The hits keep coming for Justin Baldoni, as it’s been revealed that the disgraced actor’s own publicist couldn’t “stand” him and found him to be “unlikable,” even as she still allegedly agreed to help him wage a “smear campaign” against his co-star Blake Lively. The Daily Beast reported Wednesday that publicist Jennifer Abel’s apparent animosity towards Baldoni was revealed in text messages she exchanged with colleagues as she prepared to help him boost his public image and his work on the film, “It Ends With Us,” according to a new lawsuit filed against Baldoni and the publicist. Baldoni directed the dramatic film about domestic violence, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, and starred as an attractive doctor who becomes abusive to his wife, played by Blake Lively. “I can’t stand (Baldoni),” Abel allegedly wrote in a Jan. 14, 2024, text message, the Daily Beast reported. “He’s so pompous.” In another message sent on the same day, Abel also wrote: “He needs to be humbled. When this movie flops, he’s going to try to blame every person around him for it.” “He may fire us because even if we put together an amazing campaign, it’s not going to change the fact that he’s so unlikable and unrealistic as a leading man,” Abel allegedly wrote in yet another text message, according to the Daily Beast. Abel is being sued by her former boss, Hollywood power publicist Stephanie Jones, for breach of contract and defamation, according to the Daily Beast and other outlets . The CEO alleged in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that Baldoni originally hired her PR company, Joneswork, to represent him, with Abel assigned to be the company’s point person for Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer. Jones said that Baldoni signed a one-year contract with Joneswork for $25,000 a month, The Hollywood Reporter said . But in August, just as “It Ends With Us” was released theatrically, Baldoni dropped Jones’ firm and followed Abel to her newly launched PR firm. Jones alleges that she fired Abel after learning that Abel had been stealing documents from her firm as she prepared to start her own business, the New York Times also reported . When Abel left the company, she handed over her phone, which allowed Jones and her legal team to uncover a trove of messages that revealed that Abel had been working with Melissa Nathan, a crisis communications manager, on a retaliation campaign against Lively to boost Baldoni’s image, according to the Times and the Daily Beast. Jones’ lawsuit alleges that Abel and Nathan “secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign” against Lively behind Jones’ back. Jones’ lawsuit was filed three days after Lively filed her own blockbuster complaint against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment on the set of the film. In her complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Lively also alleged that Baldoni, Wayfarer and their public relationships representatives — Abel and Nathan — engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation, as The Hollywood Reporter explained. With the release of “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni allegedly feared that Lively’s allegations about his on-set behavior would be revealed, according to the New York Times. In response, Abel and Nathan began “to formulate a no-holds-barred strategy to discredit and suppress any potential revelations about Baldoni’s on-set behavior” to boost the actor’s profile. But even as Abel and Nathan sought to glorify Baldoni, Abel privately showed her disdain for him, according to the Daily Beast. Jones alleges that Abel and Nathan were motivated to carry out the alleged smear campaign by “avarice” and not because of “any sincere appreciation for Baldoni.” In the text exchange in which Abel called Baldoni “pompous,” she also complained that the actor wanted to go off on a “men’s retreat” over the summer, just as the film was being released. Over the past few years, Baldoni has built a personal brand around positioning himself as a #MeToo ally, who writes and speaks about the harm caused by toxic masculinity and men’s failure to embrace their vulnerability. In another series of text messages exchanged between Abel and an anonymous person on Jan. 13, 2024, the publicist described a kissing scene between Baldwin and Lively in the film as “so cringey,” the Daily Beast reported. When the recipient replied by saying, “Blake was probably grossed out too,” Abel allegedly responded: “Yeah and filed a cease and desist.” Related Articles Entertainment | ‘Morrison Hotel’ made famous by The Doors goes up in flames in LA Entertainment | Judge says woman accusing Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her at age 13 can proceed anonymously Entertainment | ‘Baby Driver’ actor Hudson Meek dead at 16 Entertainment | Britney Spears spends Christmas with estranged son Jayden Entertainment | Hwang Dong-hyuk on killing off his ‘Squid Game’ characters and wanting to work with Jake Gyllenhaal Abel appears to be referring to the sexual harassment allegations Lively raised against Baldoni. In her complaint, Lively said she detailed her concerns about Baldoni during an “all-hands” meeting with him and producers in early January 2024. With her husband, Ryan Reynolds, also present, Lively alleged that Baldoni improvised unwanted kissing and intimate touching while filming scenes. She also claimed that he discussed his own sex life and porn addiction and that both he and Heath repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding. The Daily Beast said that Abel’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Jones’ lawsuit. Earlier in the week, Freedman categorically denied the allegations in Lively’s suit, writing in a statement that the suit is “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He also described it as “yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ (Lively’s) negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film.” Since news of Lively’s allegations against Baldoni broke over the weekend, the “Jane the Virgin” alum has faced cascading consequences, according to the New York Times. The powerhouse talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, dropped him as a client, while author Hoover and “It Ends With Us” cast members Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar voiced public support for Lively. Earlier this week, Liz Plank, who has co-hosted the “Man Enough” podcast with Baldoni and Heath, announced she would no longer be appearing on the show. Moreover, Vital Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women, rescinded an “ally” award it had presented to Baldoni earlier this month for “advocating on behalf of women and girls.”
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SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government has attached at least 193 properties in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since the start of 2023. The move is widely criticized as punitive action against Kashmiris for their association with the ongoing freedom movement. According to Kashmir Media Service, the confiscations, involving lands, houses, shops, and offices, have been carried out by India’s dreaded agencies such as the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and Special Investigation Agency (SIA), along with the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Observers view this as part of New Delhi’s broader strategy to economically weaken Kashmiris and suppress their aspirations for freedom. Critics argue that the confiscations are carried out under the guise of draconian laws and have escalated since the abrogation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019. Political experts and analysts in Srinagar described the actions as part of a settler-colonial project aimed at altering the region’s demographics by displacing local Kashmiris and facilitating the settlement of non-locals. Properties belonging to prominent pro-freedom leaders and organizations, including those of the late Syed Ali Gilani, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Aasiya Andrabi, and Jamaat-e-Islami, have been targeted. Even the headquarters of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Srinagar has been confiscated. Additionally, numerous residential houses, shops, and complexes have been demolished under similar pretexts. Experts emphasize that these measures are intended to intimidate the local population into abandoning their support for the freedom movement. They warn that such actions are deepening economic distress in the territory and fueling resentment among the people of IIOJK. The Modi-led BJP government has also identified additional properties for attachment, signaling a continuation of this policy. Observers lament that these measures are a clear attempt to economically cripple the people of Kashmir and force them into submission. “Destroying homes, demolishing shops, and confiscating properties will not subdue the Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom,” local political analysts said, urging the international community to take notice of India’s actions. Despite these aggressive tactics, Kashmiris remain steadfast in their pursuit of self-determination. Experts warn that such colonial practices have failed in the past and are unlikely to succeed in the future. Calls for an international response to India’s policies in IIOJK are growing as the region faces increasing oppression. The ongoing confiscations reflect the Indian government’s determination to suppress dissent, but they also highlight the resilience of Kashmiris in the face of adversity. 14 Kashmiris declared as proclaimed offenders, properties at risk Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a court in Rajouri district declared 14 individuals, including a couple, as proclaimed offenders, paving the way for the attachment of their properties. According to the Kashmir Media Service, the Munsiff-cum-Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Kotranka issued the order following an application from the Kandi Station House Officer (SHO). The proclamation permits authorities to initiate proceedings to seize the properties of the accused. The individuals named in the order include Mohammad Aslam and his wife, Hakam Jaan, Sobhat Ali, Mohammad Sharief, Muhammad Iqbal, and Noorani—all residents of Larkuti—alongside Khadim Hussain of Kandi, Mohammad Azam and Gulzar of Gura Sarkri, Gulam Husain of Peeri, Muneer Hussain of Gakhrote, Mohd Shabir of Panjanara, Kala of Dharsakri, and Zabir Hussain of Kanthol. The court has charged them under the Egress and Internal Movement (Control) Ordinance. General arrest warrants were first issued on February 16, 2012, but the accused have remained elusive. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Wilson 2-5 2-2 6, Cherisier 5-11 2-4 12, Cousins 4-11 1-1 11, Demeke 2-6 0-0 6, Wanzer 1-4 0-0 3, Ojo 1-3 2-2 4, Bartholomew 3-7 4-4 11, Perry 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 18-49 11-13 53 Archibald 0-1 0-0 0, Olsen 3-7 1-2 7, Efosa 6-9 2-2 14, Farrell 3-8 1-2 7, Gormley 2-4 1-1 5, Bandoma 0-0 0-0 0, Morales Romero 3-5 0-0 9, Sirtautaite 1-1 0-0 2, Scarlett 4-10 0-0 11, Scott 0-1 0-0 0, Sheppard 2-7 1-2 5, Totals 24-53 6-9 60 3-Point Goals_Delaware 6-17 (Cousins 2-5, Demeke 2-6, Wanzer 1-3, Bartholomew 1-3), Providence 6-17 (Farrell 0-3, Morales Romero 3-4, Scarlett 3-7, Scott 0-1, Sheppard 0-2). Assists_Delaware 5 (Cousins 2), Providence 11 (Efosa 3, Sheppard 3). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Delaware 33 (Wilson 8), Providence 29 (Olsen 9). Total Fouls_Delaware 17, Providence 13. Technical Fouls_None. A_825.
