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jollibee order online Alberta’s Technology Minister Nate Glubish says he’s hoping to see $100 billion worth of artificial intelligence data centres under construction within the next five years. Such centres are filled with computer servers used by companies like Meta to develop and train large-scale artificial intelligence models. Glubish says Meta, as well as other major companies including Google and Amazon, are on the hunt for space to build more facilities, and he wants Alberta to be an option. He says landing some data centres would create jobs and bring in much needed new tax revenue for the province. Glubish also says that since Alberta’s electricity grid regulations allows for off-grid power generation, he thinks the province is an ideal location. He says allowing for off-grid power connections where power generators supply data centres directly also means there’s less risk for Albertans, as there wouldn’t be major drains on the electrical grid.

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Fined after crane crashes into buildingQatar University (QU)’s Health sector convened its International Advisory Board (IAB) to discuss strategic growth, structure and operations directions in the presence of the university president, vice-presidents, and deans of colleges in the health sector of QU, in addition to international advisers from top universities. Established to provide expert guidance, the IAB aims to ensure the success of QU Health’s diverse health programmes, which include Medicine, Pharmacy, Dental Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences. The IAB brings together internationally renowned experts from leading institutions such as Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Aalborg University, and the University of Alberta. These experts play a vital role in fostering global collaborations, aligning QU Health Sector with international best practices, and helping to shape the future of healthcare education in Qatar. The meeting focused on four main areas: developing the university hospital and enhancing partnerships with other healthcare providers; improving medical students’ training by strengthening co-operation with clinical partners and expanding the use of simulation technology; preparing future doctors and researchers; and equipping students with the skills needed to face the pressures of their future career paths. Dr Omar al-Ansari, president of QU, highlighted the importance of this meeting, saying: “The insights and recommendations provided by the International Advisory Board are invaluable for achieving QU’s sustainable growth and supporting its innovation in the health sector. This meeting was highly successful and paved the way for future developments.” Prof Asma al-Thani, vice-president for Health and Medical Sciences, added: “The recommendations of the International Advisory Board will be essential in guiding our strategic initiatives for the upcoming year. We are already working on implementing many of the suggestions raised during these fruitful discussions.” Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, managing director, Primary Healthcare Corporation, said: “The success of our primary care system depends on having a well-trained and adaptable healthcare workforce. The focus on adaptability skills and practical skills highlighted in this meeting will ensure that graduates are better prepared to handle the complexities of primary care and meet the market needs.” Dr Mohammed al-Thani, director of Public Health at the Ministry of Public Health, affirmed: “QU’s commitment to developing a strong healthcare workforce is fully aligned with our national health strategy. The International Advisory Board meeting highlighted the innovative approaches being implemented, and we are particularly pleased with the Center of Excellence for Simulation that has recently been developed and utilised.” Related Story International Media Office makes MDD key global hub MoEHE honours winning schools in volunteer work contest

The Republican Party will hold a maximum of 220 House seats in the upcoming congress and could hold just a one-seat majority until early April, leaving little room for House Speaker Mike Johnson to maneuver come January. The Associated Press called California’s 13th congressional district race for Democrat Adam Gray at 12:54 a.m. Wednesday, with Gray defeating incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte by less than 200 votes. As a result of the loss and the anticipated vacancies of Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York, Mike Waltz of Florida and Matt Gaetz of Florida, the House GOP is expected to hold a zero-margin majority until as late as April. (RELATED: Nadler Concedes To Raskin, Bows Out Of Running For Top Position) “It looks like the final number will be 220 Republicans, 215 Democrats. And when three of our colleagues depart in the early part of the year, joining the administration or one resigning, it’ll be 217 to 215,” Johnson told reporters during a press conference Wednesday. “Do the math, we have nothing to spare ... This is a team effort and we’ve got to all row in the same direction.” 