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On December 30th, BTS’ Kim Taehyung, aka V, turns 29, and it’s the perfect time to look back at some of his most iconic and precious moments with Jungkook and Jimin. Known for his infectious charisma, V’s playful, goofy, and heartwarming interactions with his fellow members have left ARMY swooning time and time again. From his cheeky pranks with Jimin to sweet gestures with Jungkook, every moment captures the essence of V’s fun-loving spirit. His bond with both the 'maknae' Jungkook and his soulmate Jimin is truly something special. So, in celebration of his big day, here are 7 of the most adorable, unforgettable, and precious moments between V and his BTS brothers that show just how much they mean to each other! BTS V aka Kim Taehyung’s Birthday: From HBD Wishes on Burj Khalifa to Sand Art in Odisha, Here’s How ARMY Across the World Is Celebrating K-Pop Singer’s Special Day! . In one iconic episode of BTS’s variety show Run BTS, V and Jungkook had a jelly bean challenge, where they had to guess the flavour. V’s reactions were priceless, especially when Jungkook’s cheeky smile made V burst into laughter. During an interview, V gave Jungkook a rare, sweet compliment. He described him as the ‘best vocalist’. Jungkook was visibly moved, and fans couldn’t stop swooning over this heartwarming exchange. During one BTS In the Soop episode, V and Jimin were shown relaxing in their little cabin. Jimin tried to wake V up from his nap, but V was so out of it, that he hilariously responded with nonsensical words that left Jimin giggling. During BTS’s birthday celebrations, Jimin lovingly fed V a slice of cake, and the adorable moment was filled with laughter and affection. V even cheekily said, “This is too sweet for me,” but he couldn’t get enough of Jimin’s thoughtful gesture. BTS V aka Kim Taehyung Birthday: From Inner Child To Winter Bear, 5 Solo Songs of the K-Pop Singer You Got to Listen to If You Aren't Part of the BTS Army! . Jungkook’s mischievous ways sometimes get him into trouble, but V’s protective nature always comes through. On multiple occasions, when Jungkook was getting teased or making a mess, V would step in to ‘save’ him, often getting overly dramatic in the process. At the end of a live stream, V, Jungkook, and Jimin held hands and made a perfect heart-shaped gesture towards the camera, sending ARMY into a frenzy. V excitedly shouted, "It's my birthday!" as a way to share his special moment with the fans. The crowd erupted in cheers, completely immersed in his infectious energy and celebration. V's playful announcement made the moment even more memorable for both him and ARMY. That time Taehyung went “it’s my birthday!” during a Fire performance pic.twitter.com/4xcRlbwaYH — Still With You 7 ☔️ (@stillwithyou875) December 30, 2023 V, born on December 30, 1995, is set to celebrate his birthday this year. Since the start of 2024, he has had an incredible year, marked by numerous solo releases and continued success. As V celebrates his 29th, let’s raise a toast to these heartwarming moments that remind us just how strong and sweet the bonds of BTS truly are! (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 08:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).
Actor Keanu Reeves has said he joined the cast of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 as he is “a big fan” of the series. Reeves, 60, plays Shadow in the latest film adaption of the Sega video game, which will see Sonic, Knuckles and Tails battle him to protect the planet. Speaking at the movie’s London premiere on Tuesday, the Canadian star said: “I’m a big fan, I mean, I really enjoyed the first two films. “I really liked the character of Shadow, so I was really excited to try to be a part of it.” The Matrix actor went on to speak about the differences between voice acting and appearing on screen. He added: “It’s fun to play pretend, I love acting, so it’s fun to try and inhabit another character. “There’s an intensity to doing voice work and specificity, it’s kind of more like doing, it’s its own thing, because it’s kind of like theatre, but no audience. “So it’s like doing radio, and it’s just fun.” Canadian-American actor Jim Carrey co-stars as villain Doctor Eggman, a role he told the PA news agency it was “great” to be playing again. Carrey told PA: “I do like to play a character filled with disdain here and there, the Grinch was that. “But there were other characters like The Truman Show, he’s somebody who loves the world and believes in the world, and believes in the people in his life, and believes in his neighbours, and he’s just a good-hearted soul that finds out there’s something more in the world than what he knows and something beyond his own neighbourhood. “So it’s a lovely story, but they’re all different characters, they all have different desires, and you have to do something special with each one.” He added: “I just let it rip when they say action, it’s just a perfect excuse to be an obstreperous bloviating bag of ill will. “And then of course they say cut, and all of that horrible politeness and needing to be loved seeps back in.” Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will be released in UK cinemas on Friday December 20.A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and netsPresident-elect Donald Trump's repeated support for TikTok has sparked speculation about potential solutions to prevent the app's impending ban in the United States, though the path forward remains unclear. "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while," Trump told supporters on Sunday, just days after meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida. Trump, who credits the wildly popular platform with delivering him a large young user base, opposes banning TikTok partly because he believes it would primarily benefit Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company behind Instagram and Facebook. The situation is complex, according to University of Richmond School of Law professor Carl Tobias, given the various potential solutions and Trump's unpredictable nature. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. US officials and lawmakers grew wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access the data of TikTok's American users. Even with Trump's decisive election victory and incoming Republican-led Congress, acquiescing to the president-elect's desire and preventing the ban faces significant hurdles. The law enjoyed rare bipartisan support in a divided Washington, making its outright repeal through a vote in Congress politically unlikely even with Trump's influence over Republicans. The Supreme Court may offer the clearest path forward. TikTok has appealed to the nation's highest court, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The court, which is dominated by Trump-aligned conservatives, will hear the case on January 10, just nine days before the ban takes effect. This follows a lower appeals court's unanimous decision to uphold the law in December. Another possibility, according to Tobias, is that a Trump-led Department of Justice could determine ByteDance has addressed the law's national security concerns. However, such a move would likely be seen as caving to China by Congress and others. The final option is ByteDance selling to a non-Chinese buyer, though the company has consistently refused this possibility. With 170 million monthly active users, acquiring TikTok's US operations would require substantial resources. As president, Trump could extend the ban deadline by 90 days to facilitate a transaction. Few potential buyers have emerged, with major tech companies likely deterred by antitrust concerns. Former Trump Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, who runs a private equity fund backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, has expressed interest. During a recent event with Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $100 billion in the US economy, though specific investments weren't detailed. Other contenders include US real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who aims to make social media safer through his Project Liberty organization. Elon Musk, given his proximity to Trump and ownership of X, could also have a role to play, as he has expressed plans to transform the text-focused platform into something more like TikTok. A senior Republican lawmaker recently suggested Trump might orchestrate a "deal of the century" satisfying both US concerns and ByteDance's interests. The chairman of the US House committee on China, John Moolenaar, told Fox News Digital that once ByteDance accepts it must comply with US law, the situation could progress rapidly. Any agreement would need Beijing's approval, with US-China relations expected to remain tense during Trump's upcoming term. This isn't the first attempt to resolve TikTok's US status. In 2020, Trump also threatened a ban unless ByteDance sold its US operations. While Oracle and Walmart reached a preliminary agreement with ByteDance for ownership stakes, legal challenges and the transition to the Biden administration prevented the deal's completion. arp/mlm
Yoon Coup A Gift To Foes At Home, Bad For Solidarity With Japan, US‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative for ethical and spiritual development
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Jordan Roberts scored 19 points as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beat Schreiner 103-44 on Sunday. Roberts went 7 of 11 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) for the Islanders (8-6). Dian Wright-Forde scored 14 points while shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 6 for 8 from the line and added three steals. Sheldon Williams shot 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. The Mountaineers were led by Beau Cervantes, who recorded nine points. Kamden Ross added seven points and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Latest Market News Today Live Updates: Catch today's market wrap-up! Track Nifty 50 and Sensex movements, along with top gainers and losers. See how Asian and US markets fared and which sectors led the charge (or declined). Summary: Follow Mint's market blog for real-time updates on your favourite companies. This blog keeps you informed on all things Dalal Street and global markets. Stock Market News Today Live Updates: JSW Energy’s O2 Power acquisition tells us buying is better than building assetsPresident-elect Donald Trump's repeated support for TikTok has sparked speculation about potential solutions to prevent the app's impending ban in the United States, though the path forward remains unclear. "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while," Trump told supporters on Sunday, just days after meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida. Trump, who credits the wildly popular platform with delivering him a large young user base, opposes banning TikTok partly because he believes it would primarily benefit Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company behind Instagram and Facebook. The situation is complex, according to University of Richmond School of Law professor Carl Tobias, given the various potential solutions and Trump's unpredictable nature. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. US officials and lawmakers grew wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access the data of TikTok's American users. Even with Trump's decisive election victory and incoming Republican-led Congress, acquiescing to the president-elect's desire and preventing the ban faces significant hurdles. The law enjoyed rare bipartisan support in a divided Washington, making its outright repeal through a vote in Congress politically unlikely even with Trump's influence over Republicans. The Supreme Court may offer the clearest path forward. TikTok has appealed to the nation's highest court, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The court, which is dominated by Trump-aligned conservatives, will hear the case on January 10, just nine days before the ban takes effect. This follows a lower appeals court's unanimous decision to uphold the law in December. Another possibility, according to Tobias, is that a Trump-led Department of Justice could determine ByteDance has addressed the law's