Overall, the multiple drivers powering China's economy in 2024 are setting the stage for high-quality development that is sustainable, inclusive, and innovative. As the country continues on its path towards becoming a leading global economic powerhouse, it is essential for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to work together to leverage these drivers effectively and ensure that growth is balanced and equitable across all sectors of society.
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.
All you have to do to become a South Dakota resident is spend one night. Stay in a campground or hotel and then stop by one of the businesses that specialize in helping people become South Dakotans, and they’ll help you do the paperwork to gain residency in a state with no income tax and relatively cheap vehicle registration. The system brings in extra government revenue through vehicle fees and offers refuge to full-time travelers who wouldn’t otherwise have a permanent address or a place to vote. And that’s the problem. State leaders are at a stalemate between those who say people who don’t really live in South Dakota shouldn’t be allowed to vote in local elections and those who say efforts to impose a longer residency requirement for voting violate the principle that everyone gets to vote. And at least one state has gotten wind that its residents might be avoiding high income taxes with easy South Dakota residency and is investigating. Easy South Dakota residency for nomads has become an enterprising opportunity for businesses such as RV parks and mail forwarders. “That’s the primary concept here, is the people that have given up their sticks and bricks and now are on wheel estate, we call it, and they’re full-time traveling,” said Dane Goetz, owner of the Spearfish-based South Dakota Residency Center, which caters to full-time travelers. “They need a place to call home, and we provide that address for them to do that, and they are just perpetually on the move.” Goetz estimated more than 30,000 people are full-time traveler residents of South Dakota, but the actual number is unclear. The state Department of Public Safety, which handles driver licensing, says it doesn't track the number of full-time traveler applications. Officials of the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office did not respond to emailed questions or a phone message seeking the state's tally of full-time travelers registered to vote. The office is not responsible for enforcing residency requirements, Division of Elections Director Rachel Soulek said. Victor Robledo, his wife and their five kids hit the road a decade ago in a 28-foot (8.5-meter) motorhome to seek adventure and ease their high cost of living in Southern California. They found South Dakota to be an opportunity to save money, receive mail and “take a residency in a state that really nurtures us,” he said. They filed for residency in 2020. “It was as simple as coming into the state, staying one night in one of the campgrounds, and once we do that, we bring in a receipt to the office, fill out some paperwork, change our licenses. I mean, really, you can blow through there — gosh, 48 hours,” Robledo said. Residency becomes thorny around voting. Some opponents don’t want people who don’t physically live in South Dakota to vote in its elections. “I don’t want to deny somebody their right to vote, but to think that they can vote in a school board election or a legislative election or a county election when they’re not part of the community, I’m troubled by that,” said Democratic Rep. Linda Duba, who cited 10,000 people or roughly 40% of her Sioux Falls constituents being essentially mailbox residents. She likes to knock on doors and meet people but said she is unable to do “relationship politics” with travelers. The law the Republican-controlled Legislature passed in 2023 added requirements for voter registration, including 30 days of residency — which don't have to be consecutive — and having “an actual fixed permanent dwelling, establishment, or any other abode to which the person returns after a period of absence.” The bill's prime sponsor, Republican Sen. Randy Deibert, told a Senate panel that citizens expressed concerns about “people coming to the state, being a resident overnight and voting (by) absentee ballot or another way the next day and then leaving the state.” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Those registered to vote before the new law took effect remain registered, but some who tried to register since its passage had trouble. Dozens of people recently denied voter registration contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota, according to the chapter’s advocacy manager, Samantha Chapman. Durational residency requirements for voting are, in general, unconstitutional because such restrictions interfere with the interstate right to travel, said David Schultz, a Hamline University professor of political science and a professor of law at the University of St. Thomas. “It’s kind of this parochialism, this idea of saying that only people who are really in our neighborhood, who really live in our city have a sufficient stake in it, and the courts have generally been unsympathetic to those types of arguments because, more often than not, they’re used for discriminatory purposes,” he said. Earlier this year, the Legislature considered a bill to roll back the 2023 law. It passed the Senate but stalled in the House. During a House hearing on that bill, Republican Rep. Jon Hansen asked one full-time traveler when he was last in South Dakota and when he intends to return. The man said he was in the state a year earlier but planned to return in coming months. Another man who moved from Iowa to work overseas said he had not lived “for any period of time, physically” in South Dakota. “I don’t think we should allow people who have never lived in this state to vote in our state,” Hansen said. Republican Sen. David Wheeler, an attorney in Huron, said he expects litigation would be what forces a change. It's unlikely