Don’t expect this documentary feature to have a “balanced” view of the Beatles. Fans and even casual followers have seen enough videos and writeups on the joys and pains of the Fab Four to the point of portraying John Lennon’s second wife, Yoko Ono, as a social media laughingstock. Enough of the bored and jaded band we saw in “Let It Be”; “Beatles ’64” in effect functions as kind of a joyous prequel to that film and Peter Jackson’s TV series “Get Back.” This new film should have perhaps adopted as a subtitle the name of one of the works of its co-producer Martin Scorsese: “The Age of Innocence.” Beatlemania as a documentary or fictional movie theme is hardly new, but this opus, directed by frequent Scorsese collaborator David Tedeschi, unearths rare footage of the Liverpool lads and their swooning fans during their momentous first visit to the United States. The footage was shot by 1970s era documentarians Albert and David Maysles (who directed “Gimme Shelter” on the controversial Altamont concert of the Rolling Stones). All told, “Beatles ’64” is an authentic bundle of pure euphoria, a sharp “feel-good” contrast to most of the works of Scorsese, a known specialist in “feel-bad” films. The approach strategy is simple; “Beatles ’64” positions the quartet as an antidote to the collective trauma of a nation reeling from the effects of the John F. Kennedy assassination. This is something we already know, but given the current situation of a politically divided US, the timing of this film serves to remind Americans and nations beyond of the power of music as a possible unifying force. Among the pleasures of watching this movie is witnessing interviews of grownup men and women, both ordinary fans and some noted professionals in various creative fields such as acclaimed director David Lynch, acting giddy and teary-eyed over their Beatlemaniac childhoods. Setting the mood at the start is satirist writer Joe Queenan who solemnly recalls that after listening to “She Loves You” on the radio, he felt as if “the light came on. It’s like total darkness, and then the light comes on. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this sounds good.'” Other fans express disinterest in current American music artists and scream in their placards that “Elvis Is Dead.” A girl declares her love for the Fab Four even though she’s a Julliard student studying more serious “classical music.” The Beatles come off as cheeky and irreverent in an inoffensive and charismatic way. They appear as young English tourists who are almost as enthusiastic about seeing America as the US teenage fans are about seeing them. They seem to express genuine wondrousness about their fame, a far cry from the celebrity’s feeling of being hassled that Lennon would highlight in his 1969 tune “The Ballad of John and Yoko.” Their sense of humor is purportedly uniform; with all of them wearing the same outfits and moptop hairdos and taking turns at delivering smart-alecky quips, we haven’t yet reached the stage where we could really tell apart the personalities of Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. But we do get to see interviews of the surviving Beatles McCartney and Starr, and at one point, Scorsese, known for his liberal use of the f-word in his films, seems to have allowed a sequence in which old Paul reminisces that the Beatles didn’t give an “f” about the snobbish treatment they received from the staff at a British embassy function. The silent generation’s resistance to the Fab Four’s appeal, both from America and the UK, is obligatorily tackled here. In a sequence which seems to smack of the Scorsesian touch, scenes of mobs screaming for the boys are accompanied by a voiceover TV news report that compares the Beatles to an incurable disease affecting teenagers and laments that while both countries have societies that prevent cruelty to children and animals, there are none for the prevention of cruelty to adults. We get glimpses as well of black artists whom the Beatles idolized. The Isley Brothers are overjoyed that the Fab Four covered their song “Twist and Shout.” Smokey Robinson called the Beatles the first white group of that magnitude whom ger had ever listened to in his life and was “elated” at the group’s version of his “You Really Got a Hold on Me.” There are even real-life subplots captured on film. One involves a group of female fans’ attempts to get to the Beatles which are thwarted by security, and another is about US musicians who illegally sneak into Liverpool to try their luck at the band scene. And would you believe these four dudes won the respect of feminists? In archival footage, Betty Freidan, author of “The Feminine Mystique,” states that the Beatles are saying no to the masculine mystique and are demonstrating that men can be tender, sensitive and compassionate. As we approach the holiday season, we see “Beatles ’64” as a welcome gift package of ultrafab fun buoyed by what one aging fan calls “crazy love.” It’s the gift that saw you standing there, down and depressed by the apparent death of idealism, and it loves you — yeah, yeah, yeah — and it wants to hold your hand.Help the CBC combat the kakistocracy Commentary by Black Kos Editor Denise Oliver-Velez Given the results of the 2024 election, and the racist assault by the President-elect and his current crop of prospective cabinet and administration members on all the progress we have made since the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, it is difficult to find joy these days. However, there is some good news on the horizon. CBS news reports: Congress will have a record-setting number of Black members in its ranks next year The Congressional Black Caucus, with 62 Democratic members, plans to act as a