James Carville Blasts Trump Cabinet Picks As “Pack Of Creepy Perverts” As New Documentary About Him Gets Post-Election Recut
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TASS: Bashar al-Assad Arrives in Moscow with His Family
Meet WA’s quantum computing pioneers: Their work could be life-changingVICTORIA, Seychelles, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are honored to announce that JOC (Japan Open Chain) has been listed on XT . JOC/USDT trading pair is opened in Main Zone(web3.0). Please take note of the official go-live schedule: Deposit: Opened Trading: 11:00 on December 23, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 11:00 on December 24, 2024 (UTC) About JOC(Japan Open Chain) The Japan Open Chain (JOC) is a blockchain project designed to create an open, decentralized infrastructure to support a wide range of applications across various industries. The platform is focused on providing scalable and secure solutions that empower businesses and individuals, particularly in Japan, to develop and implement decentralized applications (dApps). By leveraging blockchain technology, JOC aims to enhance transparency, reduce reliance on traditional centralized systems, and offer users a secure and efficient environment for transactions and data management. The project is built to handle high transaction volumes quickly, addressing the scalability issues many blockchain networks face today. JOC's primary focus is on the Japanese market, where it seeks to foster blockchain adoption by providing businesses and startups with the tools needed to integrate blockchain into their operations. While the project is rooted in Japan, its open-source nature and emphasis on interoperability mean that it can easily connect with other blockchain ecosystems, enabling seamless collaboration across different platforms. The Japan Open Chain is driven by a community-focused approach, encouraging active participation from developers, businesses, and users to contribute to the platform's growth and evolution. The listing of JOC on XT is a key milestone for the Japan Open Chain project, enhancing its visibility and liquidity. This move provides global access to the project, opening up new opportunities for both institutional and retail investors. It also highlights XT's commitment to supporting innovative blockchain projects and expanding its offerings to meet diverse user needs. Website: https://www.japanopenchain.org/ Blockchain Browser: https://explorer.japanopenchain.org/ Whitepaper: https://www.jbfd.org/en/joc-whitepaper About XT.COM Founded in 2018, XT.COM now serves nearly 8 million registered users, over 1,000,000+ monthly active users, and 40+ million users in the ecosystem. Our platform supports 800+ high-quality tokens and 1000+ trading pairs, offering various trading options such as spot trading, margin trading, and futures trading. As the world's first social-infused digital asset trading platform, XT.COM is dedicated to providing a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience. Our mission is to empower users to explore the infinite potential of blockchain technology. Website : xt.com X : twitter.com/XTexchange Telegram : t.me/XTsupport_EN XT Exchange Bella Wei Listing@xt.com JOC(Japan Open Chain) marketing@japanopenchain.org Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider.The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/762de428-99f6-44af-a6b9-5675e3a35bdf © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Riley Allenspach, Trey Fort lead Samford past Austin Peay 72-47
When Guangli Xu's phone started buzzing with thousands of notifications, he realised he had "gone viral". The 28-year-old shared a video to social media platform Douyin — the Chinese version of TikTok — titled "Challenging the world's longest commute to classes". The video documents the 8,800km journey Xu takes weekly from his hometown Dezhou, in China’s Shandong province, to Melbourne for face-to-face classes. "A round trip takes about 72 hours. One way is about 10 to 13 hours on the plane," he tells SBS Mandarin. Xu first came to Melbourne eight years ago and in that time has completed his undergraduate studies in game design and a master's degree in arts management at RMIT University. For his final semester this year, he decided to move back to his hometown and become an 'international commuter'. Source: Supplied "I usually leave for Melbourne on Monday mornings and can be back home [in China] by Wednesday evenings," Xu says. Between August and October, he made the commute 11 times, with each round trip costing around $1,500. He says the expense is comparable to his typical monthly living costs in Melbourne. Xu says the main reasons he wanted to become an "international commute student" were to spend more time with his family and girlfriend, who are based in Dezhou, and to prepare for a career in China post-graduation. Before committing to the plan, Xu read up on China's overseas degree recognition and recruitment timelines and assessed the feasibility of managing his coursework remotely. Why international students like Huzaifa say they feel 'like a scapegoat' "I found that the flight routes between China and Australia are frequent, with multiple airlines operating, so I gave it a try ... It turned out to be quite feasible and I haven't encountered any major issues," he