a change to the 30-day requirement would pass the Legislature now, he said. “It is a complicated topic that involves federal and state law and federal and state voting rights, and it is difficult to bring everybody together on how to appropriately address that,” Wheeler said. More than 1,600 miles (2,500 kilometers) east, Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon has asked prosecutors to look into whether some state employees who live in Connecticut may have skirted their tax obligations by claiming to be residents of South Dakota. Connecticut has a graduated income tax rate of 3.0% to 6.99%. Connecticut cities and towns also impose a property tax on vehicles. South Dakota has none. Scanlon and his office, which administers state employee retiree benefits, learned from a Hartford Courant columnist in September that some state retirees might be using South Dakota’s mail-forwarding services for nefarious reasons. Asked if there are concerns about other Connecticut taxpayers who are not state retirees possibly misusing South Dakota’s lenient residency laws, the Department of Revenue Services would only say the agency is “aware of the situation and we’re working with our partners to resolve it.” A South Dakota legislative panel broached the residency issue as recently as August, a meeting in which one lawmaker called the topic “the Gordian knot of politics.” “It seems like it’s almost impossible to come to some clear and definitive statement as to what constitutes a residency with such a mobile population with people with multiple homes and addresses and political boundaries that are easy to see on a map but there’s so much cross-transportation across them,” Republican Sen. Jim Bolin said. Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press Writer Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.
have been dealt a new selection blow ahead of Saturday’s clash with . The Reds make the short trip for the last-ever Premier League derby to be held at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime, having seen their seven-match winning run across all competitions halted in a on Wednesday night. Such a result - combined with respective midweek wins for closest title challengers Chelsea and Arsenal - saw Liverpool’s lead at the Premier League summit trimmed down from nine to seven points before they take on an Everton team who emphatically ended a five-game winless sequence by thrashing fellow strugglers Wolves 4-0. Arne Slot’s side will go to Goodison without the services of key midfielder , who picked up his fifth yellow card of the domestic season early on against Newcastle for a foul on Toon defender Fabian Schar. That will see the Argentine World Cup-winner incur an automatic one-game suspension, ruling him out against Everton. Mac Allister was already banned for next week’s Champions League meeting with Girona in Spain after picking up three yellow cards in the competition, meaning he will not play again now until the top-flight visit of Fulham to Anfield on December 14. The leaders will already be without injured defenders Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley at the weekend, though the likes of Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota will be pushing to be involved after injury and summer signing Federico Chiesa started and scored for Liverpool’s Under-21s in their Premier League International Cup match against Danish side FC Nordsjaelland on Wednesday night. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be expected to come straight back into the starting side at Everton, having been named on the bench against Newcastle to ensure his full fitness following a hamstring injury and come on to provide two assists for Mohamed Salah in an eventful second half. Slot played Jarell Quansah at right-back against Newcastle, with Joe Gomez continuing to partner captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence in the absence of Konate. Curtis Jones replaced Dominik Szoboszlai further forward, with Darwin Nunez also picked ahead of Luis Diaz in attack.Behar: Every Autocrat Throughout History 'Has Found a Scapegoat,' That’s What Trump DidThe maritime industry is on the verge of a new era in connectivity with the launch of The Hood, a social platform built with a bold mission: to unite seafarers, their families, and maritime professionals into one vibrant, inclusive community. The Hood is more than just a networking tool. It is a space for meaningful connection, where industry members can support and empower one another. Inspired by terms like ‘sisterhood’ and ‘brotherhood,’ The Hood captures the spirit of family and mutual support. Members can job hunt, chat with colleagues, or share ideas and experiences with ease—no matter where in the world they are. The vision behind The Hood began six years ago when Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director, first entered the maritime industry and recognised its uniqueness. She observed how challenging life at sea can be, especially for those away from home for long stretches, and saw the need for a space where maritime professionals could truly connect and support each other. After extensive research to understand the industry’s unique needs, Ms Le brought The Hood to life as a well-thought-out platform designed specifically to address these challenges. “I remember first joining the industry and feeling an immediate sense of community, but I also saw the isolation seafarers experience and some outdated recruitment practices,” said Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director of The Hood. “The Hood was born out of a desire for connection and dependability. Even in the ever-evolving chaos like the current social media landscape, it speaks to our natural tendency to gravitate towards any kind of link to real connections and how these digital anchors can become the bedrock of a real community” Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director “Our goal is simple but powerful: to build a community where strangers become family, and where