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BJP, AAP continue war of words over women’s schemeThe implications of these airstrikes on the broader Middle East region are also significant. Given the complex web of alliances and rivalries that define the political landscape in the Middle East, any escalation in one conflict zone is likely to have ripple effects across the entire region.
The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, has also expressed its support for the island nation, warning China against any further aggressive actions. The Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to Taiwan's security and has promised to stand by the island in the event of any military aggression.
On a chilly December evening in Hatbati village, under the open sky, the air was filled with a sense of nostalgia and excitement. Wrapped in warm shawls and blankets, villagers from Batiaghata upazila in Khulna gathered at the District Satsang Ashram Centre to witness something that many thought was slowly fading away: a Jatra Pala performance. For decades, Jatra Pala -- an elaborate blend of storytelling, music, and dance -- had been a cornerstone of rural Bangladesh's winter celebrations. After the autumn harvest, entire communities would come together to enjoy nightlong performances, losing themselves in tales of history, folklore, and social values. But in recent years, this vibrant tradition had been overshadowed by the rapid rise of technology and changing cultural preferences. This year, however, a glimmer of hope emerged. The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, in collaboration with its Khulna District branch, organised a seven-day Jatra Festival to breathe new life into this nearly forgotten art form. Starting on December 19, the festival transformed Hatbati village into a hub of activity. Each night till December 25, hundreds of spectators, young and old, flocked to the stage. Some brought makeshift stools, while others simply sat on the ground, huddled together to ward off the cold. The performances were nothing short of mesmerising. With expressive dialogues, stirring music, and vibrant costumes, the troupes transported the audience to another world -- one where tradition and creativity thrived hand in hand. "I hadn't seen a Jatra in years," said Tripti Bairagi, a resident of Chak Soilmari village. "People stayed until the very end, even past midnight. That shows how deeply this art form resonates with us. But the venue was too small, and many had to sit on the roadside." Schoolteacher Palash Roy of Khalsibunia village said, "Jatra Pala was once a powerful medium for promoting social harmony. It's heartbreaking to see it fade away due to economic struggles and changing times." While the festival reignited interest in Jatra, it also exposed the challenges of preserving such a rich cultural tradition. Over the past 15 years, administrative restrictions had confined Jatra performances to indoor stages, stripping them of their traditional open-air allure. Many troupes struggled financially, with little to no government support. "Artistes are eager to return to open spaces," said Faiz Zahir, director of the Department of Theater and Film at Shilpakala Academy. "That's where Jatra truly thrives -- accessible to everyone, free from barriers." Shariful Islam Salim, general secretary of Nattyalok in Khulna, said, "The government must step in. Grants and honorariums are essential to keep troupes afloat. Without support, this art form will vanish." On a chilly December evening in Hatbati village, under the open sky, the air was filled with a sense of nostalgia and excitement. Wrapped in warm shawls and blankets, villagers from Batiaghata upazila in Khulna gathered at the District Satsang Ashram Centre to witness something that many thought was slowly fading away: a Jatra Pala performance. For decades, Jatra Pala -- an elaborate blend of storytelling, music, and dance -- had been a cornerstone of rural Bangladesh's winter celebrations. After the autumn harvest, entire communities would come together to enjoy nightlong performances, losing themselves in tales of history, folklore, and social values. But in recent years, this vibrant tradition had been overshadowed by the rapid rise of technology and changing cultural preferences. This year, however, a glimmer of hope emerged. The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, in collaboration with its Khulna District branch, organised a seven-day Jatra Festival to breathe new life into this nearly forgotten art form. Starting on December 19, the festival transformed Hatbati village into a hub of activity. Each night till December 25, hundreds of spectators, young and old, flocked to the stage. Some brought makeshift stools, while others simply sat on the ground, huddled together to ward off the cold. The performances were nothing short of mesmerising. With expressive dialogues, stirring music, and vibrant costumes, the troupes transported the audience to another world -- one where tradition and creativity thrived hand in hand. "I hadn't seen a Jatra in years," said Tripti Bairagi, a resident of Chak Soilmari village. "People stayed until the very end, even past midnight. That shows how deeply this art form resonates with us. But the venue was too small, and many had to sit on the roadside." Schoolteacher Palash Roy of Khalsibunia village said, "Jatra Pala was once a powerful medium for promoting social harmony. It's heartbreaking to see it fade away due to economic struggles and changing times." While the festival reignited interest in Jatra, it also exposed the challenges of preserving such a rich cultural tradition. Over the past 