🚨🚨🚨 #CA13 Update – IT’S OVER. Adam Gray nets 22 votes from Fresno County’s update, extending his lead over Republican John Duarte to 187 votes. https://t.co/Un30ztgAid — Rob Pyers (@rpyers) December 4, 2024 The razor thin majority could pose a challenge to the GOP’s legislative agenda, which reportedly includes a sweeping border, defense and energy bill and an extension of President-elect Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts . The tax cuts first passed the House with 12 Republicans voting against the plan and no Democrats voting for it — an outcome that would cause extension efforts to fail given the new, far smaller majority. During the Biden administration, a narrow effective Senate majority impeded Democratic legislative initiatives, with Independent West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema — both of whom are former Democrats and caucus with the party — torpedoing efforts to eliminate the filibuster in 2022. Manchin also sunk President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” bill — a precursor to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that included trillions of dollars in additional social spending. Despite the slim majority, a source familiar expressed confidence to the Daily Caller News Foundation that the party would stick together and execute its legislative aims, largely because of Trump’s influence: “We’re going to be seeing less of that [internal party dissent] because we have the White House this time around. President Trump is committed to personally lobbying members and pushing his agenda through Congress.” Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy also signaled optimism to the DCNF, explaining, “We have to deliver — which means working together ahead of time, defining our guardrails & redlines and executing. But things will change. That is a must.” The Republican House majority in the 118th Congress was marred by in-fighting, with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy being removed in Nov. 2023 after eight Republicans supported his ouster. The following three nominees for the position after McCarthy’s exit — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise , House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Republican Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer — all dropped their bids or were unable to secure the 215-vote total required. While Johnson eventually secured the role, he also faced internal dissent, with Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unsuccessfully pushing to vacate the speakership in May. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has set a general election date of April 1 to fill Gaetz’s seat. He has not yet set a date for Waltz’s, as the congressmen has yet to resign. New York law requires Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul call a special election within ten days of when Stefanik leaves the House, with the election to be held between 70 and 80 days after the call is made. As a result, if Stefanik resigns on Jan. 3 — the first day of the new congress — the special election would be held in March. When reached for comment, Johnson’s office referred the DCNF to his Wednesday press conference statements. Trump’s communications team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org .Jeff Bezos says he’s ‘very optimistic this time around’ about Trump

Zero Investment, Maximum Savings: Powerdown220 Revolutionises Energy Solutions for Schools and Manufacturing FacilitiesThose who watched the video may be forgiven for thinking ghosts are real. Before their eyes was the familiar face of the late former Indonesian dictator Suharto , seated at a desk against a yellow background, wearing a traditional black kopiah hat and a batik shirt. Flanked by the flags of Indonesia and his party, Golkar, Suharto urged his listeners to vote for Golkar representatives in the upcoming elections. There was just one problem: the video came out in January 2024, a month before the presidential election that had as its frontrunner, Suharto’s former son-in-law and general, Prabowo Subianto, and Suharto died 16 years ago, in January 2008. Racking up over 4.7 million views as of December 22, the video was a “deepfake,” where technology was used to mimic the appearance and voice of the late dictator. It was shared by Erwin Aksa, the deputy general chair of Golkar, on X (formerly Twitter). Aksa clarified in the video caption that it was made using artificial intelligence technology, or AI. After exhorting viewers to elect the “right representatives,” Aksa said: “This video was made using AI technology to remind us how important our votes are in general elections which will determine the future so that the hopes of the Indonesian people are realised and prosperous.” Must Read What can the Philippines learn from how AI was used in Indonesia’s 2024 election? In neighboring Malaysia, the fast and affordable Internet connections available there allow citizens to consume online content at faster rates than ever before, including short videos like TikTok reels. This helped shape elections as well. The rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election, the party that won the most seats (49 out of 222) in parliament, could be largely attributed to PAS’ mastery of TikTok , according to experts. Elections galore 2024 has been a remarkable year for elections , and particularly for elections in Asia. We’ve seen voters in Taiwan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Iran, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan head to the polls, in many cases, resulting in changes of government or at least significant losses by the incumbents. If that does happen, long-running policies or plans for the future may be shelved, as the country either adjusts to a new government with different priorities, or the incumbents revise their policies to appeal to more voters before they get thrown out of power. With such high stakes, it is important that elections are kept free and fair, and voters have all the necessary information before they make up their minds. But if AI technology can be misused, generate misinformation and manipulate the voters, could elections be tipped one way or the other by nefarious actors, people who may not even reside in the country? We shine a spotlight