counterweight to the Trump administration, says Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York. The Congressional Black Caucus will boast a record 62 members for the next session of Congress, contributing toward the highest number of Black federal lawmakers in history, according to a post-election report by the organization shared with NBC News. In all, 67 Black people will serve in Congress. Five Republican members are not listed as members of the CBC. While the caucus's members had planned to uphold a policy agenda for Black and marginalized people under a Kamala Harris administration, instead Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said the CBC's role will be to hold President-elect Donald Trump and his congressional supporters accountable. “We’ve always been the conscience of the Congress, and that’s no matter who’s in charge,” Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told NBC News. “We always try to work with folks where we can. But we call them out also. And now we have more of these leaders to call truth to power, to make sure that the voices of the voiceless are heard.” The Congressional Black Caucus, established in 1971, is not tied to a political party, though all members are Democrats. Its mission has been to represent Black and marginalized groups through voter enfranchisement, health care access, broader educational opportunities, jobs, reform of the criminal justice system and foreign relations with predominantly Black nations around the world. According to its website , members of the CBC currently represent 120 million people in the U.S. and 41% of Black Americans. It should be obvious that we need voices raised from the floor of both the House and the Senate, to challenge the kakistocracy we will be subjected to. Though we did not achieve our dream of seeing Madame Vice President Kamala Harris as POTUS, through no fault of her own (frankly those people engaged in Kamala blaming need to STFU) there are two new additions of Black women to the Senate: x For the first time ever, two Black women will serve in the United States Senate simultaneously. Senators-elect Angela Alsobrooks (MD) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) are making history. pic.twitter.com/rgd3ieL96b — The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) November 16, 2024 The CBC is gearing up for battle. Staff writer for The Hill, Cheyanne Daniels reported: Congressional Black Caucus PAC launches fight against GOP efforts to implement Project 2025 The Congressional Black Caucus PAC has vowed to expose what it calls a “dangerous agenda” from “extreme Republicans” following the GOP’s success at the ballot box this year. The PAC announced Monday that it plans to fight back against any proposed legislation aligning with Project 2025. “The CBC will hold the line to protect Americans from the danger of extremist Republicans and their hate-filled Project 2025 agenda,” the PAC said in a memo Monday. “In the streets, the courtroom, and in Congress, the CBC will build coalitions with Americans of goodwill to fight for a fair economy and defend freedom. House and Senate Republicans should be on alert, we will expose and define their dangerous, reckless agenda out the gate — Americans will have a clear-eyed-view of the stakes next November.” The PAC added that the caucus has a mandate to fight for economic and social justice. The group’s stance against Project 2025 isn’t surprising — every member of the CBC is a Democrat. Both the caucus and its PAC have pushed back against the conservative blueprint, often highlighting the impact it would have on Black Americans. But with the largest CBC class in history, the PAC hopes the caucus can successfully push back on Republicans’ agenda. x Congressional Black Caucus PAC launches fight against GOP efforts to implement Project 2025 https://t.co/vifIilh0RC — The Hill (@thehill) November 25, 2024 x In Congress’ 119th session, @TheBlackCaucus will have a record 62 members and represent the highest number of Black federal lawmakers in history. CBCPAC Chairman Gregory Meeks said the CBC’s role will be to hold President-elect Donald Trump accountable. https://t.co/9GjEVrl2Ep — CBCPAC (@CBCPAC) November 25, 2024 Our job is to help them . We know the mainstream media is going to be Dump and his Dumpsters 24/7. We also know that attacks on the CBC, and its members will continue, not just from MAGA, but also from ADOS, and other right wing white-funded Black MAGAs on social media. Because there are now 5 CBC members “who will be ranking members in committees: Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.) on Foreign Affairs; Rep. Bobby Scott (Va.) on Education and the Workforce; Rep. David Scott (Ga.) on Agriculture; Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.) on Homeland Security; and Rep. Maxine Waters (Calif.) on Financial Services,” we need to ensure that we cover their role in hearings that surely will be forthcoming. The good news here at Daily Kos, is that DKos contributor and Black Kos community member lpeacock , who is @LindaLeePeacock on Twitter, and @lindaleepeacock.bsky.social on Bluesky is planning to launch a CBC roundup story series. We regularly post CBC news here in Black Kos, but given our limited readership I think it is important that the activities of CBC members are seen more frequently on the site, as well as on social media. Thank you Linda. Back in 2019 I wrote “The Congressional Black Caucus has expanded in size and clout” which covered CBC history that some of you may not be aware of so I’ll repeat part of it here. The History : During the late 1960s, Rep. Charles Diggs (D-Mich.) created the Democracy Select Committee (DSC) in an effort to bring black members of Congress together. Diggs noticed that he and other African-American members of Congress often felt isolated because there were very few of them in Congress and wanted to create a forum where they could discuss common political challenges and interests.