One decision stands out from all others in what has been a grim year for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – and it holds a clue as to what he may do next. Albanese ends 2024 in a dire position for a leader who must face the people in just a few short months: the economy is weak, the federal budget is back in deficit and his personal popularity is down. But his allies name his move to overhaul personal tax cuts in January, delivering bigger benefits to millions of workers, as the best example of what he did right this year. Albanese began the year with a bold move by breaking an election pledge to leave the “stage three” personal tax cuts intact after years of argument about a tax package that had been written into law by the Coalition five years earlier. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton railed against the Labor changes and called for an election to be held to decide the matter, only to retreat when polls showed that most Australians liked the idea of a $313 billion package with bigger tax cuts for more workers on low and middle incomes. Albanese won the policy and the politics. He took a risk and it paid off. The tax cuts went ahead as scheduled in July with the Labor brand stamped all over them. If there was a reward from the electorate, however, it evaporated before the summer was over. Just as Albanese seemed to be taking the initiative, the Labor primary vote . It fell from 35 per cent in December to 34 per cent in February and 32 per cent in March. This became the pattern of the year. Nothing seemed to work for Albanese. His readiness to do radio interviews, while Dutton avoided scrutiny, did not appear to create a lasting bond with listeners. His speaking style, with mangled sentences instead of sharp messages, made it harder for him to cut through. Worse, the government never seemed to galvanise Australians with a sense of political mission. It unveiled more assistance for childcare, an age limit for social media, subsidies for energy bills, a wage boost for aged care workers and changes to prescriptions to make medicines cheaper. And it drifted down in the polls. “Labor and Albanese appear so dour, a government of grinding necessity,” says Paul Strangio, the emeritus professor of politics at Monash University. “The sense of missed opportunity is all the greater since they are in office at a time when the public shows signs of being fed up with business as usual. Albanese doesn’t appear to know how to harness or manage that sentiment.” Strangio highlighted this challenge in an essay for in September and says there has been no shift in the pattern in the final months of the year. “Growth in office has been a hallmark of many of Australia’s best prime ministers,” he says. “Albanese is yet to demonstrate this.” While Albanese was elected to parliament in 1996 and watched John Howard govern for 11 years, there is no sign he is learning a lesson from the Howard era. “When Howard was in trouble during his first term, he drew upon his deep-seated convictions to strike out in a bold direction,” Strangio says. The result was a high-stakes election on the GST. On international affairs, however, Albanese has moved easily into overseas meetings and global summits. He lowered the temperature with China, resumed leadership meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and helped restart exports of beef, barley and lobster. This added billions of dollars to Australian industry. There was no economic dividend, and possibly no political payoff, from his effort to secure the release of from the United States and the from Indonesia. Even so, he pursued the talks to bring Australians home. The defeat of the Indigenous Voice in October 2023 still reverberates around Australian politics – and polling shows a slide in Labor support from that moment – but the government points to other achievements in this term, such as legislating a climate target to cut greenhouse gas emissions, to counter claims it has too little to show for its time in office. One minister says Australians will back the prime minister when the election arrives because of his personal qualities and what he offers in hard policy. “We are closer to making sure voters see this as a choice between Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese,” he says. Labor strategists say this is not just about what Albanese has delivered during this term, but about the “forward offer” of policies for the next three years. In this assessment, from those closest to Albanese, the prime minister is just getting started in winning voters with new policy measures and attacking Dutton on Coalition vulnerabilities, such as its nuclear energy plan. But Albanese has been subject to relentless attacks from left and right while trying to hold the middle ground on the Middle East. Greens leader Adam Bandt accused him of complicity in genocide over the war in Gaza, while Dutton accused him of deserting Israel and being weak on antisemitism. The conservative media picked up on the claim and rammed it home. When arsonists committed what police called a “likely act of terrorism” at the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne in early