of how AI, social media and electoral politics have already become enmeshed and entrenched in two recent elections in Malaysia and Indonesia. Internet-savvy countries Indonesia is a massive country in Southeast Asia, with a population of over 278 million, but it also has a high level of internet penetration. According to Indonesian site Antara News , citing the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association in January 2024, said that Internet penetration had reached 79.5%. With this figure reaching even higher levels among the younger generations (Generation Z from 19 to 27 years old had over 87% ), and the fact that Indonesia recorded the most number of TikTok users in the world in July 2024, surpassing the United States, it seems likely that Internet videos will remain an indelible element of future elections. Indonesia eventually elected Prabowo Subianto , defense minister and chair of Gerindra as the next president. But Golkar improved its own performance , gaining 15.3% of the vote as opposed to 12.3 in 2019, remaining the second-largest party in the legislature. Perhaps the AI video helped them on their way. In Malaysia, the use of the Internet has become far more widespread. “The environment has changed completely,” said James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, about modern social media. Thanks to upgraded Internet access and cheaper telecommunications technology, more people in Malaysia have access to social media than ever before. “For example, you can get unlimited broadband for your mobile phone in Malaysia, the cost is about 25 ringgit (US$6) a month,” he said. And what do the people use their high-speed Internet connections for? Getting online and sharing content one may have found elsewhere, without being too concerned about its authenticity. Lessons from Indonesia The Republic of Indonesia is somewhat overlooked when democratic elections are discussed, but it happens to be the world’s third-largest democracy , after India and the United States of America. With a GDP of US$1.37 trillion (2023), and a formidable military , Indonesia is one of the most significant countries in the Southeast Asia region. It is also a major diplomatic power in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and arguably in the greater Asia Pacific region. With its prominent position, elections in Indonesia therefore have significant impact on the region and the wider world. Hundreds of people run for elected office to help shape Indonesia’s destiny. One such person is Anindya Shabrina, 29, a legal affairs specialist who joined Indonesia’s Labour Party and ran as a candidate in the February 2024 elections. Describing herself as politically active since she was a student, Anindya decided to join the Labour Party, attracted to its left-leaning stance and open approach to recruitment. “Traditionally, young people who can compete in electoral politics here are mostly from political or wealthy families, but in the Labor Party, anyone can run.” Despite her parents’ concerns, they gave their full support to Anindya’s bid to stand for a seat on the Regional People’s Representative Council of East Java, in an ultimately unsuccessful effort. And perhaps they were right to be concerned. Anindya called the experience “incredibly challenging”, citing the financial disparity between herself and her more established opponents, who could promise tangible monetary assistance while she could only expound on her proposals. Anindya said that during the course of her campaign, she had come across several instances of AI-generated video clips used to support candidates, including the Suharto video. Even her own party got involved, although they decided to stop following concerns raised by creative industry workers. However, there was another, far nastier hurdle she faced. Anonymous online detractors leveled personal attacks and harsh criticism at her, and she even faced attacks from supposed political allies who objected to her even taking part in the election. “There have been attempts to cancel me, including spreading strange rumors, and an anarchist group even created a poster calling for violence against me.” When asked if she thinks AI technology would have made the situation worse, Anindya had zero doubt. “Especially for women,” she added, raising the possibility of using AI to create fake nude images. This is not an unfounded fear, with women politicians in other countries being harassed, insulted and attacked online. During the rule of right-wing Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, there was a surge of online gendered attacks , particularly on social media networks like Facebook. Lower barrier to entry Manipulated or edited photographs have been around for decades. Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin had photos edited when the people in them drew his ire. In the computer age, Photoshop became a common tool, and was quickly used to transform photos for political purposes. Behold this picture of Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in the 2008 election, edited to look as though she was toting a gun and wearing a bikini. But although Photoshop was widely available, anyone who intended to create digitally-manipulated images with the programme had to have some skills in the first place. In contrast, using an open AI program has a much lower barrier to entry. As Benjamin Ang explained, “AI opens up the capability to more people in Photoshop.” Previously, one needed skills in Photoshop or video and audio editing. But now, such skills are practically not needed because all the tools are available to the public, even if they don’t understand the language of their target audience. Ang is a Senior Fellow of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security. In