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STORY: Syria's new authorities on Thursday launched a security crackdown in Tartous, where 14 policemen were killed, according to state media. The report said authorities have vowed to pursue "remnants" of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad's militias accused of the attack. Tartous is home to many members of Assad's Alawite sect. The attack on the police has marked the deadliest challenge yet to the Sunni Islamist-led authorities led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which swept Assad from power on Dec. 8. Reflecting tensions with a sectarian edge, protests also erupted in several cities on Wednesday, seen in video verified by Reuters, after an undated video showing the burning of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo emerged on social media. Members of the Alawite minority, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam, wielded huge sway during decades of Assad's iron fisted rule. Residents in Al Woroud, a predominantly Alawite and impoverished neighborhood northwest of Damascus, expressed concern following the security crackdown. Community leader Ali Dareer told Reuters the new authorities' recent behavior doesn't reflect its repeated promises to protect minority religious groups. He cited multiple accounts of people being beaten at a checkpoint. But he blamed a "third party" of trying to incite discord. He urged his people to remain committed to peace, and "work to overcome this transitional phase". Dissent has also surfaced in the city of Homs, north of Damascus. Footage posted on social media on Wednesday from Homs showed a crowd of people scattering as gunfire was heard. Reuters has verified the location. It was not clear who was opening fire. State media reported police imposed an overnight curfew on Wednesday night. The Syrian information ministry declared a ban on what it described as "the circulation or publication of any media content or news with a sectarian tone aimed at spreading division." Assad's long-time Shi'ite regional ally, Iran, on Thursday rejected accusations that Tehran was interfering in Syria. It follows a warning by the new Syrian foreign minister for the Islamic Republic not to spread chaos in his country.More than a third of Americans say their retirement savings are way off track – 7 ways to get your fund going
In today's column, Miss Manners advises a reader on how to keep people from looking in your medicine cabinet. Getty Images Miss Manners DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have an older home with just one bathroom. I make sure that all personal products are off the counter when we have guests, but we’ve still had people snoop in the medicine cabinet and in the cupboard under the sink. My teenaged nephew once commented loudly about finding laxatives in the medicine cabinet. Another time, he talked about finding a large box of tampons under the sink. My sister-in-law, his mother, was angry at me and said we shouldn’t have embarrassing things that guests could find. Should we be editing our medicine cabinet in case guests snoop? GENTLE READER: Although Miss Manners has heard of a more effective solution, please do not say you got it from her. The idea is to overload (some might say “booby-trap”) the medicine cabinet before your snooping relatives arrive, so that when it is opened, things come tumbling out. Alerted by the noise, you can then confront your nephew by asking sympathetically, and publicly, “Noah, dear, what were you looking for? Do you have a problem? Do you need some laxatives?” Yes, this would take some work on your part. But you need only do it once. Read more Asking Eric and other advice columns. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com . Stories by Miss Manners Miss Manners: Learning to say “stop” politely when the jokes aren’t funny anymore Miss Manners: Dealing with unwanted physical affection Miss Manners: How to respond to a wedding invitation when family dynamics are complicated Miss Manners: How to handle feeling hungry at a holiday gathering with limited food Miss Manners: Should children wait for a late-arriving relative to open gifts?
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a busy offseason. They were involved in the Juan Soto sweepstakes and signed Blake Snell. They however have not been able to bring back one of their key free agents and may need to replace him if he leaves. Newsweek's Zach Pressnell suggested that the Dodgers could pivot to Chicago White Sox' centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. to replace Teoscar Hernández. He proposed this trade that brings Robert to Los Angeles: Dodgers receive: outfielder Luis Robert Jr. White Sox receive: right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller, shortstop Joendry Vargas and outfielder Kendall George Robert started 100 games for the White Sox in 2024 and hit 14 home runs. He had a significant drop-off from his All-Star campaign in 2023. However, playing for a historically bad White Sox team could have played a role in that. In 2023 he played 145 games, hit 38 home runs, had 80 RBIs and a .857 OPS. Robert signed a six-year, $50 million extension with the White Sox in 2020. After 2025 he has two seasons with a $20 million club options. If he plays to his potential and stays healthy, that might actually be a bargain. Hernández was great for the Dodgers playing on his one-year deal. He hit a career-high 33 home runs and was named an All-Star. He became a fan favorite and was key in their World Series title. However, if they cannot agree to a deal with him, someone else will surely pay him what he wants. More MLB: $260 million All-Star hints at Yankees trade on social media'An amazing feat': School assignment turns into life-changing opportunity for Hamburg college student
And today, in his first game at the World Junior Championship with the United States, the Washington Capitals prospect recorded five (!) assists. Lane Hutson has 1g 3a in his first WJC. Cole Hutson has 5a in his first WJC game. — Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) It’s quite crazy, nonetheless. Both brothers have a fairly similar playing style, according to many. It is worth noting that the Canadiens had two opportunities to select before the 43rd pick, which is the one the Capitals ultimately used to draft Cole. But I don’t think selecting the other brother with their 21st pick would have been the optimal choice. Even less so with the fifth. Cole Hutson and Lane Hutson look like the exact same player — Jesse Pollock (@jpolly22) Like the Canadiens’ prospect, Cole is a second-round pick, and many even think he is better than his brother. Simon Boisvert has been saying for a long time now: the youngest of the Hutsons was in his top-14 of the best prospects in the most recent draft. Gabe Perreault is Players Of The Game for Team