December, Albanese condemned the antisemitism in a statement and on radio. But he was scheduled to fly to Perth and did not divert the aircraft to Melbourne, which meant he took several days to visit the destruction and stand with the Jewish community. The symbolic show of support seemed too slow, even if the actual support was strong. Albanese gave no quarter to protesters who called antisemitic chants, and he made sure that laws were passed to ban the “doxxing” used to reveal personal details of Jewish Australians. He arranged more funding to protect synagogues and schools. This was not enough, however, when the government was infuriating Israel by voting at the United Nations in a motion that did not condemn Hamas, listed by Australian authorities as a terrorist group. “I don’t subscribe to the view that he has been weak on antisemitism,” says Strangio. “To me, this is an idea prosecuted by dogmatic elements – especially the Murdoch media – and doesn’t allow for the diabolical challenge it has been for the government to strike a position that doesn’t aggravate the polarisation of community opinion but maintains some degree of social cohesion.” Australians, meanwhile, felt their household incomes shrinking in real terms. Although wages moved ahead of inflation in recent quarters, they remain down in real terms since the election. With the Reserve Bank seeking to reduce inflation, the government could not risk spending more money to help voters. The pressure on households generated pain in the polls. Voters are clearly sceptical about Albanese. Thirty-one per cent said in early December that he was doing a good job, but 57 per cent said he was doing a poor job. His net rating in the Resolve Political Monitor, minus 26 per cent, was four times worse in December than it had been in February. The verdict is more savage from some of his own Labor colleagues. “He’s tough on the weak issues and weak on the tough issues,” says one caucus member. The complaint is that Albanese can take a strong line on something that is secondary to most Australians – like the release of the last of the Bali Nine – but struggle on the problems that will decide the election. Most of all, the cost of living. Cautious in choosing his battles before the election, Albanese risks leaving voters with the sense that he does not know what to fight for. “I like Anthony Albanese, and I regard him as a friend, but I find his government underwhelming,” says independent MP Andrew Wilkie. “And that would be the view of many of my constituents. It is fair to add that politics in general has become underwhelming. I’m not suggesting for a moment that Peter Dutton is any better.” Albanese tried through the year to outline practical policies – including a rush in December to pass dozens of laws through parliament. This included the Help to Buy scheme to offer $5.6 billion in federal equity for young people buying their first homes, as well as the Build to Rent scheme to attract investment into new homes. Also in December came the $1 billion early education fund for childcare and the “three-day guarantee” to make it easier for new parents to receive childcare subsidies. The Coalition opposes the move, which could help Albanese in a cost-of-living battle. Albanese can point to other measures that help with costs. The changes to student loans will help young Australians by reducing their debts by $3 billion, with the promise of more change if the government holds power at the election. Again, the Coalition opposes the move. This leaves some observers wanting a bolder vision. Saul Eslake, an independent economist, says Australia needs ambitious reform to lift living standards over the long term. Dutton has no significant economic policy, other than his nuclear plan, and Albanese is not revealing anything too risky. “I sort of despair, really, that the government has shown no inclination to argue for an ambitious second-term reform agenda,” says Eslake. “And it’s almost too late now. Albanese seems not to have the vision or the rhetorical capacity to do this stuff.” Leaders are not only judged on what they do, but what they choose not to do. Will the prime minister lift his fortunes after a difficult year? Watch for some policy moves early in 2025 to convince voters to stick with him rather than take a risk with Dutton. The Labor strategy seeks to copy the approach taken at the last election: to kick with the wind in the final quarter. One of the prime minister’s allies says the critics of today forget the mistakes of the critics from three years ago, when Albanese was not given much credit for lining up a victory that swept Labor into power. “On the big calls he was proven right,” he says. This year has been no triumph for Albanese. But the contest is not over.The gaming universe is on the verge of a new era with the introduction of a groundbreaking technology called Supwrmicro . Envision a gaming experience where the digital and physical worlds are seamlessly intertwined, delivering hyper-realistic environments that respond in real-time to players’ decisions and emotions. This is not a far-off fantasy; Supwrmicro is making it a reality. Supwrmicro is a cutting-edge micro-processing technology that promises to vastly enhance computational performance and energy efficiency. By employing neural-based frameworks, it can predict and react to player inputs proactively, reducing latency to virtually imperceptible levels. Gamers can now navigate expansive worlds without the slightest hiccup, granting a level of immersion previously unfathomable with traditional processors. Moreover, Supwrmicro’s proprietary algorithms