his concurrent role as Head of Digital Impact Research, Ang is very familiar with the development of AI, and its widespread use in society, including in the political arena. Ang shed some light on just how and why AI has come about by leaps and bounds within the last few years, going from science-fiction and the mostly theoretical realm to widespread, everyday use. Calling it a “hockey-stick” effect, where progress is flat for a long time before it suddenly shoots up, Ang pointed to two other factors for the rapid development of AI. The first is the development of computer chips to the point where processing power is fast enough to handle the demands of AI. The second, Ang pointed out, is there has been roughly two decades of social media use where people have uploaded a staggering amount of personal information online. This, he said, allowed programmers to feed such information into data sets to train machine learning algorithms. Speed and ease Ang also highlighted that AI has made the speed of generating such content much faster. “Something which would have taken you an hour or several hours to do in Photoshop, or maybe a day to do video or audio editing can now be done in seconds. And because it can be done in seconds, you can keep on iterating it. You do it once, you can see ‘is it working’? You can do it again and again until you can really refine it, at a scale that has never before happened.” Roy Lee, an Assistant Professor of Information Systems Technology and Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, agrees. “Modern AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces and require minimal technical expertise. Unlike complex software like Photoshop, which demands specialised skills, AI platforms often offer intuitive prompts and automated features, enabling average users to generate high-quality content effortlessly.” The role of social media While AI has come on by leaps and bounds, its combination with social media is like setting an open flame to touchpaper; you get fireworks. Chin elaborated on the rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election. The key to their victory, in his view, was their mastery of using TikTok to win the hearts and minds of voters. The party backed influencers who created “very slick, professionally-run” videos that in combination with their popular religious messaging, created a “powerful machine.” But what about AI-generated videos? As in Indonesia, Chin foresees the same thing happening in Malaysia. While such content is currently “simple stuff,” using cartoon figures and the like, he has no doubt that come the next election cycle, political parties will be investing their resources in creating such content. “If you speak to all the political parties in the old days, a major portion of [their] money goes to ground campaigning, paying campaign workers, setting up booths, holding night ceramahs (night rallies). If you talk to them now, right, most of them said that they’re going to shift the bulk of those resources now towards social media.” Chin also believes that in the wrong hands, misleading content created by AI will be very effective, especially once high-quality videos start being produced in earnest. He pointed out that such content did not need to be entirely faked or created out of whole cloth. Perhaps an existing video could be edited to add a few words, or redact them, to produce a misleading message. And if it’s uploaded to TikTok, with its notoriously short attention span? “I doubt very much that the ordinary voter would be able to tell the difference.” What can be done? Indonesia has taken a few tentative steps to address the problem. About a week after the presidential election in February 2024, then-President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo signed legislation that requires digital platforms to pay media outlets that provide them with content. While it does not directly tackle the misuse of AI content, it could help to ensure digital platforms are more circumspect about the kind of content they share. In September 2024, the Jakarta Globe reported that Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology was preparing to issue new regulations to establish “clear guidelines” for the use of AI technology in Indonesia. Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said it would be carefully studied, and require consultation with the “AI development ecosystem.” The existing circular, issued on a temporary basis by the ministry, merely outlines “ethical guidelines” for the use of AI, including “respecting human rights” and the “need for transparency.” However, despite the change in presidential administrations, Nezar was re-appointed to his post by the new president, Prabowo, who took over in October 2024. There is some hope that Indonesia will continue to work on creating AI regulations. Meanwhile in September 2024, Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation introduced the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics, which seek to support safe and responsible AI development. Singapore looks ahead However, Indonesia and Malaysia’s neighbor Singapore is not waiting around, and has already introduced and passed legislation specifically governing the use of AI-generated content in an election, with one eye on its own upcoming general election. The city-state has recently gone through a rare leadership change, just its third in its near-60-year history. The new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, took over in May 2024. Unlike leaders of other countries, such as Japan, Wong did not call for snap elections soon after being sworn in. He must call for a new general election by November 2025, which leaves quite some time. He