“The sooner we get organized for group action, the more effective we can become,” Diggs said. The DSC was an informal group that held irregular meetings and had no independent staff or budget but that changed a few years later. As a result of court-ordered redistricting, one of several victories of the Civil Rights Movement, the number of African-American members of Congress rose from nine to 13, the largest ever at the time, and members of the DSC decided at the beginning of the 92nd Congress (1971-1973) that a more formal group was needed. “The thrust of our elections was that many black people around America who had formerly been unrepresented, now felt that the nine black members of the House owed them the obligation of also affording them representation in the House,” Rep. Louis Stokes (D-Ohio) said. “In addition to representing our individual districts, we had to assume the onerous burden of acting as congressman-at-large for unrepresented people around America.” The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) was established in 1971 by 13 founding members. In 1977, 15 of the Congressional Black Caucus members posed on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, from left to right: (front row) Barbara Jordan of Texas, Robert Nix, Sr., of Pennsylvania, Ralph Metcalfe of Illinois, Cardiss Collins of Illinois, Parren Mitchell of Maryland, Gus Hawkins of California, Shirley Chisholm of New York; (middle row) John Conyers, Jr., of Michigan, Charles Rangel of New York, Harold Ford, Sr., of Tennessee, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke of California, Walter Fauntroy of the District of Columbia; (back row) Ronald Dellums of California, Louis Stokes of Ohio, and Charles C. Diggs, Jr., of Michigan. Shortly after the CBC was established, its battle with President Nixon began. After President Nixon refused to meet with the group, the CBC decided to boycott the 1971 State of the Union Address, which made national headlines. “We now refuse to be part of your audience,” Rep. William Lacy Clay, Sr. (D-Mo.) wrote to President Nixon on behalf of the caucus, explaining that President Nixon’s refusal to meet with the caucus was evidence that the Administration wasn’t interested in helping the African American community. The CBC’s decision to fight its battle with President Nixon publicly worked in the caucus’ favor and became a strategy the CBC would return to again and again. President Nixon eventually agreed to a March 1971 meeting with the caucus. During the meeting, the CBC presented President Nixon with 61 recommendations to eradicate racism, provide quality housing for African-American families, and promote the full engagement of African-Americans in government. “Our people are no longer asking for equality as a rhetorical promise,” Diggs said. “They are demanding from the national Administration, and from elected officials without regard to party affiliation, the only kind of equality that ultimately has any real meaning—equality of results.” Press coverage of the meeting and the events leading up to it introduced the CBC to the nation. A few years later, in 1973, the CBC would be among the first members of Congress to call for President Nixon’s impeachment. Before I close, I have a few questions. How many members of the CBC are you familiar with? How many have been elected from your state? How many do you follow on social media? After a devastating and decisive loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris is keeping her “options open” about her political future once she leaves office next year. Harris has told her advisors and close allies, “I am staying in the fight,” Politico reports. What that fight looks like, however, remains up in the air. According to Harris’ inner circle, the vice president is considering running for governor of California when Gov. Gavin Newsom’s term-limited time in office comes to an end in 2026. Harris is also not ruling out running for president again in 2028. However, insiders told the news outlet that it is unlikely Harris can do both. While Harris, who left Washington, D.C. last week to vacation in Hawaii with family and advisors, has plenty of time to decide on her next move, those close to the vice president make clear she will remain a critical voice against Trump and his incoming administration. Politico notes that another option for Harris is setting up an independent entity as a former vice president, in which she would continue to travel across the country, deliver speeches, and maintain her political relationships in the event she seeks public office again. As President Joe Biden prepares for his first visit to the African continent in the oil and resource-rich Angola on Dec. 4, it remains to be seen if his successor, President-elect Trump, is as committed to diplomacy in Africa as previous U.S. presidents have been. During his first term, Trump showed no commitment or interest in true engagement with Africa, nor has he shown any during his presidential transition before taking the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre , senior advisor and spokesperson for Biden, told theGrio the president’s trip to Angola is intended to foster “shared interests” between the United States and Africa. Those shared interests include American businesses participating in Angola’s economy, as well as Angolan companies doing business in the U.S., including the oil industry and construction. There’s also a goal of establishing digital connectivity that