members feel truly supported and empowered. Whether you’re just starting out or have spent years at sea, The Hood is here to help you connect, share, and belong.” The Hood serves every corner of the maritime world. Engineers can create dedicated groups to swap technical know-how, deck officers can discuss navigation and regulations, and cadets can find mentors. This tailored approach allows maritime professionals of all kinds to find support and camaraderie, right in their own space. By choosing the delicate balance between the ease of use for the less technological savvy and the advanced features of the professional page, the Hood gives the younger generation of our industry an enhanced social media tool with all their favourite features while providing the value of industry expertise by bringing the seasoned experts to the community. Starting with a dual social/professional profile feature, the platform will offer free Career Hub page for users, ability to store and share CV and documents directly, dedicated online centres for wellbeing support, e-learning, news section, and a coming soon e-shop—resources that speak directly to the community’s unique needs. The Hood is not just about work; it’s about creating an enduring community for the maritime sector. As it expands to offer more features, it will remain dedicated to its mission of uniting and uplifting the industry, helping maritime professionals, their families, and seafarers build bonds that extend far beyond the workplace. Join The Hood today and be part of a thriving community where the maritime community connect, collaborate, and belong. Sign up here: Source: The Hood
Looking ahead, market participants are bracing themselves for potential market-moving events in the coming days. The release of key economic data, central bank announcements, and geopolitical developments will continue to influence investor behavior and market dynamics. In this uncertain environment, it is crucial for investors to stay informed, remain adaptable, and have a diversified portfolio to weather the market volatility.As the iG and TES matchup approaches, the anticipation continues to build among fans and analysts alike. Will iG reclaim their former glory, or will TES emerge victorious in this clash of titans? Only time will tell as these two powerhouse teams prepare to face off in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.Having the time to get to know mothers and their babies can be a rare gift for midwives but it is one those working at the Listowel postnatal hub in Kerry have in abundance. This is one of five networks of hubs or clinics connected to maternity hospitals around Ireland now offering postnatal care. Women attend them after giving birth for midwife-led care and support. The hubs were set up when a national maternity experience survey in 2019 revealed gaps in post-pregnancy care. Almost one in three women said they did not get mental health support after pregnancy and many also said their physical health was not checked. On walking into the Listowel hub the words 'bright' and 'calm' spring to mind with the rooms located within the recently-renovated community hospital. Rhowena Woodward is a staff midwife for the Kerry hubs. “You develop relationships with women here that I think sets them up for positive parenting and a positive future,” she said. “It just feels like you are making a difference to their lives and their babies’ lives. It’s great, you are not rushed off your feet. You are not stressed and you can be there in the moment.” The team of four midwives see about 12 women every day, with appointments of 30 minutes or longer if needed. “Our offices are in Centrepoint in Tralee, so we’re in Tralee two days a week,” she said. The rest of the week is split between Listowel, Killarney, Dingle, and Cahersiveen. They have close links with the maternity unit at University Hospital Kerry. “I think continuity of care is so important so here, every time you see the woman, you are not flicking through the notes to try and remind yourself (who she is),” she said. You already know her, you know her history, you know if you are going to be worried about her mental health and the social situations she is in. You know the medical history and what to look out for She previously worked with the NHS in England where postnatal care is usually available for up to 15 days. However, the Irish hubs offer up to six weeks of support. In Kerry, the hubs also offer antenatal care for pregnant women which is not common elsewhere. “Personally, as a midwife, continuity of care is a really big thing for me and these hubs mean that we can provide that care — we are less likely to miss things,” she said. “You’ve got that rapport with the woman so you’re more likely to pick up on things that might get missed in the hospital or that the woman might not trust you to disclose, if there’s domestic violence or mental health, anything like that.” They are also more likely to notice if infections including sepsis are developing after a caesarean section, she added. Women can get help too with incontinence, pelvic floor problems or mental health issues, including being referred for help if necessary. Concerns such as postnatal depression are often not apparent until weeks after pregnancy, she explained. “So there is a need for the postnatal care and the care we have here is exceptional,” she said. Overall she sees the hubs as “a step towards” the vision of community care set out in 2016 in the national maternity strategy. When she first moved here from the UK, she said it was a shock to see doctors taking the lead and midwives taking a back seat. "So it’s nice at our low-risk antenatal clinics where the midwife leads it. “And again we go to the doctors if we need them. And there is absolutely a need for them but it’s nice for the low-risk women as well to see midwives because that’s what they need at that stage.” 