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Atlanta United ’s Cinderella playoff run came to an end on Sunday in Orlando. The hosts walked away with a hard-fought 1-0 win to advance to the Eastern Conference final. Orlando City will face the New York Red Bulls in Orlando next Saturday. Orlando City scored in the 39th after center forward Ramiro Enrique pounced on a deflected ball inside Atlanta United’s penalty area. Enrique’s lunging shot beat Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan from close range. Atlanta had spells of possession and even carried much of the momentum early in the second half. RAMIRO WITH THE SLIDING FINISH 🛝 pic.twitter.com/9L7fNfoW7n — Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) November 24, 2024 However, injuries to both of Atlanta’s strikers were challenges that interim manager Rob Valentino had to navigate. Jamal Thiaré exited the match in the 43rd minute with an apparent leg injury. His replacement, Daniel Ríos , was forced off the pitch after a head injury at the start of the second half. Valentino again tinkered with his tactics, moving winger Saba Lobzhanidze to a false 9 role. The chances for Atlanta increased, but Orlando stood firm in their defensive formation. Atlanta ended the match without a single shot on target. Advertisement For Orlando, the opportunity to earn their first-ever MLS Cup berth is now on the line. They had never qualified for a conference final until Saturday. Óscar Pareja’s side have at times looked the part of a contender. Inconsistent play and underwhelming outing have also been a characteristic of this Orlando team. Against Atlanta, Orlando put in a brave performance, securing a 1-0 win when history was not on their side. Atlanta’s remarkable run as the ninth seed and play-in match winner ended by the narrowest of margins. Their elimination was preceded by what many considered to be the biggest upset in MLS playoff history. Atlanta knocked out Inter Miami and Lionel Messi , the top seed in the East and the current Supporters’ Shield winners. This is the second straight year that a play-in team has reached and lost a conference semifinal. “I told (the players) I’m grateful for their effort and their work. It was tremendous. We’re not gonna stop until the whistle goes. But that is something that I would always like if I’m a coach anywhere. That’s a bare minimum, like, that’s the minimum requirement for a team that I want to be associated with,” said Valentino. The loss to Orlando means that Valentino’s stint as head coach will likely end. He has been in the running for the full time position, according to club president and CEO Garth Lagerwey. But it was understood that Valentino would need to reach the MLS Cup final and potentially win it to earn the job. Atlanta’s offseason of change will accelerate, as Lagerwey must hire a new manager and sporting director. The 1-0 loss also marked the end of Dax McCarty ’s MLS career. Over the summer, the 37-year-old announced that he would retire at the end of the season. McCarty started his fourth consecutive match in midfield on Sunday and will now walk away from his professional career after playing more than 500 MLS matches Required reading (Photo of Ramiro Enrique: Alex Menendez / Getty Images)Stojakovic, Wilkinson lead short-handed Cal past Sacramento State, 83-77 in Cal Classic
Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateA social agency that runs a supervised consumption service (SCS) in Toronto’s Kensington Market has launched a court challenge against new legislation that will see 10 such sites shuttered across the province, arguing that the law violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Bill 223, the Community Care and Recovery Act, was passed in the legislature on Dec. 4 without committee review, input from affected communities, or debate. Among other things, it prohibits SCSs from operating within 200 metres of schools and child-care centres. Ten sites across the province, five of which are in Toronto, fall within this radius and must close their doors by March 31, 2025. Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site (KMOPS), run by The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services and kept open through financial donations, is one of those sites slated to be closed. The organization also runs a child-care centre next door to its SCS. The act also imposes limitations and restrictions on existing SCSs, bans municipalities and other organizations from seeking or supporting federal exemptions to open new ones without the province’s approval, and bars any local initiatives that aim to decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use. Further, it prevents municipalities from seeking federal money for safe supply programs, again without the province’s approval. On Tuesday, TNG held a news conference to announce the legal challenge. Sandra Ka Hon Chu, co-executive director of the HIV Legal Network, moderates a Dec. 10 news conference where a Charter challenge was launched against a new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites. CEO Bill Sinclair says that for decades, the 110-year-old organization he leads has been “listening and adapting” to meet the most crucial needs of the community it serves. “Six years ago, in 2018, we were alarmed by the increasing overdoses in our community and we wanted to urgently learn how to prevent death and how to be part of the solution,” Sinclair said, adding KMOPS hasn’t recorded a single death since it opened five years ago. “We did learn how to make a difference and how to save lives and since then we’ve continued to make a difference and provide life saving health care and health services, housing, employment, and more in Kensington Market.” Sinclair says with this court challenge, filed this