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Trump's 2024 Campaign & Elon Musk's Success: Digital Marketing Parallels by FlyX Marketing Founder Albert ValiakhmetovQatar tribune Agencies Even before the French and German governments collapsed, Europe’s economy had enough difficulties. Tepid growth and lagging competitiveness versus the U.S. and China. An auto industry that’s struggling. Where to find billions for defense against Russia? And now Donald Trump threatening tariffs. Solutions will be harder to find while the two countries that make up almost half of the eurozone economy remain stuck in political paralysis well into 2025. Where once there was the so-called French-German axis to push Europe ahead, now there’s a vacuum. French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned Thursday after losing a vote of confidence, and while President Emmanuel Macron will appoint a successor, the new head of government will lack a majority. Elections are not constitutionally permitted until at least June. Germany’s coalition led by Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz with the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats fractured in November, triggering an early election on Feb. 23. Talks to form a new government could last into April. At least Germany’s likely new chancellor, conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz, appears open to loosening constitutional restrictions on borrowing to enable pro-growth spending and investment, said Mujtaba Rahman, managing director Europe at Eurasia Group. France, however, could be facing “complete paralysis on the economic question,” Rahman said. “It’s highly unlikely they’re going to get a political equilibrium that has a mandate to implement a credible fiscal course correction.” “And that’s obviously a problem for Europe because it means the great potential of the European economy is not what it otherwise should be, because you don’t have France and Germany firing on all cylinders,” he said. Then there’s Europe’s lagging business environment, dissected by former European Central Bank head Mario Draghi in a report that contains recommendations such as common borrowing to support public investment; EU-wide industrial policy; and integrating financial markets to help startups raise capital. Yet “nothing can move in Europe without Franco-German alignment,” Rahman said. Meanwhile, Europe’s auto industry has sought a review of tough EU emissions standards in 2025 instead of 2026, saying slackening demand for electric cars means they won’t be able to avoid heavy fines and that the money would be better used to develop new electric vehicles. Anne-Laure Delatte, a French economist and head of research at the National Center for Scientific Research, said financial markets remain cautious but are not overly alarmed by France’s political instability. But economic weakness in France and Germany could have broader implications for the European Union. “This could either weaken Europe’s position globally or shift power and influence to other European countries like the Netherlands or Spain, which are performing well at the moment,” she said. France is expected to see growth of 1.1% this year and 0.8% next year, while Germany’s economy is expected to shrink 0.1% this year, the second consecutive year of contraction, and rebound modestly with 0.7% next year. Germany faces headwinds from a shortage of skilled labor, excessive bureaucracy and higher energy prices, and efforts to address those issues have been stalled by squabbling in Scholz’s coalition. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, is equipped with serious powers, especially on trade, a key EU authority delegated to Brussels by member countries. But there’s only so much von der Leyen can do without political backing from the two biggest member countries, whose national budgets are bigger than the EU’s. The most urgent matter may be how to respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Jan. 20. European officials are trying to defuse a potential trade conflict involving new U.S. tariffs or import taxes on European goods that would seriously ding the continent’s export-focused economy. Europe could decide not to retaliate to any U.S. tariffs, thus avoiding a mutually destructive tit-for-tat cycle. The bloc could also commit to buying U.S. liquefied natural gas to mollify Trump, or spend billions more on defense for Ukraine to answer his complaint that European countries don’t meet NATO commitments on defense spending. Europe is seeing only modest growth as consumers pummeled by inflation remain cautious about spending. The economy is expected to expand 0.8% this year and 1.3% next year for the 20 EU member countries that use the euro currency, according to the European Commission. While the direct impact on growth is small, the political logjam means Europe is missing an important opportunity to engage Trump, said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank. “It would be ideal if Europe — at the moment when Trump is not yet in office — would prepare a big offer for Trump, such as: We spend significantly more on defense, if on trade and on Ukraine you don’t disappoint us. This is unfortunately not happening.” “The risk is that Trump on trade might be tougher on us than otherwise because Germany and France are missing in action,” he said. Von der Leyen can offer to get countries to purchase more U.S. natural gas and remind Trump that the EU could retaliate, but “the offer that Europe can make to Trump is small, rather than a big offer where there would be German and French money behind it.” The EU commission estimates that as much as 500 billion euros ($528 billion) will be needed over the next decade to help meet the bloc’s security needs. Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has indicated common defense bonds could raise that enormous sum. But moving ahead without Germany, the bloc’s biggest member, is hard to imagine. The big issues such as defense and competitiveness “require the fiscal and parliamentary resources of the biggest member states and the question is whether Germany and France are in a position to enable that at the European level,” said Rahman. “I think the answer is probably yes, but I feel a bit less certain than I would have had Germany and France not had this very difficult political time.” Copy 11/12/2024 10Incredible video shows Ukraine unleashing SHOTGUN-wielding drones to hunt down & blast Russians on frontline
