
"HANetf co-chief executive on uranium, crypto and defence ETFs - ICYMI
End Japan's loans to Tatmadaw
It's easy to forget to buy gifts, decorations or supplies for a festive lunch in the frantic lead-up to Christmas. or signup to continue reading Check the trading hours of major stores, supermarkets and bottleshops throughout each Australian state to find out when shops close on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2024. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to all Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening and closing later than normal. Normal trading hours apply to all Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day except for the Rowville and Burvale stores. Shops reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. Most BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Some stores in Victoria will open on Christmas Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day with the exception of the Bairnsdale store. Stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but most are closed on Christmas Day. Melbourne's Abbotsford store will open. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. Most BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. Some stores in Tasmania will open on Christmas Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but most are closed on Christmas Day. Stores in St Ives, Launceston City, Hobart Gasworks, Mackey's, Elwick, New Norfolk, Claremont, Derwent, Valern, Brooker, Devonport, Furner's and Newstead will open. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Adelaide's metro stores are closed on Boxing Day but regional stores are open from 8am to 8pm. The regional supermarkets are in Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day. All regional stores are open on Boxing Day, except Millicent, but metropolitan stores are closed. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. Stores are closed on Christmas Day. Shops in Altone Park, Gosnells and North Perth Charles St are closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. The liquor store said that although some stores' opening and closing hours may differ, the . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 8am to 8pm. Gove supermarket has reduced trading hours, from 9am to 5pm, on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. However, stores are closed on Christmas Day. The Alice Springs store is closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. However, stores are closed on Christmas Day. The Red Hill and Milton Village stores are closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. The liquor store said that although some stores' opening and closing hours may differ, the . Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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PM Modi binding world in thread of peace harmony through message of Lord Buddha AdityanathEmirati authorities said Monday three suspects from Uzbekistan were in custody over the murder of a rabbi, a rare violent incident involving an Israeli citizen in the UAE, as his body was flown to Israel for burial. The United Arab Emirates signed a peace agreement with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords. Tzvi Kogan’s death was a blow to the tiny Jewish and Israeli communities in the Muslim-majority UAE, which has kept a lower profile since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October 2023. The 28-year-old UAE-based rabbi was found dead by security services last week, following what Israeli officials and an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group he was affiliated with called an anti-Semitic attack. The three suspects were arrested on Sunday, and after “preliminary investigations” the interior ministry identified them in a statement. “The authorities revealed the identities of the three perpetrators, all of whom are Uzbek nationals,” said the statement published Monday by the official WAM news agency. It named them as Olimboy Tohirovich, 28, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, 28, and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33. The ministry said authorities were taking “the necessary actions to uncover the details, circumstances and motives of the crime”. – ‘Crime against the UAE’ – Kogan was in the UAE as a representative of the Chabad Hasidic movement, which is known for its outreach efforts worldwide. A spokeswoman for Israel’s airport authority confirmed to AFP that his body had been flown home. Kogan’s funeral will take place late Monday on the Mount of Olives in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday condemned “the murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad emissary”, calling it “an abhorrent anti-Semitic terrorist attack”. In Washington, the White House urged accountability for the “horrific crime”. Neither Emirati nor Israeli officials provided any details about the circumstances of Kogan’s murder. In 2020, the year Israel normalised relations with the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, Kogan joined his older brother Reuven and a team of rabbis in the UAE, according to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Chabad said on its website Kogan had managed a kosher supermarket in Dubai, which an AFP photographer said was closed Monday with its window blinds down. There is no figure for the number of Jews in the UAE, but an Israeli official has told AFP there were about 2,000 Israelis in the Gulf country, with the Jewish community estimated to be up to twice that figure. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash insisted Sunday the country remained “a society of tolerance and coexistence”, in a post on social media platform X that made no direct reference to Kogan. – Low profile – Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to the United States, said that “Kogan’s murder was more than a crime in the UAE — it was a crime against the UAE”. “We reject extremism and fanaticism of every kind,” he posted on X. The oil-rich Gulf state, whose population is made up mainly of expatriates, opened its first official synagogue within an interfaith centre in its capital Abu Dhabi last year to cater to the small but active Jewish community that had previously prayed in private. A senior UAE rabbi, Elie Abadie, condemned Kogan’s death as a “tragic and terrorist act” and eulogised him as “an exemplary human being”. “This tragic and terrorist act of murdering an innocent Jew is an affront to the entire Jewish community and the peaceful coexistence in the UAE,” Abadie told AFP. Israel renewed a warning for Israelis to avoid any non-essential travel to the UAE, and advised citizens already there to take extra precautions. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said in a statement on X that “we mourn the tragic loss” of Kogan and “strongly condemn this hateful act”. “Our thoughts are with his family, the Jewish community, and all who grieve,” she said.