week, TNG, and its two co-applicants, are “demanding our right to continue to provide this care and save lives.” Bill Sinclair, TNG's CEO, speaks during a Dec. 10 news conference where a Charter challenge was launched against a new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites. Rahool Agarwal, a lawyer from Lax O’Sullivan LLP, and Carlo Di Carlo, of Stockwoods LLP, are providing pro-bono services to this case. They said their goal is to get the application up as soon as possible and are prepared to seek an injunction to prevent the restrictions in the new legislation from going into effect until it is decided. During today’s news conference, Agarwal said they’re committed to scheduling a hearing in Superior Court before the end of March when the 10 SCS sites are set to close. He said they believe this new legislation violates sections 7, 12, and 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantee every Canadian’s right to life, liberty, and security of the person; freedom from treatment and punishment by the state that are cruel and unusual; and thirdly, the right to equality before the law and freedom from discrimination by the Canadian government. Agarwal argued that people who depend on SCSs will no longer have access to the services they need and as a result will “face a dramatically increased risk of death by overdose.” “They’ll be forced to result to unhealthy and unsafe consumption, engaging their very lives on a daily basis,” he said, adding that people who use these sites will face an “enhanced risk and threat of criminal prosecution” without them. “And finally, the law will infringe clients’ right to security of the person, because without supervised consumption, the data is clear that there will be a dramatically increased risk of infectious diseases as well as harms to other aspects of their health, including their mental and psychological well being.” Lawyer Rahool Agarwal speaks during a Dec. 10 news conference where a Charter challenge was launched against a new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites. Agarwal also says the new law discriminates on the basis of “immutable characteristics,” specifically for those who suffer from substance-use disorder, which he noted is a recognized illness under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. “Denying them real and meaningful access to those types of services will exacerbate the disadvantages they already face in society, the exclusion they face from Canadian society as a whole,” Agarwal said. “Most service users are already marginalized and disadvantaged in many other ways, and this will only exacerbate those disadvantages.” He added the Community Care and Recovery Act also “intrudes upon the federal government’s powers over the criminal law.” “Only the federal government can try to suppress conduct that it deems to be socially undesirable, and that’s what Ontario is trying to do through the back door with this legislation, and that’s why this legislation is also unconstitutional,” he said, adding they’ll be looking to the “strong precedent” set in the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the country’s first supervised injection site in B.C. for this case. In 2011, the country’s top court ruled that the federal health minister’s decision to not to exempt Vancouver’s Insite facility from the application of criminal drug laws breached the Charter right to life, liberty, and security of the person. New law plays on ‘heinous’ stereotypes, lawyer says Di Carlo said this case is “about the Ontario government favouring politics over people’s lives,” and “partnership over data.” “There’s no science-based evidence to support the idea that closing supervised consumption sites will make anyone safer,” he said, pointing to two Ontario government-commissioned reports that recommended keeping existing drug consumption sites open across the province, increasing funding to stabilize staffing and hiring permanent security guards to boost safety. Di Carlo said they also found SCSs reduce overdose deaths, improve access to health care services for marginalized community and referrals for addiction treatment, and minimize social disorder. “This is the science. It’s uncontroverted and overwhelming in support of supervised consumption services,” he said. Agarwal added that this data shows SCSs “save lives in a way that other forms of medical care and treatment simply do not.” “We know that if this law is permitted to take effect, the most vulnerable members of our society will be denied a medical service they need to survive, and people will die. And how the Ontario government can simply not only condone that behaviour, but to compel it. That is beyond me,” he said. “Ontario knew that when it passed this law, it had reports that itself commissioned in its possession that told it that these types of services help people, they save lives, they reduce the risk of death and disease. And despite that information, they decided to pass that legislation, and therefore knowingly increased the risk of death and grievous bodily harm.” DiCarlo went on to say that this new legislation simply “plays on heinous and pernicious stereotypes about a community that’s marginalized and unable to push back when a government acts capriciously, when it passes laws that have no rational basis and will harm lives.” “It’s impractical to expect that the vast majority of the individuals that are currently receiving services at one of the sites that’s about to shut down will be able to walk to a clinic that’s kilometers away that might remain open. And for the ones that do remain open, they will undoubtedly become overrun, making it even harder for people to access those services,” he said. Former Toronto mayor John Sewell speaks during a Dec. 10 news conference