reinforces Angola’s goals of renewable energy and food self-sufficiency. President-elect Donald Trump ’s administration is expected to consider formally recognizing Somaliland’s independence, a former UK defense secretary indicated, following successful elections in the self-declared republic on Tuesday. Former MP Sir Gavin Williamson, a leading supporter of Somaliland within the Conservative Party, expressed confidence that Trump’s new administration would address the issue, following discussions with members of Trump’s foreign policy team. “It will probably all take a little longer than we hope,” he added. Somaliland, a former British protectorate in the Horn of Africa near the Gulf of Aden, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following years of civil war. Though unrecognized internationally, Williamson and others often view the de facto state as a rare example of stability and democracy in a turbulent region. NOTE: [ This comes at a time of growing tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal Addis Ababa signed in January with Somaliland, a breakaway region. Mogadishu sees Somaliland as a part of Somalia.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Global Youth Philanthropy Youth Representatives Showcase Climate Action at COP29 11-22-2024 09:44 PM CET | Science & Education Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Global Social The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) recently convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. On November 19, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM local time, the China Pavilion in the Blue Zone hosted a side event titled "Actively Guard against Climate Risks and Build Low-carbon and Resilient Cities." Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/c8b0222587bfd4fe71f94f6c2a6d62da.jpg This event brought together representatives from government departments, international organizations, research institutions, and cities from both China and abroad to discuss the impacts of global climate change and strategies for risk prevention. Participants shared China's experiences in climate change policies and actions, while exchanging practical outcomes in the development of low-carbon resilient cities worldwide. The attendees unanimously agreed that addressing climate change is a global challenge, and only through collaborative innovation can meaningful progress be achieved. At the side event, Liu Hailiang, a board member of Global Youth Philanthropy, was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled "The Role of Youth in Addressing Global Climate Change and Environmental Crises." He emphasized that youth represent a vital force in tackling global climate change, contributing energy and vitality to the green transition through innovative practices and cross-cultural collaboration. Global Youth Philanthropy actively responds to the UN's "Youth 2030 Strategy" and Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to unite young people worldwide, foster innovation in global governance practices, and cultivate future leaders with social responsibility and global competence. Additionally, the organization seeks to promote cross-cultural exchanges among international youth, contributing to a more beautiful and shared future for the world. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/0504239355a8620488dbe9a8c3b69ad5.jpg Leah Wu, a youth representative from Global Youth Philanthropy and the founder and president of Fission for the Future , delivered a speech titled "Recent Technological Developments in Nuclear Energy and Its Promising Future in Climate Change." Leah addressed the urgent need for solutions to meet growing global energy demands while minimizing emissions. She explained how advancements such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could make nuclear energy cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Meanwhile, Leah Wu launched an initiative titled "Embrace Diversity of Clean Energy" at the event, calling on global youth to work together in advancing diverse clean energy development and building a sustainable future. A signature collection campaign was held on-site, receiving widespread support. Leah Wu emphasized that innovations in technology and policy can enable tailored energy solutions based on the needs of different regions, fostering a cleaner and more sustainable future together. Alice Hu, founder of Human Rights Youth Advocacy and one of the exhibition's lead curators, shared her plastic pollution advocacy through a video presentation. Using vivid data and examples, she urged young people to recognize the severity of global plastic pollution and take action to reduce plastic usage. Her presentation highlighted the responsibility and leadership of youth in addressing environmental challenges. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/359f63aaf4a0e053900f912a3daca0a2.jpg Youth representatives from Global Youth Philanthropy - Andy Zhou, Alice Hu, and Ariel Hu - curated an exhibition titled "Climate Adaptation Practices: Emergency Response, Capacity Building, and Youth Engagement." The exhibition showcased innovative projects led by youth from around the world, demonstrating their creativity and determination in tackling climate change. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/4b9bbce661143b93b4ecc9b703e89dbe.jpg Among the featured projects, the Food Bridge App aims to reduce food waste and has already helped over 300 families. The Sustainable Style Project advocates for reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion by encouraging more sustainable consumption habits. Art for Earth , a global public art initiative, raises awareness about climate issues through exhibitions in cities such as Beijing and Vancouver. Additionally, A Bang for Action , a project featuring Eco-Friendly Fireworks Innovations , highlighted its smokeless fireworks as a creative solution to reducing air pollution while maintaining cultural traditions. Adding to the event's depth, Celine Liu, a youth journalist from Youth Voice, reported on the conference from a young person's perspective. Her coverage offered thoughtful observations and heartfelt appeals, urging more youth to join the global climate movement. As China's Special Envoy for Climate Change, Liu Zhenmin, noted during the conference: "An increasing number of young people are joining the noble cause of global climate governance. They are our hope for the future. I encourage young people to continue practicing low-carbon lifestyles, demonstrating leadership, and inspiring their peers to take part in this great endeavor." Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/1642fa6c159fc083ce15a348797b7a30.jpg This year's COP29 not only showcased the innovative practices and sense of mission displayed by youth in addressing climate change but also emphasized their vast potential to shape global climate governance. Looking ahead, Global Youth Philanthropy will continue to support and empower young people through collaboration and innovation, injecting hope and vitality into global climate action. Media Contact Company Name: Global Youth Philanthropy Contact Person: Liping Sun Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=global-youth-philanthropy-youth-representatives-showcase-climate-action-at-cop29 ] Country: China Website: http://www.youth-global.org/ This release was published on openPR.
58 Things From TikTok That People Rave About And, Welp, It’s True. They’re GreatThe Police Force says necessary safety and security measures will be adopted over the next two days as Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games begins tomorrow. Police Chief of Operations, ACP Livai Driu is also criminal elements to stay clear of the games venue. ACP Driu says community policing officers have been liaising with school managements where participating schools will be billeted, regarding the safety and security of the visiting schools as most teams are in the capital city ahead of the tournament tomorrow. He is calling on parents, guardians and teachers to priorities children’s safety and security to avoid situations where students end up following the wrong crowd. The Police Chief of Operations says communication is important and children are young and can easily be influenced by their peers where they may end up in a regrettable situation. He says they will be implementing necessary security measures and coverage which will not only be limited to the games venues but also traffic control and outskirts in anticipation of the spill-over of people into Suva following the games. Drivers have also been advised to be extra cautious near the games venue and near school zones.Doncic scores 27 points in return from two-game absence as Mavericks beat Trail Blazers 132-108
Aptos preparing for unbeaten Carmel in CCS D-III final | High school footballSupreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services
Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public service
A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The money will be directly deposited into eligible people’s bank accounts or sent in the mail by a paper check. Most people shouldn't get their hopes up about receiving the cash. The IRS says it’s distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns after missing one of the COVID stimulus payments or receiving less than the full amount. The IRS says most taxpayers eligible for the federal stimulus payments received them. Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter and was eventually intended to replace it. While this is still very much a pie in the sky, Bluesky’s growth trajectory could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. With growth, though, comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who’ve been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales. Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Strikes during busy periods like the holidays can help unions exercise leverage during negotiations or garner support from sympathetic consumers. One expert says he thinks workers at both companies are “desperate” to make progress before President-elect Donald Trump can appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at Starbucks, Amazon and some other prominent consumer brands are fighting for their first contracts after several locations voted to unionize. Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia's Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. But he grew disillusioned with the company and told The Associated Press this fall he would “try to testify” in copyright infringement cases against it. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures eased last month WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve barely rose last month in a sign that price pressures cooled after two months of sharp gains. Prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices also ticked up just 0.1%, after two months of outsize 0.3% gains. The milder inflation figures arrived two days after Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, rocked financial markets by revealing that they now expect to cut their key interest rate just two times in 2025, down from four in their previous estimate. Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister says the government will shut down video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teenager following a quarrel that started on TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. ... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.” Rama says the ban will begin sometime next year. Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to domestic researchers. Stock market today: Wall Street rises to turn a dismal week into just a bad one NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to turn what would have been one of the market’s worst weeks of the year into just a pretty bad one. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% Friday to shave its loss for the week down to 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. A report said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than expected. It’s an encouraging signal after the Fed shocked markets Wednesday by saying worries about inflation could keep it from cutting interest rates in 2025 as much as earlier thought. Starbucks workers begin strikes that could spread to hundreds of US stores by Christmas Eve Workers at U.S. Starbucks stores have begun a five-day strike to protest a lack of progress in contract negotiations with the company. The strikes began in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle and could spread to hundreds of stores across the country by Christmas Eve. Workers at 535 of the 10,000 company-owned Starbucks stores in the U.S. have voted to unionize. The Starbucks Workers United union accuses the Seattle-based coffeehouse chain of failing to honor a commitment made in February to reach a labor agreement this year. Starbucks says the union prematurely left the bargaining table this week. It said Friday there's been no significant impact to store operations.The Associated Press 7:01 JST, November 27, 2024 JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state,” he said, referring to Israel’s demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut’s bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah’s financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon.
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu urges Indians to keep THIS in mind, says, 'achievements abroad won't...'
Norman confirms he's to be replaced as LIV Golf CEO
Dealing with toxic abusive boss, 21-year-old intern seeks help on social media; ‘even servants get treated better’Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. Jet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company’s jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday’s incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, an airline consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011.
Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation, has urged Indians to embrace self-reliance and focus on indigenous innovation to tackle the country’s unique challenges. In a recent post on X, Vembu stressed the need to reduce dependence on foreign products and services by leveraging India’s vast talent pool. “To earn true respect in the world, Indians have to develop deep capabilities in India. Achievements abroad won't do it. I hope smart Indians keep this in mind,” he wrote, encouraging businesses to create homegrown technologies tailored to India’s needs. To earn true respect in the world, Indians have to develop deep capabilities in India. Achievements abroad won't do it. I hope smart Indians keep this in mind. — Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) December 28, 2024 Vembu highlighted the importance of nurturing domestic talent over relying on external resources. Sharing his personal approach, he said, “As an Indian, I work hard to retain talent in India because we so badly need the talent to develop India's technology capability.” He contrasted this with the United States’ reliance on imported talent, suggesting that India should prioritise sustainable growth through local skill development. He also spoke about the need for inclusive growth, emphasising that national progress cannot be achieved if large sections of society are left behind. “National development cannot be achieved if large sections of society are left behind,” Vembu noted. Reflecting on global practices, Vembu questioned the long-term effects of prioritising global rankings over local development. “Is it worth the bragging rights to be number one in GDP or AI, achieved with imported talent, but at the price of leaving your own people behind?”Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleShopping for home internet just got a little easier. In April, the US Federal Communications Commission launched an initiative to simplify internet shopping . Internet providers are now required to display labels with the key ingredients of their plans -- borrowing the nutrition label format from food products. Initially, the rule applied only to providers with more than 100K subscribers, but since Oct. 10, all ISPs have been required to use the labels. "People have been pushing for this for years because companies were making it so hard to tell what exactly you're getting," Justin Brookman, director of technology policy for Consumer Reports, told CNET. "You sign up for something at $50 a month, and then after taxes and fees, it's $100, and then that balloons to $200. That was a huge problem. And that's why the cable companies largely resisted this for 10 years." Locating local internet providers Internet providers are notorious for their complicated pricing structures. Between autopay discounts, introductory pricing and hidden fees , you often don't know what your bill will actually look like until it's too late. I write about the internet for a living, and even I have to call providers directly to find out basic information like upload speeds and price increases. That's the kind of obfuscation the FCC is looking to clear up. "The