15 years, administrative restrictions had confined Jatra performances to indoor stages, stripping them of their traditional open-air allure. Many troupes struggled financially, with little to no government support. "Artistes are eager to return to open spaces," said Faiz Zahir, director of the Department of Theater and Film at Shilpakala Academy. "That's where Jatra truly thrives -- accessible to everyone, free from barriers." Shariful Islam Salim, general secretary of Nattyalok in Khulna, said, "The government must step in. Grants and honorariums are essential to keep troupes afloat. Without support, this art form will vanish."Looking ahead, the outlook for growth stocks remains positive, with many analysts predicting further upside potential for companies in the technology sector. As policy support for innovation continues to grow and as market dynamics continue to favor high-growth companies, it is likely that we will see continued momentum in growth stocks in the coming months.Tweet Facebook Mail Would-be troublemakers are being warned of a massive police presence at Sydney's New Year's Eve party, with officers ready to crack down on bad behaviour. NSW Police said the biggest operation of the year was launching today ahead of celebrations across Sydney and the state. A particular focus will be the Sydney Harbour foreshore, where thousands are expected to gather for the annual holiday celebration and fireworks display. LIVE UPDATES: Injury rocks Aussie camp with Test set to explode Crowds gather at Mrs Macquarie's Chair to watch the fireworks during New Year's Eve celebrations. (Getty) Police said officers from every area command and district around the state would be on duty, along with specialist officers including mounted police and riot police. Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said both uniformed and plain-clothed police would be on patrol. "We want everyone to enjoy their New Year's Eve celebrations in a safe and responsible way," McKenna said. READ MORE: Experts weigh in as questions remain over South Korea plane crash Thousands are expected to attend Sydney's festivities. (Dion Georgopoulos) "People planning on coming to the city for free vantage points are urged to get in early to avoid missing out. "If a location becomes full, do not attend and find an alternative location. "We ask people to drink responsibly, know their limit and avoid starting 2025 in the back of a police truck." The public is encouraged to leave their car at home and use public transport as there will be major road closures and special event clearways in place throughout the CBD on New Year's Eve and into New Year's Day. READ MORE: Man charged after gunshot fired at NSW Central Coast unit Foty Family employees load firework barges at Glebe Island. (Dominic Lorrimer) Police will be travelling on trains, light rail, metro, buses, and ferries, watching for criminal and anti-social behaviour, including anyone drinking alcohol. "It is illegal to drink alcohol on public transport," McKenna said. "Don't ruin a good night out for yourself or others with foolish behaviour that you will come to regret." People are also reminded that a licence is required to purchase or use fireworks, with heavy penalties for lawbreakers. Police will be highly visible around Sydney. (Dion Georgopoulos) Maritime police will also watch for illegal behaviour on the water. "The same drink-driving rules apply on the water as they do on our roads," McKenna said. "Boaters should make sure they have all the necessary safety and emergency equipment. "Specialist police will conduct drug and alcohol testing, as well as compliance checks on vessels, so please be smart and safe." Sun, celebration, sadness: Christmas in Australia and around the world View Gallery Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins encouraged people to make an early New Year's resolution to catch public transport to and from their December 31 celebrations and take the stress out of the evening. "As always we will have thousands of extra public transport services – that's extra trains, buses and light rails – but on top of all that, this year for the first time we have Sydney Metro online from Tallawong to Sydenham, with services running throughout the night," Collins said. "This is Transport's busiest two days of the year, operating round the clock for almost 48 hours to move Sydneysiders and visitors to and from New Year's celebrations, family events, shopping in the sales and all the other great things to do." DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
Key Pubs, Bars And Nightclubs Market Trend 2024-2033: Focused On Establishing Innovative NightclubsAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details including where they system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.Irish Government doubted UK campaign to ‘save David’ Trimble
Brazil’S Ibovespa Climbs Back Above 121,000 Points
In conclusion, the US response to the Israeli airstrikes on Syria as a "temporary measure" underscores the complexities and challenges facing the region. As tensions continue to simmer and conflicts persist, it is essential for all parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy in order to prevent further escalation and promote stability in the Middle East.The news of United's willingness to part ways with Rashford has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with fans and pundits alike expressing surprise at the potential departure of a player who has been so closely associated with the club in recent years. However, in the cutthroat world of modern football, sentimentality often takes a back seat to cold, hard financial decisions.