NINGDE, China , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 24th, CATL officially launched the CATL Bedrock Chassis, the world's first ultra-safe skateboard chassis. With its outstanding performance of withstanding 120 km/h frontal impact without catching fire or exploding, CATL's Bedrock Chassis sets a new standard for intelligent chassis safety, providing comprehensive protection across all scenarios and speed ranges. Lead the industry with the most stringent safety tests With the battery-centered design, CATL's Bedrock Chassis utilizes Cell-to-Chassis integration technology, which directly integrates the battery cells into the chassis, allowing for a shared structural design between them. And based on the decoupling of the chassis from the upper body, the Bedrock Chassis is capable of absorbing 85% of the vehicle's collision energy (compared to around 60% absorbed by traditional chassis). Through various technological breakthroughs, the Bedrock Chassis successfully passed the world's first "highest speed + strongest impact" dual extreme safety test. This achievement enables the chassis to pass the 120 km/h frontal central pole impact test without catching fire, exploding or thermal runway, redefining the benchmark for safety in the industry. Currently, the speed for frontal impact safety test in the commonly used C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Program) is 56km/h, which, when experiencing a frontal impact at this speed, generates collision energy equivalent to falling from 12-meter-high building. In comparison, a frontal impact at 120km/h is equivalent to falling from a 56-meter-high building, generating a collision energy 4.6 times that of collision at 56km/h. In more stringent frontal pole crash tests, which simulate crashes with non-standard objects such as power poles, large trees, or animals, the impact area is only 1/6 of that in a full-width frontal impact, exponentially increasing impact pressure. At a speed of 120km/h, the impact pressure on the chassis per unit area in a frontal central pole impact is 21 times that of the 56 km/h full-width frontal impact in C-NCAP testing. Due to the extremely high crash speed and intensity, there has been no previous instance of any new energy vehicle daring to challenge a 120km/h frontal pole impact test. With this extreme challenge, CATL's Bedrock Chassis has blazed a fresh trail for the industry. Open the era of ultra-safe transportation through three technological breakthroughs CATL's Bedrock Chassis has delved deep into the realm of structure and material innovation, leveraging three technological breakthroughs to provide unparalleled protection in all scenarios and speed ranges, ensuring rock-solid safety for the entire vehicle. The CATL Bedrock Chassis introduces a revolutionary three-dimensional biomimetic tortoise shell structure, where the body and energy unit framework are integrated, deeply coupled to provide the energy unit with indestructible protection. And its aircraft carrier-grade arresting structure disperses impact forces across multiple pathways during a crash, gradually decelerating the vehicle and significantly reducing the depth and speed at which obstacles intrude the cabin. The utilization of submarine-grade hot-formed steel with a strength of 2000MPa, aerospace-grade aluminum alloy with a strength of 600MPa, and multiple barrier structures further enhance the chassis' rigidity, making it virtually impervious. Moreover, the CATL Bedrock Chassis incorporates an ultra-safe battery cell design, NP technology, and a high-ductility energy-absorbing insulation film, leading the industry in a groundbreaking manner. In terms of high-voltage disconnection, it achieves instantaneous disconnection of high voltage circuit within 0.01 seconds of impact and completes the discharge of residual high-voltage energy in the vehicle within 0.2 seconds, setting a new industry record. Notably, the battery cells have undergone highly demanding tests, including high-speed sled impact tests at 60 km/h, 90-degree bending tests, and breakthrough sawing tests, the battery did not catch fire or explode across all three tests. These tests, all industry-firsts by CATL, have elevated the safety standards of battery cells to new heights. Unlocking the era of customization, and activating a trillion-yuan market The launch of the Bedrock Chassis not only redefines the standard for intelligent chassis safety but also activates a trillion-yuan market. It greatly accelerates the shift towards modular, personalized, and intelligent automotive design. Addressing the common pain points of high investment, long development cycles, and accelerated product iteration in the industry, the Bedrock Chassis incorporates three core characteristics: internal integration, decoupling of the chassis from the upper body, and external openness. With a rich array of toolkits and solution packages, it offers a scalable software and hardware architecture and standardized interfaces, enabling flexible configurations for different vehicle models and scenarios. This allows the realization of a "one chassis architecture, multiple vehicle models" concept and significantly improves development efficiency and shortens the R&D cycle. The time required for mass production of a vehicle is reduced from the traditional 36 months or longer to 12 to 18 months. Furthermore, the Bedrock Chassis breaks the limits of safety and modeling, and expands design flexibility through the design of decoupling of the chassis from the upper body. The fourth-generation Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology and inverted battery cell technology enhance the utilization of chassis space while reducing the risk of chassis scraping. Additionally, in terms of intelligence, the chassis supports mechanical decoupling, software decoupling and EE decoupling, enabling L3 to L4 intelligent driving capabilities. It provides high adaptability interfaces and promotes collaborative intelligent applications. At the launch ceremony, AVATR, the first automaker to use Bedrock Chassis, and CAIT-SH, CATL's skateboard chassis arm, signed an agreement to deepen cooperation on CATL's Bedrock Chassis to create a safer, higher-quality travel experience for users. Safety is a never-ending journey. In the future, CATL will continue to break technological barriers through continuous innovation, and work with partners to build a safe ecosystem for EV batteries and vehicles, safeguarding the safety of users. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/catl-launches-the-bedrock-chassis-that-withstands-120-kmh-impact-without-catching-fire-or-exploding-302338927.html SOURCE Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL)
Lakers’ LeBron James, Warriors’ Stephen Curry adding another chapter to rivalry on Christmas DayVictor Wembanyama took over New York this past week but continues to make his presence felt within the city. The Spurs star dominated against the Knicks and Nets in back-to-back games. But now that the games are over, Wemby has chosen to stay and dominate the city in another game. The French star made his way to Washington Square Park to face off against the locals in a game of chess giving fans another memorable experience. San Antonio has some downtime ahead of their next game against the Timberwolves on December 29. On a rainy Saturday morning, Wemby could’ve stayed inside and rested. Instead, he couldn’t contain his competitive fervor, which he displayed in chess matches against fans as he won 2-1 against locals. Wemby didn’t make this move completely on a whim. Last night, Wemby took to X to ask fans for the best spots to play chess in New York City. Plenty of people responded to his question, providing several places the Frenchman could visit. However, the most popular destination mentioned was Washington Square Park. He didn’t provide any updates to his initial question until this morning around 9:30 am when he shockingly sent a challenge out to fans. He asked, “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square Park to play chess? I’m there.” Despite the rain, Wemby sat down with multiple fans for methodical matches of chess. His willingness to freely be among fans in a natural setting earned him plenty of fans on social media, as people expressed their gratitude toward the superstar. However, Wembanyama took to X to share his thanks for the people who showed up. In a post, he captioned, “Thanks for everyone who pulled up in the rain.” Aside from his excellent chess play, Wembanyama has shown obvious results on the basketball court this season. Wemby’s elevated level of play So far in his sophomore season, Wembanyama has seemingly elevated his play to the All-Star and All-NBA status. Many players go through a sophomore slump, but the Spurs star is experiencing a sophomore surge. His performance in his first Christmas Day game is a perfect example of how great he’s been this season. In the Spurs’ matchup against the Knicks on Christmas, Wemby rose to the occasion. Despite losing 117-114, Wembanyama made a statement to the basketball world. He finished the game with 42 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks. His impact on both ends of the court is something the league hasn’t seen before. Wemby led the league in blocks in his rookie season with 3.6 blocks per game. He’s added to that mark this season averaging 4.0 blocks per game. He’s increased his points total to 25.2 points per game, which ranks 12th in the league. The rapid growth of improvement at such a young age is a scary trend for what Wemby could become at the absolute peak of his career.
LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- DP World , a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has reinforced the Port of Callao’s reputation as the leading maritime gateway on the Pacific West Coast by welcoming the Kota Eagle, one of Pacific International Lines’ (PIL) largest and most advanced container ships. Measuring over 335 meters in length, the vessel is powered entirely by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional maritime fuels. The Kota Eagle embarked on its journey from Ningbo, China, making stops in Shanghai; Manzanillo, Mexico; Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico; and Quetzal, Guatemala before arriving at DP World Callao’s recently inaugurated Bicentennial Pier. This state-of-the-art facility, which has increased the terminal’s capacity by 80%, enables the port to accommodate large vessels like the Kota Eagle. The ship arrived laden with goods for Peru’s Christmas season, including toys, LED lights, apparel, footwear, home décor, tires, ceramics, and office supplies. Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Kota Eagle to Peru. Its arrival marks a significant milestone, showcasing our enhanced capacity at the Bicentennial Pier and our commitment to supporting cleaner, greener logistics solutions. This modern vessel not only represents a leap forward in shipping technology but also strengthens our strategic partnership with PIL, which has been a key ally since 2014.” After its stop in Callao, the Kota Eagle will continue its route, transporting Peruvian exports such as flagship agricultural and manufactured goods to key destinations across Asia, including Guayaquil, Ecuador; Manzanillo; Busan, Korea; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Shekou, China; Hong Kong; and Ningbo. As part of its mission to drive economic growth and strengthen Peru's position in global trade, DP World continues to invest in the country, playing a critical role in bolstering Peru's foreign trade. With the arrival of the Kota Eagle, DP World Callao not only celebrates a significant step in sustainable shipping but also underscores its leadership as a critical hub connecting Asia and Latin America. About DP World Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally. With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 114,000 employees from 162 nationalities, spanning 78 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future. We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door. WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223684728/en/ CONTACT: DP World Americas Media Contact: Melina Vissat, Head of Communications M: (+1) 704-605-6159 E:melina.vissat@dpworld.com KEYWORD: LATIN AMERICA PERU SOUTH AMERICA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DELIVERY SERVICES RETAIL MARITIME OTHER RETAIL LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRANSPORT OTHER TRANSPORT SOURCE: DP World Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 01:00 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 01:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223684728/en
With the holidays taking up much of your time, you may not be concentrating on retirement moves to make before 2025. But if you’re the type of person who does everything to the max, investing in your future retirement now could be a game changer. In 2024, you can invest up to $23,000 into your 401(k) retirement plan as per IRS contribution limits. If you’re over 50 and need to play catch-up, you can invest an extra $7,500. That means your total possible contribution for 2024 is $30,500. If that seems like a lot, it is. But you don’t have to max out your contributions if you can’t afford it. Employer matching can help. In 2025, you can invest $23,500, bringing your possible contribution up to $31,500. If you’re over 50, the catch-up contribution remains at $7,500 for 2025. But a huge change was made in SECURE 2.0 for employees aged 60 to 63 who participate in workplace retirement plans. Starting in 2025, this super catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500. People are also reading... 1. Figure out how much you contributed. If you’ve contributed as much as possible for the year, you’re in good shape going into 2025. If you’re not sure, you changed jobs or haven’t contributed consistently in 2024, you still have time to make adjustments to max out your 401(k) contributions for the year. 2. Check your employer’s match. Employer matching is a job benefit not to be overlooked. After all, for every dollar you save in your 401(k), your employer matches your contributions dollar-for-dollar or offers a partial match up to a certain percentage of your wages. Knowing where you stand can help you make the most of this opportunity. For example, let’s say you earn $50,000 per year and contribute $3,000 to your 401(k), or 6% of your salary. If your employer offers to match 50 cents of each dollar you contribute up to 6% of your pay, they would add $1,500 each year to your 401(k) account, boosting your total annual contributions to $4,500. 3. Look at your budget. Maxing out your 401(k) is always a good move. However, retirement planning can be a balancing act; sometimes, your budget is downright against it. If you have high debt or no money set aside for emergencies, you may want to hold off a bit. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute to your retirement plan at all. Maintaining contributions is important, even if it means not maxing it out. Still, if you wait too long to save, you’ll have to play catch-up. If you save too much, you may have to tap into your account early, which can mean early withdrawal penalties if you are under age 591⁄2. 4. Boost your contributions. If you have enough cash stashed away to cover a large lump sum contribution to your 401(k), you could max out your 401(k) contributions before the end of the year. You can do this by increasing the percentage you contribute monthly from your paycheck. You’ll want to speak with your employer or HR department to see if this is possible and fill out the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that how often you increase it or even if you can will depend on your plan rules. You may also want to check to be sure your contributions are still automatic. Since it’s usually easier to save money if it’s automatically deducted from your paycheck, it may be worth reviewing your budget to see if you can boost your contribution amount to max out your 401(k). If you haven’t set up automatic payroll contributions, now is a good time to do so. 1 in 4 people say they’ll go into debt for the holidays. Is social media to blame? Maxing out your 401(k) has some clear benefits. This is especially true if you’ve fallen behind on your savings goals or you simply want to grow your retirement nest egg faster. The main advantage is that you’ll have more money saved for retirement. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress Study, most retired Americans believe they will need nearly $1.5 million in the bank to retire comfortably. That’s a 15% increase — which far outpaces the 3% to 5% inflation rate — over 2023 and is up 53% from 2020. The money you put into your 401(k) lowers how much you’ll pay in taxes for the year, which may put you in a lower tax bracket. Also, 401(k) investments grow tax-deferred, so you won't pay taxes on the money until you withdraw the funds in retirement. If you have a Roth 401(k), you don't get a tax break on contributions because you fund your account with after-tax dollars. But the money you contribute grows tax-free and you won’t pay any taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Maxing out your 410(k) each year may not be enough to retire comfortably, but it is a great start. That’s why enlisting the help of a financial adviser in 2024 can help you get a head start on 2025 and a happy retirement down the road. 4 tips to help you experience exceptional cruise dining | PennyWise podcast You need to make $108,000 to afford a home in America Americans who bought homes in 2024 were older and richer than ever Why you shouldn't store your money in payment apps Kathryn Pomroy is a contributing writer at Kiplinger.com . For more on money topics, visit Kiplinger.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!David Stratton, 85 years old and going strong ish – is one of Australia’s two most iconic movie reviewers, along with Margaret Pomeranz. I spoke to him on Thursday. Fitz : Mr Stratton, thank you for playing. As you know, the rules are you have to come up with 10 superb films that are lost and lesser-known masterpieces – with the only rider being that you can’t pick films that your great on-air partner, Margaret Pomeranz, picked a fortnight ago . Your time starts ... shortly. Before we get to that though, how did you get into films in the first place? David Stratton, now 85, pictured in Wentworth Falls: “I had a friend in Sydney, and he was saying, ‘You should come as a ten pound Pom, and I can sponsor you’. And so I did.” Credit: Rhett Wyman DS : Growing up in England during the war, my parents were both otherwise occupied and my grandmother took me to all sorts of films three or four times a week. I loved the way the cinemas smelt, the moment when the lights dimmed, the curtains opened and the film began. I was just captivated by it all. And that thrill has stayed with me ever since ... Fitz : Was there a particular film back then you were just transfixed by, that stays with you? DS : There were the Bob Hope comedies, and Mickey Rooney in a series of films about Andy Hardy. And we saw some very unsuitable films. Jane Russell in The Outlaw was, I think, very unsuitable. Interestingly enough, many years later, I was actually invited to a brunch with Jane Russell in San Francisco. Fitz : Was she every bit as unsuitable as you had hoped? DS : [ Laughs. ] She was lovely. And I told her I had fallen in love with her watching The Outlaw at the age of six. Fitz : If you care, I see your Jane Russell, and raise you Jane Fonda. She was most unsuitable for me to see in a famous poster on my brother’s wall when I too was six, and I was thrilled to meet her when she was 75 and get to tell her how wonderfully unsuitable I had found her. A fabulous woman and even more impressive in person. But ... moving on. I read that you came to Australia as a 10-pound Pom? Stratton with long-time colleague and fellow movie reviewer Margaret Pomeranz. Credit: Jacky Ghossein DS : Yes, but I had no intention of staying. My family had a long-established grocery company started in the UK in the early 1800s and my father wanted me to take the business over, as he had taken it over from his father and so on. It was one of those nepotistic things, and I thought I’d never be able to do anything else. I mean, I loved films, but I thought I’d have to be a grocer, but when it came to the crunch I said, “Hang on, I’m going to take two years off before I really come into the company.” I had a friend in Sydney, and he was saying, “You should come as a 10-pound Pom, and I can sponsor you.” And so I did, but during the two-year mandatory stay in Australia, I became involved with the Sydney Film Festival, one thing led to another, and I took over as the festival director. Fitz : And you got into a little trouble with ASIO, as it turned out? DS : Yes, because of censorship. I was used to seeing films in the UK that were basically not censored, at least if they were shown at a film society or a festival, but in Australia, they definitely were. But I thought, “Well, I’m not going to stay so what does it matter?” And because I was travelling to lots of Eastern Bloc cities to gather films – including Moscow, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Sofia, Bucharest and so on – it turns out ASIO started a file on me. Fitz : Clearly, you were a danger to shipping. ASIO must have said, “This is a guy to watch, this might be Australia’s answer to Kim Philby, an Englishman in a sleeper cell, in touch with the Soviets and he’s about to turn on us all!” DS : Well, of course, I didn’t have any of the secrets that Philby did, and all I could tell the Soviets was about Australian films or the lack thereof at the time, but, yes, that must have been their view. Honestly, though, I think it was the same in England at the time, and MI5, like ASIO, was suspicious of people in the arts. Fitz : And you weren’t even in your most dangerous and influential position of all yet, hosting The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz and able to steer the entire Australian population to some of your filthy commie flicks under the guise of them being good to watch! Sophie Lowe in Rachel Ward’s Beautiful Kate. ‘A great film’, according to Stratton. DS : [ Laughs. ] Fitz : So, let’s get to your list of top 10 lost masterpieces ... DS : OK, let me just go to my computer – first, I have got to get there, though. These days I use a walking frame. My eyesight’s gone. My mobility’s gone, my hearing’s gone. Actually, I’m in a bit of a wreck. Fitz : But you sound great? DS : Yeah, hopefully that will continue, but who knows? Last Friday night I was able to go into Sydney to receive a lovely award as Cinema Pioneer of the Year, and I was able to get up to the podium and make a speech, which I didn’t think I’d be able to do a couple of weeks beforehand. But there we are ... Anyway, the first one on my list is an Australian film, Blessed , (Australia, 2009). Directed by Ana Kokkinos, this poignantly beautiful film is divided into two parts – Children and Mothers. It’s about mothers who are alienated from their children for one reason or another. It has Frances O’Connor, Miranda Otto and Deborra-Lee Furness playing three of the mothers, and they are wonderful. The whole thing is very touching, beautifully active, beautifully