In the hours after former President Jimmy Carter’s death Sunday , Illinois elected officials shared their condolences and reflections on the legacy of the 100-year-old Nobel Peace Prize-recipient’s life. The longest-lived American president died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, the Carter Center said. Jimmy Carter entered hospice care in February 2023. President Joe Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former President Barack Obama reflected not only on Carter’s legacy as president but on his decency as a person, which Obama said was evident whenever the two spent time together. “He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion,” Obama said in a statement. “Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image. Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service.” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Carter was a personal inspiration of his as a “man of deep faith in the political arena” whose values continue to show the way forward. “President Jimmy Carter lived the American dream in every way,” Johnson said in a statement. “His legacy of love and his service to God and country are admirable beyond measure. President Carter valiantly fought for human rights and peace across the world during his presidency and beyond.” Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth both stated admiration for his time as a public servant, and Durbin called Carter an “inspiration to those of us who aspire to lead a life of service.” “Jimmy Carter proved that excellence in public service can extend beyond the White House,” Durbin said in a statement Sunday. “I offer my condolences to the entire Carter family, to his friends and former staff members, and to the untold millions of people throughout the world whose lives are better because Jimmy Carter lived.” Rep. Mike Quigley lauded Carter’s time in office, but he said Carter’s most important accomplishments came after his presidency, calling him “the greatest former president our nation has ever known.” “His work, alongside former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, at the Carter Center, with Habitat for Humanity, and his successful two-decade-long effort to eradicate the Guinea worm made him the epitome of a public servant,” Quigley said. “Those of us in elected office should look to President Carter’s example as a model for what we aspire to after leaving office.” Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia remembered Carter as a “giant” of progressive politics who was able to pursue an agenda focused on social and human services for working families through his administration. “His post-presidency, however, was perhaps the most productive era of President Carter’s life,” Garcia said in a statement. “His efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to unwaveringly advance human rights and alleviate human suffering, earned him the Nobel Peace Prize decades after leaving the White House. His steadfast pursuit of truth and peace leaves a powerful legacy to uphold.” They were joined by a chorus of others honoring his legacy, including Gov. JB Pritzker, who said Carter exemplified what it means to live a life full of service. “His towering legacy of compassion for others set a standard that will always be remembered,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Illinois Democrats mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a leader who embodied humility and service,” the Democratic Party of Illinois wrote on social media. “His unwavering dedication to peace and justice will inspire generations. We extend our condolences to the Carter family and honor his extraordinary life.”Lilly's 21 lead Brown over Canisius 83-76
The United States Postal Service might have found a way to unite a nation bitterly divided after this month's election: It will release a Betty White stamp. The beloved actor known for roles in "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Boston Legal" and others will be on a 2025 Forever stamp, USPS announced this past week. White died in late December 2021 , less than three weeks before her 100th birthday. The Postal Service hasn't announced a release date for the stamp. Betty White speaks Sept. 17, 2018, at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “An icon of American television, Betty White (1922–2021) shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston . “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.” Boston-based artist Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration from Alston's photo. "I'd love to send a letter back to my 18-year-old self with this stamp on it and tell him that everything is going to be OK," Stephanos posted on Facebook . Regardless of personal politics, self-proclaimed supporters of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris reacted with delight on social media. "Betty White was my hero, all of my life! I actually had a doll when I was a little girl I named Betty White," one Trump supporter posted on X , formerly Twitter. “Something to make this awful week a little better: We’re getting a Betty White stamp,” a pro-Harris X account posted. White combined a wholesome image with a flare for bawdy jokes . Her television career began in the early 1950s and exploded as she aged. “The only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party," Seth Meyers posted on Twitter after her death. "A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.” Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White, who love to play games, continue a two year gin rummy battle in which she's ahead by a cumulative 6,000 points in Westchester, N.Y. on April 29, 1965. They do it professionally on TV. He's the master of ceremonies on "Password," and she makes frequent guest appearances on game shows. They play games to relax at home. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White admire magnolia blossoms on the lawn of their country home in Westchester, N.Y. on May 14, 1965. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Actress Betty White in 1965. (AP Photo) Betty White shares a moment backstage at the 28th annual Emmy Awards with Ted Knight after they each won an Emmy for their supporting roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." On the series Miss White played Sue Ann Nivens while Knight played newscaster Ted Baxter. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17, 1976: (L-R) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-stars - Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight - all won awards at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Shubert Theatre on May 17, 1976 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by TVA/PictureGroup/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images) Actress Betty White with Ted Knight at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1981. (AP Photo/Randy Rasmussen) Betty White and Anson Williams don't seem to faze Buckeye, a St. Bernard, during an awards ceremony during which Williams was honored by the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a friend and lover of animals. Ms. White presented a humanitarian plaque to Williams at the event, which was held in Hollywood, California, Friday, May 1, 1982. (AP Photo/Marc Karody) Actress Betty White with actor John Hillerman arriving at Emmy Awards, Sept. 22, 1985 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/LIU) Actresses Betty White Ludden, left, and Mary Tyler Moore, right, smile at each other in Los Angeles, Friday, June 22, 1985 during Annual Meeting of Morris Animal Foundation, at which Ludden announced her retirement as President of the animal health group, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) These four veteran actresses from the television series "The Golden Girls" shown during a break in taping Dec. 25, 1985 in Hollywood. From left are, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur and Betty White. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Actress Betty White poses in Los Angeles, Ca. in June, 1986. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Betty White stands backstage at the NBC TV Bob Hope "I Love Lucy" special on Sept. 16, 1989. (AP Photo/Djansezian) Michael J. Fox and Betty White, winners of Emmys for best actor and actress in a comedy series, stand backstage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1986 after receiving their honors. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) Comedienne Betty White places her hand on the star that was presented posthumously to her husband, Allen Ludden, during ceremonies inducting him into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Thursday, March 31, 1988. Ludden was honored with the 1,868th star of the famed walkway — between those of White and Tyrone Power. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Estelle Getty, who plays Sophia, poses with her new husband, who plays Max, and the other "Golden Girls" after taping of episode on Friday, night, Nov. 5,1988 in Hollywood. Left to right are Rue McCLanahan (Blanche), Getty, Gilford, Bea Arthur (Dorothy) and Betty White. (AP Photo/Ira Mark Gostin) Former cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, sans Mary Tyler Moore, are reunited for the Museum of Television and Radio's 9th annual Television Festival in Los Angeles Saturday, March 21, 1992. From left are Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White and Ed Asner. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii) Actress Betty White, left, writer/producer David E. Kelley, actress Bridget Fonda, and actor Oliver Platt pose at the premiere of their movie "Lake Placid," Wednesday night, July 14, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White, from "Golden Girls," and Mr. T, Lawrence Tureaud, from "The A Team," pose for photographers at NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Actors Betty White, left, Georgia Engel, second left, Gavin MacLeod, center, Valerie Harper, second right, and John Amos pose for photographers during arrivals at CBS's 75th anniversary celebration Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) Actress Betty White laughs as an African eagle roosts overhead at the Los Angeles Zoo Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, in Los Angeles, where White was honored as Ambassador to the Animals by the city for her decades of dedication to the humane treatment of animals. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Betty White poses for photographers on the red carpet before Comedy Central's "Roast of William Shatner," Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Betty White arrives at the 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, on Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Beatrice Arthur, left, Betty White, center, and Rue McClanahan, of the Golden Girls, arrive at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actor Henry Winkler, center, is seen Beatrice Arthur, right, and Betty White at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) In this Nov. 24, 2009 file photo, actress Betty White poses for a portrait following her appearance on the television talk show "In the House," in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) Actress Betty White poses for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actress Betty White is seen on stage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, a cast member in "You Again," poses with fans holding Betty White masks at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Actress Betty White wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an Honorary Forest Ranger by the US Forest Service, at the Kennedy Center in Washington Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. White has stated in numerous interviews that her first ambition as a young girl was "to become a forest ranger, but they didn't allow women to do that back then". (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Betty White, left, Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson arrive at the MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif., on Sunday, June 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, left, Kristen Bell, center, and Jamie Lee Curtis, cast members in "You Again," pose together at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Betty White, left, accepts