where a Charter challenge was launched against a new law that would shutter some supervised consumption sites. Former Toronto mayors Barbara Hall and John Sewell are also lending their support to the Charter challenge. Hall said that years ago she, Sewell and many others supported the Toronto Board of Health in opening supervised consumption and they continue to do so. “We knew there was a need then and we’ve seen incredible results. We heard about the fewer losses of life, but we know that one, aren’t enough (SCS), and two, there aren’t enough treatment spots for those who want them, so we need to help,” she said. In a statement provided to CTV News Toronto, a spokesperson for Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones reiterated that the legislation is precipitated by “serious concerns” due to the “presence of drug consumption sites near schools and daycares.” “We’ve heard from families of the harassment, verbal and physical assault they have experienced walking their child to daycare or school. We have also heard about the phone calls parents have received that their child has picked up a dirty needle, or bag of toxic drugs in the school yard,” Hannah Jensen from the health minister’s office said in a written statement. “Enough is enough and our government is taking action to protect children and their families while taking the next step to create a system of care that prioritizes community safety, treatment, and recovery by investing $378 million to create (19) Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs. Each drug consumption site closing will have the opportunity to turn into a HART Hub.” These hubs are expected to be up ad running before the end of March. Jensen added that these sites are “similar to existing hub models in Ontario that have successfully provided people with care, will reflect regional priorities by connecting people to more comprehensive care than the support services previously offered at Consumption and Treatment Services. These enhanced services include primary care, addiction care, support, supportive housing, and other social services.” Solicitor General Michael Kerzner told The Canadian Press he could not comment on the legal action, but added the province has made it clear it wants parks to be safe for children and families. With files from The Canadian Press
Iran said on Sunday that it would hold nuclear talks in the coming days with the three European countries that initiated a censure resolution against it adopted by the UN’s atomic watchdog. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would take place on Friday, without specifying a venue. “A range of regional and international issues and topics, including the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the nuclear issue, will be discussed,” the spokesman said in a foreign ministry statement. Baghaei described the upcoming meeting as a continuation of talks held with the countries in September on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On Thursday, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution denouncing Iran for what it called a lack of cooperation. The move came as tensions ran high over Iran’s atomic programme, which critics fear is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon — something Tehran has repeatedly denied. In response to the resolution, Iran announced it was launching a “series of new and advanced centrifuges”. Centrifuges enrich uranium transformed into gas by rotating it at very high speed, increasing the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235). “We will substantially increase the enrichment capacity with the utilisation of different types of advanced machines,” Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran’s atomic energy organisation spokesman, told state TV. The country, however, also said it planned to continue its “technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA”. During a recent visit to Tehran by IAEA head Rafael Grossi, Iran agreed to the agency’s demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. – ‘Doubts and ambiguities’ – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, has said he wants to remove “doubts and ambiguities” about his country’s nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran and world powers reached an agreement that saw the easing of international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed biting economic sanctions, which prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On Sunday afternoon, the United Kingdom confirmed the upcoming meeting between Iran and the three European countries. “We remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback if necessary,” London’s Foreign Office said. The 2015 deal contains a “snapback” mechanism that can be triggered in case of “significant non-performance” of commitments by Iran, allowing many sanctions to be reimposed. Ali Vaez, an Iran expert with the International Crisis Group think tank, told AFP that Friday’s meeting was set to happen earlier, but “those plans were derailed as a result of Iran-Israel tensions” over the Gaza war. Though the parties will be meeting “without knowing what the incoming Trump administration wants to do”, Vaez said that “after a lose-lose cycle of mutual escalation, now both sides are back to realising that engagement might be the least costly option.” Tehran has since 2021 decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices monitoring the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, it has increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium and the level of enrichment to 60 percent. That level is close, according to the IAEA, to the 90 percent-plus threshold required for a nuclear warhead, and substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.
