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Opinion: Lifelong Learning Can Transform Retirement with Stimulating Experiences and New Friendships( MENAFN - AFP) Japan's government on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare, as the population ages, and defence to tackle regional threats. The 115.5 trillion yen ($730 billion) budget for the year from April 2025, greenlighted by the Cabinet, includes 8.7 trillion yen in defence spending. It also includes social security spending of around 38.3 trillion yen -- up from 37.7 trillion the previous year. The defence Ministry said in a briefing document that Japan was facing its "toughest and most complex security environment" since World War II, repeating a warning from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Japan has a pacifist post-war constitution, which limits its military capacity to ostensibly defensive measures. But it updated key security and defence policies in 2022, explicitly outlining the challenge posed by China, and committed to double its defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027. The 8.7 trillion yen approved Friday will help pay for measures to help attract recruits to Japan's Self-Defense Forces, and to improve relations between the US and Japanese militaries with locals in Okinawa. It will also go towards a system to collect satellite information on ballistic missiles, such as those fired by North Korea, and the movement of vessels in waters around Japan, including territories disputed with China. "Strengthening our defence capabilities is something we're actively working on," Ishiba said at an event organised by the Yomiuri newspaper on Thursday. "Now matter how great our military tanks or vehicles are, it's pointless if we don't have enough people to move them," said the prime minister, who has pledged to fix a shortage of new troops. Another challenge facing the country is its ageing population caused by chronically low birth rates and a cautious approach to immigration. Japan is one of the world's oldest societies, and this year the proportion of its people aged 65 or over reached a record 29.3 percent. The draft budget needs to be approved by the parliament, and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its smaller coalition partner Komeito will need cooperation from opposition parties, having lost their majority in an October snap election. Ishiba has stayed on as prime minister despite leading the coalition to its worst general election result in 15 years. A vote to elect parliament's upper house will be held in summer 2025. MENAFN26122024000143011026ID1109033786 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Stock Market Today: Stocks End Higher in Whipsaw Session
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Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. Related video above: Remembering those we've lost in 2024 “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.While Clippers Nation and other parts of the NBA world await the return of star Kawhi Leonard, his teammates haven’t been sitting idly while his right knee recovers. They have won games that they had no business winning and are taking care of games that they should win – all without their star player. The Clippers are 18-13 and have a chance to improve upon that during a three-game trip that begins Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kawhi? “We’re not thinking about Kawhi coming back yet,” center Ivica Zubac said, in a moment of honesty. When Leonard does return – Jan. 4 reportedly is a good bet – he will find a Clippers team that has developed a solid chemistry, come to rely on James Harden for leadership and Norman Powell for points and built a reputation for stingy defense. “We want to win games, we want to win every game no matter who’s out there and we got it done,” Zubac added. “No matter how it looks, we gotta win. We’re going to play hard; we’re going to defend. “Some nights we’re not going to shoot well, or we’re not going to defend, but one thing we can do every night is play defense. That’s what this team is going to do, we’re going to play hard and play tough on the defensive end and that’s going to give us a chance to win.’ With or without Leonard. “We just focus on what we can control and be in the moment,” Harden said. “Whenever that happens, (we’ll) get to that bridge when it comes. But we’re focused on the next game and the games that we’re in.” Don’t mistake the players’ insouciant attitude for not caring about their superstar teammate. They want Leonard back but can’t get caught up in the hoopla and speculation. They have at least three more games to play without Leonard, who stayed behind to get in more reps before the Clippers’ next home game. “It’s been next man up all year,” said Powell, who is averaging 24.4 points and shooting 46.6% from the 3-point range in Leonard’s absence. “When Kawhi comes back, they’ll figure it out. That’s not our job. Our job is to figure out our new roles and make it all work. “We all are pulling in the same direction. We all continue trying to prove everybody wrong and how they view us, and the job is to be ready for a deep playoff run. That’s how we see it.” When Leonard does return, (Jan. 4 has been rumored) there certainly will be changes in the lineup, players will need to sacrifice either minutes, points or both. “Everybody’s going to have to sacrifice and Kawhi comes back,” Powell added. “I mean, he’s a franchise player, but good thing about this team is we have no egos. We all want to win. We all got something to prove and we’re doing it together.” Harden said Leonard is aware how his comeback could upset what has been building all season. But the veteran point guard believes Leonard’s return will be seamless. The Clippers will continue to play aggressive defense and attack the basket. “We’re still going to put it the same way. It’s just now we got another elite weapon on both ends of the floor, so it’s definitely a bonus for us.”