has time to see a new bill being introduced in parliament to directly address the issue of misleading, manipulated content. In October 2024, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo played a “deepfaked,” AI-generated video of herself in parliament. The virtual Teo said : “It only took one person one hour to create this, using easily accessible software that anyone can use right now from the Internet. Imagine if someone produced realistic deepfakes, depicting Members of this House saying or doing something we did not actually say or do, and disseminated it. Such technology will only improve, and deepfakes may become even more realistic, convincing, and easy to make.” The bill, which was passed by Singapore’s parliament, is a very narrowly-targeted one. It prohibits the publication of online content that “realistically depicts a candidate saying or doing something [they] did not.” It covers misinformation from both AI-generated content and non-AI techniques used to create content, such as Photoshop or audio dubbing. However, the law only kicks in when the Writ of Election is issued to the close of the polls, which means it is only active for Singapore’s election season. It doesn’t matter whether the content boosts or denigrates a candidate; both are prohibited. Reposting or sharing such content is also not allowed. Measures include asking the users to take down the content, or forcing the social media site to disable access to Singaporean users. Punishments include fines for up to S$1,000 (US$760) or jail for up to a year, and up to S$1 million (US$760,000) in fines for a social media service that does not comply. Harsh? Effective? It remains to be seen. Lee called the legislation a “commendable step,” but said the main challenge depends on its execution. “Social media companies will need to regulate and investigate digitally manipulated content swiftly when requested to take down such content. Given the vast amount of content they handle daily, this poses a significant challenge in terms of scalability and response time.” Cross-border content could also happen, and getting users to take down misleading content who are not in the country could take some time. To Lee, strengthening collaboration between regulators and social media platforms is important to ensure “comprehensive protection.” Beyond governments But what else can be done, if not through government legislation? According to Lee, enhancing public awareness and media literacy is also crucial. “Educating citizens on identifying manipulated content empowers them to critically assess information,” he said. And in what may be an illustration of the old adage, “set a thief to catch a thief,” Lee shared that AI solutions can also be used to detect misinformation on social media platforms, and other platforms with user-generated content. He believes fostering partnerships between academia and industry to continuously improve such tools could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Chin is more skeptical. He pointed out that for such AI-generated misinformation, the content is likely to be shared to you by a trusted individual, like a friend or family member. Chin also feels that Singapore’s attempt to tackle AI-generated misinformation may not be easily replicated in other countries. “It’s a small city state, it’s much easier to handle. But for countries like Malaysia, I think, is increasingly becoming difficult. Even for Singapore, right, I think it will be very difficult in the coming years because of new platforms like Starlink, which allows you to link directly to the satellite. So whatever filters you put in at the platform level, the ISP level, even that can be bypassed with new technology.” – Rappler.com Sulaiman Daud is a 2024 #FactsMatter fellow of Rappler. He is a writer and editor at Mothership , Singapore’s youth-focused digital news platform . Must Read How AI was used in 2024 elections: Voice and chatbot clones, drafting speeches, emailsResidents voted to name Fort Worth’s new street sweepers. Here are the winnersU.S. Supports Lebanese Army in Historic Ceasefire

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The Matildas are a worldwide phenomenon, the Socceroos have stunned some of the best teams in world football — but have you heard of the Street Socceroos? Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. They’re one of the lesser known teams representing Australia, but potentially the most inspiring, made up of eight individuals experiencing homelessness from across the nation. The Street Socceroos compete in the Homeless World Cup, a tournament that sees those sleeping rough wear their country’s colours proudly, shining a light on homelessness. While some are desperate to lift the trophy, for others it’s simply about experiencing an event “like no other” in the hopes it can inspire them to make positive change. This year’s Australian team was made up of eight individuals — Faz, Ibrahim, Abdalla, Faisal, Ron, Malika, Sara and Michael — who travelled to Seoul in South Korea in October. They were picked from the 30 programs across Australia, with around 500 people participating in some lighthearted football that invites people of all ages, backgrounds and situations. Street Socceroos head coach, George Halkias, played a major role in the program’s inception 20 years ago. “We started as a pilot in 2004. We sent our first team ever to Edinburgh in 2005 and then in 2007 we were lucky to get federal government funding to expand across the country,” Halkias said to foxsports.com.au. “So it’s been a sort of long journey to you know from something so small to a network of programs around the country and also participating in that event annually which is pretty special. “It’s been a great sort of team