Most of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Kingswood Capital Management, LP (together with its affiliates, “Kingswood”) announced today that it has acquired Identity Theft Guard Solutions, Inc. (“IDX” or the “Company”) from ZeroFox. IDX is a leading cybersecurity breach response platform, providing end-to-end notification, remediation, and digital protection for customers and employees affected by cyber breaches. As part of the transaction, Kingswood has partnered with the Company’s existing management team. Ian Kelly, who will continue to lead the Company as President of IDX, commented, “We look forward to the partnership with Kingswood and believe that with their support we can further accelerate the robust growth we have experienced over the last few years. Our strength in customer service and our ability to quickly scale to manage large breaches already differentiates us from our competition. Through our Partnership with Kingswood, the focus we will gain as an independent company will help us add the incremental services and product features that will most benefit our customers. I am excited for our customers and employees as we embark on this next phase as a company.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, IDX was founded in 2003 to help create a safer digital world. Since then, IDX has helped countless organizations – including key government agencies and leading Fortune 500 companies – respond to data breaches. The Company is also trusted by millions of consumers to protect their valuable data and prevent identity theft. IDX’s core breach response business provides response services for data breaches, including notifications to impacted individuals, security call center support, informational webpages, and monitoring and digital protection. The Company’s growing Incident Response business provides consulting and execution services to contain, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks and proactively assess risks. “From its founding, IDX was a pioneer in the rapidly growing breach response market and we are excited to partner with Ian Kelly and the rest of the IDX team to make further investments in the business and continue to grow the company,” said Michael Niegsch, Partner at Kingswood. “This transaction represents Kingswood’s fourth corporate carve-out in the last ten months, demonstrating the faith corporate sellers have in Kingswood as a trusted partner in effectively transitioning divested business units to standalone entities.” PJT Partners served as exclusive financial and capital markets advisor to Kingswood in connection with the transaction. McDermott Will & Emery LLP acted as legal advisor to Kingswood. Evercore and Ropes & Gray LLP advised ZeroFox on the transaction. About IDX IDX was founded in 2003 to help create a safer digital world. Since then, IDX has helped countless organizations – including key government agencies and leading Fortune 500 companies – respond to data breaches. The Company is also trusted by millions of consumers to protect their valuable data and avoid identity theft. For more information, please visit the IDX website at www.idx.us . About Kingswood Capital Management, LP Kingswood Capital Management, LP partners with leading companies in the middle market which stand to benefit from its capital and extensive operating resources. Kingswood embraces complexity and believes it is well-positioned to support businesses at inflection points in their development to enhance value. Based in Los Angeles, Kingswood is a cohesive, entrepreneurial team with a long history of shared success developing “win-win” partnerships with its portfolio companies and management teams. For more information, please visit the Kingswood website at www.kingswood-capital.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125801334/en/ CONTACT: Shannon Powers media@kingswood-capital.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA OREGON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY INTERNET DATA MANAGEMENT SECURITY SOURCE: Kingswood Capital Management, LP Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 01:36 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 01:37 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125801334/en Copyright Business Wire 2024.The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.President-elect Trump has rounded out his picks for the top 15 positions within his Cabinet, handpicking an array of establishment and unconventional officials for top posts in just three weeks. Trump has moved at a rapid pace to shape his upcoming administration, which stands in contrast to his first run at the presidency in 2016. The president-elect's picks have diverse ideologies united under Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. From Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s pro-choice stance to Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer's pro-union stance and former George Soros adviser Scott Bessent, Trump's Cabinet reflects a new era for Republican presidents. GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR? 1. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy, a former Democrat, has been open about his pro-choice stance, much to the chagrin of conservative Republicans. The former presidential candidate shared a video on social media this summer, writing in a post, "I support the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up until a certain point." He suggested that this limit should be "when the baby is viable outside the womb." Viability is understood to occur around 24 weeks gestation. Kennedy will likely be asked in his upcoming hearing the extent of his pro-choice stance. Several Republicans are wary of Trump's pick for HHS, while others expressed confidence he would act in line with the administration. "I would fully expect any of Trump's nominees to be pro-life, as is President Trump," Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. "It does need to be addressed." RFK JR'S ABORTION 'ISSUE': SENATE GOP PLANS TO SCRUTINIZE TRUMP HHS PICK'S POSITION "I believe what he's going to do is do the right thing," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said of Kennedy. Trump's softening stance toward abortion was a notable point during his campaign. Trump has said he would leave abortion to the states after of Roe v.... Sarah Rumpf-Whitten
HERA SE ISPRIČALA ZBOG LETJELICE NA JARUNU: Gađali smo kuću onog izdajnika Mate Granića OHR BI TREBAO SMJENITI KOMŠIĆA: Pokazuje elementarno nepoznavanje Ustava BIH Ivan Goran Kovačić – pjesnik, Radićevac, ranjen na Sutjesci, stradao potom od četničke kame The Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HDZ BiH) held its regular retreat in Mostar, where party officials discussed current issues, focusing on the European integration process and necessary reforms. “We had three panels today. The first addressed our European path and the challenges ahead, the second focused on marking the fourth decade of HDZ BiH’s activities, and the third was my task, where I spoke about political, economic, and technological challenges and their impact on the mission of the party,” stated HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović. Constitutiveness: The Foundation of BiH Čović emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s current constitutional framework is based on the principles of the constitutiveness of its peoples, as defined by the Dayton Agreement. “Regardless of how someone envisions a different Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether as unitary or through division and separatism, it was founded on the principles of constitutiveness, and it will live by those principles. How successfully it does so depends on us,” Čović said. Growth Plan and European Integration Responding to questions about the Growth Plan, Čović highlighted the visible progress but warned of potential obstacles. “Whenever we make good progress, someone seems to try to pull the chair out from under us. I hope this time it won’t happen. Everything we planned to agree on should be finalized next week. Two laws are in the final stages of harmonization, as are the Growth Plan and the negotiating framework. I urge our partners from abroad to leave decision-making to the domestic institutions—unnecessary external assistance can complicate the process,” Čović stated. HDZ BiH Renewal and Future Discussing the future of HDZ BiH, Čović underscored the importance of new generations of politicians. “HDZ BiH is already organized as a living organism with decision-making networks. Today, we promoted the 13th generation of the HDZ BiH Political Academy, and I expect significant renewal within the party. These young leaders will be at the forefront of Croatian politics in BiH over the next five years,” he concluded. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); PREDSTAVLJAT ĆE MAFIJU I DILERE MEDICINSKE OPREME? Beroš iz pritvora aktivirao saborski mandat TUSK: Sukob poprima dramatične razmjere. Osjećamo da se približava nepoznato Orban: Era zapadne dominacije je završena – Euroazija preuzima budućnost NAPRETKOVA STIPENDISTICA gradi londonsku glazbenu karijeru, a BBC introducing prepoznao ju je kao talent: Upoznajte našu Karlu Šamadan BUTKOVIĆ: Hrvatska stoji na raspolaganju za pomoć u sanaciji pruge u Komadinovom vrelu PREDSTAVLJAT ĆE MAFIJU I DILERE MEDICINSKE OPREME? Beroš iz pritvora aktivirao saborski mandat TUSK: Sukob poprima dramatične razmjere. Osjećamo da se približava nepoznato Orban: Era zapadne dominacije je završena – Euroazija preuzima budućnost Who is Gert-Jan Koopman and why does the EU think we’re longing for it?PEAK6 to Relocate Global Headquarters to Austin, Texas