written, and beautifully directed. Fitz : Locked in at No.1! Next? DS : No.2 is Taking Off (US, 1971). Also about parents and their kids, this bittersweet comedy was the first film made in America by Milos Forman. Flower power, marijuana and free love have resulted in many teenagers “taking off”, leaving their bewildered parents completely at a loss to know what their kids are up to, and are completely alienated from their kids. The film centres around an audition and there are songs from Carly Simon, Kathy Bates and Ike and Tina Turner. Judy Garland and Tom Drake in Meet Me in St Louis in which Garland sings Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Fitz : Hang on, the great Kathy Bates, the fabulous Oscar-winning actress sings, on the same platform as Carly Simon, and Ike and Tina Turner? DS : Yes. A song about horses. Fitz : Wow. I never knew she could sing. What’s next? DS : No.3 is Advise and Consent (US, 1962). Recently, the Herald ran a piece on the best films about US politics , but amazingly they omitted this one. Otto Preminger’s drama centres on the attempt of an ailing, Joe Biden-like president ... Fitz : Standing up against evil! DS : ... if you will, wanting to nominate as secretary of state a left-wing academic played by Henry Fonda, and the determination of a right-wing Southern Democratic senator – Charles Laughton, magnificent in his last screen role – to block the nomination because he thinks that the Henry Fonda character would sell us out to the communists. It’s a dirty game, a wonderful political thriller and an edge-of-your-seat movie. Fitz : ASIO and I will watch that with deep interest to see if your slip is showing. DS : [ laughs ] Next is Night of the Hunter (US, 1955) , also with Charles Laughton, who was not only a great actor. With this, the one film he directed, he proved to also be a master behind the camera. Robert Mitchum plays a serial killer in the Depression who poses as a preacher. Shelley Winters is a rich widow who falls for his charms, and silent star Lillian Gish plays a kindly woman who fosters and protects children. Hard to believe that the film was once banned in Australia on the grounds of blasphemy. Fitz : And quite right, too! DS : [ laughs ] Beautiful Kate (Australia, 2009) is next, an Australian film directed by Rachel Ward – the first film she ever directed – and all about the lasting effect on a rural family of tragic events that happened years ago. Ben Mendelsohn gives an effortlessly fine performance as a son who returns home to his father’s outback property after hearing that he (Bryan Brown, never better) is gravely ill. The visit brings back memories of a past summer, and the alluring presence of the prodigal’s sister, Kate (Sophie Lowe). A great cast including Rachel Griffiths and Maeve Dermody. Fitz : If I can just stop you there, David. You’re a man of great authority, and you say it’s a great film, and we know they’re all great actors, so we can take you at your word. But how is it that a film like that, with such a brilliant cast, is not better known and widely celebrated? GS : Well [ spoiler alert ], it’s actually about incest between brother and sister and ... Fitz : Oh! I speak on behalf of the readership when I say, ewwwwwwww . GS : That was mentioned in a review by your colleague, Garry Maddox. The audience just dropped away, which I can understand, but it’s still a great film. Fitz : I love Garry Maddox, and I’m with him. I still say, ewwwwwwww . DS : And so to No.6, The President’s Analyst , (US, 1967). Political comedies are fairly rare, and this very clever one performed so poorly at the box office back in the day that it’s little surprise that it didn’t start a genre. James Coburn plays a Washington psychiatrist who dabbles in hypnosis. One of his patients is the president himself. What if, under hypnosis, the commander-in-chief reveals state secrets? Both the CIA and the Russian KGB are interested in the president’s analyst. A Lion Returns writer-director Serhat Caradee (left) pictured with actors Maha Wilson (right) and Danny Elacci (centre) in 2020. Credit: Rhett Wyman Fitz : Again, ASIO and I will watch. DS : A Lion Returns (Australia, 2019). Turkish-born writer-director Serhat Caradee’s riveting film deals with a different kind of family reunion. In a suburb of an Australian capital city, a family whose members have migrated from the Middle East congregates. The reason for the gathering is that the elderly matriarch is very ill, but everyone is startled when one of the old lady’s sons, who has been away in an unknown location, unexpectedly returns too. Has he been radicalised by IS? One of the rare Australian films that’s really political. It’s gripping, beautifully made, and with a cast that nobody’s ever heard of because they’re all Arab-Australian. Fitz : Great. Does your list have a great Christmas film? It’s that time of year David. DS : Meet Me In St Louis (US, 1944) isn’t really a Christmas film because this story of a St Louis family spans an entire 12 months. But I adore the scene in which a ravishing Judy Garland sings the immortal H ave Yourself a Merry Little Christmas to her younger sister (Margaret O’Brien). When I was taken to see the film in 1945 at the age of six, I wept during this scene. I still weep every time I revisit this glorious Vincente Minnelli movie, and that’s probably once a year. Fitz : OK, go on ... DS : The Meyerowitz Stories (US, 2017) had a brief cinema release before streaming on Netflix. It’s the delicious story of a dysfunctional family reuniting when the patriarch, an artist played by Dustin Hoffman in one of his best performances, is about to receive an honour. Emma Thompson plays the artist’s wife and Ben Stiller is one of his two starkly different sons who lives in LA and is a success. The other is struggling, lives in New York and is played by Adam Sandler. Fitz : I am guessing Adam Sandler dreams of making excellent movies, only to make execrable schlock? DS : He’s good. They’re all very good. Witty, smart and original, this is a family movie like no other. Anyway, next up is Supernova (UK, 2020), an immensely moving drama in which Sam, played by Colin Firth, and Tusker, played by Stanley Tucci, portray a gay couple who’ve lived together happily for a very long time. But Tusker is in the advanced stages of dementia, and Sam, a concert pianist, decides to take his partner on a final road trip to say goodbye to family and friends. This is a 10-handkerchief weepie, but a wonderfully acted story of a couple facing a challenging future. Superbly directed by Harry Macqueen. Fitz : Which brings us back to you and Margaret Pomeranz, starting out, all those years ago and often challenging each other. Over all those years of doing the show, is there a stand-out moment when you vehemently disagreed? DS : Too many to remember, but the first one was The Castle (Australia, 1997) because it was the first film made by a team that worked in television, and it looked to me like a telemovie, whereas I’m very much into the visual side of cinema. And I also found the humour a little bit patronising. But I obviously completely misunderstood it, as I have watched it a few times since, and I now think it’s very funny. Fitz : To which I would say, and I know I am joined by ASIO in these remarks, “Welcome to Australia, Agent Stratton! It took you a long time to come in from out of the cold, but it’s great to have you. Put your bags down, your work here is done.” And good luck with your new book, Australia at the Movies, The Ultimate Guide to Modern Australian Cinema.
