Private school tax breaks a 'luxury', says PhillipsonAP News Summary at 3:50 p.m. ESTAdele says it is time to ‘move on’ after completing her Las Vegas residency
Saturday, December 21, 2024 The highly anticipated Vie L’Ven Resort & Residences , a luxurious 280-room property poised to transform island living, has unveiled an exciting addition to its offerings—a uniquely designed multi-sports court experience. This state-of-the-art facility provides panoramic views of Indigo Bay and untouched natural reserves, elevating recreational opportunities in the Caribbean. Opening in 2028 , Vie L’Ven will feature cutting-edge sports facilities, including two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and a padel court, setting new standards for luxury sports amenities in the region. To mark this milestone, Vie L’Ven has collaborated with Helios , the premium pickleball paddle brand, to create exclusive, limited-edition pickleball paddles. Inspired by the vibrant culture and energy of St. Maarten, these bespoke paddles are crafted with advanced carbon surface technology and available in limited quantities at the Vie L’Ven presentation gallery or as a gift with the purchase of a unit. Vie L’Ven’s residences offer spacious one- to four-bedroom layouts, ranging from approximately 620 to over 1,152 square feet (58 to over 107 square meters), with lock-off options extending up to 1,895 square feet (176 square meters). Each unit is designed with impeccable attention to detail and features unparalleled access to: Renowned Chef Alain Ducasse , celebrated for his 21 Michelin stars and three-star legacy, will helm the culinary offerings at Vie L’Ven. His signature restaurant and bar will serve as the centerpiece, blending the island’s diverse cultural heritage with its natural bounty. Two additional dining venues will further elevate the culinary experience, ensuring every meal is unforgettable. Developed by Altree Developments , a leader in international real estate, Vie L’Ven embodies a legacy of excellence. The project brings together globally recognized partners, including Studio Munge , HKS Architects , and Leading Hotels of the World , to craft a world-class destination. With sales managed by St. Maarten Sotheby’s International Realty , demand for Vie L’Ven residences is surging. Starting in the $900,000s USD, prices have seen upward adjustments due to limited availability. Special incentives are currently offered for purchases made between December 4, 2024, and January 15, 2025 , including: Experience Vie L’Ven through a virtual tour of the stunning Orient Suite and Rouge Suites . Discover your perfect island retreat and secure your place in this unparalleled destination. Incentives apply to select suites and are subject to change without notice. Prices and specifications are subject to change. Illustrations are artist’s concepts. E. & O.E. For more information, visit the Vie L’Ven presentation gallery and explore the future of luxury at Indigo Bay.HELP THEM DRIVE LIKE A SACRAMENTO KING: GIVE THE GIFT OF A REVIVER RPLATE®
The San Francisco 49ers nightmare of a 2024 campaign reached a new low in Week 12 when they suffered a blowout 38-10 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. The Niners were without star quarterback Brock Purdy in this game, and the day after the tough defeat, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update on his injury status. Purdy popped up on the injury report last week with a shoulder injury, and it ended up preventing him from suiting up for San Fran in this crucial game. Brandon Allen filled in under center for Purdy, but as you can tell by the final score, he didn't play nearly well enough for the 49ers to have a shot at beating the Packers. Being without Purdy for this clash with Green Bay was obviously tough, but there was hope that this would only be a one week absence for him. A day after the blowout defeat, Shanahan shared that Purdy had done some light throwing on Monday, and that they will see how he feels on Wednesday after he rests on Tuesday. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, "49ers QB Brock Purdy did some light throwing today without issue, according to Kyle Shanahan. He'll rest tomorrow and then see how it feels as the week goes on." #49ers QB Brock Purdy did some light throwing today without issue, according to Kyle Shanahan. He'll rest tomorrow and then see how it feels as the week goes on. Injuries have been the story of the 2024 campaign for the 49ers, but losing Purdy for an extended period of time could be what officially pushes them over the edge. San Fran has managed to fend off these injuries all year long to at least stay in the playoff hunt, but they are on the verge of falling out of the NFC wild card hunt. © David Gonzales-Imagn Images The 49ers aren't going to force Purdy onto the field, but given how uncompetitive they were with Allen under center, it's clear that there's going to be some motivation to get him back into the fold as soon as possible. After throwing Monday, all eyes are going to be on Purdy to see how he feels on Wednesday. San Francisco is going to need Purdy, because they have another difficult contest on their schedule in Week 13, as they will be taking on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. Related: Packers Player Had Blunt Reaction to 49ers' Brock Purdy 'Excuse'( MENAFN - PR Newswire) - New compact sedan adds to its list of attributes by being recognized for occupant protection IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan has been awarded the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) Award (applies to vehicles built before November 2024). To qualify for the 2024 IIHS TSP Award, vehicles need "good" ratings in the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, and updated side tests, an "acceptable" or "good" rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, and "acceptable-" or "good-" rated headlights across all trim levels. The K4 earned top-level "good" ratings in the small overlap front, original moderate overlap front, updated side, and pedestrian front crash prevention tests, and received an "acceptable" rating for