocities came at the hands of a group fighting the junta, when the Arakan Army slaughtered hundreds of innocent Rohingya Muslims near the border of Bangladesh in August. In recent weeks, however, two major armed rebel groups – Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and ally the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – signalled they were ready for peace talks. Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died after a suspected mass drink poisoning. The most tragic case closer to Australia in South East Asia was the methanol poisoning of backpackers in Laos in November, Australian 19-year-olds Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles among them. Several hostel staff have been detained , and investigations continue. – Zach Hope, South-East Asia correspondent South Asia The biggest election ever staged delivered a shock result in India . Ahead of the national poll, concluded on June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to romp home. But once the 642 million ballots were counted his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost a swag of seats , he needed to rely on other parties to control parliament. Modi has dominated Indian politics for the past decade, but now faces a more uncertain era of coalition government. Elsewhere on the subcontinent, 2024 was marked by political turmoil. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP won power in 2014. This year, he was expected to romp it in, but his party lost many seats, complicating his rule. Credit: AP In Bangladesh , Sheikh Hasina, prime minister for 20 of the past 28 years, was driven out by a vast display of people power on the streets of the capital city, Dhaka. After she made a dramatic escape to neighbouring India on August 5, her government was replaced by military-backed caretaker regime led by Muhammad Yunus , an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, economist and social entrepreneur. Yunus has the difficult task of building consensus for much-needed reforms and staging a fair election. There was political change in Sri Lanka as well when the little-known former Marxist, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emerged the surprise winner in a presidential election held in September. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of a debilitating financial crisis in 2022. In Pakistan, the incarceration of cricket great and former prime minister Imran Khan continues to roil politics and society. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), did surprisingly well in February elections and his supporters have since staged huge and sometime violent protests demanding his release. – Matt Wade, former India correspondent Middle East The power dynamics in the Middle East were dramatically reshaped this year, with Israel on the ascendancy and its bitter rival, Iran , substantially weakened. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May, and things only got worse from there for the hard-line rulers in Tehran. Israel and Iran traded missile fire at several points throughout the year, setting off fears of an all-out regional war. Thanks to Israel’s Iron Dome system and support from Western nations, the Iranian strikes caused minimal damage, while Iran’s missile-production capability was crippled. After the monumental intelligence failure of last year’s October 7 attacks, the Jewish state regrouped and achieved some significant strategic victories. The Israeli military assassinated the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar , in Gaza and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. After a year of tit-for-tat fighting on its border with Lebanon, Israel escalated the fight against Hezbollah. This began with the shock September pager and walkie-talkie attacks against the Iranian proxy group and culminated in a ground invasion and air strikes on Lebanon. It ended on favourable terms for Israel, with Lebanese civilians paying a heavy price for a conflict many did not want to be involved in. Israeli bombardment and ground invasions have left vast areas of Gaza in ruins. Credit: Getty Images Meanwhile, the devastating war in Gaza continues and there is still no clear vision for what will come when it is over. Almost 45,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war and over 100 Israeli hostages still remain in Gaza. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, reflecting widespread international horror at the war. At home, though, Netanyahu’s popularity has been creeping up. In the most surprising development of all, Syria ’s President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime was swept from power in a matter of days in December. A defaced portrait of Bashar al-Assad inside the presidential palace. Credit: Nicole Tung/The New York Times Syrian rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took advantage of Assad’s key allies – Russia and Iran – being distracted by fighting elsewhere and stormed into Damascus with remarkable ease. This has injected new uncertainty into the region, with Iran again the loser after losing a crucial ally in Assad. By contrast, Turkey ’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is emboldened and empowered after backing the rebel forces. – Matthew Knott, Foreign Affairs correspondent North America This year was meant to culminate in an election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But after imploding on a debate stage in June, the United States ’ oldest president was forced to withdraw his bid for a second term, setting in motion one of the most extraordinary political comebacks in history. Donald Trump celebrates his victory flanked by daughter-in-law Lara Trump (left) and his wife, Melania. Credit: AP While Biden’s decision to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris upended the trajectory of the 2024 campaign and sparked fresh enthusiasm among voters, it was not enough to dent the anger millions of Americans felt over soaring cost-of-living pressures or immigration. In a victory so resounding even some Republicans were shocked, Trump not only won all seven battleground states, he also narrowly secured the popular vote and helped Republicans take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was a remarkable turnaround for a former president who began the year facing 91 charges and four criminal trials: one in Washington for trying to