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Netflix continues to express confidence that its streaming platform is prepared to handle the massive audiences expected for a pair of Christmas Day NFL games along with the start of its live coverage of the World Wrestling Entertainment's "Raw" next month. Concerns were raised after users experienced issues with buffering and low quality feeds during the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match last month. Netflix has exclusive rights to stream NFL games on Christmas Day between the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans. Beyonce is scheduled to perform during halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, which could create more server traffic Netflix must take into account. It's a major test after the company reported an average global live audience of 108 million viewers for Paul's victory over Tyson in Arlington, Texas. Downdetector.com , which tracks service outages, announced that there were 90,000 issues reported at one point. "It was a big number, but you don't know, and you can't learn these things until you do them, so you take a big swing," Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria told Front Office Sports. "Our teams and our engineers are amazing, moved super quickly, and stabilized it, and many of the members had it back up and running pretty quickly. But we learn from these things. "We've all obviously done a lot of stuff to learn and get ready for the NFL and Beyonce, and so we're totally ready and excited for WWE." WWE president Nick Khan told FOS that Raw's tone and content will not change as it moves to the streaming service, with its first event of 2025 scheduled for Jan. 6. "There's some online chatter about, ‘oh, it's going to be R-rated, or for us old folks, X-rated.' That's definitely not happening," Khan said. "It's family-friendly, multi-generational, advertiser-friendly programming. It's going to stay that way. I would look for more global flair, especially as the relationship continues to develop." --Field Level MediaIdaho lawmakers look toward anti-DEI legislation, accreditation standards
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Friend of Quebec man killed in Florida boat explosion says his sister also injured MONTREAL — A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion earlier this week says one of the victim's sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press Dec 28, 2024 9:41 AM Dec 28, 2024 9:50 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The charred remains of two boats are seen Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, at Lauderdale Marina near the 15th Street Fisheries restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP MONTREAL — A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion earlier this week says one of the victim's sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Thi Cam Nhung Lê says she grew up with Sebastien Gauthier in Quebec City and considered him her best friend. Lê says Gauthier’s older sister was also on the boat in Florida's Broward County when it exploded and she was taken to a hospital. She says Gauthier’s family was in Florida to celebrate the holidays and that his sudden death feels “unimaginable.” Video posted on social media Monday shows the vessel engulfed in flames following the explosion, with a thick column of black smoke billowing into the sky. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed that Gauthier died of his injuries, saying a preliminary investigation shows the 37-foot vessel exploded after its engines were started. Lê remembers Gauthier as someone who was always smiling and says she is waiting for answers about what led to her friend’s death. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024. Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News New Canadians, non-traditional demographics boost minor hockey uptake in B.C. Dec 28, 2024 6:00 AM How some men are trying to fight online misogyny amid 'your body, my choice' rhetoric Dec 28, 2024 3:00 AM Vancouver's Bench Accounting abruptly shuts down, with hundreds of jobs lost Dec 27, 2024 4:49 PM Featured Flyer
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The federal government has revealed that the Nigeria Tax Bill amalgamates all existing laws containing provisions for taxation. It added that, when passed, the bill will repeal 11 laws that contain provisions on the imposition and collection of taxes. The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa Onilu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Minna, in preparation for the flag-off of a sensitization campaign on the Tax Reform Bills, Security Awareness, World Human Rights Day, World HIV Day, and discouraging the get-rich-quick syndrome. Themed Promoting Awareness, Ethical Value, and National Development, Onilu explained that taxation is essential for funding national development. He added that taxation has been a source of concern for many Nigerians due to issues such as multiple taxation and its impact on low-income earners. The NOA D.G., who spoke through the state director of the agency in Niger State, Yahaya Ibrahim Gbongbo, noted that to address these challenges, the federal government is implementing reforms to make the system fairer and less burdensome for citizens. He said, “Tax reform bills are four different bills that aim to bring everything about taxation and administration of tax in Nigeria under four different pieces of legislation. These include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Nigeria Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.” The NOA boss assured that tax reforms will benefit everyone. He noted that the government is working to stop different levels of authority from taxing people for the same thing, provide support for low-income earners, ensure a simpler and more transparent process, and show visible impacts of taxes. The Director General added, “These reforms are designed to ease the burden on hardworking Nigerians while ensuring everyone contributes fairly. By supporting this effort, we can create a tax system that works for all and funds the development projects that will improve our nation.” On security, the Director General disclosed that security remains a top priority for the federal government. He highlighted efforts to address insecurity by strengthening the security architecture through better equipment, training, and increased funding for security agencies, as well as expanding policy initiatives to improve collaboration between citizens and law enforcement. The deployment of technology, such as surveillance systems and intelligence gathering, was also noted as a means to combat criminal activities. He emphasized that these efforts require active citizen support, including reporting suspicious activities and cooperating with law enforcement agencies. In a related development, Issa Onilu revealed that the federal government recognizes that the erosion of the country’s long-standing values and economic hardship often drives individuals towards unethical practices. To address this, the government has implemented youth empowerment programmes such as the National Social Investments Programme (NSIP) and skill acquisition initiatives, supported small and medium enterprises through grants and loans to promote entrepreneurship, and criminalized fraudulent practices including internet fraud and financial crimes, with increased enforcement by agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. Similarly, on World Human Rights Day, Onilu maintained that the federal government remains committed to protecting the dignity of every Nigerian. On World HIV/AIDS Day, the NOA D.G. noted that Nigeria joined the global community across the 36 states, the FCT, and 774 local councils in raising awareness. He stressed that the federal government has intensified efforts to provide free and accessible HIV testing and counseling services nationwide, ensured antiretroviral treatments are available and accessible to people living with HIV/AIDS, and partnered with local and international organisations to combat stigma and discrimination.