headlights. "IIHS's work to enhance vehicle occupant protection is incredibly important and Kia is supportive of the agency's rigorously high standards," said Steve Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. "At Kia, we strive for continuous advancement in this area, and the all-new K4 compact sedan is just the latest example of this ongoing effort. Earning a 2024 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Award for this outstanding vehicle is yet another reason why we believe the K4 will appeal to anyone shopping for a compact sedan." As Kia's fourth-generation compact sedan, the K4 is a powerhouse of standard, segment-above technology, and it delivers an array of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)1, refinement, and class-leading rear leg room.2 An available turbocharged engine amps up the fun-to-drive quotient and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line (2.0 and 1.6 turbo) offers a responsive driving experience. Kia America – about us Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and WNBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*. For media information, including photography, visit . To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at /us/en/newsalert . *Certain 2025 EV9 all-electric three-row SUV, Sportage (excludes HEV/PHEV), Sorento (excludes HEV/PHEV), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts. 1 Advanced driver assistance systems are not substitutes for safe driving and may not detect all objects around the vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution. 2 Comparison based on publicly available data regarding 2nd-row legroom in 2024/2025 compact sedans as of October 2024. Compact sedan class as defined by Kia segmentation. SOURCE Kia America MENAFN20122024003732001241ID1109018517 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
In his first campaign ad of 2024, President Joe Biden asked the question over images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Jan. 6 rioters: “What will we do to maintain our democracy? History’s watching.” For a couple more weeks, Biden retains the responsibilities and powers of the nation’s highest office. If he believes his words, he must take urgent action to strengthen our democracy, even as he works to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. President-elect Donald Trump has made little secret of his desire for unchecked power, whether to be a dictator on “Day One,” weaponize the Department of Justice against perceived enemies, or strip broadcast licenses from disfavored media outlets. However, this has yet to come to pass. America only has one president at a time. If Biden’s campaign ad was more than political bluster – and his lifetime of dedicated public service suggests it was heartfelt – he must now do everything he can to safeguard our fundamental rights. So, what can he do? First, he can shore up protections for the dedicated career civil servants who keep us safe. Doctors, scientists and bank inspectors ensure the prescribed drugs are safe, our water is free of toxins, our jobs won’t cause us injury, and our life’s savings won’t disappear when we make a deposit. Civil servants in agencies like the FBI, CIA and Defense keep us safe from terrorists and foreign adversaries. With his billionaire Cabinet picks and quid pro quo style, Trump will replace servants of the people with those who serve him. He doesn’t want career civil servants to blow the whistle when his actions sacrifice Americans’ safety and wellbeing for the benefit of wealthy friends. Solidifying job protections for civil servants gives them what authoritarians hate most: the ability to stand up, speak truth and ensure our laws are followed. Biden has prized himself for being the most labor-friendly president in a generation. Now, he must aggressively side with public workers in contract negotiations and offer whistleblower training to put our health and safety over the interests of billionaires. Second, Biden can recognize the Equal Rights Amendment to protect women from impending attacks. Many in Trump’s orbit are pushing him to use draconian measures to block Americans’ access to reproductive care. His nominee for Defense secretary has said he believes women are less effective fighters and shouldn’t serve in ground combat units. Trump also has an eye to scale back efforts to combat sex discrimination in the workplace and health care. The ERA could offer vital constitutional protections. Virginia ratified it in 2020 and was the last state needed to bring it into force, but it has yet to be formally recognized as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, even as the nation’s leading scholars and the American Bar Association argue it has already been adopted. Biden has the power to clarify this once and for all. Finally, Biden should do all he can to prepare our military, law enforcement and intelligence communities to uphold the rule of law and push back against attempts to weaponize them against law-abiding citizens. The Republican-led House of Representatives has passed two bills to safeguard journalists and stop the government from purchasing Americans’ private location, web history and search data without a warrant. Biden must press the Senate to take immediate action on these bills. Through training and guidance, he can also reiterate that presidential immunity does not shield military and law enforcement officers from the legal requirement to follow only lawful orders. Additionally, his administration can lay out constraints on the domestic deployment of federal forces, even if they are ultimately reversed. Biden’s term isn’t over, nor is his responsibility to the children and grandchildren watching him, waiting to see what kind of America they will inherit. Urgent actions are sitting on the most powerful desk in America. We must now ask the lifelong statesman and patriot who sits behind it: What will you do to protect our democracy? Ben Olinsky is the senior vice president for structural reform and governance policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Social Security tackles overpayment ‘injustices,’ but problems remain