offer unprecedented control over graphical fidelity and in-game physics, creating richly detailed landscapes that evolve with each play session. This leap in processing power also allows for the development of non-linear storytelling, where the trajectory of game narratives can shift dynamically, based on players’ unique interactions. In an era where gaming is becoming increasingly mainstream, Supwrmicro sets the stage for next-generation consoles, PCs, and even virtual reality platforms. By bridging the gap between creativity and technology, it not only enhances the gamer’s journey but also lays the foundation for future innovations within the industry. As developers begin integrating Supwrmicro into their projects, players around the world eagerly anticipate a transformative shift in their gaming experiences. The future looks excitingly vivid and remarkably interactive. “Supwrmicro: Revolutionizing the Future of Gaming Technology” The gaming industry is on the cusp of a transformation with the emergence of Supwrmicro technology. This revolutionary micro-processing innovation sets new standards in gaming, promising unrivaled experiences by merging digital and physical realms into seamless, reactive environments. Here’s a deeper dive into how Supwrmicro is shaping the future of gaming. Features and Innovations Supwrmicro technology stands out due to its robust computational enhancements and energy-efficient design. By utilizing advanced neural-based frameworks, it anticipates player inputs proactively. This predictive capacity minimizes latency to almost undetectable levels, ensuring smooth gameplay experiences without interruptions. It also offers enhanced control over game graphics and physics, allowing developers to create intricately detailed and dynamically evolving landscapes. Compatibility and Applications Supwrmicro is highly compatible with a variety of gaming platforms, including next-generation consoles, high-performance PCs, and virtual reality systems. This makes it a versatile choice for developers aiming to leverage its capabilities for a wide range of gaming scenarios—from immersive story-driven experiences to expansive open-world adventures. Pros and Cons Pros: – Unmatched Latency Reduction: Near-instantaneous response times enhance gaming immersion. – Higher Energy Efficiency: Reduced power consumption makes it environmentally friendly and ideal for prolonged gaming sessions. – Dynamic Storytelling: Enables non-linear game narratives that adapt to player interactions, offering unique experiences with every playthrough. Cons: – Integration Complexity: Integrating Supwrmicro technology may require substantial reworking of existing development processes. – Initial Costs: The state-of-the-art technology could lead to increased initial costs for developers and, potentially, consumers. Predictions and Trends As Supwrmicro technology becomes more integrated into the gaming industry, it is expected to set new trends focused on hyper-realism and interactive storytelling. This shift is likely to pave the way for AI-driven game development where games learn from player behavior, offering a highly personalized gaming journey. Market Analysis The market is poised for growth with the introduction of Supwrmicro, as more game developers and console manufacturers are expected to adopt this technology. This adoption not only promises enhanced gaming experiences but also opens new revenue streams for businesses looking to capitalize on cutting-edge gaming advancements. Security Aspects Supwrmicro also offers improved security measures, ensuring that sensitive player data is protected against breaches. By integrating advanced neural frameworks, the technology provides a robust defense against potential vulnerabilities. By heralding a new era of technological advancements in gaming, Supwrmicro is setting high benchmarks for what is possible in interactive entertainment. As the gaming community awaits these innovations, the future of gaming appears more vivid and engaging than ever before. For more information, visit Supwrmicro .
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Saturday Night Live has lined up its last trio of hosts for 2024. After a season full of nostalgic bits, political bites, and even some emotional moments, Season 50’s first stretch will conclude with three back-to-back-to-back episodes in December. Here’s what to know about how to tune in for the last three episodes of the year.0 Yes! Saturday Night Live is new this weekend, on Saturday (December 7), with Gladiator II star Paul Mescal hosting and Shaboozey as musical guest. This marks Shaboozey’s first stint on SNL . After this week’s episode, two more consecutive shows have been announced. On December 14, Chris Rock will host for the fourth time, with Gracie Abrams as the musical guest of the week, making her SNL debut in support of her new album The Secret of Us . Then, on December 21, for the holiday episode, Martin Short will host for the third time, and Hozier will take the stage as musical guest, his second stint on the show in support of his new album Unreal Unearth . Saturday Night Live airs on Saturday evenings at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Episodes are also available to stream Peacock , which boasts a sprawling library of all 49 seasons. SNL kicked off its 50th season early in October. Here’s a list of the episodes so far. The show will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an NBC special airing Sunday, February 16. Find out everything to know about that right here . More Headlines:It contributes about 19 pc to sport's development: Paralympic champion Navdeep hails PKL's impact on
