The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.Excerpts from Manmohan Singh’s 1991 budget address: The problem, the path and the pain...
Published 7:55 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024 By Data Skrive The New Orleans Pelicans (5-27) hope to end a nine-game losing streak when they host the Los Angeles Clippers (18-13) on December 30, 2024 at Smoothie King Center. The game airs on Gulf Coast Sports and FDSSC. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Get tickets for this game at StubHub . Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Looking for officially licensed NBA gear? Fanatics has jerseys, hats, apparel, memorabilia, trading cards, collectibles and more. Catch NBA action all season long on Max. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle.LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
TREAT yourself this Christmas with a premium and innovative gadget, the HONOR Magic V3 could be your perfect pick. HONOR Philippines' latest foldable smartphone stands out as the thinnest and strongest foldable on the market, combining cutting-edge durability, style and technology. Slim and lightweight design with just 9.2 mm thick when folded and weighing 226 g, it offers the portability of a flagship bar phone. The dome-shaped octagonal camera module adds a stylish, architectural flair. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Prime Minister’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.Circular economy, women redefining Nigeria’s mining sector
Elon Musk admitted that the H1-B visas are “broken” and floated a potential fix as he sought to cool a raging civil war within the MAGA base over the immigration program for highly skilled foreign workers. Just a day after vowing to “go to war on this issue” and telling detractors to “F— yourself,” Musk, the world’s richest man, acknowledged some of the criticisms of the program getting abused and argued that the US should make it more costly to hire foreigners. “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically,” Musk wrote on X late Saturday in response to a thread claiming H1-B visas were being used to hire low-wage programmers and developers. “I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform,” he added. “I’m confident that the changes made in the @realDonaldTrump administration will make America much stronger.” The controversy continued to boil even after President-elect Trump waded into the debate on Saturday , telling The Post that, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” Shortly before Christmas, several MAGA diehards including Laura Loomer began raging against the Dec. 22 announcement of venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan to serve as the incoming Trump administration’s senior policy adviser for artificial intelligence (AI). Loomer, 31, in particular, began fuming at the growing influence of the “tech bros” in Trump’s orbit who harbor comparatively lax views on immigration. From there, a rift opened between the MAGA base over the H1-B visa system — which allows highly skilled foreign workers into the country if companies show they can’t find American talent to fill the roles.. The program is particularly favored by Silicon Valley — and critics (some using racist language) pointed out that many of the tech workers from India. Musk and fellow Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-head Vivek Ramaswamy, 39, eventually chimed in and defended H1-B visas, which allow up to some 65,000 guest workers into the US. The tech bros contended that H1-B visas are crucial to the US attracting top-tier talent for the development of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and that it has been a boon for the economy. On the other side, immigration hardliners argued that the program was effectively indentured servitude — trapping foreigners at certain companies due to their desire to stay in the US — and that companies were exploiting the system for cheaper labor. Critics also lamented the lack of the US education system’s ability to produce more top-notch talent in occupations that dominate H1-B visas. Under his first administration, Trump ratcheted up restrictions on the program. And in his forthcoming second administration, he’s tapped immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff for policy. Musk, who is South African-born and became a US citizen in 2002, went on a tirade against critics of H1-B visas during the heated spat. “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” he fumed on X Friday. “Take a big step back and F— YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk argued that H1-B visas are necessary for companies to recruit “the top ~0.1% of engineering talent.” Ramaswamy, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, had also caused a stir with a lengthy X post that slammed American culture for celebrating high school jocks over math nerds. In that post, he also tore into popular sitcoms and movies that he claimed promulgated that culture. Throughout the discourse over H1-B visas, Musk had repeatedly maintained that the H1-B visa system needed to be “overhauled” and reformed” — something Ramaswamy had echoed as well. Both Musk and Ramaswamy have suggested that the H1-B visa system needs to be remolded into something that is more meritocratic. Others, including conservative pundit Ann Coulter and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon had railed against Musk — claiming the visa program takes jobs and kills away from Americans.
Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was up less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 10 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 3:20 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was up 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.5%, Micron Technology was up 1.3% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.5%, Amazon was down 0.4%, and Netflix gave up 0.7%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.4%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.4% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3.9% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3.1%, Ross Stores added 1.8%, Best Buy was up 2.5% and Dollar Tree gained 3.6%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.2% and 15.9%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.58% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. ___ AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed. Alex Veiga, The Associated PressWho was William Hogarth? He was born in 1697, in Bartholomew Close, near Smithfield, London. At the time, it was home to the Bartholomew Fair which was a cloth and meat market also known for its entertainment. Undoubtedly, this affected the young William Hogarth and influenced his later works. Hogarth went on to become a painter, engraver and writer. He is also known for his satirical social commentary in the form of his “cartoons” which exposed notables to public scrutiny since they portrayed them with exaggerated features in sometimes absurd situations. Hogarth also drew London life in its darkest form with perhaps his most famous work, Gin Lane, which was paired with Beer Street in support of the Gin Acts. Today, without any background it must seem strange or indeed objectionable that a government should interfere in general life but society was different back then. For centuries, people drank beer instead of water due to the later often being polluted. Gin, however, caused The Gin Craze amongst the poor and the government initially took responsibility for it in 1734 following three gruesome case of Judith Defour, who strangled her two-year-old son and sold his clothes for gin money. Drinking raw spirits was considered the major cause of London’s crime rate. Hogarth supported the Gin Act of 1751 which aimed to stop gin distillers from selling it to unlicensed merchants. By charging higher fees for licenses, it curtailed small gin shops, which by effect helped reduce consumption. As the old saying goes, “Gin, gin will make you sin!” Another famous painting later released as an engraving is A Midnight Modern Conversation. The original is in Petworth House in West Sussex. I used to share space in Petworth with Paul Martin and visited the painting several times. I first came across a painting of it in the Denis Severs House in Spitalfields and subsequently discovered it had been copied dozens of times. Although Hogarth never named the characters portrayed, it’s thought that one is a bare-knuckle boxer felled by alcohol but never in the ring and a Bishop who preached temperance yet is clearly drunk. It was originally printed in red ink and is set in St John's Coffee House in Shire Lane, Temple Bar, London. Coffee and Chocolate houses were home to illicit club meetings and were often a den of political and financial intrigue. I wonder what satirical imagery Hogarth would have made of the roundabout that bears his name today, that bottleneck of traffic streaming into London from the M4. His former home is set just along from Chiswick House. At a slight angle to the road it’s open to the public, Tuesday to Sunday afternoons. It remained his home from 1749 until he died in 1764. Hogarth created sets of prints, telling stories, such as A Harlot’s Progress and Marriage-a-La-mode. The dark humour of decline was pivotal in his work He lived through a time of social change and upheaval and indeed, the Jacobite uprising of 1745, industrialisation and a population that doubled. He was the commentator of a generation if not a century and it has to be said that with illiteracy the norm, Hogarth’s works were visual and educational. They exposed both human failings and corruption, whilst humanising the elite through mockery. Hogarth is held in high esteem to this day and in 2001 a statue was unveiled by David Hockney on Chiswick High Road, west London, of William and his pug dog. Funding for it was raised by and it’s heartwarming to see William Hogarth overlooking his old stomping ground with his beloved dog. His work was printed and reprinted throughout the 18th Century and thereafter, all over the world. I have 30 Hogarth prints in stock; all unframed and a Hogarth homage by Sir Peter Blake for sale too. Hogarth was an extraordinary talent who continues to amuse and entertain more than 250 years after his death. Who is Andrew Blackall? Andrew Blackall is an English antique dealer with more than 30 years of experience selling period furniture and quirky collector's items to clients across the globe. He has written and produced award-winning film and television productions. He was born in St John’s Wood, London and he grew up in and around London. He currently lives in Avebury, Wiltshire. His love of antiques stems from an early fascination with history and from visiting country homes throughout old England and the British Isles. Many of Andrew’s clients are well known on both sides of the pond, patronising his ability to source antiquities with provenance and appeal. His stock has appeared in a number of films and TV shows. Andrew has two styles of business: one selling high-end decorative antiques at The Blanchard Collective, the other selling affordable collectables at The Malthouse Collective.Can the Canucks survive Quinn Hughes' 'week-to-week' injury?