effort by the organisation to grow so exponentially in those two decades.” The Homeless World Cup began in Graz, Austria way back in 2003, and Halkias explained there’s around 60 to 70 thousand individuals involved in similar football programs across the globe. The coach, who has a background in football and psychology, explained that from the Australian system, players from vast walks of life are selected. “So there’s a network of almost 30 programs across Australia... and there’s 400 to 500 people participating each week,” he said. “So we’re really just working with players to make better lifestyle choices. That’s the aim but they also have a great love of sport. “Our participants are aged 16 and up and all genders and yeah, picking a team of eight is not easy. “I also try to make it representative of the different types of people that come to our program. So that’s people who are experiencing homelessness in some form, mental illness disability, long term unemployment. “Some have sought refuge in our country and have been displaced. So we get nominations from all around the country from their local coaches.” Michael, one of this year’s team members, had never played a sport with a round ball before becoming involved in the football community. “Michael is an indigenous man in his 40s who I guess would have experienced homelessness, racism, just a challenging youth,” Halkias said. “That manifested also in homelessness and substance abuse in recent times. He actually slept rough as well on the pitch which we train every week. “But with a range of different community supports he’s been able to get secure housing, and turn up weekly to his program. He sells the Big Issue magazine on the streets of Adelaide. “That’s his way of earning an extra income and he’s been able to face his addiction. He was new to the sport but he wore the green and gold proudly and improved his skills. Malika, meanwhile, got her chance to represent Australia after arriving in the country only “a few years ago” from Afghanistan. “Displaced and I guess homeless because of violence in her homeland,” Halkias explained. “She hadn’t played the game before and got that opportunity in Victoria, she started in our weekly women’s programs in the south east and built her skills and her confidence. “And her interpersonal skills, and that’s the mix of people that we get in our programs which is pretty special.” Australia’s team was littered with players of mixed abilities, but for Halkias, football simply becomes a “constant they can rely on”, with their ability an afterthought to individual growth. “It’s an event like no other, where people come together and compete, go hard when they’re on the pitch, but off the pitch they’ve got to know each other,” Halkias said. So how did they go in South Korea? The tournament began with all teams on a level playing field. Then, after the first handful of games, each nation was given match-ups that would provide a fair contest with teams facing off with equal skill levels. The Street Socceroos came up against footballing heavyweight Brazil, whilst also facing Denmark, Scotland and Ireland. Then their wins came against Cambodia, Sweden and Zimbabwe, being awarded a FIFPRO Fair Play Award on the first day of the competition for their efforts. And it was a hugely positive experience for our representatives, with Halkias explaining: “They get so much support from the crowd over there, other people, their families, their local communities. I think it’s important they realise that people don’t judge them. “Some have made a few mistakes, or copped some kicks in the shins so to speak, but they can overcome them. There’s a lot of people out there to support them as well. “The experience and understanding, it gives them a huge boost... and hope, sometimes when it’s not going your way, things can look forlorn. “So players really have that spring in their step when they come back and then they can start to look forward, start to try new things and build that self esteem.” As for the overall goal of the tournament, it’s to “improve their health and wellbeing, secure housing and make good healthy lifestyle choices”. But for Halkias, one of the most important things for those sleeping rough is to “feel part of the community” they’re living in and to “start contributing”. “Because they’ve shown that when they get an opportunity like this one, they can prove themselves,” Halkias added. Post tournament, those involved sit down and set personal goals to spark an “upward trajectory”. Opportunities for work come in the form of speaking gigs, educating schools and companies about homelessness. Others, like Michael, sell The Big Issue magazine to earn an income, but overall players “move forward in a whole host of ways” according to Halkias. “They get this shot of self esteem and confidence, and we can facilitate some direction to that but it’s ultimately up to them to use that and be empowered by that,” Halkias said. “We also know that overcoming addiction and changing your life takes quite a bit of work. “Sometimes it’s backwards and forwards, but we just try and look at the individual, look at what their strengths are and work towards new goals for them. “Because they’ve shown that when you get the right support, there’s a whole heap of things that they can do... they’ve got the potential to achieve great things as well. “When you wear the green and gold, and you overcome the challenges they have, I think it gives them a huge boost and a level of resilience they can use for the rest of their lives.” Meanwhile, Australia are putting in a bid to host the event in 2026, alongside the Asian Cup and the Olympics. Halkias was involved in the 2008 edition, which was played in Melbourne and said “I can tell you first hand, Australians can get right behind it”. The Big Issue are under no illusions it’s going to be a tough task to get the bid over the line. But should it be played in Australia, it’s sure to spark a conversation. “It’s an event that can motivate and inspire us, cheer us up. Sometimes, life can be a bit serious and bloomy but I think this is uplifting,” Halkias said. “But it can also get us talking about a whole range of things from being more physically active, having more respect for women and gender equality, the importance of support for mental illness and disability. “So it can also have an element of, you know, addressing some social issues. But I think more importantly, it’s a great event that brings people from all over the world. I think the whole community get behind it.”Grid Dynamics Holdings Set to Join S&P SmallCap 600