explains. "I prefer the environment and convenience in China. After living abroad for so many years, I also wanted to spend more time with my family." Cross-state commuting Alongside international commuting, some domestic students are travelling interstate for their studies. Hunter Huang, a Chinese international student at the University of Adelaide, moved to Sydney in February and began a four-month journey of "cross-state commuting" to complete his postgraduate studies in marketing. The 27-year-old had been living in Adelaide since 2016, where he completed his foundation and undergraduate studies. Source: Supplied Speaking to SBS Mandarin, Huang says he would typically fly from Sydney to Adelaide once a month, returning the same day. "I usually arrive at Sydney Airport around 6am and take the earliest flight to Adelaide, arriving just in time for my 10am class. Like Xu, Huang’s move was in part motivated by love — his girlfriend lives in Sydney. He also cited Sydney’s lower shared accommodation costs and greater job opportunities as primary reasons behind his decision to commute between states. "After calculating the costs, I found that living together [with my girlfriend] in Sydney is cheaper than living apart, with me staying in Adelaide to study. We're saving nearly a month's rent, around $2,000," Huang says. "Also, it's not easy to find a marketing job in Adelaide but there are more opportunities here in Sydney." There are new restrictions for student visas in Australia. Here's what you need to know Could international commuting become mainstream? Xu isn't the only one adopting the international commute lifestyle. On Chinese social media, it is not unusual to see international students from other countries posting videos tagged "China-Japan commute", "China-Korea commute" and "China-Russia commute". Dr Qian Gong, a scholar of Chinese media and popular culture at Perth's Curtin University, believes that short-term international commuting could become "a more common practice" among international students in the near future. "Particularly for countries that are geographically closer, like South Korea, Japan, Malaysia or Singapore, I think it's highly possible that some students might opt for a period of international commuting," she says. Source: Supplied Gong explains that compared with earlier generations of Chinese international students, the new generation places a higher value on staying connected with their families. Additionally, an increasing number of students now choose to return to China after graduation. "I've seen students mention that one reason they choose Australia is the [smaller] time difference between Australia and China. Whereas in the US, for instance, it's less convenient to call or video chat with family," she says. "Over time, international commuting might become a practice that no longer stands out as unusual." These uni students are working 'extreme hours' to make ends meet, but a crackdown is looming International commute not for everyone As Xu's international commute videos gained traction online, he started facing criticism. Some comments posted on Douyin label him a "wealthy kid" and questioned the value of his degree. Dr Hongzhi Zhang is a senior lecturer in education at Monash University and says the decision to undertake international commuting is tied to a range of social, economic and lifestyle factors international students have to consider. "If there were more job opportunities and better living conditions here in Australia, I believe [Xu] would be more inclined to invite his family to live in Australia, rather than flying back to China every week," Zhang says. Source: SBS News Despite the considerable time spent travelling and associated costs, Zhang says international commuting does not necessarily diminish the quality of learning. "What affects the quality of learning is whether the student has adequately prepared before attending class," he explains. Zhang points out that since the pandemic, universities have embraced more flexible teaching methods to meet diverse needs. "For instance, many reading materials are now provided online in advance. Whether students are in Australia or elsewhere, they can prepare for class ahead of time." International students face major mental health barriers. Are universities doing enough? In early December, Xu returned to Melbourne to prepare for his graduation ceremony later this month. Reflecting on his three-month journey as an international commuter, Xu described it as a "bold" experiment that not only enriched his life experience but also made him more confident about planning for his future. But he says international commuting is "not a good fit for everyone". "But if your time and energy abroad are already limited, I'd recommend focusing on integrating into local life as soon as possible. I think that will have greater meaning for your future." This story was written by Nicole Gong from SBS Mandarin .Macquarie Asset Management launches Outlook 2025