British Columbia business owner Joe Chaput will spend $5,500 a month on security guards during the holiday season and plans on upgrading his store’s video camera system for around $5,000 more. He’s not selling luxury brands or expensive jewels. Chaput sells cheese, and at Christmas, cheese is a hot commodity. He is the co-owner of specialty cheese store les amis du Fromage, with two locations in Vancouver. While cheeselifting is rare in their Kitsilano store, the outlet in East Vancouver is hit in waves, with nothing happening for a month, then three of four people trying to steal their inventory within a week. “Sometimes, you miss it. Sometimes, you catch it. The way shoplifters behave ... they tend to gravitate toward expensive things,” said Chaput. Expensive cheese is on shoplifters’ Christmas list, he said. “They tend to do the classic examples of staying away from customer service and trying to go to a different part of the store so they can be left alone to steal.” Chaput isn’t alone. Police say food-related crimes on are the rise in Canada and as prices climb for items such as cheese and butter, they become lucrative on the black market for organized crime groups, not to mention theft for local resale. Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agri-food Analytics Lab, said a black market tends to emerge as soon as food prices surge. “Organized crime will steal anything (if) they know they can sell it and so, they probably would have known who their clients are before even stealing anything at all, and that’s how a black market is organized,” said Charlebois. He said he believes there are two categories of people shoplifting — those who do so out of desperation because they can’t afford the food, or organized criminals, profiting from sales on the black market. Mounties in North Vancouver made cheesy headlines when they ran into a man with a cart of stolen cheese in the middle of the night in September. The cheese, valued at $12,800, was from a nearby Whole Foods Store. While the cheese was recovered, it had to be disposed of because it hadn’t been refrigerated. Const. Mansoor Sahak, with the North Vancouver RCMP, said officers believe cheese is targeted because it’s “profitable to resell.” “If they are drug addicts, they will commit further crimes with that or feed their drug habits. It’s a vicious cycle,” said Sahak. Sahak said meat is also a top target for grocery thieves, with store losses sometimes in the thousands. “So, we’re not surprised that this happened,” said Sahak. Police in Ontario have been chasing down slippery shoplifters going after butter. Scott Tracey, a spokesman with Guelph Police Service, said there have been eight or nine butter thefts over the last year, including one theft last December worth $1,000. In October, two men walked into a local grocer and filled their carts with cases of butter valued at $936, and four days later a Guelph grocer lost four cases valued at $958. Tracey said he has looked at online marketplaces and found listings by people selling 20 or 30 pounds of butter at a time. “Clearly, somebody didn’t accidentally buy 30 extra pounds of butter. So, they must have come from somewhere,” said Tracey, “I think at this point it appears to be the black market is where it’s headed.” He said the thefts seem to be organized, with two or three people working together in each case. Police in Brantford, Ont., are also investigating the theft of about $1,200 worth of butter from a store on Nov. 4. Charlebois said retailers could invest in prevention technologies like electronic tags, but putting them on butter or cheese is rare. He said up until recently grocery store theft has been a “taboo subject for many years.” Stores didn’t wanted to talk about thefts because they didn’t want to alarm people but now they feel they need to build awareness about what is “becoming a huge problem,” said Charlebois. Chaput, the cheese store owner, said he had been running the East Vancouver store for 15 years while managing the store in Kitsilano for 30 years, and he loves his customers. “It’s really one of the best parts of our businesses, seeing familiar faces and making new customers. It’s why we come to work, really. Partly it’s the cheese, and partly it’s the people,” said Chaput. He said his strategy to combat would-be thieves is to give them extra customer service to make it harder for them to steal. He admits, however, that the shoplifting causes him stress. “It’s challenging. You’re busy trying to run your business day to day and take care of customers and take care of employees. Having to deal with criminals, just kind of scratches away. It can be a bit exhausting,” said Chaput.By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. Related Articles Business | Buying a house in 2025: your how-to guide Business | Travel scams that can hurt your credit or finances Business | For some FSA dollars, it’s use it or lose it at year’s end Business | Savings rates stay strong despite dips: A 2024 recap and what’s next for 2025 Business | Are religious people more generous than non-religious people? What new study finds As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.