the Life Achievement Award from Sandra Bullock at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) From left, actresses Betty White, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, and Jane Leeves pose for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White attends a book signing for her book 'If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)' at Barnes & Noble in New York, Friday, May 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes) Actress Betty White attends a press conference prior to the taping of "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute To America's Golden Girl" on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci) Actress Betty White arrives on a white pony as she is honored at a Friars Club Roast sponsored by Godiva, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Marion Curtis) Betty White, at left, attends her wax figure unveiling at Madame Tussauds on Monday, June 4, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Katy Winn/Invision/AP) From left, Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Shuck, Actress Betty White and The 2012 American Hero Dog Gabe pose during 2012 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP) Betty White and Cloris Leachman onstage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the JW Marriott on Saturday, April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP) Ellen DeGeneres, left, presents Betty White with the award for favorite TV icon at the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Ranchi: “Ek hi naara, Hemant dobara” -- this slogan coined by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) for the state Assembly elections has resonated triumphantly in the state as the four-party alliance led by Hemant Soren has not only retained power but also set two historic records in Jharkhand's 24-year political history. First, this marks the first time a government has been re-elected for a second consecutive term. Second, no alliance had ever surpassed the milestone of winning 50 seats until now. Official figures from the Election Commission show the JMM-Congress-RJD-CPI(ML) alliance will secure about 55 seats in the 81-member assembly. About The game Changer In This Record-Breaking Win For JMM The game changer in this record-breaking win for the JMM is the Hemant Soren government’s Maiya Samman Yojana, launched in August this year. Under the scheme, Rs 1,000 is transferred monthly to the accounts of 57 lakh women aged 18 to 50 years. This initiative resonated deeply with women voters, who overwhelmingly supported the Soren-led government. Women outvoted men in 68 of the 81 assembly constituencies, with their total turnout exceeding men’s by 5,51,797 votes in a record voter turnout of 1.76 crore. Acknowledging this support, Hemant Soren expressed gratitude to women voters after the final phase of polling on November 20. On social media, he wrote, “Our Maiya has blessed us in historic numbers for dignity, respect, and rights.” Apart from Maiya Samman Yojna what other factors worked for Hemant Soren included waiving overdue electricity bills for about 37 lakh defaulters and farmers’ loan waivers of up to Rs 2 lakh. These measures particularly benefited rural areas, contributing to an unprecedented voter turnout in villages. Kalpana Soren Emerges As A Political Force In Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren’s wife, emerged as a political force during this campaign. Entering politics after Hemant Soren faced legal troubles earlier this year, Kalpana addressed 105 election rallies as the alliance's star campaigner. Her relatable style and charisma helped JMM appeal to urban voters, a notable shift for a party traditionally rooted in rural constituencies. Her rapid rise has been likened to a political comet, earning her widespread recognition. BJP, on the other hand, launched an aggressive campaign accusing JMM of corruption, even terming him and Kalpana Soren ‘Bunty and Babli’. The tribal community, a key constituency in Jharkhand, largely stood by JMM. BJP’s attempts to court them failed, partly due to tribal anger over Hemant Soren’s imprisonment and dissatisfaction with BJP's policies. The BJP’s focus on issues like alleged Bangladeshi infiltration in the Santhal Pargana region also failed to gain traction among the masses. Their decision to rely heavily on out-of-state leaders like Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan backfired, as the election became a direct contest between Hemant Soren and Himanta. Jharkhand voters rejected the BJP’s strategy, branding Sarma an outsider, seeing the entire electoral battle as Hemant vs Himanta. With the blessing of Maiya and Kalpana Soren’s dynamic campaigning, JMM has not only shattered historical records but also reinforced its image as a people's party. This victory cements Hemant Soren's leadership and sets a transformative precedent in Jharkhand's political narrative. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
ormer Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, imprisoned for corruption and abuses of power since 2022 for his involvement in the multibillion 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, has returned to the headlines. Over the past year, he’s been effective in reducing his criminal sentence and strengthening his martyr image, which appeals to his political base. Najib has galvanized his supporters as his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), made modest gains in by-elections. Despite his conviction, he remains a contender for national leadership. This week, a Malaysian court dropped 17 money laundering and tax evasion charges against Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor, known for her controversial jewelry and expensive bag purchases. Two major developments have worked in Najib’s favor this year. One has been greater clemency. In February, the sentence in his SRC conviction, a subsidiary tied to the 1MDB scandal, was halved. The “discount” was secured through an appeal to the pardon board headed by Malaysia’s royalty. Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or stay informed on the latest developments, "Viewpoint" is the perfect source for anyone seeking to engage with the issues that matter most. By registering, you agree with 's Please check your email for your newsletter subscription. A son of a prime minister with extensive political ties of his own, having entered politics when he was only 23, Najib has long been part of Malaysia’s political elite, including part of the royal council in Pahang, his home state. In April, a possible addendum to the pardon board’s decision to allow Najib to finish his sentence at home was raised. He lost his bid to execute the alleged house arrest order in July but the case remains on appeal, with a decision expected in January. The signs look promising for Najib to be granted house arrest. In October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that his government was considering legislation for house arrest, perceived as making way for Najib to serve his now six-year sentence at home. To date, Najib has served 28 months. His biggest legal gain, however, occurred in November, when the court discharged six embezzlement charges in another trial linked to 1MDB. The reason was the prosecution had failed to provide documents to the defense. Of the four 1MDB-linked trials Najib has faced, he has been convicted in one, two have been dismissed and another – the main case for 1MDB funds – is ongoing. Najib began his defense in this last trial earlier in December. Ironically, this is a second factor that strengthens Najib’s standing among his supporters. He is building his martyr image in the courtroom. Najib’s lawyers have alleged a United States-led conspiracy to topple him. This extends his “Robin Hood” narrative, in which he had claimed that his 1MDB funds were distributed rather than used personally. His lawyers have consistently argued he is being targeted, and while Najib apologized for mishandling the 1MDB funds in October, he has not accepted blame for the billions of losses Malaysian taxpayers now have to pay. Reinforcing Najib’s martyr image is a stark contrast: He has had to enter his defense, while UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a key ally in the Anwar government, has had all of his legal charges dismissed. This month, the prosecution withdrew its appeal in Zahid’s last remaining legal case, making way for the courts to acquit the deputy prime minister of bribery charges connected to a foreign visa system. Within the UMNO, Najib is more popular with the grassroots than Zahid. The more Najib is being made to fight, the stronger his supporters perceive injustice. His popularity is reinforced by nostalgia among his party for an era when it was dominant in power, patronage was more widely shared and economic growth was perceived as benefiting the ground. Many long for a return to the old ways of doing business. Views of Najib are polarized, with his detractors adamant that he should serve his time in prison and pay his outstanding taxes and fines. Yet among his base and dissatisfied voters, Najib is arguably stronger than he was a year ago. Those in power have a good reason to be wary of Najib’s popularity. Malaysia has a history of jailed leaders coming back to power. Ironically, this history might be Najib’s main obstacle, as his ongoing rehabilitation is unlikely to provide a clear pathway to power – at least in the short term. ---Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger steps down as chipmaker struggles with layoffs and competitionActor and former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan has attributed his dismal performance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections to alleged tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Contesting from Versova on an Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) ticket, Ajaz managed to secure just 155 votes, fewer than the None of the Above (NOTA) option. Reacting to the results on X (formerly Twitter), Ajaz blamed EVMs for his defeat, asserting that even seasoned politicians and prominent party candidates had underperformed. “It’s all a game of EVMs,” he wrote. “Candidates with years of political experience, big party backing, and huge campaigns are either losing or receiving shockingly low votes. I’m a social worker trying to be the voice of the people and will continue to do so.” Ajaz also expressed sympathy for candidates who spent crores on their campaigns but faced humiliating losses. The Aazad Samaj Party, led by MP Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan,’ has a limited presence in Maharashtra, and Ajaz’s results reflect the party’s struggle to gain traction. Known more for controversies and social media activity than politics, Ajaz’s foray into elections has highlighted his limited appeal, with his political future appearing uncertain. Maharashtra Election Results 2024: ‘Bigg Boss’ Fame Ajaz Khan Trolled For Getting Less Votes Than NOTA in Versova Assembly Polls . EVM ka khel hai sab.. Jo saalo se Contest karrahe hai aur Politics mei hai, badi party , bada naam wo candidates haar rahe hain, ya Phir Bahut kam Votes laaye hain. Mai toh Social worker hu jo logo ki awaaz banne koshish karta hu. Aur koshish karta rahunga . Par Mujhe afsos... — Ajaz Khan (@AjazkhanActor) November 23, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Kropz (LON:KRPZ) Trading Down 15.4% – Should You Sell?Noa Lininger was a freshman at Lafayette’s Centaurus High at the end of the pandemic and decided a traditional high school experience wasn’t for them. After trying various options, Noa created a senior year schedule that combines an in-person, concurrent enrollment videography class at the Boulder Technical Education Center with online Front Range Community College classes. Concurrent enrollment allows high school students to earn college credit while in high school, with the college tuition paid for by the state. Because of concurrent enrollment programs, Noa expects to graduate from high school in May with 22 college credits at no cost and plans to continue their education. “Concurrent enrollment classes helped me see my options,” said Lininger, who goes by they/their pronouns. Statewide, as originally reported by Chalkbeat Colorado , high school students account for almost half of the state’s community college enrollment, thanks to concurrent enrollment. Of the 88,118 students enrolled at the two-year level, more than 39,000 students statewide are still in high