Josh Hammer: Trump’s Foreign Policy ‘Was Nothing Short of Genius’At least 65 million tune in for Netflix NFL Christmas Day games. NBA holiday ratings also skyrocketToday's fortune: Nov. 27, 2024 Published: 27 Nov. 2024, 07:00 Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI Read what today holds in store for you under the 12 signs of the zodiac, each represented by an animal. Our astrologer Cho Ku-moon explores saju (the four pillars of destiny) and geomancy for your prospects on wealth, health and love while offering advice on the direction of your luck and fortune. Check the year of your birth for today’s prediction. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 (Oct. 27 on the lunar calendar ) Rat Wealth: spending Health: average Love: frustrating Lucky direction: west 1936: Without lips, teeth will suffer of cold. 1948: Avoid gossiping about others. 1960: Be cautious not to be betrayed by those you trust. 1972: Stay neutral and protect what you have. 1984: Keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention. 1996: Be careful to avoid injuries. Ox Wealth: spending Health: cautious Love: conflicting Lucky direction: west 1937: Be wary of overly friendly people. 1949: Avoid physically strenuous tasks. 1961: Conflicts of interest may arise. 1973: Double-check everything before acting. 1985: There’s no such thing as a free lunch. 1997: Sugary foods may harm your teeth. Tiger Wealth: stable Health: good Love: joyful Lucky direction: north 1938: Likely to be a peaceful day. 1950: A relaxing and leisurely day. 1962: You might enjoy some pleasant spending. 1974: Expenses may lead to gains. 1986: Doing something is better than doing nothing. 1998: Things may turn out better than expected. Rabbit Wealth: stable Health: good Love: joyful Lucky direction: east 1939: Unexpected events might occur. 1951: Warm human connections may blossom. 1963: Familiar routines bring comfort. 1975: Things will progress smoothly, like a ship with favorable winds. 1987: Plans will flow naturally, like water. 1999: Your image may improve. Dragon Wealth: average Health: average Love: jealous Lucky direction: south 1940: Don’t boast about your good deeds. 1952: Life is the same for everyone. 1964: It’s all about the same, no matter the choice. 1976: Be mindful of how you present yourself. 1988: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 2000: The grass always looks greener on the other side. Snake Wealth: average Health: average Love: generosity Lucky direction: south 1941: If you lack teeth, use your gums. 1953: Helping each other is a basic human principle. 1965: Be willing to yield on small matters. 1977: Sometimes, taking a small loss is better. 1989: Foster mutually beneficial relationships for growth. 2001: Value friendship and trust. Horse Wealth: average Health: average Love: generous Lucky direction: east 1942: Eat well and live worry-free. 1954: Exercise and take health supplements. 1966: The morning might be better than the afternoon. 1978: Put agreements in writing rather than relying on words. 1990: The early bird catches the worm. 2002: Study diligently to build your foundation. Sheep Wealth: excellent Health: robust Love: united Lucky direction: southwest 1943: Everything has its proper place. 1955: Small efforts accumulate to great results. 1967: The right people will appear in the right situations. 1979: You might be completely satisfied with everything. 1991: Unity and harmony are the keys to success. 2003: Your social relationships may improve. Monkey Wealth: stable Health: good Love: joyful Lucky direction: north 1944: You might enjoy a good meal or be treated well. 1956: You could receive filial piety or good news. 1968: Positive results may arise from your efforts. 1980: Don’t delay; act on your tasks today. 1992: A lucky day; success is likely. 2004: Embrace challenges and be adventurous. Rooster Wealth: stable Health: good Love: joyful Lucky direction: east 1945: Find a hobby or pastime to enjoy. 1957: Show grace and dignity in your words and actions. 1969: Expect something to make you laugh or benefit you. 1981: You may gain recognition or receive valuable information. 1993: Attend a gathering or meeting. 2005: Wearing blue may bring you luck. Dog Wealth: average Health: cautious Love: conflicting Lucky direction: north 1946: Every finger you bite hurts. 1958: Children are always close to their parents’ hearts. 1970: Focus on one thing rather than many. 1982: Don’t boast; keep your abilities hidden. 1994: Avoid impulsive remarks or actions. 2006: Use kind and polite words. Pig Wealth: spending Health: average Love: ups and downs Lucky direction: east 1935: Eat warm, comforting foods. 1947: Even without an appetite, eat well. 1959: Focus on eating vegetables and fruits over meat. 1971: Avoid thinking you’re the only one who can do something. 1983: Results may differ from plans. 1995: Appearances aren’t everything. 2007: Don’t be controlled by emotions.