MetLife Investment Management LLC Lowers Position in Uniti Group Inc. (NASDAQ:UNIT)The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. But after two straight frustrating losses, it's not providing much consolation for a franchise that feels as though it should be much better. The latest setback came on Sunday, when the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Cardinals 23-22 . Arizona never trailed until Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining that proved to be the winning score. It was a mistake-filled performance for the Cardinals, who racked up 10 penalties for 96 yards. That's a big reason they had to settle for five field goals and scored just one touchdown. The Cardinals were leading 19-16 in the fourth quarter and had first-and-goal at the Vikings 5, but Tip Reiman was called for a false start and then quarterback Kyler Murray was called for intentional grounding . The Cardinals kicked a field goal for a 22-16 lead, giving the Vikings the chance they needed to drive for the winning score. Murray threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. “I thought we moved the ball well,” Murray said. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.” The loss knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the NFC West, though they're still in decent playoff position. A pivotal game against the division-rival Seahawks looms on Sunday. Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the frustration of Sunday's loss, but said they've got to rebound quickly. “They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.” Arizona's defense blamed itself for not coming up with a stop on the Vikings' winning drive, but the unit played exceptionally well for most of the afternoon. Mack Wilson and L.J. Collier both had two sacks and the Cardinals held Minnesota to just 273 total yards. For a group that looked as if it might be the team's weakness this season, it was another rock solid performance. The Cardinals aren't a good enough football team to overcome 10 penalties and get a win — particularly on the road. Reiman had a rough day, getting called for three false starts. His false start on the next-to-last offensive drive — coupled with Murray's intentional grounding penalty — proved to be extremely costly. “That was brutal,” Gannon said. “Just got to figure out ways to punch the ball in for touchdowns there, not field goals.” Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had five catches for 60 yards, including an impressive touchdown catch that put the Cardinals up 19-6. It was Harrison's seventh TD reception of the season. The No. 4 overall pick has been a little inconsistent in his first year, but there's little doubt he's a difference-maker for the offense. He's still got a chance to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season if he averages about 80 yards receiving over the final five games. Considering his talent, that's certainly possible. Gannon was second-guessed for his decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter instead of trying for a touchdown at the Vikings 4 with 3:29 left. Chad Ryland made the 23-yard chip shot for a 22-16 lead, but the Vikings drove the field on the ensuing possession for the winning score. “I trust JG,” Murray said. “I see both sides. Go up six and make them score; trust the defense to go get a stop. Go for it, you don’t get it, they’ve still got to go down and score. If you do get it, you probably put the game away.” Said Gannon: "Yeah, I mean there’s thought about it. Just wanted to go up more than a field goal there. Definitely a decision point that we talked about. So be it.” The Cardinals came out of the game fairly healthy. Rookie DL Darius Robinson — the No. 27 overall pick — made his NFL debut against the Vikings after missing the first 11 games due to a calf injury. 1,074 — Running back James Conner's total yards from the line of scrimmage this season, including 773 on the ground and 301 in the passing game. The Cardinals return home for a game against the Seahawks on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
KUWAIT: The “Kuwait Seeks Your Well-being” donation drive concluded on Sunday after a three-day run at the Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait. Donations poured into the embassy from day one, including medicine, medical supplies, and essential items for women and children. “Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a significant difference,” Lebanese Charge d’Affaires in Kuwait Ahmad Arafa said in a statement. He added that the Zionist entity’s military attack on Lebanon systematically targeted villages and towns throughout the country, resulting in widespread devastation. “The destruction exceeds 150,000 residential units, leaving approximately 700,000 people displaced in shelters or rented homes across the country,” said Arafa. He praised the Lebanese community in Kuwait for proving their reliability and generosity by volunteering and donating and thanked the numerous Kuwaiti volunteers who also joined the campaign. “This reflects the strong bond and appreciation shared between our peoples for decades.” Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation Ambassador Hamad Al-Mashaan praised the efforts of the embassy’s team, the Lebanese community, and other residents, including Kuwaiti volunteers, in preparing aid that will soon be sent to Lebanon. He indicated that Kuwait has already sent six military aircraft to Lebanon, carrying 180 tons of medical supplies. On the mechanism for delivering aid, he emphasized: “The Lebanese Red Cross and Red Crescent will oversee the distribution of aid. Previous donations were handed over to the Lebanese government, which provided Kuwait with a list of the population’s urgent needs. All procedures were transparent and adhered to the correct legal channels, ensuring the embassy obtained the necessary approvals.” Ambassador Ahmad Abdulrahman Al-Baker, Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab World Affairs, reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for Lebanon. “Kuwait has previously welcomed the ceasefire initiative, and we hope this will be a step toward a lasting and sustainable peace. We support all international efforts under the United Nations umbrella to implement and advance this decision, particularly Resolution 1701, which aims to restore calm and stability in Lebanon,” he said. He highlighted the Kuwait Declaration penned by leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on December 1, 2024, as an example of the GCC’s solidarity with Lebanon. “During the GCC Summit, we witnessed the clear stance expressed by the leaders of the GCC in support of Lebanon and its political process. Furthermore, Kuwait’s efforts within the Arab League, whether through ministerial meetings or its representative in the League, continue to support Lebanon and Palestine alike.” He indicated Kuwait’s unwavering commitment to all decisions issued by the Arab League and the GCC aimed at upholding Lebanon’s independence while rejecting interference in its internal affairs. He affirmed that the solution in Lebanon must be political, leading to the desired stability Al-Baker emphasized the longstanding affection and mutual respect shared between Kuwait and Lebanon. “We Kuwaitis have always held a special affection for Lebanon, which is evident through our visits there or in our warm reception of Lebanese residents in Kuwait. The Lebanese, in turn, express their appreciation and gratitude for this relationship. We hope this bond and harmony between the two peoples will continue to thrive.” Tajikistan Ambassador to Kuwait and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Zubaydullo Zubaydov expressed his solidarity with Lebanon, praising Kuwait’s humanitarian efforts and highlighting the global recognition of Kuwait’s contributions to various causes. Zubaydov announced plans for Tajikistan to launch a relief initiative to support Lebanon. “This campaign, a testament to human compassion and solidarity, once again underscores the enduring ties between Kuwait and Lebanon and the commitment to global humanitarian efforts,” he said. Mia Al-Adem, Consul and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Lebanon, expressed her admiration for the Lebanese people’s collective spirit during challenging times. “Today’s scene is heartwarming and demonstrates the Lebanese people’s love for their homeland, reflecting national unity beyond political divides. Everyone has come together to answer the call of duty,” she said. She extended gratitude to the volunteers, the Lebanese Business Council, and the Lebanese Women’s Council in Kuwait for their support. She also thanked Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other authorities for facilitating the campaign, describing Kuwait as “the land of generosity, humanity, and brotherhood.” Al-Adem said the campaign was a collective effort that would bring relief to countless children and families in Lebanon. All donated items would be shipped to Beirut for distribution by the Lebanese government’s Emergency Committee in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and the High Relief Commission, she added.Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who just wants to go where everybody knows your name — even if it’s not to Cheers. As Ted Danson proves in the new Netflix series “A Man on the Inside,” he can make friends anywhere, including the retirement home. In this case, with an assist from costar Stephen McKinley Henderson: As series creator Mike Schur explains to senior writer Yvonne Villarreal in this week’s Guest Spot, the pair’s friendship is the show’s central (platonic) “love story.” Also in Screen Gab No. 158, our editor catches up on the acclaimed “Say Nothing,” plus more streaming recommendations for your weekend. ICYMI Must-read stories you might have missed Garcelle Beauvais is outspoken, on and off ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ : The actor and cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” discusses the latest season, the presidential election and how she’d leave the show if her sons asked her to. ‘The Later Daters’ shows that dating after 55 ‘is a lot sexier than people think’ : A Netflix docuseries from executive producer Michelle Obama follows six singles over age 55 as they go on a series of blind dates and attempt to find love again. After controversial snub, ‘Piano Lesson’ returns Danielle Deadwyler to Oscar race : Two years ago, the actor found herself in an Oscars controversy after being snubbed for “Till.” Now she returns with “Piano Lesson,” and Netflix on Friday — and awards watchers predict payback. What to watch this holiday season: ‘Dear Santa,’ musical variety shows and a cute little owl : Santa is an evergreen staple this holiday season, and expect a plethora of variety specials from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Nate Bargatze, Jimmy Fallon and Motown legends. Turn on Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times “Interior Chinatown” (Hulu) Or “Int. Chinatown,” like a shooting script, as the show’s opening title renders it. This quirky, megafictional, permeable realities miniseries, adapted by Charles Yu from his 2020 National Book Award-winning novel, stars Jimmy O. Yang as Willis Wu, a waiter in a Chinese restaurant in the imaginary metropolis of Port Harbour, which is also the setting of a police show called “Black & White,” whose hot detective characters will introduce themselves into Willis’ world. (Yu worked on “Legion,” “Lodge 49” and “Westworld,” other shows with one foot in ordinary existence and the other ... somewhere else.) Willis, who sees himself as “a background character in someone else’s story,” feels invisible and trapped; he’s not the first character to wish for some excitement in his life, then get it in spades . The series moves between unrealities in ways that are not always easy to track or parse, except on a metaphorical, poetical level — it has things to do with image, and self-image, as it relates, or doesn’t, to Chinese Americans, and how media warps, limits and controls our narratives. To paraphrase the Beatles, though he feels as if he’s in a screenplay, he is anyway. Ronny Chieng stands out as Willis’ grumpy but grounded best friend. — Robert Lloyd READ MORE: Jimmy O. Yang is finally No. 1 on the call sheet with ‘Interior Chinatown’ “Our Oceans” (Netflix) There’s no denying that David Attenborough is the king of the nature documentary, but there’s a new voice entering the space: former President Obama. “Our Oceans” is the latest nature docuseries to arrive on Netflix, and the five episodes are focused on each of the world’s largest bodies of water, starting with the Pacific Ocean — you’ll see a bit of Los Angeles here as well. The series is executive produced by James Honeyborne, who previously worked at the BBC Natural History Unit, and Obama, who narrates each episode. Obama’s narration is light, familiar and informative, fluctuating with the mood of the stunning visuals that take us from the surface down to a world of sea creatures, underwater volcanoes and vegetation. While the focus is largely on what happens underwater, it also addresses how humans have an effect on the Earth’s oceans. If you’re looking for a calming and educational series to watch with your family over the holidays, put this one in your queue. — Maira Garcia Catch up Everything you need to know about the film or TV series everyone’s talking about The trio of episodes on which “Say Nothing” (FX, Hulu) turns arrive at mid-season, after we’ve been charmed by the spirited Dolours Price (Lola Petticrew) and her taciturn younger sister, Marian (Hazel Doupe), and won over to their cause of “a free and united Ireland.” Which may explain why execution of Irish republican informers, the civilian carnage unleashed by a London car bombing and the torture of force feeding in an English prison resonate so powerfully: The series never reduces its protagonists’ struggle, or the consequences, to mere political abstraction. Instead, through the prism of the Prices and radical counterparts like Brendan Hughes (Anthony Boyle), the subject is richly — and often terrifyingly — drawn; the chaotic plot to bomb the Old Bailey, Britain’s foremost criminal court, comes off as a childish escapade at its most dangerous, for instance, while the sisters’ subsequent hunger strike seems saintly in its conviction. The point, of course, captured in riveting detail in Patrick Radden Keefe’s 2018 history of the Troubles and now Josh Zetumer’s nine-part miniseries adaptation, is that violence inevitably belittles its perpetrators’ ideals, no matter which side they’re on. Dolours and Marian’s humiliation at Brixton prison belies snippets of radio chatter about the righteousness of the British legal system, while the bombing, or the execution of “touts,” reduces the fight for freedom to the much grubbier motives of fear and control. By the end of “Say Nothing,” complicity in the conflict embraces everyone from Rory Kinnear’s ruthless British commander in Belfast, Frank Kitson, to Josh Finan’s stony, slimy Gerry Adams, leaving behind only bullet-pocked buildings, unmarked graves and grim memories. No one can be said to have won the war, in this construction: They either outlived it, or they did not. — Matt Brennan READ MORE : ‘Say Nothing’ explores ‘human wreckage’ wrought by young radicals during the Troubles Guest spot A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching After exploring morality and ethics together in the NBC sitcom “The Good Place,” prolific TV creator and producer Mike Schur is teaming up with actor Ted Danson for yet another profound comedy that will leave you thinking. “A Man on the Inside,” an eight-episode series available to stream on Netflix, unpacks loneliness and the search for purpose late in life. Based on the Oscar-nominated 2020 documentary “The Mole Agent,” the series stars Danson as a retired professor and widower who finds a new lease on life when he’s tapped by a private investigator to go undercover at a San Francisco retirement home to find the thief of a missing heirloom. Here are some outtakes from my recent conversation about the series with Schur. —Yvonne Villarreal READ MORE: Ted Danson and Mike Schur celebrate ‘living a bigger life’ with age in ‘A Man on the Inside’ What were the goal posts from the documentary