'A happy place to work' Susan Collins is a healthcare assistant with the hub, having recently transferred from hospital work. “It’s just a happy place to work I think,” she said. “I’ve been in the hospital since 2015 and this is the happiest I’ve been. I love getting up to go to my work in the morning.” She had popped in to say hello to baby Paddy Kennelly whose mother Roisin Considine was talking about her experiences in the hospital. “There’s a real sense that they know who you were and what stage of your pregnancy you were at, it’s reassuring,” the first-time mother said. Dr Cliona Murphy, national clinical director of the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWHIP), said the hubs supplement existing community services. “They are women-centred, rather than hospital-centred and that is a really important aspect of it, I think,” she said. There are now five hub networks including also Cork, Kilkenny, Sligo, and Portiuncula. Each is connected to a local maternity hospital. “We have a good public health system, and you don’t want to supplant that, but women felt that is focused more on the baby rather than themselves,” she said. “So this is seen as supplemental, it is not usurping that service.” Research will be done to measure the impact of these hubs. “We have received funding to expand that (hub network) out, so there’s going to be four more hubs,” she said. “There have been expressions of interest from sites, and so the proposals will be made to NWHIP and four will be successful.” Those proposals will go before Angela Dunne, NWHIP lead midwife, and will be assessed by a panel. Dr Murphy added: “Even for those who will not be successful in this round, there is potential for the future I think.” So why only five so far in light of their success? Dr Murphy defended this saying planning, funding applications, and tweaking of those plans takes time. “This was not a top-down plan from NWHIP. Principles were agreed, but at local level, there was ownership of the local teams as to what would work best for them and how best to run it,” she said. The hubs are integrated into the wider maternity system including the peri-natal mental health service, GPs and public health nurses. On the ground, she agreed the sense of having time with women is crucial, saying "it gives a space for a woman to ask questions” of midwives about their birth experience. “I do see that maybe societally we have lost the village feel, and where you had your mother or grandmother around to ask those questions (we no longer do),” she said. This is a place where in a supportive environment you can discuss what’s normal or what is not without having to queue up necessarily She emphasised too the hubs are not necessarily only for women with low-risk pregnancies. A woman who had an emergency Caesarean-section could benefit from extra supports after leaving hospital too, she suggested. Recruitment has not been difficult. “The underlying ethos of being a midwife is to be 'with woman' so they are popular for people who’ve worked as midwives in hospitals and they’re moving into this space. They seem to be getting a lot of job satisfaction and positive feedback,” she said. She added in reference to the national staffing picture: “now going forward with the limits on recruiting, there may be some challenges”. Each hub is slightly different, she said with local midwives making choices about what will work best. “It's really about hearing back from women as to what would work,” she said. The mum For Roisin Considine, the biggest difference between the Listowel postnatal maternity hub and a busy hospital was everybody knew her name and was always glad she came. The hub, located in Listowel Community Hospital, is closely connected to the maternity unit at University Hospital Kerry. Women give birth in the hospital but are offered care afterwards here for up to six weeks. “You get the exact same care if not better here. You are one-to-one here, whereas in the hospital you might not get that,” she said. “There’s a lot more patients in at the one time there, but you see all the same midwives here all the time.” Experienced midwives see about 12 women every day with appointments of around 30 minutes although that can be flexible. “You were really looked after, everyone is very friendly and very nice,” she said. “Every time you come in they know you, it’s not that they are looking back through their notes to see who you are." As she talks, her baby — six-month-old Paddy Kennelly — grins around at the midwives as if he knows they helped his parents through those months. A passing healthcare assistant pops her head in when she hears he is in the room to say hello and get a big baby smile. Roisin describes how when she went for her booking appointment in Tralee last winter, they said antenatal care was also available in Listowel. This came as “a relief” as it cut out a big commute from their home in Ballybunion during those cold months. “It’s 15 minutes (to Listowel) compared to nearly 40 minutes — say about 35 to 40 minutes — to get to Tralee. It was a huge help definitely,” she said. “It was brilliant, no waiting time or anything. You are in and out in 20 minutes — you could be nearly two hours inside in Tralee if you are going in there. So it was fantastic to have.” She only went to the hospital for scans and Paddy’s birth. Listowel is one of a growing network of HSE hubs around the country, although some focus only on postnatal care. Roisin found the easy access to antenatal care just as useful as support after birth: “Especially when you are working, you don’t have to take so much time off.” The first-time mother added: "It was good to know there were people here closer if you had any questions. You knew who you were ringing if you had any concerns.” Help with breastfeeding for example is available. Even though she did face many complications as it turned out, she said it was “brilliant” to know the option was there. “There's a real sense that they know who you were and what stage of your pregnancy you were at, it’s reassuring,” she said. She joked the free parking was welcome as well. And with that, she had to hit the road because baby Paddy’s swimming coach was waiting for him.