Column: Brady Corbet’s epic movie ‘The Brutalist’ came close to crashing down more than once
Authored by Jeffrey Tucker via The Epoch Times, Communities throughout the United States are debating the pros and cons of fluoridated water. It’s a bit of a shock because the issue has been present in the underground of American political life for many decades. Community water fluoridation was an early example of using public services for the purpose of mass medicalization. The science was never there, however, and there is a growing awareness that the critics were always correct. If you want fluoride, you can get your own, without mass dosing of the population without consent. It’s the strangest thing. This issue has suddenly become a hot topic, even though it has been debated since the 1950s. One could say it is an issue whose time has come. And not only this one. There is new skepticism in the public mind about a huge range of things, the critics of which were only recently considered crazy cranks. The frenzy over the capacity of government to control the climate is meeting with new resistance. Governments and companies that imposed vaccine mandates are facing serious fines at the hands of court judgments. Legions of regime scientists are under fire for blessing pandemic-era lockdowns despite how much they harmed the population. Only two years ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., founder of Children’s Health Defense, was written off as a conspiracy theorist. There’s only one problem: His theories not only came true, but his explanations (contained in two books) are enormously compelling, so much so that his following has grown to a real turning point. People ask if he can be confirmed as the new secretary of health and human services. My own sense is that there is no doubt. The new head of the National Institutes of Health is Jay Bhattacharya, who dissented from lockdowns since their earliest days, tirelessly writing and speaking against the misuse of science in the name of controlling infectious disease. Once, during the darkest times, he and I spoke on the phone. He said to me with genuine conviction that we had the moral obligation to speak out because so many people were suffering. He had the genuine sense that this craziness had to end, or else society itself would be irreparably damaged. Nearly five years later, his outlook has become an emergent orthodoxy. It’s but another symbol of dramatically changed times. We find daily articles in the mainstream press sounding alarms that there is a new populist movement that distrusts all the claims of science. It’s a wild exaggeration, consistent with censorship and the dogma of supposed experts. Good science is characterized by doubts and demands for evidence. Conventional historiography divides the past millennium and a half into two great epochs: the age of faith and the age of science. This division was always overwrought. It imagines the culture from 500 A.D. to 1500 A.D. as mostly enraptured with mystical religious dogma and lorded over by popes and priests. Then the Enlightenment dawned, with its focus on evidence and the scientific method, and thus did we experience the dawn of technology and better lives. There are some obvious correctives to make to this simple outlook. The “age of faith” was the very one that gave birth to scientific concerns, driven as they were in the Middle Ages by a confidence that the universe as created by God could be discovered and understood with fearless investigation. This was the essence of the scholasticism that emerged in the 12th century, which combined Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and classical wisdom with a drive to find the final truth in God himself. Meanwhile, the birth of widespread secularism led to excesses in the name of science, such as terrifying eugenics (the belief that the human population should be bred with attention to quality, as in animal husbandry) and totalitarianism (the belief that the whole of society should be treated as a laboratory for experiments). The No. 1 mystical belief of the age of science was that the methods of the natural sciences can and should pertain to social sciences. This key error wrecked so many different fields, from politics and economics to psychology and sociology. The attempt to take methods for studying stable things and use them to study rational and volatile things never worked. To make it plausible required building fallacies into the model. We see this everywhere now. Look up common fallacies to see the very core of the junk science that overwhelms us today. I’ve written about many fallacies—not only post hoc ergo propter hoc but also the subject bias. Then you have the absolute junk science of modeling: Assume pigs can fly and that you can prove it. Looking back, the most powerful and prescient critique of this outlook was F.A. Hayek’s amazing “ Counterrevolution of Science ,” a book I revisited in the depths of lockdown to find insight into what had gone wrong. This is the 50th anniversary of Hayek’s Nobel Prize speech of 1974. He had received the prize for his work on business cycles. He could have delivered a technical and relatively noncontroversial talk. Instead, he used the occasion to send out a grave warning not only to all economists but also to everyone in academia and the intellectual world. Provocatively, he called his paper “ The Pretense of Knowledge .” Consider the following passage: “What I mainly wanted to bring out by the topical illustration is that certainly in my field, but I believe also generally in the sciences of man, what looks superficially like the most scientific procedure is often the most unscientific, and, beyond this, that in these fields there are definite limits to what we can expect science to achieve. This means that to entrust to science—or to deliberate control according to scientific principles—more than scientific method can achieve may have deplorable effects. “The progress of the natural sciences in modern times has of course so much exceeded all expectations that any suggestion that there may be some limits to it is bound to arouse suspicion. Especially all those will resist such an insight who have hoped that our increasing power of prediction and control, generally