that you looked to as a guide? Or did you think about spy series and movies like “Get Smart” as you thought about how to calibrate the tone of the show and balancing the very comedic bits with these incredibly moving, heartfelt moments? “Get Smart” was actually cited as, like, we don’t want this to be “Get Smart.” The comedy there is in the broadness and the gigantic-ness. I thought of one joke from the documentary, in particular, and used that as the constant, to use a reference to “Lost.” It was the joke where the private investigator is saying, I won’t get it exactly, “You’re not getting enough information for me. You have a target, and you have to follow her. Do you understand me? You have to follow her.” And it cuts to Sergio, one foot behind her, just walking with a completely serious face — like “he told me to follow her, so I’m following her.” And she’s using a walker and they’re moving at a third of a mile an hour. That made me laugh so hard. And what made me laugh about it was innocence and sincerity. It was 100% sincere. He was interpreting something too literally, but he wasn’t making a joke. When you talk about tone, I think of it always as Legos. You get a pile of Legos and you don’t know what goes where and you start assembling them. And if you assemble it wrong, nothing after you do that works. So if something in a scene doesn’t work, or an episode doesn’t work, it’s because you put the wrong Lego in the wrong place, and that means [the] tone is now off. In the midst of the task at hand, Charles, the character Ted plays, is developing these sweet and meaningful friendships. There’s a moment where, during a field trip away from the retirement home, he’s sitting in the redwoods with Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson), talking about their late wives — it was nice to see two older men sharing that kind of tender moment. The thing that is going to make their relationship matter is — the day starts off with, like, “let’s have an adventure,” but really what it is is a series of conversations about their lives. And I really wanted to go to the redwood forest because having shot there for “The Good Place,” and having been there many times, it is the most silent and contemplative place I’ve ever been on Earth. It is so still, and it just feels like a place where people who maybe have a hard time expressing themselves could if they were sitting next to each other; could find it in themselves to kind of crack open. They’re there, and they’re talking just about the redwood forest, and then he mentions every time he’d come with his wife, he would ramble on about the root system and his wife would say, “Please just shut up. Enjoy it.” And Calbert says, “I like Victoria [Charles’ wife].” And Charles says, “Me too.” That could have been the end of the scene, but it continues. And Ted does this thing where he turns back and you see him thinking, “Do I want to talk about her?” And for the first time in a long time, the answer is yes. He physically shifts away from Calbert, then he physically shifts back toward him. And it’s the most lovely, heartbreaking little moment. It was the relationship in the show that we were the most attentive to, I would say. This is a love story. All great love stories are two people who have a hole in their heart somewhere, or it’s filled with the other one. In this case, it’s not romantic, but it has the same beats, the same arc as any romantic relationship — which is, “I’m not a complete person, and I’m looking for someone who can help complete myself.” And they find it in each other. What did working on the series get you thinking about? Help you work through? Part of the big idea behind the season was, “This cannot just be a show about a 75-year-old man who takes this new job. It has to also be about that man’s daughter.” I am in her position. And like a lot of people roughly my age, plus or minus 10 years, you’re in this sandwich between your kids and their many needs and desires and problems and frustrations, and your parents, who suddenly, out of nowhere, need you. They rely on you for advice and guidance and money and happiness and everything else. There was a different opening to the show that we ended up not using because I think it gave the audience the wrong idea of what the show was really going to be about. But it was basically follow[ing] the daughter’s day of chaos [rather than Charles’ limited routine, which ultimately became the opening]. Parents, as Charles says at one point, don’t want to be a burden, and the kids are like, “You’re not a burden.” But the secret is they kind of are because I’ve never experienced you needing me for this stuff before. You feel guilt and you’re upset at yourself for feeling that way, and it’s just the most complex melange of emotion, and it comes out of nowhere. Whether it’s because of health or job loss or retirement or depression or whatever, all of a sudden, your parents matter to you in a different way, and they affect your life in a different way, and you’re affecting their lives in different ways. So I’m trying to be very in the moment myself about my relationship with my parents and what it means and where they are in their lives. My mom had knee surgery and now might have surgery on her other knee. I’m trying not to project forward, trying to just be like, “What’s the situation right now?” Because it’s scary. One of the things I think about a lot is this is the best case scenario. For a parent to live long. This is what you hope will be the case. Both my parents are still alive, and the fact that they now need their kids in a different way than they used to is such a blessing and I’m very grateful for it.Infosys founder Narayan Murthy, Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, billionaire Anand Mahindra and others pay tributes to former PM Manmohan Singh‘They’ve done everything right’: Matt Rhule takes stock of Nebraska football’s week in NYC