France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived impeachment on Saturday as his ruling party refused to join an opposition bid to oust him after he shocked the nation and its allies by briefly declaring martial law. The impeachment vote failed to gain the 200-vote hurdle needed to suspend the president from duties, after the ruling party boycotted the vote. A lengthy standoff followed as the opposition waited for ruling party members to change their minds and vote. Despite some of them doing so it eventually became clear the motion wouldn’t pass. The opposition, which controls a majority in the legislative body, has said it will push quickly for another vote. The attempt to oust the president came after Yoon, 63, shook markets and surprised world leaders by declaring martial law for the first time since South Korea became a democracy nearly four decades ago. He rescinded the order six hours later after lawmakers raced to the National Assembly and voted down the decree. While the outcome leaves Yoon in office for now, the ruling People Power Party will need to quickly find ways to shore up the administration and stabilize the situation to avoid the kind of escalating public protests seen in South Korea in the past. PPP leader Han Dong-hun vowed to seek the president’s orderly exit to minimize the turmoil, telling reporters that Yoon will be effectively suspended from duties until he steps down. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will take the lead role in running state affairs through close consultations with the ruling party, while communicating with opposition parties, the party leader said. Under the country’s constitution, the prime minister’s role is to assist the president and direct the ministries following orders from the president. Minutes after the failure of the vote, opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung accused the ruling party of betraying the public. He apologized for failing to pass the motion, as other opposition lawmakers stood by him holding banners that read, “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol.” “We will ultimately impeach Yoon Suk Yeol,” Lee said. “We will return the state back to normal for you as a Christmas gift.” The ruling party’s decision to boycott the vote came hours after Yoon apologized for plunging the country into a political crisis, saying he would leave it up to the ruling party to decide his fate. The opposition bloc needed only eight votes from the ruling PPP to impeach Yoon. But Yoon’s conservatives refused to vote in favor of the motion, a move that would’ve likely handed their political opponents a big win in an early election that would have followed if he was removed. The impeachment bid looked set to fail much earlier Saturday evening when members of the ruling party left the National Assembly without voting. But before casting their ballots, opposition members together called on each member of the PPP by name to return to vote. “This incident will be written in our history, one that’s been built by the blood and sweat of our people,” parliamentary speaker Woo Won-shik said, as he urged ruling party lawmakers to return to the chamber and vote. “The head of a conservative group cannot speak alone for individuals’ consciences and values.” In an unexpected twist, two of them did, adding to the one PPP member who already voted. That emboldened the opposition to leave proceedings at a standstill with several hours remaining before the 72-hour limit for the voting period was due to expire. The votes by the three PPP members had prompted protesters outside the National Assembly to chant “five more to go.” As of 7 p.m., police estimated at least 100,000 people were gathered near the parliament to demand Yoon’s impeachment, compared with 18,000 Yoon supporters gathered near Gwanghwamun as of 6 p.m., according to Yonhap News. But the chances of the impeachment failing strengthened when one of the ruling party members who cast a ballot said he voted against it. The crowds started to thin as the likely result became clearer, the temperature dropped and food stalls started packing up having sold out of refreshments. “I had planned to take rest this weekend but I felt so scared after martial law,” said Park Hye-rim, a 33-year-old office worker from northern Seoul. “Even if impeachment is voted down, I will come back to rally again and again. I will not give up.” The political uncertainty in South Korea appears likely to persist, according to Jun Rong Yeap, a market strategist at IG Asia Pte. “Growing public outcries and intensifying pressure from the opposition party could potentially increase the risk of defections among PPP members,” he said, adding that the sustained uncertainty could remain a drag on its equities market into the new week. ——— (With assistance from Sohee Kim, Sangim Han, Sangmi Cha, Jaehyun Eom, Seyoon Kim, Hooyeon Kim, Shinhye Kang, Heejin Kim, Whanwoong Choi, Youkyung Lee, Eunkyung Seo and Min Jeong Lee.) ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.