regarded as the characteristic result of scientific advance, applied to the processes of society, would soon enable us to mould society entirely to our liking. “It is indeed true that, in contrast to the exhilaration which the discoveries of the physical sciences tend to produce, the insights which we gain from the study of society more often have a dampening effect on our aspirations; and it is perhaps not surprising that the more impetuous younger members of our profession are not always prepared to accept this. “Yet the confidence in the unlimited power of science is only too often based on a false belief that the scientific method consists in the application of a ready-made technique, or in imitating the form rather than the substance of scientific procedure, as if one needed only to follow some cooking recipes to solve all social problems [my emphasis]. It sometimes almost seems as if the techniques of science were more easily learnt than the thinking that shows us what the problems are and how to approach them. “The conflict between what in its present mood the public expects science to achieve in satisfaction of popular hopes and what is really in its power is a serious matter because, even if the true scientists should all recognize the limitations of what they can do in the field of human affairs, so long as the public expects more there will always be some who will pretend, and perhaps honestly believe, that they can do more to meet popular demands than is really in their power. “It is often difficult enough for the expert, and certainly in many instances impossible for the layman, to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate claims advanced in the name of science.” He concluded his talk as follows: “If man is not to do more harm than good in his efforts to improve the social order, he will have to learn that in this, as in all other fields where essential complexity of an organized kind prevails, he cannot acquire the full knowledge which would make mastery of the events possible [my emphasis]. He will therefore have to use what knowledge he can achieve, not to shape the results as the craftsman shapes his handiwork, but rather to cultivate a growth by providing the appropriate environment, in the manner in which the gardener does this for his plants. “There is danger in the exuberant feeling of ever growing power which the advance of the physical sciences has engendered and which tempts man to try, ‘dizzy with success,’ to use a characteristic phrase of early communism, to subject not only our natural but also our human environment to the control of a human will. “The recognition of the insuperable limits to his knowledge ought indeed to teach the student of society a lesson of humility which should guard him against becoming an accomplice in men’s fatal striving to control society—a striving which makes him not only a tyrant over his fellows, but which may well make him the destroyer of a civilization which no brain has designed but which has grown from the free efforts of millions of individuals.” There we go, words spoken half a century ago never more applicable than in our time. We seem to be learning. We seem to be applying the lesson. The only way to save science from itself is to apply it in proper ways while recognizing the limits of the ability to construct the world according to the imaginings of a handful of intellectuals. It’s tragic that we had to come to the point of nearly destroying the globe to discover this, but here we are. Let the rebuilding begin. Keep the real science, but throw out the scientism. Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.
- Signaling a new era of service to the congregation and the community with renewed commitment and the addition of beautifully renovated spaces - BERGAMO, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 24, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Nestled between Lake Como and Lake Iseo in the north of Italy, the city of Bergamo is an architectural gem of medieval charm and breathtaking beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its landmarks take visitors on a journey through history, from the 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore to the famous 16th-century walls that surround the upper city, through the museum that honors the beloved operas of Bergamo’s own Gaetano Donizetti, to today’s trendy bistros, bakeries and gelaterias. And in the heart of the city are the expanded new facilities of the Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Bergamo . Scientology Missions form the vanguard of the Scientology religion, providing the full array of basic and introductory Scientology services and Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling). The Ideal Church of Scientology Mission in Bergamo is designed to serve as the physical embodiment of Scientology technology in helping all to attain spiritual freedom. It was a joyous Sunday afternoon, November 10, when community leaders and parishioners celebrated the anniversary and expansion of the Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Bergamo. Those joining Mission Director Marta Riva for this milestone celebration included Ms. Nilupa Warnakulasooriya, Representative of the Sri Lanka North Italy Community; Mr. Franco Ravaglioli, Vice President of the Universal Peace Federation of Italy; Mr. Daniel Sigua, Founder and CEO of TCG News Italia; and Mr. Gabriele Riva, an intercultural advocate and a lieutenant of the Alpini, an elite mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army known for its volunteerism and humanitarian activities. Stepping to the podium, Ms. Warnakulasooriya thanked the mission for helping her achieve her humanitarian objectives. She spoke of her passion for ensuring Sri Lankan children living in Italy can adapt to the culture and thrive in their new home. Growing up in a foreign culture can be daunting. Children have to contend with customs and struggle with a new language, which can set them apart and create friction. When Ms. Warnakulasooriya discovered L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness she found the practical skills and moral values that can prepare these youths to become the leaders of tomorrow . “L. Ron Hubbard provided a great gift by giving us The Way to Happiness ,” she said, “a gift that allows us to create harmony and respect among people of all races, religions, ages and genders.” Vice President of Universal Peace Federation of Italy Mr. Franco Ravaglioli believes in the unique and essential role religions play in promoting a world of lasting peace in which people of all nationalities, ethnicities and cultures can live together in harmony. “I appreciate the Scientologists I’ve come to know—they are open, willing to work together, and committed to creating real change. We will continue together on this path to create a better world,” he said, “for I believe that one day, we can achieve what Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard envisioned with the Aims of Scientology: ‘A world without insanity, without criminals and without war.’ In other words, a world of peace.” TCG News Italia CEO Mr. Daniel Sigua is dedicated to the human rights of the Latin American diaspora in Italy. “Today, we have a community that is more aware and educated about human rights, thanks to your Spanish-language resources and materials promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” He thanked the Church for its firm commitment to promoting values of unity and collaboration. “Thanks to your support, we will be able to carry out important initiatives for human rights and the growth of our community.” The final speaker, Lt. Riva, has long served in the Alpini’s legendary Giulia Mountain Brigade. “Those experiences—despite their hardships—have remained with me for a lifetime,” he said. “In the early 1980s, I was offered the opportunity to host 40 young university students from the Philippines who were touring around the world. In my small hamlet of about 1,000 people, convincing my fellow villagers to open their homes and hearts to strangers from a country so different from ours was a feat. But hospitality and generosity are values we lived by back then—values that, sadly, have faded over the years, even in my own little town.” Last winter, after the long interruption of the pandemic, the students from the Filipino choir reached out again, and Mr. Riva turned to the Scientology Mission of Bergamo. “It is thanks to all of you—your willingness, your help, and your incredible efficiency—that this choir was able to perform here in Bergamo. They sang in honor of the many families touched by the pandemic, families who have shown strength and resilience. This experience brought new life to my village. I want to express my deepest gratitude for the Church of Scientology’s invaluable role as a champion of ‘cooperation between different cultures for the common good.’” Mission director Marta Riva shared a brief history of her Mission, its services, and its humanitarian goals. “The 2020 pandemic was one of the hardest times our city ever experienced,” she said. “Our staff and parishioners immediately responded to help the many families affected by the tragedy. Today, our Scientology community has grown to such an extent that we needed to expand our premises, where we stand ready to serve not only Scientologists but all of Bergamo.” Visitors to the Ideal Bergamo Mission are welcome to tour the Public Information Display, featuring multimedia presentations of the basic beliefs and practices of Dianetics and Scientology as well as the life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard. As an Ideal Church of Scientology Mission, Bergamo is equipped with every facility needed to provide the full array of introductory Scientology services. These include the popular Life Improvement Courses through which anyone may find workable solutions to common challenges of everyday life—such as how to improve a marriage, successfully raise children, increase personal motivation, and set and achieve goals. The Mission also offers seminars on a wide range of topics, including personal efficiency. The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar is based on Mr. Hubbard’s watershed work Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health , the bestselling book that reveals the source of one’s nightmares, unreasonable fears and irrational behavior—the reactive mind—and how to conquer it. Additionally, the Mission provides spiritual counseling, known as auditing , and the Purification Program , developed by Mr. Hubbard to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins. November 10 also saw the Grand Opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of McMinnville, Oregon, and the Ideal Scientology Mission of Chiayi, Taiwan. It was followed on November 16, with the Grand Opening of the Ideal Scientology Missions of Taichung, Taiwan, and Santo André, Brazil. The new Ideal Scientology Mission of Osaka, Japan, will open on November 30. Many more Ideal Scientology Missions are planned across North and South America, Europe and Asia in the coming year. The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. David Miscavige is the Scientology religion’s ecclesiastical leader . The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954 and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries. LEARN MORE: https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/ https://bergamasca.scientologymissions.org/ VIDEO: https://youtu.be/j-2euFXXbfc?si=rxRaPmCZR7EyCsLi PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/24-1224-s2p-COSBergamo-300dpi.jpg PHOTO CAPTION: Celebrating the anniversary and expansion of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Bergamo. TAGS: #IdealScientologyMission #Bergamo NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Ideal Scientology Mission, BERGAMO, Italy This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P123038 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/celebrating-the-25th-anniversary-and-the-expansion-of-the-ideal-scientology-mission-of-bergamo/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
BOSTON — The UConn football team swallowed North Carolina at Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon, using its dominant defense to clinch a 27-14 victory in the Fenway Bowl, its first win in a bowl game since 2009. The importance of the game was clear for the Huskies, who secured just the third nine-win season in UConn’s FBS history, and to their fans, who made up most of the crowd which was announced at 27,900 — the highest-attended game in the Fenway Bowl’s three-year history. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
A devastating report from the United Nations highlights the brutal actions of the Wharf Jeremie gang, responsible for the deaths of at least 207 individuals in Haiti's Cite Soleil earlier this month. Originally estimated at 187, the death toll has been revised upward to include at least 134 men and 73 women, primarily elderly residents accused of witchcraft. Leading the attacks was gang leader Monel "Mikano" Felix, who, after his child fell ill, blamed locals for using Voudou to cause the sickness. Many of the victims were abducted from Voudou temples and ceremonies. These gruesome acts have further destabilized the Caribbean nation, already entrenched in severe gang violence and humanitarian crises. In control of a crucial area near Haiti's ports for 15 years, the Wharf Jeremie gang tried to obliterate evidence of their crimes by seizing mobile phones, incinerating bodies, and disposing of them at sea. With over 5,300 killed since January and more than 12,000 lives lost since 2022, Haiti's security and socio-political landscape remain perilous. (With inputs from agencies.)