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WASHINGTON: China’s retaliatory export controls could take a toll on the growing US clean energy sector and its defense industry, analysts say, as a trade tussle escalates between the world’s two biggest economies. Beijing announced this week it would ban exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States, targeting materials used for everything from semiconductors to solar cells. China also tightened restrictions on graphite, which is key to the electric vehicle industry. The moves, which Beijing said were to safeguard national security, swiftly followed Washington’s own curbs to hobble China’s ability to make advanced computer chips. While trade tensions have been simmering, US President-elect Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House in January is likely to ratchet up the temperature on trade - with the Republican already vowing sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports. Analysts say it would take time to assess the impact of the new Chinese curbs on US industries, though any immediate hit should be limited. Some see Beijing’s moves as symbolic for now, even as ramifications depend on how China enforces the new rules. “This certainly could drive up costs,” said Arun Seraphin of the National Defense Industrial Association. “It could create situations where you can’t produce what you need.” “It’s certainly going to drive a lot of uncertainty for companies who want to plan out their supply chain,” he told AFP. China is a major producer of the three metals in question. In August, it unveiled export controls on some antimony products and since then, shipments have plunged. Restrictions announced in 2023 on gallium and germanium also hit exports to the United States. Defense tech “Gallium, germanium, and antimony are vital inputs for defense technologies,” said Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in a recent analysis. Gallium and germanium are increasingly preferred over traditional silicon for high-performance chips used in defense applications, CSIS added. It noted these materials have properties that boost device performance, speed, and energy efficiency. Antimony is used in fireproofing and has defense-related uses, too. While China is investing in munitions and buying high-end weapons systems more rapidly than the United States, the US industrial base lacks capacity to meet defense tech production needs, the report warned. “Bans on vital mineral inputs will only further allow China to outpace the United States in building these capabilities,” it said. The US Geological Survey estimates that if China’s net exports of gallium and germanium were completely restricted simultaneously, US GDP could decrease by $3.4 billion. Clean energy Besides defense, gallium-based semiconductors are used in radio frequency electronics, LEDs for lighting and high-efficiency solar cells, the US Geological Survey noted. Although gasoline vehicles do not call for graphite, electric vehicles (EVs) require an average of 136 pounds (61.7 kilograms) of the material, CSIS said. This could prove dicey for the United States, which has spurred billions in private sector investments for its domestic EV supply chain through subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act. The act is a package of energy transition policy and social reforms under President Joe Biden. Seraphin told AFP that although Washington also pushed to attract investment and build up US semiconductor manufacturing capacity through the CHIPS and Science Act, these efforts do not yet target components such as germanium. Challenges Beijing’s retaliation this week steps up the restrictions on gallium and germanium announced in 2023 - as China hit back at previous US semiconductor export controls. “The industry was likely somewhat surprised by the swiftness of the imposition of a broader ban, but has been conditioned over the past year to expect some restrictions,” Paul Triolo of Albright Stonebridge Group told AFP. He noted that China’s commerce ministry had already implemented a licensing regime around these key minerals, including “rolling three-month licenses to try and prevent stockpiling.” While there has been some effort to stockpile minerals like graphite and gallium, this does not appear to be coordinated between US authorities and allies to reduce reliance on China over the long haul. It will be tricky to create capacity for processing and producing products based on these minerals outside China, Triolo believes, due to costs and regulatory challenges. “Companies are reluctant to enter these markets without long-term guarantees of subsidies, given the dominance of Chinese firms,” he said. — AFPCatalyst Bancorp director Kirk Kleiser buys $22,106 in stock