fundamental idea is that competitive markets work better when consumers have appropriate information," Blair Levin, a former FCC chief of staff and a telecom industry analyst at New Street Research, told CNET. "Requiring ISPs to provide this kind of minimum level of information to consumers really is kind of a no-brainer." Locating local internet providers The new Trump-appointed chair of the FCC, Brendan Carr, is expected to roll back many of the FCC's initiatives from the past four years, but broadband labels aren't one of them -- Carr voted for the labels in 2022, arguing that they'd promote transparency and help consumers make informed choices. A sample of the FCC's broadband consumer labels for home internet and mobile broadband plans. What you'll see on the broadband labels You'll see the broadband labels wherever you shop for internet. You may have to enter your address to see them, but all providers are now required to display them on their websites. "The broadband labels are required to appear at the point of sale," Alejandro Roark, bureau chief of the FCC Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, told CNET. "And it can't be buried. It can't be one of those things where the price is available, but you have to click multiple links, or click on this tiny icon that may be hard to miss. We're very explicit in our rules that they have to be present." At the top of the label is the monthly price, along with any increases you can expect. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of being an internet customer: Your bill might double after a year or two, and you won't know until it happens. You can sometimes find out what your price increase will be by combing through the fine print, but many ISPs simply say it will return to the "then-prevailing rate" after the promotional pricing expires. The broadband label looks to take the surprise out of that process by requiring that providers clearly state how long the introductory pricing lasts and what it will jump to when it ends. This is where you’ll see all the fees associated with the internet plan. The bulk of that will be equipment fees , which can be broken down into different prices for renting a modem and a router. If applicable, you may also see things like installation and early termination fees here, too. But these can be misleading, as well. Spectrum, for example, shows a $30 to $65 installation fee on all its labels, but when you go to check out, installation is listed as free. This section was almost exactly the same for every ISP I looked at. You'll be directed to a link that has more information on the discounts you can get if you add things like cellphone or TV service to your internet plan. There are three factors listed here: typical download speed, typical upload speed, and latency. Roark told me that the internet providers are responsible for reporting this information themselves, and the FCC isn't reviewing it for accuracy. The speed information I saw varies from provider to provider and, in some cases, raises more questions than answers. Spectrum lists its Internet 100 plan as "up to 100Mbps," for example, but its label says typical download speeds are "100Mbps or higher." AT&T Fiber, on the other hand, lists typical download speeds of 398Mbps and upload speeds of 381.7Mbps for its 300Mbps plan. AT&T told CNET that these numbers are gleaned from an internal tool. Data caps are a thing of the past with most internet plans, but the providers that do still have them are required to list exactly what they are, along with any fees you'll get hit with for going over. You'll get charged based on how much extra data you use -- typically $10 or $15 for each 50GB of data that you go over. The remaining sections are primarily reserved for legal disclaimers. You can click links to learn more about the ISP’s network management and privacy policies (if that's your idea of a good time). There's also a spot for customer support, which included a phone number on every label I saw. This is more important than you might think -- ISPs often make their contact information surprisingly difficult to track down. How will the broadband labels be enforced? Internet providers aren't required to send the labels to the FCC for approval before displaying them on their sites. The agency is largely relying on third-party advocacy groups and consumers themselves to ensure that the information displayed on the broadband labels is accurate. "Similarly to a lot of the agency's enforcement actions, we really rely on the consumer complaint process," Roark said. "Now that the rules are officially in effect, we will be monitoring and ensuring that there is a broad nationwide consumer awareness campaign so the consumers know about this requirement and what to expect in the labels." An FCC spokesperson also told CNET that the Commission's Enforcement Bureau will monitor public reporting, consumer complaints, notices from partner agencies and use "other investigative tools" to monitor compliance with the law. If you notice that a provider isn't displaying labels or has inaccurate information about its plans, you can file a complaint with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center . The bottom line The broadband consumer labels are a much-needed step toward taking some of the confusion out of internet shopping. And with smaller providers now required to display the labels, consumers should have an easier time comparing all of the options available at their home. "I would hope that the FCC revisits this every two, every four years, has industry comment, has consumers comment -- and gradually improves this," Levin told CNET. "That should be an achievable thing. That should be one of the principal jobs at the FCC."