Strongly reacting to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's "do-or-die" protest in Islamabad, the federal ministers have termed it an "illegal and unnecessary", claiming most of the opposition party leaders and workers are "courting their arrest to avoid their participation in the so-called final call". During his visit to different areas in Islamabad on Sunday, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that as per information came from Punjab and Islamabad, most of the former ruling party's top and low tiers leaders were voluntarily surrendering to the police for their arrest to avoid participation in the Islamabad protest. "One thing is pretty clear that the PTI's leadership does not want a release of their leader [Imran Khan] from the jail," he added. He said the PTI had only one demand which was to get an NRO-like concession for the release of their leader from the jail, but the government cannot do anything in this regard. This is the domain of the courts where the PTI is supposed to argue and fight for the release of their leader who has been facing different charges, he added. "Life in Islamabad is normal as people are taking strolls in parks and children are playing various sports at different places, but some major highways have been closed to maintain law and order in the city," he noted. He held the PTI responsible for the roads’ closure and inflicting financial damage to traders and businessmen. The PTI did not only want to derail the economy but was also hell-bent on damaging the foreign relations of Pakistan with friendly countries. Tarar said the PTI had a track record of creating chaos and anarchy, and vandalising public properties. He added the PTI had orchestrated the May 9 arson and vandalised the sensitive installations and memorials of martyrs, just to create chaos and anarchy. "Our responsibility is to ensure security in Islamabad," he said, adding the miscreants would be dealt with iron hands. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that strict action will be taken against miscreants in accordance with the law and assured that the government has taken all possible measures to protect the lives and property of citizens. Naqvi conducted an aerial visit to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Attock to review security arrangements in the three cities. He added that the administration, police, and law enforcement agencies are prepared to deal with any possible situation. In a separate press conference at the federal capital’s D-Chowk, the minister vowed action against "miscreants", adding that the police have arrested a number of protesters from the Faizabad interchange. He claimed that the PTI protesters tried to gather at the route designated for the Belarus president's convoy who is due to arrive in Islamabad on Monday (tomorrow). Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also warned the PTI that any violent protests would be met with a firm response as the state will not permit any illegal mob to attack Islamabad. Islamabad has been placed on high alert, with the government warning of zero tolerance for violent mobs, he added. Talking to a private news channel, the defence czar expressed disappointment that the PTI tends to protest whenever a foreign leader announces to visit Pakistan, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur should focus on improving the law and order situation in the province. "Both government and military leadership are jointly moving the country forward," Asif stated. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar questioned PTI's repeated calls for strikes, terming them as a well-thought out conspiracy against the country's prestige. He said that the party had always announced its protests at a time when important global personalities were on their visits to Pakistan. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also slammed the former ruling party, saying that people have rejected the elements making calls for protests and sit-ins repeatedly and today's show of the PTI will also fail. Addressing a press conference in Lahore today, the minister said no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and the miscreants would be dealt strictly. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the PTI founder has been sentenced by courts, and he can only be released through legal way and not through any sit-in and protest. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam criticised the Imran Khan-founded party, saying that the PTI does the politics of protests and chaos and remains indifferent to people’s problems. In a news conference in Islamabad today, he said the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become precarious but the provincial government is spending the province's resources on protest demonstrations. Muqam said the former ruling party’s apathy towards the security situation in Kurram is unfortunate and the people have rejected PTI's call for protest.