school, the Colorado Community College System reports. In total, high school students accounted for almost 90% of enrollment increases at the community college level this year. Since the pandemic, high school students have become a main driver of community college enrollment in the state. Front Range Community College is the largest provider of concurrent enrollment in Colorado. The college serves about 13,000 dual-enrolled students and has contracts with 65 partners. FRCC serves students at more than 120 sites, including 55 high schools. FRCC has campuses in Longmont, Westminster and Fort Collins. “The need for concurrent enrollment, the popularity and the access have just skyrocketed,” said Courtney Graeff, FRCC’s director of concurrent enrollment at the Longmont campus. “We’re constantly having to find new ways of keeping up with the numbers because the popularity has increased exponentially.” For Noa, college classes are different enough from high school courses that they can now see themselves continuing their education. They feel the classes are more interesting and “structured better for how my brain works.” Noa’s plans include earning a professional esthetician license at Boulder TEC before graduation, potentially trying video editing as a side gig and applying to the ASCENT program. ASCENT, or Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment, allows students who completed at least nine college credits to stay in high school for a fifth year while they take free college classes. “It’s a huge opportunity for students to continue their education at Front Range,” Graeff said. Along with Front Range, colleges that participate in ASCENT include Metropolitan State University Denver, University of Northern Colorado, Aims Community College, Emily Griffith Technical College, Western Colorado University and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. FRCC has seen consistent, steady growth in all concurrent enrollment classes college-wide since 2009. At the Boulder County campus in Longmont, concurrent enrollment students comprised 53% of the 5,506 total students in the 2023-2024 academic year. The year before, those students made up 46% of the total population and 32% the year before that. In both the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts, officials say student demand for concurrent enrollment classes has increased exponentially in recent years. Most of those classes are taught on high school campuses by high school teachers certified to teach at the college level. Taking college classes online is another popular option. Only a small percentage of students attend classes on a college campus. Along with FRCC, Boulder Valley has concurrent enrollment agreements with the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Denver and Metro State University. For the fall semester, 1,603 Boulder Valley students were earning college credits. Of those, about 100 were taking classes at a college, either in-person or online. The rest, about 1,500 students, took concurrent enrollment classes at their high school or at Boulder TEC. Getting more students into concurrent enrollment classes is part of the school district’s Grad Plus initiative, which encourages all students to graduate with more than a diploma. Other options include work-based learning and industry certificates. “We’re all about helping students get ahead in their education,” said Madeline Brockish, Boulder Valley’s Career and College Connections coordinator. “Concurrent enrollment is really about making college more affordable to students and saving them time.” St. Vrain Valley officials said the district enrolled a record number of students in concurrent enrollment classes in the fall. To meet the demand and help students navigate their options, each of its high schools now has a counselor who oversees the program. The district has concurrent enrollment agreements with six colleges: FRCC, Red Rocks Community College, Aims Community College, University of Colorado Denver, Colorado State University Online and Metro State University. First semester, 1,733 students took 91 concurrent enrollment classes. Sixty of those were taught in St. Vrain Valley classrooms, while the other 31 were held online or at a college campus. St. Vrain Valley Assistant Superintendent Kahle Charles said concurrent enrollment classes give students a competitive advantage going into college or the workforce, while earning credits can make coursework feel more relevant. “It’s opening opportunities for our students,” he said. “We really appreciate these relationships we have with these higher education institutions. They’re really seeing the value of working with school districts.” At FRCC, concurrent enrollment students have access to all the same support services as the college’s traditional students, including library databases, tutoring, writing and math support centers. Graeff said those opportunities are life-changing, especially for students of color, first-generation students and students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. “The student debt crisis has really pushed forward the opportunities for concurrent enrollment students,” Graeff said. “They’re starting to see the importance of engaging in college work earlier so that they can be more successful upon high school graduation, whether they’re continuing their education or entering the workforce.” As student interest grows, one challenge for school districts has been getting teachers certified to teach college classes. The qualifications can vary by college and subject, but colleges generally require either a master’s degree in the subject area being taught or a master’s degree plus 18 subject credit hours. If there’s not a high school teacher with those qualifications, the community college may send an instructor to teach the class on the high school campus. Centaurus High, for example, brought in a Front Range instructor this semester to teach three classes in Spanish to students who needed the higher-level coursework. Another Front Range class offered at Centaurus is English composition class. For that class, which is in its third year, the school has three qualified teachers. One of those is Jennifer Dunbar, who has a master’s degree in English literature, taught English at a