Tamil Nadu is often celebrated as one of the safest States in India with a history of progressive policies. But when it comes to finding housing for single women, things are less rosy. The State is known for its women-friendly initiatives, but many women face intense scrutiny while trying to rent a home here. Snaring a house on rent often involves questions about women’s work, caste, food. This leads to a range of biases, surveillance, and unnecessary restrictions, making the search for houses a constant challenge. Riya*, 23, of Indore, who has been living in Chennai for the past eight months, is moving into her third apartment at Alwarpet. Her initial experience was marred by unwanted attention from landlords. “The houseowner of the first apartment tried to make sexual advances towards me and my flatmate under the guise of offering a friendly dinner. I am now forced to take this house, despite it being so expensive,” she says. Zoya*, 22, from Kanniyakumari, also had to compromise on her privacy while renting at Tambaram. Her flatmate’s brother had connections with the houseowner, and as a result, they faced surveillance. “My landlord spied on us and informed my flatmate’s brother about every little thing,” she says. Work profile is valuable In contrast, Ankita*, 23, from Indore, found a place at Nungambakkam because of her reputable work profile. “We were asked for our offer letters as proof of our credentials. Our professional background helped us secure the apartment,” she says. However, such advantages do not guarantee an easy housing experience for all. S. Priya*, a private school teacher from Salem, explains the hurdles she faced while looking for a house. “The first question from the houseowner was about my caste. If they were satisfied with my caste, the other questions would follow. To ensure that the rent is paid on time, they prefer a workplace with a good reputation. In some houses, I had to show my salary slip or bank statement as proof of financial stability,” she says. For women working in creative fields, the situation can be even more challenging. Niranjana Neithiar, 26, a part-time media professional and medical student from Coimbatore, says houseowners often harbour negative stereotypes about her field. “Houseowners are uncomfortable renting to media professionals. They make assumptions about the lifestyle of people in my field, which isn’t fair. You can’t generalise based on stereotypes,” she says. Similarly, Sowjanya Balaji, 24, a junior fashion designer from Bengaluru, encountered discrimination when landlords rejected her because of her night shifts. “Houseowners do not have the right to question or make assumptions about how I run my professional life,” she adds. But the issue is not pertinent only for unmarried young professionals. Door is shut on single mothers Rani Gopalakrishnan, a small business owner in Tiruchi, found it difficult to rent a place after the death of her husband five years ago. “Landlords refused to let us see houses after they learned I was a single mother and a businesswoman,” she recounted. “One senior couple even turned us down and they told us that they felt we were ‘incomplete’ without a man to help us in emergencies.” Women who do not speak Tamil or belong to a specific caste often run into additional barriers. Many houseowners prefer renting to people from Tamil Nadu or at least those who speak the language. Sweta Gupta, 25, a media professional from Kolkata, struggled to find a home because of her language. “The prejudice is deep-rooted. Some landlords refused to even talk to me because I didn’t speak Tamil,” she says. The menace of peeping Toms is quite common, say many women professionals in Tiruchi. “I was shocked to see a stranger spying on me while I was in the shower, but I did not confront him because I was scared for my safety,” says a teacher requesting anonymity. K. Amarthiya, a part-time teacher in Coimbatore and native of Dharmapuri, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, says, “Initially, the houseowner was kind, unaware of my caste. But after finding out that I belonged to the Scheduled Caste, the attitude changed. The result was frequent inspections. Uncomfortable with the discrimination, I chose to leave.” For others like Roshini Begum Farah, a 29-year-old Muslim transwoman, religious discrimination adds another layer of rejection. “I was told outright by houseowners that they couldn’t rent to me because our religions didn’t match,” Roshini says. This overt discrimination is another harsh reality that many women, especially those from minority communities, face in the housing market. Queer individuals often encounter more severe forms of discrimination. Luna Vishwa, 23, a transwoman, was rejected by landlords solely because she was open about her gender identity. Similarly, Zoya, who prefers to dress androgynously, faced rejection and stereotyping based on her appearance. Kavya, 25, an information technology professional from Coimbatore, kept her queer identity hidden from her houseowner until the day she and her friends prepared for a pride march. “I had dressed similarly before with no issues; but when we left with placards that day, the society association made a ruckus,” she said. The situation worsened when the association head informed her owner about the march. Within a week, Kavya was asked to vacate. Meaningless curbs Apart from these blatantly discriminatory practices, women often face bizarre and unnecessary restrictions even when they manage to secure a rental home. Common rules include restrictions on pets, food preferences (such as no non-vegetarian food), and even prohibitions on having friends of either gender over. These restrictions often stem from a desire to control the behaviour of women, treating them as persons who could not be trusted to decide on how they live. Riya asks, “Why should women be controlled in this way when families living in the same space enjoy complete freedom.” This double standard highlights the gender-based prejudice that is prevalent in the housing market. Riya and Kavya say they both faced strict no-pet policies imposed by their houseowners, further limiting their ability to create a comfortable and enjoyable living space. For many women, the search for a home involves compromises on distance as well as rent. Kavya, for instance, commutes over 40 minutes to work from Perungalathur to Ekkattuthangal. Zoya, on the other hand, commutes more than an hour from Tambaram to her college near the Marina. Sweta has compromised on rent and location, living in a flood-prone area, for the peace of mind that comes by avoiding the daily hassles of dealing with houseowners. Problems of paying guests Paying guest accommodations pose their own challenges for women. They are often overcrowded, offer little privacy, and have strict rules for visitors and timings. Many women report unhygienic conditions and restrictions that make them feel uncomfortable. Single rooms in the paying guest accommodations are often prohibitively expensive, and unisex accommodations, while