subvert the 2020 election; one in Georgia for election interference in that state; another in Florida for mishandling classified documents; and one in New York for falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal with a porn star . In the end, only the New York “hush money” trial would eventuate, resulting in Trump becoming the first convicted felon to run for the White House. A US Supreme Court decision to grant presidents substantial immunity for acts conducted in office helped him thwart all the other trials. Trump’s ascendancy was also fuelled by an attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania – an event that shocked the world, reignited the debate over political violence, and created one of the most iconic images in political history. Assassination attempt: A defiant Trump raises a fist to the crowd after his right ear was nicked by a sniper’s bullet in July. Credit: AP Two months later came another assassination plot – this time by a lone gunman hiding in the bushes of his golfing resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. In other North America news, environmental scientist Claudia Sheinbaum was elected Mexico ’s first female president; the war in Gaza sparked student uprisings at elite universities across the US; and Taylor Swift continued her global dominance, concluding her 149-show Eras Tour in Canada after becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history. – Farrah Tomazin, North America correspondent South America Interest in South America rose briefly in Australian minds last month owing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Lima, Peru , for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation annual summit, overshadowed by incoming US president Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Albanese then went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for this year’s G20. Neither gathering produced groundbreaking deals , except to serve as further demonstration of China’s continued geopolitical wins and deepening ties in the region where it has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (front, second from right), holds hands with China’s Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Take the new $5.6 billion port President Xi Jinping – who arrived pushing for an “orderly multipolar world” – inaugurated in Chancay, north of Lima. The intended continental logistics hub creates a direct route between Asia and South America across the Pacific Ocean. Apart from allowing Beijing to look beyond Australia and Asia for imports such as iron ore, wine and soybeans, the port could also, says the US, be used as a foothold by Chinese military ships in the Americas . China’s influence in the region could also extend to ground stations for Chinese satellites. In Brazil, former president Jair Bolsonaro was indicted along with 36 others in a failed coup to reverse the last election and overthrow the government of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in a US Capitol-inspired takeover of Congress in 2022. He denies the charges, which add to his long list of legal woes. Lula, 79, had emergency brain surgery to relieve bleeding but was back to work in a few days. In Argentina, the election of right-wing Trump-like disruptor and cloned-dog owner President Javier Milei provided some relief to the US, after Milei declared a preference for traditional Western alliances to the alternative BRICS – the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group that has evolved to admit myriad other countries, and hopes to launch an alternative trade currency to the US dollar. Argentinian President Javier Milei at home with his cloned mastiff puppies. Credit: Marcelo Dubini/Caras via The New York Times In Venezuela, new elections returned President Nicolas Maduro to power, but no one believed the results, which the opposition said were stolen and the UN human rights watchdog is investigating. The crisis-torn country was also in the headlines owing to campaign-mode Trump blaming “Venezuelan gangs” for rampant crime in the US. In December, prominent human rights lawyer Claudio Grossman quit the International Criminal Court in The Hague over what he said was its failure to prosecute members of Maduro’s government for crimes against humanity. In early December, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay , Paraguay and Bolivia , under the bloc Mercosur , signed a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union. If ratified, it will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, covering a market of 780 million people. But in France, the Netherlands and other countries with big dairy and beef industries, critics say it will create unfair competition. – Lia Timson, Deputy World Editor Oceania In New Zealand , the year started with a large “unity meeting” convened by Maori King Tuheitia to discuss action against changes proposed by the new coalition government of Prime Minister Chris Luxon, including the watering down of policies previously designed to elevate Maori language and recognition. Tuheitia said the Treaty of Waitangi was not open for reinterpretation. Tuheitia died in August , with King Charles leading the tributes, saying “a mighty tree has fallen”. His daughter, 27-year-old Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki , was chosen by a council of 12 male elders to succeed him, over her two older brothers, although the crown is not automatically inherited. Tensions over the government’s “race-based” changes, and the introduction of a bill to reinterpret the treaty, spilt over when thousands participated in a seven-day march that ended in parliament , where Maori MPs interrupted proceedings with a haka that made headlines around the world. France declared a state of emergency in its Pacific territory, New Caledonia , in May after an electoral reform approved in Paris triggered protests and the death of three indigenous Kanak and a police official . It sent hundreds of police to help stem the riots, including soldiers to secure the port and airports, which were closed, trapping tourists on the otherwise idyllic islands . Macron then followed with a visit but was criticised as being out of touch . His government later blamed Azerbaijan and Russia for causing the chaos and stoking separatism . Continuing its efforts to keep Papua New Guinea closer to Australia than to China, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese headed to PNG and along with Prime Minister James Marape, did a two-day Kokoda hike, complete with birthday cake for his counterpart . It was all part of Anzac commemorations and soft diplomacy, which continues with the inclusion of a PNG rugby team in the NRL , helped along by $600 million from Australian taxpayers over 10 years . And a devastating earthquake struck Vanuatu in later December, causing many deaths, hundreds of injuries and crippling the nation’s electricity, water and communications systems. – Lia Timson, Deputy World Editor Prime ministers Anthony Albanese and James Marape take a selfie after the Anzac Day dawn service at the Isurava memorial site on the Kokoda Track in PNG. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Africa In South Africa , Nelson Mandela’s party ANC lost its parliamentary majority 30 years after the vote that ended apartheid and brought it to power. President Cyril Ramaphosa managed to retain his job after a coalition deal with the country’s second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance. In Kenya, the discovery of footprints near a lake added to evidence that two human species lived side-by-side 1.5 million years ago, in a closing reminder that humans are capable of getting along. with agencies Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here .A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says
The powersports industry is experiencing murky times, which has RIDE-CT pondering just how bleak the coming year might be. Manufacturers are in upheaval, while dealers are no doubt concerned about what’s to come as 2024 becomes 2025. Riders are likewise lacking in clarity and facing challenges even without the threat of tariffs being implemented with the change of administration in Washington. Tariffs would be doubly detrimental as they would increase the price of motorcycles sold in the U.S. as well as U.S. models sold overseas; a whammy for buyers and sellers. A pair of industry stories in recent weeks reveal two dire situations. Blaming “ongoing business conditions,” Textron-owned snowmobile maker Arctic Cat said in a letter to dealers on Dec. 18 that it will “suspend manufacturing operations indefinitely” at two plants in Minnesota once it wraps up planned production for the first half of 2025. Resumption of production “will depend upon the outcome of Textron’s evaluation of strategic alternatives for the business.” Suffice to say, Arctic Cat is on thin ice due a shortfall of snow in recent years that has crippled snowmobile sales. If it’s hurting Arctic Cat, it’s hurting other sled builders as well. The niche’s future is uncertain. The other story of consequence was the news in late November that Austria’s KTM is broke. Liabilities total $3.03 billion — and there are 2,500 creditors lined up with their palms out. The company’s attempting self-administered debt restructuring, which includes the sale of its stake in Italian bike-maker MV Agusta. KTM also owns the Husqvarna, Husaberg and Gas Gas brands, but it’s KTM that’s the problem. It reportedly has a year’s worth of unsold models – 265,000 motorcycles stockpiled worldwide – at a time when sales are declining and the company is faced with complaints about quality. Meanwhile, here at home, sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles continue to crater. The company that sold 267,999 motorcycles worldwide in 2014 was down to 162,771 in 2023, a 39 percent decline. Harley-Davidson’s most recent sales figures, released in late October, showed a 13 percent worldwide decline in third quarter sales from 2023 to 2024 and a 10 percent drop in North America. Part of Harley-Davidson’s decline is self-inflicted; make that self-determined as it has focused on pushing profits by emphasizing its most expensive models. The 2024 CVO Road Glide, for example, has a base price of $44,499, which is nearly the price of an average car. Maybe restructuring into a luxury brand will ensure long-term success for Harley-Davidson, but it certainly is an abandonment of its past core. So what does the future hold for the power sports industry? RIDE-CT’s guess is retrenchment and uncertainty in the short-term. A shrinkage of dealers is likely. Harley-Davidson already has fewer dealers in Connecticut than it once did. We’ve seen some dealers that handle other brands take on additional brands to potentially help pay the bills. As noted in a previous RIDE-CT column, Max BMW in New Milford has added, yes, KTM and is in the process of adding a separate building for the line. Despite high interest rates and high prices for many new models, this still isn’t a bad time to be a shopper. Over-production means discounting to clear inventory. Do a little window shopping online and it’s quickly apparent that there’s an abundance of solid low-mileage pre-owned models as well. Many have come from aging casual riders who have lost interest or become worried because of the rising death rate for riders and have given up the recreation. Like so many riders, I look almost daily at used bike ads to see what’s available, and the choices are at numerous price points. Particularly surprising of late has been the number of solid used models for under $5,000, models that make riding affordable. I can’t recall seeing prices as attractive as they are at the moment. In more than 20 years of riding, I’ve owned at least 18 motorcycles. Not one of them has been new, and all but one have been reliable. So what will happen within the power sports industry in 2025? My sense is that it will be a bumpy ride for businesses. A point may have finally been reached where high prices, too much technology (which results in user frustrations and recalls) and the growing number of distracted drivers will deter riding and conspire to create a significant and continued downturn. Bud Wilkinson writes about classic cars and motorcycles every Saturday in the Republican-American. He may be reached by email at budw@ride-ct.com.
AP Top 25: Alabama, Mississippi out of top 10 and Miami, SMU are in; Oregon remains unanimous No. 1NYSE American Suspends Trading of Golden Minerals' SharesMovie Review: Nicole Kidman commands the erotic office drama 'Babygirl'
In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins and Dave Hyde discuss Miami’s three-game winning streak and coach Mike McDaniel speaking up to squash a potential trade involving standout veteran Calais Campbell .