community college in Washington and, after taking time off to raise her kids, went back to school for a teaching license and master’s in education. She said Front Range provides high school teachers with professional development, a mentor/class observer and support for registration issues. Front Range also provides a syllabus and online textbook but allows teachers to tailor the class based on their strengths. She added that combining higher education with K-12 required resolving some conflicts, including around special education accommodations. Accommodations are more limited at the college level. Along with the on-campus support Front Range offers to students, Impact on Education is covering the cost of after-school tutoring at Centaurus for concurrent enrollment students. “For kids who are underwater, it’s hard to get back,” Dunbar said. “We’ve caught a lot of students with this tutoring who might have failed.” Dunbar said many of the students taking the class are in the Centaurus engineering program and want to get their college English requirements out of the way. Others want the experience of a college class. “I can prepare myself for when I go to college and be able to say I took a college class,” said senior Lizbeth Aguirre. “I took it as a challenge.” Classmate Logan Cole, also a senior, said he likes concurrent enrollment because, unlike in an AP class, a good grade guarantees college credit. In AP, receiving college credit requires a high enough score on the end-of-year AP test — and even then, colleges decide what scores and what subjects they’ll accept for credit. “Concurrent enrollment classes are a good taste of what a college class will be,” he said. Along with adding college classes at their high schools, both local districts are increasing opportunities to earn college credits in their career and technical education classes. To teach career and technical education classes for college credit, instructors typically need an associate’s degree or higher plus a specified number of hours of industry experience. Kate Topham, the counselor at St. Vrain Valley’s Career Elevation and Technology Center, said the center offers 50 classes with the opportunity to earn college credit through five college partners, up from two college partners in 2019. She talks up the advantages, helps students register with the colleges and troubleshoots with students if there are problems. Of the students eligible to earn college credit, she said, 83% signed up this fall. “I tell students they’re not opting into a harder class,” she said. “Instead, it’s about where those credits can take you in the future. You can add it to a resume or get ahead in college. The impact is amazing.” Emma Grassman, a senior at Erie High School taking a Certified Nursing Assistant class, said she’s learning skills like CPR that will be useful no matter where she ends up after high school. Plus, she said, the credit through Red Rocks Community College should help her stand out on college applications. “You’re showing them that you’re ready to go to college,” she said. Erik Hakanson, a Longmont High student taking manufacturing classes, said he’s on track to earn 12 credits in Metro State’s engineering program. Taking the classes at the Career Elevation and Technology Center, he said, saves money on college tuition, lets him learn from a supportive teacher who worked in the industry and gives him more time in the machine shop than he would likely get in college. “This gives you a hands-on experience,” he said. At Boulder’s Technical Education Center, Ash Collins is teaching a concurrent enrollment videography class. She started the center’s videography program four years ago, retrofitting a classroom into a studio by adding a sound booth and other equipment. Two years ago, she got certified to teach at the college level and partnered with Front Range, allowing her students to earn 12 college credits. “My expectations are high,” she said. “I need to be able to trust them to take ownership of what they’re learning. They get to decide what they want to create. Students really do get that college-level curriculum here. They should get credit for it.” She said the rigor and content are the same as a videography class taught at the college level, but she gives them more direct support. In college, she said, a student might be given a project that’s due in three months and be expected to complete it on their own. She provides more structure and breaks down the steps. “There’s a lot more checking in, but they’re capable of a lot,” she said. Along with a large roster of concurrent enrollment classes, St. Vrain offers the early college P-TECH, or Pathways in Technology Early College High School, program. The extended year program gives high school students up to six years to earn an associate’s degree along with their high diploma, with a goal of getting underrepresented students into STEM fields after graduation. State funding covers the community college tuition costs. St. Vrain has expanded the program since first offering it at Skyline High in 2016 to four high schools. Altogether, 444 St. Vrain students are enrolled in P-TECH classes this school year, with students generally going to the community college campus for classes starting in their junior and senior years. Each high school has a different focus, community college partners and business partners. Front Range partners with the P-TECH programs at the three Longmont schools, Skyline High, Silver Creek and Longmont High. “They always tell me, ‘Ms, I never thought I’d go to college,’”Graeff said. “And the day that they graduate I get to watch them walk across the stage and get that college degree before they even graduate high school.” April Menzies, FRCC’s associate vice president for K-12 partnerships, said the college about five years ago was seeing double-digit percentage increases in concurrently enrolled students year-over-year. Now increases aren’t so high, but enrollment is still going up. “What the data really shows, both in the state data reports and nationwide, is students tend to start taking college classes in high school and they tend to go to college at a greater rate than students that don’t have that opportunity or don’t take college classes in high school,” Menzies said. Roughly a third