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The Agency brought in record viewership for Showtime and Paramount+ . Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios announced on December 4 that the espionage thriller drew in an audience of 5.1 million cross-platform viewers globally after its November 29 debut, making it their most-streamed new series ever. Given that, it should come as no surprise that this viewership announcement came with a Season 2 renewal. Season 1, meanwhile, won’t air its finale until January. A fresh take on the critically acclaimed hit French drama Le Bureau des Legendes , The Agency follows Martian ( Michael Fassbender ), a covert CIA agent, ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station. When the love he left behind reappears ( Jodie Turner-Smith as Samia), romance reignites. His career, his real identity, and his mission are pitted against his heart, hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage. Le Bureau des Legendes centers on the daily life and missions of agents within France’s principal external security service. It focuses on the “Bureau of Legends,” responsible for training and handling deep-cover agents on long-term missions in areas with French interests. Living under false identities for years, these agents’ missions are to identify and recruit good intelligence sources. The series has been praised as an intriguingly unique look at a side of spy stories not often seen: the emotional cost of living a life of intense secrecy and danger. These emotional insights also serve as critical commentary about organizations like the CIA. The star-studded cast also includes Jeffrey Wright , Richard Gere , Katherine Waterston , John Magaro , Alex Reznik, Andrew Brooke , Harriet Sansom Harris , India Fowler , Saura Lightfoot-Leon , and Reza Brojerdi, with Dominic West and Hugh Bonneville as guest stars. Recurring stars are Adam Nagaitis , Ambreen Razia , Bilal Hasna , David Harewood , Kurt Egyiawan , Ray BLK, Sabrina Wu , and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. George Clooney serves as an executive producer. With new episodes of The Agency Season 1 still coming out weekly, there’s no plot information to share about Season 2 so far. But we’ll continue to report the latest updates on the series. In the meantime, here’s how you can watch each episode. Michael Fassbender as Martian in ‘The Agency’ Season 1 Episode 6 (Luke Varley / Paramount+ with SHOWTIME) Like Yellowjackets , new episodes of The Agency are available on Paramount+ for Paramount+ With Showtime subscribers two days before the episodes air linearly on Showtime. Here’s the release schedule for Season 1: Episode 1: “The Bends” — Friday, November 29, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 1, 9/8c, Showtime 'The Agency': Jeffrey Wright on What Drew Him to the New Political Thriller Episode 2: “Wooden Duck” — Friday, November 29, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 1, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 3: “Hawk from a Handsaw” — Friday, December 6, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 8, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 4: “Quarterback Blitz” — Friday, December 13, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 15, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 5: “Rat Trap” — Friday, December 20, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 22, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 6: “Spy for Sale” — Friday, December 27, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, December 30, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 7: “Hard Landing”— Friday, January 3, 2025, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, January 5, 2025, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 8: “Truth Will Set You Free”— Friday, January 10, 2025, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, January 12, 2025, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 9: “The Rubicon”— Friday, January 17, 2025, Paramount+ with Showtime; Sunday, January 19, 2025, 9/8c, Showtime Episode 10: “Overtaken By Events”— Friday, January 24, 2025, Paramount+ with Showtime, Sunday, January 26, 2025, 9/8c, Showtime More Headlines: ‘The Agency’ Renewed: Everything We Know About Spy Thriller’s Season 2 ‘Community’ Star Ken Jeong Teases Movie Script ‘Made Me Emotional’ ‘Ghosts’ Star Rose McIver Teases Directorial Debut for ‘Pete-Centric Episode’ Who Is the Real Remy on ‘B&B’? Christian Weissmann on His ‘Really Complex’ New Character The ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Post-Credits Scene, Explained
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