Trump's win means less scrutiny for shady sugar daddy Elon MuskDiljit Dosanjh dedicated his Guwahati concert on Sunday night to ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh and delivered a heartfelt tribute from the stage. The singer praised the life of the celebrated economist and highlighted that many valuable lessons can be learnt from his journey. New Delhi: Diljit Dosanjh had a blockbuster 2024. With concerts spanning the globe, the 40-year-old Punjabi sensation captured the hearts of music lovers worldwide with his electrifying performances. During his Guwahati show on Sunday night (December 29, 2024), the Jatt & Juliet star paid a moving tribute to former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh. From the stage, Dosanjh expressed that there are many valuable life lessons to be learnt from Singh’s life. He added that the late leader led an exceptionally simple life. Dosanjh further said that Singh never answered back or spoke ill of anyone, even though pursuing such a trait is extremely difficult in the world of politics. He also dedicated his concert in the Assamese city to the celebrated economist. Have a look: The heartfelt video of Dosanjh’s tribute has now gone viral on Instagram, garnering over 60 lakh views. The short clip is receiving immense praise from netizens in the form of likes and shares. “He completely changed India’s growth trajectory! Rest in power, Sir!” commented one social media user. Another wrote, “He wasn’t a politician; he was a humanitarian in political positions. He showed the nation the power of silent yet ambitious actions – those are the ones that truly matter. He demonstrated to the world what it means to be an Indian in today’s world. He’s and will always be incomparable.” Manmohan Singh death For the unversed, Singh breathed his last at AIIMS Delhi on Thursday (December 26, 2024) following age-related complications at the age of 92. His ashes were immersed in the Yamuna River near the Majnu Ka Tila Gurdwara on Sunday (December 29, 2024). Click for more latest Celebrity news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Raghav Jaitly is a seasoned digital journalist with over 10 years of experience. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the largest news outlets in India, including Times Internet, Zee News, News18, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhaskar Digital, and Jagran Group. With an extensive portfolio, Raghav covers a variety of beats, from Entertainment and Politics to Tech and Sports. In the digital journalism landscape, Raghav Jaitly has established himself as a driving force with a track record of successful storytelling. Latest News

North Texas Republican wants to zero out the budget for any Texas public university offering LGBTQ studiesPickleball's popularity soared in 2024 and it reached the masses in the year. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US and its popularity is on the rise across the globe. Tennis players love to play pickleball and many of them have become pro-pickleball players. Pickleball is a hugely popular sport. Here, we have a look at 3 sporting personalities who tried their hand at pickleball in 2024 - Novak Djokovic Novak Djokovic was the most famous sporting personality who played pickleball in 2024. A month before trying the sport, the tennis legend had warned the tennis clubs against its increasing popularity. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was joined by Jannik Sinner, Barbora Krejcikova and Callie Smith in a friendly pickleball game. He could play the sport again during the Australian Open 2025. Suryakumar Yadav India cricketer Suryakumar Yadav tried his hand at pickleball with Prithvi Shaw and other members of the Mumbai cricket team during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Mumbai teammates played the sport at the Pickleball arena in Secunderabad. Apart from Suryakumar, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan have also played pickleball. Its popularity is on the rise in India too. Becky Lynch WWE superstar Becky Lynch tried pickleball during her break from the in-ring action. She shared a pic on social media to reveal that she played pickleball. The former women's champion has been out of action since May. Becky's contract with WWE ended in May and she has been away from the company since then. While there is no update about her return date, she is confirmed to make her return ahead of Wrestlemania 41. Becky lost to Rhea Ripley in the opening match of Wrestlemania 40. Her husband, Seth Rollins made his WWE return in June. He will face CM Punk on Raw's Netflix debut. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Pickleball, Sports and around the world.

Verstappen admits he reconsidered his future at Red Bull in 2024A try, a scrap with a star and a trophy from grandma: Sione’s incredible day

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