of FRCC’s concurrent enrollment students return to the college for further education at some point after high school. Many others often continue to a four-year college or university. Menzies said concurrent enrollment can create financial savings for families and allow students to explore career opportunities and topics not available in the high school curriculum. She said there’s also value in learning how college works, helping students transition to college with more ease. “There are lots of reasons why students take a concurrent enrollment class, and the nice thing is it serves a lot of needs,” Menzies said. “It meets a lot of different goals for students and families.” Colorado lawmakers say they recognize the value of dual enrollment, especially because national research shows these programs can help eliminate gaps in who gets to college. But they also want more information on the long-term benefit of the programs, as well as the overall costs to the state. A state task force has called for streamlining what it has described as a fragmented early career and college system built over many years. Colorado has numerous programs, but not every district offers every program. Each program has different reporting requirements, making it hard to measure how programs are working individually and as a whole. Colorado lawmakers enacted legislation this year that: Directs the state to perform a comprehensive financial study to analyze how much the programs cost the state and districts; Compiles long-term data on program outcomes; Expands college opportunities for high school students; and Seeks to find a comprehensive direction on college and career education. The financial study , by Denver-based Slalom Consulting, was published in December and includes recommendations to consolidate state grants and incentives into a single funding source, standardize concurrent enrollment tuition agreements, adopt a tuition reimbursement model for extended-year programs like ASCENT and P-TECH, and reassess the ASCENT program. ASCENT, according to the report, should be realigned to ensure it’s focused on the original intent of serving low-income, at-risk students. A lack of clear workforce goals and rising costs are other concerns lawmakers have raised about ASCENT. Unlike P-TECH, ASCENT doesn’t require students to choose a particular major or area of study. From the school district perspective, St. Vrain’s Charles said, a common tuition agreement and streamlining teacher qualifications would both be helpful, especially for rural school districts that don’t have the same resources as a larger district like St. Vrain. “Statewide, it can be a better system for all of us,” he said. Chalkbeat Colorado contributed to this report.
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NJ residents ramp up protests over town council's American flag flap: 'It hit a nerve'An economic impact study conducted by South Carolina research economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen and co-commissioned by SCTAC and the SC Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes) reveals that the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center (SCTAC) in Greenville, S.C. has a profound $6.1 billion annual economic impact on the state of South Carolina, $5.9 billion of which is concentrated in the Upstate. Located near I-85 in Greenville, S.C., SCTAC is a global business park that proactively supports advanced manufacturing –– including the aerospace and automotive sectors –– by providing the technology, infrastructure, and amenities necessary to attract and retain marquee companies. More than 100 companies currently operate at SCTAC. Advanced manufacturing is one of the fastest growing industry clusters in South Carolina. Since 2010, total employment in this cluster has more than doubled (+103.5%), which compares to a growth rate of +27.6 percent for South Carolina as a whole. The study identifies SCTAC as a primary contributing factor to this high rate of growth and a key asset for the economies of both the Upstate and South Carolina. As evidence, the study found that SCTAC supports approximately 17,873 jobs in the Upstate along with more than $1.3 billion in labor income annually. This confirms that SCTAC supports, directly or indirectly, 1 out of every 9 manufacturing jobs in the Upstate. Furthermore, jobs at SCTAC companies represent high-wage, high-skilled positions that raise income levels locally and statewide. The average job supported (directly or indirectly) by all ongoing business operations at SCTAC is estimated to pay an average annual wage of $91,456. This represents a 70 percent wage premium over the average annual wage in the Upstate region across all jobs. SCTAC’s total annual economic impact has tripled since the last time an impact analysis was conducted in 2017.
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SVG Summit Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 2 Devlin Design Group is an award-winning, global full-service broadcast scenic and lighting design firm. Services include set design, virtual sets, lighting design and direction, lighting equipment, fabrication, solutions from concept to fabrication to air. We create exceptional visual storytelling environments with flexibility and function. DDG’s winning strategy... engaging your fans.EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Haffner scored 13 points as Evansville beat Missouri State 57-40 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak. Haffner went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Purple Aces (4-9, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Joshua Hughes added 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Tayshawn Comer scored 11. Dez White finished with 12 points, four assists and six steals for the Bears (7-6, 0-2). Missouri State also got 10 points, 12 rebounds and two steals from Michael Osei-Bonsu. Zaxton King had eight points. Evansville carried a slim three-point lead into halftime, as Haffner led the way with seven points. Evansville took the lead for what would be the final time on Haffner's 3-pointer with 18:44 remaining in the second half. His team would outscore Missouri State by 14 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .AP News Summary at 8:02 p.m. EST