Recent rumors about Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse's marriage have caused quite a stir in the entertainment industry. While reports of their separation have been circulating, Cecilia Cheung has finally broken her silence to set the record straight.Title: Embracing Freedom: A Ten-Year Prisoner Released and On the Run, Questioning What Happened
JERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza , where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Rescuers and residents search for victims Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut, Lebanon. Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Russia's Important Foothold in the Middle East Faces Numerous Challenges, Leading to a Significant Decline in Influence
Kylian Mbappe, the French football sensation, has undeniably made a name for himself as one of the brightest talents in the sport. However, recent behavior has raised questions about his suitability as a role model for younger fans. On the other hand, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown dedication, loyalty, and maturity beyond his years, exemplifying the type of player that clubs and fans alike can be proud of. While Real Madrid may have the financial prowess to attract top talents like Mbappe, they may not always prioritize the same values that Liverpool does. Pogba's relationship with the club has been tumultuous at times, with rumors of discontent and clashes with management surfacing periodically. Despite his undeniable talent and ability to influence games with his vision and creativity, his consistency and commitment have been called into question by both media pundits and fans alike.PHILADELPHIA — Heeerrreee’s Kelce! Jason Kelce, the retired Eagles center turned multimedia star, is taking his talents to late-night television as the host of "They Call It Late Night," a new weekly ESPN show filmed in Philadelphia with a limited run leading up to the Super Bowl. Emphasis on late. The show will debut at 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, so make sure you set your DVR. “I loved late-night shows, I’ve always loved them,” Kelce said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Thursday night. “I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends.” Kelce didn’t say much about the format of the show or his first guests, but it will be NFL-focused and air a total of five episodes from Week 18 through the playoffs. “We’re going to have a bunch of guys up there, legends of the game, friends that I played the game with, coaches, celebrities, while also incorporating NFL films,” Kelce said. One thing is clear — not many people are going to be tuning in at 1 a.m. to watch Kelce or anyone else, especially as cord-cutting continues. Instead, the show appears designed to live online, with clips pushed on social media by ESPN’s mighty digital footprint, and available digitally on both ESPN+ and Kelce’s YouTube channel. "They Call It Late Night" will be filmed Friday nights at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, with music provided by brass-heavy Philly party band Snacktime. Tickets will be available through 1iota, but specific information on how to attend a taping hasn’t been released. The name of Kelce’s show is a nod to "They Call it Pro Football," the first full-length documentary produced by NFL films back in 1967, which featured the immortal words of famed Philadelphia broadcaster Jon Facenda: “It starts with a whistle and ends with a gun.” It’s just the latest gig for Kelce, who is in his first season as an NFL studio analyst on ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" pregame show, Monday Night Countdown. He also cohosts "New Heights," the $100 million podcast he began back in 2022 with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. There’s also weekly appearances on 94.1 WIP and commercial spots for Wawa, Buffalo Wild Wings, NFL Sunday Ticket, Garage Beer, and more. Oh, and he’s also back with another Philly Special Christmas album alongside Eagles offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Kelce isn’t afraid to stay busy, but being in the spotlight has led to some issues. In May, Kelce and his wife, Kylie, were heckled by a fan in Margate after the duo declined a request for a photo. And earlier this month, Kelce admitted letting his anger get the better of him after a Penn State fan used a homophobic slur in reference to Travis. Kelce reacted by slamming the fan’s phone to the ground and repeating the slur back, which he later apologized for. “It’s a little much at times,” Kelce admitted to The Philadelphia Inquirer during an interview before the start of the NFL season. While the late-night stint might only be five weeks, Kelce signed a multiyear deal with ESPN earlier this year that gives him a lot of flexibility to do different things. In addition to his role as a studio analyst, Kelce spent some time in the booth calling the Eagles’ Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons alongside "Monday Night Football" announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. “I think I got better as it went,” Kelce said following the game. “I think everybody saw Tom Brady’s first-week performance and had a lot of criticism for it ... I got to see firsthand why that’s so hard, for sure.” ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Bryce Thompson scored 17 points, Marchelus Avery had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Oklahoma State beat Miami 80-74 on Friday in the consolation bracket of the Charleston Classic. Oklahoma State (4-1) will play in the fifth-place game on Sunday, while Miami (3-2) will try to avoid going winless in the tournament. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, Real Madrid's own star player, a cornerstone of the team's success and a driving force behind their recent triumphs, has reportedly caught the attention of another European giant. Rumors suggest that the player has become a prime target for the Galácticos, fueling speculation about a potential transfer that could reshape the landscape of elite football.