US — David (@DaveyUpper) James Hagens in his WJC debut: — 2 goals — 4 points — 5 shots on goal This tournament could be where he really makes his 1st overall case. — Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) – He already has the Quebec accent. Habs prospect Rasmus Bergqvist on scoring his first goal at the World Juniors today for Team Sweden — /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) – Not an easy trip for the Tricolore. Le motton n’est plus en Floride pour le Canadien — TVA Sports (@TVASports) – Oh really. . says Sweden is the team to watch for the World Juniors. Do you agree ? — HFTV (@HFTVSports) – He is living the dream. Brayden Yager on NHL stars that reached out to him after being named captain for Canada: — BarDown (@BarDown) – Too bad for the people who had him in their finals. Saison terminée pour CeeDee Lamb — RDS (@RDSca)No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15. All Ohio State has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. Man City routed 4-0 by Tottenham in fifth-straight defeat as crisis deepens for Pep Guardiola What started as an evening of celebration for Manchester City ended with the four-time defending Premier League champion falling to a fifth-straight loss in all competitions and facing a deepening crisis in a season that is threatening to unravel. A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham left City five points behind league leader Liverpool, having played a game more. Two goals from James Maddison inside 20 minutes at the Etihad Stadium stunned the home crowd. Pedro Porro scored a third for Tottenham after halftime. Brennan Johnson added a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time. City manager Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension this week. Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton all won and closed the gap on Liverpool to six points. Florida knocks No. 9 Ole Miss out of College Football Playoff contention, 24-17 in the Swamp GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention. The Gators beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season. Ole Miss lost for the first time in four games and surely will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. Jennings has 3 TDs as No. 13 SMU routs Virginia 33-7 to clinch a spot in the ACC title game CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia 33-7. Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each had two sacks to help the Mustangs extend their winning streak to eight. They would earn an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff by beating 11th-ranked Miami or 17th-ranked Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UVa must beat rival Virginia Tech next week to become bowl eligible. No. 11 Miami pulls away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14 and move one win from the ACC title game MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and threw two touchdowns to Jacolby George on another record-breaking day, Mishael Powell ran an interception back 76 yards for a touchdown and No. 11 Miami pulled away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14. The 10-1 Hurricanes can clinch a berth in the ACC title game with a win at Syracuse next weekend. Ward completed 27 of 38 passes, plus ran for a score. Demond Claiborne had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for 4-7 Wake Forest. No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers. Illinois was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched. Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Hidalgo had six rebounds and eight assists in front of several WNBA scouts. Olivia Miles added 20 points for the Fighting Irish, who improved to 5-0. Watkins finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Trojans, who fell to 4-1. The Irish came out strong, taking a 20-10 lead in the first quarter, when Hidalgo had 11 points. They never looked back and stayed poised when USC came within three points three different times. Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open Recently retired Andy Murray will team up with Novak Djokovic, working with him as a coach through the Australian Open in January. Murray’s representatives put out statements from both players on Saturday. Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other player in tennis history. Murray won three major trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals who finished 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He retired as a player after the Paris Summer Games in August. Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini lift Italy past Australia and back to the Davis Cup final MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini won their singles matches to lift defending champion Italy past Australia 2-0 and back into the Davis Cup final. Sinner extended his tour-level winning streak to 24 sets in a row by beating No. 9 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday on an indoor hard court in Malaga, Spain. That came after Berrettini came back to defeat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-5. Italy will meet first-time finalist Netherlands on Sunday for the title. The Dutch followed up their victory over Rafael Nadal and Spain in the quarterfinals by eliminating Germany on Friday. Argentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1 ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina’s Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to help give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro.EU Calls On Mozambique To Engage In Dialogue With The Opposition
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When as prime minister Rishi Sunak left Normandy early during the D-Day 80th anniversary commemorations, it was widely considered to be the worst mistake of his general election campaign and possibly his career. Having called a general election two weeks earlier, he flew to Normandy to pay tribute to veterans but returned to the UK early for a scheduled television interview. A public backlash at his absence from a ceremony attended by other world leaders forced Sunak into a humiliating apology. He acknowledged that “on reflection” his early departure was “a mistake”. • Rishi Sunak told D-Day interviewer: My family went without Sky His decision to leave France early now seems all the more extraordinary in light of fresh details that have emerged regarding hisThe Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the stewardship of the Minister Nyesom Wike, is determined to usher in a new era of reforms aimed at enhancing governance and service delivery across the Mandate Secretariats. Spearheading these reforms is the Health and Environment Secretariat under the proactive leadership of Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, the Permanent Secretary whose initiatives and introduced reforms