more liberal in timings, are primarily occupied by men, and women do not feel safe. While social media has made it easier to connect with potential landlords, it has opened the door for harassment and exploitation. Sweta says, “I met a woman on Facebook who was also searching for a flatmate in a 3bhk. When I visited, a middle-aged man, who was never mentioned before, took over. He asked intrusive questions about my friends and family. When I inquired about a locked room, the woman admitted that it belonged to a man, despite her initial claim that it was an all-female flat.” For safety Houseowners justify their scrutiny by citing safety as the primary reason for their intervention, often viewing women as a responsibility they are unwilling to take on. T. Santhanam, a houseowner in Tiruchi, says, “I had told them [women] to be at home by at least 9 p.m., but sometimes they come later. I have to take extra care with women tenants.” Another houseowner in Coimbatore, who manages 50 houses, says, “One tenant let her boyfriend stay in the house without permission. It turned into a police case, and she left abruptly. These incidents make us sceptical. Now, I take in women only in CCTV-equipped houses.” A house-broker in Chennai adds that men are easier to deal with, even with physical force. “With women, if we say anything, they will file a complaint. People are afraid,” he says. However, he notes that in his experience, he has never encountered a fake harassment case. As letting houses is a source of income, a houseowner at K.K. Nagar in Chennai says charging a hefty deposit is to ensure that the tenant does not damage the household equipment and leave the house abruptly. Agreeing that generalising and stereotyping were wrong, a houseowner at Saligramam in Chennai says, “However, keeping an eye on who is coming and going is not wrong. You may know your friend very well, but he is still a stranger to us. Maintaining a register is more of a preventive measure than an intrusion.” Legitimate concerns and discrimination C. Jyothimani, Coimbatore district head of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, says, “While houseowners may have legitimate concerns, discriminatory practices based on caste, community, and religion are outdated and unacceptable. These prejudices, which persist in the city, must be challenged and eliminated.” The housing challenges faced by women bring out deeper issues of discrimination and control by society. While houseowners justify their actions citing safety concerns, such rules and regulations reduce women’s freedom to a mere risk factor and ignore their autonomy. A middle ground must be attained for a just future. (*Names changed for privacy.) (With inputs from Nahla Nainar and Ancy Donal Madonna in Tiruchi, Sabari in Salem, and Sibi Sreevathson T. C. in Coimbatore) Published - December 08, 2024 12:32 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit habitat and housing / housing and urban planning
Balasore, Dec 28 (PTI) Three people were tied to a tree and beaten up by a mob in Odisha’s Balasore district over the allegation that they were attempting religious conversion of some tribal families, police said on Saturday. The incident happened in Gobardhanpur village on Thursday and a video of the incident went viral on social media, they said. After getting information about the incident, police immediately went to the spot and rescued two women and a man, said Subash Chandra Mallick, the officer-in-charge of the Remuna police station. “After a preliminary investigation, two cases were registered against two groups of people and an investigation is underway,” he said. “Efforts are being made to maintain peace in the village and prevent any breach of the law and order situation,” he added. PTI CORR AAM AAM SOM This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Prime Minister’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.Ray J Scolds Wack 100 For Accusing Diddy Of Putting Out A Hit On Jackie Long Over Kim Porter
New Canadians, non-traditional demographics boost minor hockey uptake in B.C.When Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys "that dreaming, longing feeling we all love." She's not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Bad attention is good attention, Jaguar execs would appear to believe. The car brand has prompted mockery online for posting a glitzy ad without a single car in it. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: "Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds." "Intrigued?" @Jaguar posted on social media. "Weird and unsettled" is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. "Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian," the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, "a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles." Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell's, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast's corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with "NBC" in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. CNBC One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump's first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it's a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from "brandr," an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. "It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it's turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology," said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a "polycrisis": the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. Campbell's soups "People are understandably freaked out by that," he said. "So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face." Trump's "Make America Great Again" qualifies. So did President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan. Campbell's soup itself — "Mmm Mmm Good" — isn't going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company's new name, Campbell's Co., will reflect "the full breadth of our portfolio," which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar's. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. The famous "leaper" cat Jaguar logo is pictured in 2019 at the Auto show in Paris, France. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to "copy nothing." What it's calling "the new Jaguar" will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it's famous "leaper" cat. "Exuberant modernism" will "define all aspects of the new Jaguar world," according to the news release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to "woke" culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it will redeem all outstanding shares of its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series MM (CUSIP No. 060505FR0), liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and the corresponding depositary shares each representing a 1/25 th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock (CUSIP No. 060505FQ2) (the "Depositary Shares"). Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.
Moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter held before the Falcons-Commanders game LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press Dec 29, 2024 5:52 PM Dec 29, 2024 6:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message A video tribute to former President Jimmy Carter is seen before an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jimmy Carter was honored with a moment of silence before the Atlanta Falcons’ game at the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, hours after the 39th president of the United States died at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia. Beyond being a Georgia native who led the country from the White House less than 8 miles (12 kilometers) away during his time in office from 1977-81, Carter was the first president to host the NFL's Super Bowl champions there when he welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. Falcons owner Arthur Blank in a statement released by the team before kickoff said he was deeply saddened by the loss of his dear friend and mentor, calling Carter “a great American, a proud Georgian and an inspirational global humanitarian.” “He lived his life with great civic responsibility and took it upon himself to be the change he wished to see amongst other,” Blank said, recalling meeting Carter at The Home Depot. “President Carter’s kind and uniting spirit touched so many lives. He was a man of deep faith, and did everything with principal and grace, doing things the right way for the right reasons." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated 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 Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over Packers Dec 29, 2024 6:26 PM NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18 Dec 29, 2024 6:16 PM Huntley fills in for injured Tagovailoa, leads Dolphins past Browns 20-3 to keep playoff hopes alive Dec 29, 2024 5:53 PMJimmy Carter, a man of implacable faith, lived his values
GETTING from A to B on public transport, roads, walking and cycling were the top three issues raised in consultation for a 10-year blueprint for the future of Lake Macquarie. Login or signup to continue reading With 90 suburbs wrapped around the jewel in the crown of the city, locals have limited access to regular public transport services to where they want to go. Community members have clearly told the council they want better-quality roads built to keep up with development and fix bottlenecks. They also want to be able to walk and cycle safely to the local shops. The draft 10-year Community Strategic Plan will go before the council on Monday, put together with the help of feedback from residents who took part in online surveys, forums, pop-up sessions and a community summit between June last year and August 2024. In the document, Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said the council will strive to develop lively local and strategic centres, balancing new growth with environmental preservation and the relaxed lifestyle the community loves. "We also want to prioritise attracting visitation and investment by ensuring we remain an exciting place to do business and a unique tourism destination," he said. "We will do this by partnering with a range of organisations, community groups and other levels of government. "The community has told us that employment, housing, access to open and community spaces as well as environmental protection are at the forefront in their minds." Access to open and community spaces ranked highly, and community support and safety were both in the top 15 most mentioned themes during public engagement. The plan outlines where the council is now and identifies key challenges and risks for the city over the next decade. Those challenges include a growing population , forecast to go from 220,000 in 2024 to 244,000 in 2035 and 260,000 in 2046. The council will need to plan for infrastructure to support housing, education, health and transport needs. While community members recognised the city needs to embrace development, they said they want it to be appropriate and not at the expense of the environment or lifestyle. The community is also ageing, with a median age 10 per cent higher than the NSW average, and the council expects the trend will drive demand in health services and infrastructure. The city's economy is moving away from mining and manufacturing to services and knowledge-based industries. Social and business services are projected to grow to 52 per cent of jobs by 2035. According to the council, the jobs of the future will require an increasingly skilled workforce with growing opportunities in the circular economy , adaptive reuse of former mining land and renewable energy. In the document, Lake Macquarie council chief executive Morven Cameron said the forward-thinking plan provides a clear blueprint to deliver for the community. "The plan reflects a significant amount of community engagement, and it outlines the position we are in today and key issues which we will need to address to achieve our long-term aspirations as a city," she said. "We are committed to ensuring our community finds it easy to be involved in the decision-making process and are given the chance to have their say." If the council votes in favour of the draft plan on Monday, it is expected to go on public exhibition for 62 days. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. To keep up with my stories, follow my X @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au. Madeline Link is a born and bred Novocastrian who started her career as a journalist in the New England North West in 2016. She is an experienced council and court reporter, former deputy editor of the Northern Daily Leader and two-time Kennedy Award finalist. In unrelated incidents, she previously reported on country music in Australia's country music capital and was once flung across Lake Macquarie in a power boat at more than 100 kilometres per hour. Maddie now works at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on Newcastle council. 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