national security concerns. However, such a move would likely be seen as caving to China by Congress and others. The final option is ByteDance selling to a non-Chinese buyer, though the company has consistently refused this possibility. With 170 million monthly active users, acquiring TikTok's US operations would require substantial resources. As president, Trump could extend the ban deadline by 90 days to facilitate a transaction. - 'Deal of the Century' - Few potential buyers have emerged, with major tech companies likely deterred by antitrust concerns. Former Trump Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, who runs a private equity fund backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, has expressed interest. During a recent event with Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $100 billion in the US economy, though specific investments weren't detailed. Other contenders include US real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who aims to make social media safer through his Project Liberty organization. Elon Musk, given his proximity to Trump and ownership of X, could also have a role to play, as he has expressed plans to transform the text-focused platform into something more like TikTok. A senior Republican lawmaker recently suggested Trump might orchestrate a "deal of the century" satisfying both US concerns and ByteDance's interests. The chairman of the US House committee on China, John Moolenaar, told Fox News Digital that once ByteDance accepts it must comply with US law, the situation could progress rapidly. Any agreement would need Beijing's approval, with US-China relations expected to remain tense during Trump's upcoming term. This isn't the first attempt to resolve TikTok's US status. In 2020, Trump also threatened a ban unless ByteDance sold its US operations. While Oracle and Walmart reached a preliminary agreement with ByteDance for ownership stakes, legal challenges and the transition to the Biden administration prevented the deal's completion. arp/mlm
LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland finds that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor assaulted a woman in a hotel. (CORRECTS: A previous APNewsAlert misstated the claim the jury found him liable for.).Diljit Dosanjh dedicated his Guwahati concert on Sunday night to ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh and delivered a heartfelt tribute from the stage. The singer praised the life of the celebrated economist and highlighted that many valuable lessons can be learnt from his journey. New Delhi: Diljit Dosanjh had a blockbuster 2024. With concerts spanning the globe, the 40-year-old Punjabi sensation captured the hearts of music lovers worldwide with his electrifying performances. During his Guwahati show on Sunday night (December 29, 2024), the Jatt & Juliet star paid a moving tribute to former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh. From the stage, Dosanjh expressed that there are many valuable life lessons to be learnt from Singh’s life. He added that the late leader led an exceptionally simple life. Dosanjh further said that Singh never answered back or spoke ill of anyone, even though pursuing such a trait is extremely difficult in the world of politics. He also dedicated his concert in the Assamese city to the celebrated economist. Have a look: The heartfelt video of Dosanjh’s tribute has now gone viral on Instagram, garnering over 60 lakh views. The short clip is receiving immense praise from netizens in the form of likes and shares. “He completely changed India’s growth trajectory! Rest in power, Sir!” commented one social media user. Another wrote, “He wasn’t a politician; he was a humanitarian in political positions. He showed the nation the power of silent yet ambitious actions – those are the ones that truly matter. He demonstrated to the world what it means to be an Indian in today’s world. He’s and will always be incomparable.” Manmohan Singh death For the unversed, Singh breathed his last at AIIMS Delhi on Thursday (December 26, 2024) following age-related complications at the age of 92. His ashes were immersed in the Yamuna River near the Majnu Ka Tila Gurdwara on Sunday (December 29, 2024). Click for more latest Celebrity news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Raghav Jaitly is a seasoned digital journalist with over 10 years of experience. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the largest news outlets in India, including Times Internet, Zee News, News18, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhaskar Digital, and Jagran Group. With an extensive portfolio, Raghav covers a variety of beats, from Entertainment and Politics to Tech and Sports. In the digital journalism landscape, Raghav Jaitly has established himself as a driving force with a track record of successful storytelling. Latest NewsSri Lanka’s 10th Parliament stands at a crucial juncture in the nation’s political history. With 22 women elected as Members of Parliament (MPs), the country recorded its highest-ever female representation. This significant milestone underscores a long-standing struggle for gender equality in political representation. Establishing the newly reconstituted the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus adds momentum to the efforts to address systemic challenges and amplify women’s voice in governance. While this development marks progress, it also highlights the need for sustained action to overcome entrenched barriers. Historical context: Women in Sri Lankan politics Sri Lanka’s history of women participation in politics is marked by contrasts. On the one hand, it became the first South Asian country to grant voting rights to women under 21 years- of – age in 1931 and produced the world’s first woman Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1960. On the other, its progress in achieving meaningful female representation in politics has been slow. Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, including Article 12(2) of the 1978 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, women’s representation in Parliament has hovered at less than 6% for decades. Globally, women remain underrepresented in governance, with only 10,849 female parliamentarians among 46,064 worldwide. Sri Lanka ranks 128th out of 138 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s rankings for women in political representation. This statistic is particularly stark, given that women constitute over 51% of Sri Lanka’s population. Breaking new ground in the 10th Parliament The 10th Parliament, with its record-breaking 22 female MPs, marks a departure from this trend. The composition includes 20 MPs from the National People’s Power (NPP) party and two from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). While this represents progress, the numbers remain far below expectations for a nation striving for gender parity. The increase in women’s representation follows decades of incremental changes. Previous Parliaments saw modest numbers, with 11 women in the first Parliament, fluctuating between nine and 13 in subsequent Legislatures. The recent increase can be attributed to a growing awareness of the need for gender inclusion and the efforts of advocacy groups and political parties to encourage women’s participation. Challenges faced by women in politics Even with progress, women in Sri Lanka face many challenges when getting into politics. Unlike men, women deal with social pressure, financial constraints and cultural attitudes that make it harder for them to pursue political goals. This is especially true for those who don’t have a political background. Political dynasties continue to play a dominant role in Sri Lanka, making it more difficult for women who want to take on leadership roles. These challenges are not unique to Sri Lanka. Women across South Asia face similar obstacles. However, many neighbouring countries have adopted constitutional measures such as quotas, to address the imbalance. India, for example, has implemented quotas for women in local bodies such as panchayats and municipalities, though its proposed law to reserve two-thirds of parliamentary seats for women remains under debate. Role of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, first set up in 2006, has been instrumental in addressing gender issues in Parliament. Over the years, it has worked to empower women in the political, economic and social spheres while advocating to eliminate violence and harassment against women. The Caucus has also fostered partnerships with Local Government bodies, international organisations and civil society to drive its agenda. The Caucus was recently reconstituted under the leadership of Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, with Deputy Co-Chairs Chamindrani Bandara Kirielle and Samanmalee Gunasingha. Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya addressing the Caucus, emphasised the importance of collaboration beyond political ideologies to achieve shared goals. Key initiatives discussed at the inaugural meeting include commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on December 6 and establishing a subcommittee to review and report on future programs. These efforts aim to create a safer and more inclusive environment for women across Sri Lanka. Learning from global examples Globally, several nations have made significant progress in increasing female representation through quotas and other measures. Nordic countries, known for their high levels of gender equality, consistently rank at the top regarding women’s political representation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the leadership of female heads of state in these countries received widespread recognition for its effectiveness and empathy. In Africa, Uganda serves as a notable example. The country has implemented a constitutional quota system, mandating that 60% of seats in Parliament be reserved for women. This approach has resulted in 64% female representation in Uganda’s Parliament. Similarly, Rwanda and other sub-Saharan African nations have achieved significant gains through constitutional frameworks and reserved seats. These examples highlight the potential of quotas as a tool to address systemic barriers and ensure equitable representation. While such measures are not without criticism, they have proven effective in creating opportunities for women in politics. Way forward For Sri Lanka to build on the momentum of the 10th Parliament, several steps are necessary. First, political parties must actively encourage and support female candidates, particularly those from non-political backgrounds. This includes providing financial assistance, mentorship and platforms to amplify their voices. Second, constitutional measures such as quotas should be considered to accelerate progress. While such measures may face resistance, they have been effective in other countries with similar cultural and societal constraints. Third, awareness campaigns and educational programs are essential to challenge cultural attitudes and stereotypes that hinder women’s participation in politics. Engaging communities, particularly at the grassroots level, can create a more supportive environment for aspiring female leaders. Finally, sustained efforts from organisations such as the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus are critical. By fostering collaboration across political and institutional boundaries, the Caucus can drive meaningful change and advocate for policies that promote gender equality. The 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka marks a turning point in the country’s journey toward gender equality in politics. With a record 22 women elected as MPs and the renewed vigour of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, there is hope for a more inclusive and equitable future. However, the road ahead requires continued effort, collaboration and systemic changes to ensure that this progress is sustained and accelerated. While Sri Lanka has made history with this milestone, it must now look beyond numbers to address the underlying barriers that limit women’s participation in governance. By learning from global examples and with the momentum of the 10th Parliament, Sri Lanka can set a new standard for gender parity in South Asia and beyond.