is designed to improve healthcare delivery at all levels. The Health and Environment Secretariat, under Dr. Adam’s leadership, has made strides in enhancing secondary and tertiary healthcare services. These reforms include improved funding mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of health programs, implementation of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), which has bolstered staff morale and improved success rates in postgraduate medical training. Other reforms include the expansion and modernization of healthcare facilities, ensuring a conducive environment for both patients and healthcare workers as well as continuous training and development of the health workforce to build capacity and improve service quality. Another notable achievement under this reform is the revival of the Drug Revolving Fund monthly meetings, which had been dormant for years. This effort ensures the availability of essential drugs in healthcare facilities while improving transparency in fund utilization. Additionally, the secretariat has revisited and enforced technical committees, streamlining operations and ensuring alignment with strategic goals. These reforms aim to create a sustainable framework for decision-making and service delivery. Since his assumption of office, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam has shown unwavering dedication to reshaping the health sector in the FCT. Recognizing that primary healthcare is the foundation of any effective health system, Dr. Adam has prioritized the restructuring of the FCT Primary Health Care Board. He has charged staff to uphold diligence and professionalism, emphasizing that the board’s success depends on its workforce. In line with this, the administration is actively addressing challenges in grassroots healthcare delivery, including funding, infrastructure, and capacity-building. The goal is to establish a robust primary healthcare system that meets the needs of FCT residents, particularly in underserved communities. Dr. Baba-Gana Adam’s extensive public service experience spans over three decades, encompassing roles in logistics, project evaluation, and city management. The former FCT Director of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage has demonstrated exceptional leadership, earning multiple accolades for his contributions to urban renewal and public service. His track record in social advocacy, particularly in tuberculosis eradication, further highlights his commitment to public health. As the Chair of Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, he championed initiatives to improve access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. While collaborating with Mandate Secretary Dr. Adedolapo Ayokunle Fasawe, Dr. Adam is building a forward-looking health sector in the FCT. Their combined efforts aim to redefine healthcare delivery, aligning with Wike’s vision of a progressive FCT where residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare services. Nyesom Wike’s decision to prioritize competence in selecting Permanent Secretaries is yielding tangible results. The health sector’s transformation under Dr. Adam is a testament to what visionary leadership can achieve. These reforms signify a renewed hope for the residents of the FCT, promising a brighter future where healthcare is accessible, efficient, and inclusive. As the administration continues to deliver on its mandate, it is setting a precedent for governance rooted in service, accountability, and progress. Imam Ibrahim , Suleja, Niger State
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.
Taipei, Taiwan A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions. Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse — dubbed the Chinese-language “Oscars” — in 2019 after a Taiwanese director voiced support for the island’s independence in an acceptance speech in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which the Taipei government rejects, and Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event ever since. Despite the sensitivity of the awards, more than 200 Chinese films entered this year’s competition, which Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said was the highest number in “recent years”. Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye was awarded best director late Saturday night for his docu-drama “An Unfinished Film”, which was also named best picture. Lou was absent from the ceremony but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film set during China’s lockdown of Wuhan in the earliest stages of the pandemic as “the most special directing job I have ever done”. Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong, who also did not attend the awards, won best actor for his performance in Chinese director Geng Jun’s same-sex drama “Bel Ami”. Hong Kong’s Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in “The Way We Talk”, which is about the deaf community. Neither “Bel Ami” nor “An Unfinished Film” has been released in China. Ahead of the awards, MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that these films “may not be able to be screened in mainland China, but they still hope to have a free platform to participate and express themselves”. “We welcome (them) very much,” he said. READ ALSO: Chinese movies vie for Taiwan’s top awards against tense backdrop – ‘Work of conscience’ – After several years absence, Chinese stars began trickling back to the awards in Taipei last year, with actress Hu Ling the first to grace the red carpet since the ban. On Saturday, Geng Jun and some of his cast were among the few Chinese entertainers to join stars and filmmakers from around the region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, on the red carpet. While Geng missed out on best director and best picture, his film “Bel Ami” won the awards for best cinematography and best film editing. Despite political tensions, Golden Horse remained a stage for independent Chinese films that have no distribution space on the mainland, Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng told AFP. “This spirit remains unchanged. I think the Golden Horse Awards have always insisted on being the benchmark” that is open to all subjects, said Weng, who is a board member of Taiwan Film Critics Society. Weng said “An Unfinished Film” by Lou, who has previously taken on forbidden subjects such as gay sex and the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was “a work of conscience”. Lou’s latest offering is about a film crew trying to resume shooting a movie during the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, as the city was placed in an unprecedented lockdown. “Lou put images that are banned or blocked into his work and reminds us that there is a director who is willing to preserve historical images for us to see... and let us know there is a different voice,” Weng said.