Whether for streaming or watching movies on disc with one of the , getting your right is key, and that means having the that your budget can accommodate. One of the main tech questions in TVs right now is QLED vs displays, so let's dig into the differences between the two technologies. Both offer impressive advancements in picture quality, yet they rely on very different methods to deliver that performance. In brief, QLED, which was developed by , builds on traditional LCD displays and uses quantum dots to deliver vibrant colors and high brightness, making it ideal for brighter rooms. OLED, meanwhile, is an entirely different approach that uses organic compounds to emit light directly from each pixel, allowing for unbeatable contrast and "true black" levels that are perfect for well-optimized home theater setups. Neither is completely "better" than the other, but there are pros and cons to each approach. Let's dive in. QLED vs OLED: What are the key differences? We mentioned above that QLED and OLED offer competing methods on how to power a TV display. The first thing to note is that both of these technologies are a big improvement over plain old LCD TVs. QLED, pioneered by and adopted by other major TV brands in the past few years, builds on traditional LCD tech by adding a layer of quantum dots that enhance brightness and expand color accuracy. OLED, which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, takes a different approach by using organic materials to produce light at the pixel level. Due to its display technology, QLED is ideal for brightly lit spaces, such as if your living room gets a lot of sun, while OLED screens can give the viewer unrivaled contrast and deep, true blacks, which are ideal for a cinematic experience in dimly lit rooms. QLED vs OLED: Key things to look for Roughly speaking, there are three key areas that separate QLED and OLED: brightness, colour accuracy, and contrast ratios. In terms of brightness, QLED displays generally outperform OLED as QLED’s reliance on LED backlighting – enhanced in some models with mini-LED technology – allows it to reach higher brightness levels. The addition of mini-LED backlighting gives certain QLED TVs a further edge by improving brightness control and reducing blooming, or a visible light halo effect, which enhances detail in bright and dark scenes. Color accuracy and contrast are also crucial to any TV viewing experience. OLED excels at producing deep blacks due to its self-emissive nature, where individual pixels can completely turn off, resulting in what is often called “infinite contrast.” QLED screens, on the other hand, leverage quantum dot technology to achieve a wider color range, making colors look vibrant even in brightly lit conditions. Viewing angles and off-axis uniformity are important factors to consider, especially if you’re watching TV from different positions around the room, and OLED has a clear advantage in this area. As each pixel emits its own light, OLED TVs maintain consistent colors and contrast even when viewed from the side. QLED can struggle with color and brightness shifts when viewed from an angle. However, advancements in panel tech and special filter layers in high-end QLED models have helped minimize this issue. Still, for the best all-around viewing experience across a range of seating positions, OLED remains the more reliable choice of the two. QLED: Regular LED vs. Mini-LED Traditional QLED TVs use regular LED backlighting, where LEDs illuminate the screen from behind or along the edges, which enables QLED displays to reach high brightness levels, but can also lead to “blooming”, or a halo effect where bright areas bleed into dark areas due to less precise control over individual light zones. While regular LED backlighting is good for overall brightness, this blooming effect can reduce contrast, especially in scenes with a mix of light and dark elements, and just doesn't look good on a big TV. Mini-LED technology has brought a significant improvement to QLED’s backlighting as they are much smaller than standard LEDs, allowing for significantly more to be packed in. This increase in individual LEDs enables QLED TVs with mini-LED backlighting to have higher brightness and more dimming zones, resulting in finer control over light and dark areas on the screen. The end result is reduced blooming and improved contrast, as mini-LEDs can adjust lighting in smaller, more precise sections of a screen. While mini-LED backlighting doesn’t completely eliminate blooming like OLED with its self-emissive pixels, it narrows the performance gap, making QLED a more competitive choice for viewers who want deeper contrast in a bright room. QLED vs OLED: Anything else to consider? Good question. There are a few other details to consider when choosing between QLED and OLED for your next TV: response time, durability, and power consumption. OLED’s pixels respond to input almost instantaneously, giving it a fast response time that’s perfect for fast-motion content like sports and gaming, with minimal motion blur. QLED displays, although slower, have made strides in reducing motion blur, particularly in higher-end models, in recent years, and that's been helped along by higher TV refresh rates such as 120Hz and 144Hz. When it comes to durability, QLED has the advantage since it relies on inorganic materials. QLED screens are less prone to long-term image retention or burn-in, which can affect OLED displays if static images remain on the screen for extended periods, such as when you leave a show paused. Some newer OLED models have added features to mitigate burn-in, improving their longevity. In terms of power consumption, OLED is generally more energy-efficient, especially in darker scenes where fewer pixels are active. This efficiency not only reduces energy costs but also aligns with eco-friendly practices, making OLED a solid choice for viewers conscious of environmental impact.