BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.WASHINGTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally celebrated Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima has been named a Trustee at the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF), further strengthening her influential role in promoting cross-cultural exchange and collaboration. She has been a leader both in promoting the role of women in architecture, and in redefining the use of public space for community purposes. Sejima, a founder of Kazuyo Sejima & Associates and co-founder of SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates), is known for her groundbreaking work in minimalist architecture and her dedication to creating spaces that connect people with their surroundings. Her architectural contributions have earned global recognition, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, awarded jointly with co-founder Ryue Nishizawa in 2010. Sejima's architectural accomplishments span numerous internationally renowned projects, such as the New Museum in New York City , the Rolex Learning Center in Switzerland , and the Louvre-Lens in France . In Japan , she has designed iconic public spaces, including Kanazawa's 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the New Kagawa Prefectural Sports Arena. Her minimalist design philosophy emphasizes transparency and harmony, seamlessly blending built and natural environments. In 2023, Sejima won the Jane Drew Prize for Architecture for her contribution to raising the profile of women in architecture. The Jane Drew Prize is given annually as part of the W Awards, a program held by The Architectural Review and Architects' Journal, which was previously known as the Women in Architecture Awards. "Beyond the formal, structural, and material experimentation of her work, Sejima is one of too few female architects to have established themselves on the international stage," said The Architectural Review editor Manon Mollard . "Her courage, tenacity, and success are critical reminders that it is possible." "Sejima-san will contribute her insightful perspective and deep understanding of art, architecture, and culture, enhancing the Foundation's mission of supporting initiatives that advance social, economic, and cultural connections," said Lawrence K. Fish , USJF board chair. "As an architect who has consistently challenged conventions and expanded the possibilities of design, Sejima-san brings a unique, innovative approach to the Foundation's programs." Sejima said, "When I was a child, an American family moved next door, and I have fond memories of them introducing me to many worlds I had never known. Because of that, I am honored to now be involved in passing on various activities to the next generation." For more information on Kazuyo Sejima's appointment and ongoing work with the US-Japan Foundation, please contact: info@us-jf.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renowned-architect-kazuyo-sejima-appointed-to-united-states-japan-foundation-board-302320062.html SOURCE United States-Japan Foundation © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
Several schools and housing societies in the city are upset with the local administration for allegedly returning their premises in a filthy condition after the recent polls held on November 20. While some have vented their frustration on social media, others have said they were happy to clean up on their own. The administration had taken over these premises to set up polling booths ahead of polling day on November 20. Citizens alleged that while these were handed over in a clean and well-maintained condition, they were returned in a filthy state leaving residents and school authorities fuming. Nikhil Karkare, director, technology, Walnut School, posted on X: “The day after the polls: cluttered and filthy premises. While we offer our premises for poll booths, why can’t government officials leave the premises in the same condition in which they receive them? We teach hygiene and civility to our students in textbooks, why not practise it?” Karkare told Hindustan Times that the school campus at Shivane was taken over by the administration two days ahead of the assembly polls. It was returned the day after the polls in a dirty condition with stinking toilets. “The facility was given in a pristine condition and was expected to be returned at least after some basic cleaning. The campus was dirty and rooms were littered with bottles and waste. The administration should consider this the next time they take these facilities to set up polling booths,” Karkare said. Sanjeevan Sangale, chairman, Chikhali-Moshi Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Societies’ Federation (CMPCHSF), said that the administration never cleans the premises after polls are over. “In our area, polling booths were set up at Kendriya Vihar in Moshi and Kasturi Swojas in the Pradhikaran area. There were food packets and trash all over the premises. The club and garden that were used as polling booths were left unclean with floors littered and walls stained. We willingly allowed our premises to be used for the elections, but we did not expect this kind of treatment in return. The mess left behind is unacceptable,” Sangale said. The secretary of yet another housing society said, “We spent our funds to clean and prepare the premises before handing it over but we are now left with additional cleaning costs. We demand accountability from the administration. We urge the administration to ensure that both private and public properties used during elections are restored to their original state and that such acts are not repeated in future.” However, Prajakta Rudrawar of Celestial City, Ravet, which also had a polling station set up on November 20, begged to differ. “The polling booth was appreciated by everyone and we had set it up in our clubhouse. Even if the officials left it without cleaning, we had no problem cleaning it on our own. We had deployed our own housekeeping staff which cleaned the premises after the polls. Also, the premises weren’t that dirty when returned,” Rudrawar said. When contacted, Minal Kalaskar, deputy election officer, said that they will investigate the matter. “We will ensure that such incidents are not repeated and that proper cleaning arrangements are made in future,” Kalaskar said.
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CHECKS worth thousands of dollars are being sent out to families with additional regular payments scheduled for a whole year. In one county in California , 100 families will have already received a $3,000 check. These recipients will then be getting an additional $1,000 every month for the next 12 months with the amounts reducing for the final six months. It is part of a new program from the United Way Bay Area which has been launched in Alameda County. UWBA works to fight poverty in the Bay Area and announced the first guaranteed basic income pilot program last month. From November 15, the initial $3,000 checks were sent out to those who are financially struggling. read more on finances The 100 families chosen for the money were randomly selected from client lists at three Alameda County SparkPoint centers. SparkPoint helps families get their basic needs and manage their finances and employment . UWBA CEO Keisha Browder stated in a press release that the program was launched after research "led up to direct cash payments, an innovation proven to break the cycle of poverty." "The Bay Area is a place where many people thrive, while others struggle to survive," she said. Most read in Money "By targeting support to these first 100 families, we want to understand how unconditional cash assistance offered alongside optional finance coaching services impact wellbeing and behavior." Those who do not live in Alameda County or who do and have not received this round of support do not need to lose hope. "Our goal is to learn from this pilot program and replicate a successful effort across the Bay Area and beyond," the CEO said. It is hoped that the immediate cash payment will help alleviate imminent financial stress while the optional financial coaching and planning support will help instil good economic skills. DESPERATE NEED In Alameda County alone, 116,630 people are struggling against food insecurity, according to UWBA. Over 129,900 households in the area are finding it hard to meet their basic needs such as buying food and groceries, paying for housing and utility bills , and keeping up with transport costs. But, other regions in the Bay Area are struggling too. In Contra Costa County, over 27,700 renter-households on low incomes do not have access to affordable homes and eviction rates are set to match or surpass annual pre-pandemic levels. The average family of four in San Francisco County needs $127,332 just to meet their basic needs while the average income for residents in the area is $119,136. Over 27,000 children in Santa Clara County have food insecurity and 33,374 people in San Mateo County have had to get support from UWBA. Read More on The US Sun Meanwhile, residents in Indiana could be eligible for a $300 payment to help with their heating bills. Those who fit the criteria could receive this $300 credit every year to help save money.
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