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes reached more records after tech companies talked up how much artificial intelligence is boosting their results. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% Wednesday to add to what looks to be one of its best years of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite added 1.3% to its own record. Salesforce pulled the market higher after highlighting its artificial-intelligence offering for customers. Marvell Technology jumped even more after saying it’s seeing strong demand from AI. Treasury yields eased, while bitcoin climbed after President-elect Donald Trump nominated a crypto advocate to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are rising toward more records Wednesday after tech companies talked up how much of a boost they're getting from artificial intelligence . The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to add to what looks to be one of its best years of the millennium. It’s on track to set an all-time high for the 56th time this year after coming off 10 gains in the last 11 days . The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 252 points, or 0.6%, with an hour remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite was adding 1.2% to its own record. Salesforce helped pull the market higher after delivering stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell just short. CEO Mark Benioff highlighted the company’s artificial-intelligence offering for customers, saying “the rise of autonomous AI agents is revolutionizing global labor, reshaping how industries operate and scale.” The stock of the company, which helps businesses manage their customers, rose 9.3%. Marvell Technology jumped even more after delivering better results than expected, up 23.2%. CEO Matt Murphy said the semiconductor supplier is seeing strong demand from AI and gave a forecast for profit in the upcoming quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. They helped offset a 9.8% drop for Foot Locker, which reported profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Mary Dillon said the company is taking a more cautious view, and it cut its forecasts for sales and profit this year. Dillon pointed to how keen customers are for discounts and how soft demand has been outside of Thanksgiving week and other key selling periods. Retailers overall have offered mixed signals about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Their spending has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable because of high interest rates brought by the Federal Reserve to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A narrower report released on Wednesday morning may have offered a preview of it. The report from ADP suggested employers in the private sector increased their payrolls by less last month than economists expected. Hiring in manufacturing was the weakest since the spring, according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report strengthened traders’ expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. The central bank had appeared set to continue cutting rates into next year, but the election of Donald Trump has scrambled Wall Street’s expectations somewhat. Trump’s preference for higher tariffs and other policies could lead to higher economic growth and inflation , which could alter the Fed’s plans . Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the central bank can afford to cut its benchmark rate cautiously because inflation has slowed significantly from its peak two years ago and the economy remains sturdy. A separate report on Wednesday said health care, finance and other businesses in the U.S. services sector are continuing to grow, but not by as much as before and not by as much as economists expected. One respondent from the construction industry told the survey from the Institute for Supply Management that the Fed’s rate cuts have not pulled down mortgage rates as much as hoped yet. Plus “the unknown effect of tariffs clouds the future.” In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.23% late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Campbell’s fell 6% for one of the S&P 500’s sharper losses despite increasing its dividend and reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, and the National Football League’s Washington Commanders hired Campbell’s CEO Mark Clouse as its team president. Campbell’s said Mick Beekhuizen, its president of meals and beverages, will become its 15th CEO following Clouse’s departure. Gains for airline stocks helped offset that drop after JetBlue Airways said it saw stronger bookings for travel in November and December following the presidential election. It said it’s also benefiting from lower fuel prices, as well as lower costs due to improved on-time performance. JetBlue jumped 8.3%, while Southwest Airlines climbed 2.8%. In stock markets abroad, South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.4% following a night full of drama in Seoul. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night, prompting troops to surround the parliament. Yoon accused pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. The martial law declaration was revoked about six hours later. Samsung Electronics fell 0.9% in Seoul. The country’s financial regulator said it was prepared to deploy 10 trillion won ($7.07 billion) into a stock market stabilization fund at any time, the Yonhap news agency reported. In the crypto market , bitcoin climbed back above $97,000 after Trump said he would nominate Paul Atkins , a cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. ___ AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed. Stan Choe, The Associated PressTitle: Multi-Person Fainting Bathhouse Ticket Price Only 9.9 Yuan, Female Bath Area Incident Draws Attention
Unlock the Secrets of Investment SuccessIn the end, the conflict on the subway train served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential consequences of jumping to conclusions and escalating disputes without proper communication. It is a lesson that all passengers on the subway train that day will likely carry with them in the future, striving to handle misunderstandings and conflicts with greater tact and empathy.