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has seen a change in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past month. “He's found a way to improve the way he plays the position throughout the game,” the Dolphins coach said Sunday, after Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns in a dominant 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. “The most monumental thing that you have to overcome as a quarterback is playing the position regardless of the ebbs and flows," McDaniel added, "so not changing how you play based upon positive or negative results and letting every play stand on its own.” Tagovailoa has mastered that ability to remain even-keeled during Miami's three-game winning streak, McDaniel noted, highlighted by his 317-yard passing performance on Sunday. The Dolphins (5-6) have a thin margin for error the rest of the season but have kept themselves afloat with a strong stretch that includes two-straight 30-point games. With their win at New England (3-9) in Week 5, the Dolphins have swept their division rivals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Tagovailoa, who moved to 7-0 in his career against New England, entered the game with a league-high 73.4% completion rate and went 29 for 40. He has 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception since returning from injured reserve in Week 8. “We’re still below the .500 threshold, and it’s a long way to where we want to get to," Tagovailoa said. “We’ll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us.” The Dolphins have a short turnaround with a game at Green Bay on Thursday. Backup Skylar Thompson replaced Tagovailoa with about 11 minutes left in what was already a blowout, but a bad handoff on his first play resulted in a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. It cut New England's deficit to 31-15, and Tagovailoa returned the next drive. Miami's defense held the rest of the way. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson intercepted rookie quarterback Drake Maye on New England's penultimate drive, then Miami stopped the Patriots on fourth down on the next. Jaylen Waddle caught eight passes for a season-high 144 yards and a 23-yard touchdown that stretched Miami's lead to 31-0 entering the fourth. Running back De'Von Achane scored on a 9-yard screen pass and then walked into the end zone for an 11-yard TD in the first half. Jonnu Smith finished with 87 yards on nine catches to continue his strong first season as a Dolphin. One week after catching two touchdowns with a career-high 101 yards receiving, Smith found the end zone for a 7-yard TD catch on the Dolphins' second drive. New England was shut out until tight end Austin Hooper got behind the Dolphins defense for a wide-open 38-yard touchdown catch from Maye to make it 31-7 with 13:43 left. Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 221 yards with 26 yards rushing. But he couldn't overcome an overall sloppy performance by the Patriots in which they got nothing going offensively until the final quarter and had 10 penalties accepted against them. “I always say I hate losing more than I like to win," Maye said. "We got our butts whipped today, and it’s only up from here. We’ve got a bright future and the right players in there for the Patriots.” New England's best drive of the first half lasted 12 plays and covered 80 yards but included three accepted offensive penalties and ended in a missed 45-yard field goal by Joey Slye. The Patriots forced a Dolphins punt and moved down the field again on the opening drive of the second half, with Maye completing an improvised 10-yard throw on third down to receiver Kendrick Bourne. New England then tried a double pass with Bourne, whose cross-field throw fell short of Rhamondre Stevenson on 3rd-and-17. DeMario Douglas led the Patriots with 61 yards receiving. Antonio Gibson had six rushes for 30 yards. With the loss, the Patriots will finish their third straight season below .500. Its the first time since 1991-93 New England has had three straight losing seasons. “Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them,” coach Jerod Mayo said. "There’s nothing any coach can do for them. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches as well.” Dolphins: LB Anthony Walker Jr. sustained a noncontact hamstring injury in the second quarter. He was helped slowly off the field by trainers and did not return. Patriots: Host Indianapolis next Sunday. Dolphins: At Green Bay on Thursday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWe celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas and welcome a New Year. 2024 was tough on most of us and I’m looking forward to 2025. While times have been challenging, we live in a very special place. Recent events have us climbing uphill, but we can still enjoy our piece of paradise and go fishing. Christmas is a great opportunity to make time for family gatherings. Be thankful for your family and friends and find time to enjoy them, as some are not as fortunate. Gifts are nice but hugs join our souls together. Enjoy sharing time exploring our waterways. It allows us to unwind and slow down to hear each other. Fishing poles can add entertainment, but time together away from the hustle is what’s important. If you want to be a better person and fisherman, just stop thinking and open your mind to become aware of each other and your surroundings. Engage your senses, begin to blend into your environment. Observe the birds; they are much easier to observe than fish under water. As we watch the above-surface activity, notice any ripples or surface anomalies. Wakes from fish moving beneath the surface create waves, size dictates larger features. If you’re casing at this, lead it significantly. If you attempt to chase wakes, fish just move faster. Sit still and allow the animals to settle, birds or fish. The fish eat the same critters those birds are chasing. Patience lets us enjoy the scenery while we pursue the fish and catch more. Discussing our observations helps us to connect with each other and the animals around us. Try going old school, using a push pole to carefully explore the calm grass flats. This is the stealth approach required to learn in the backcountry. It’s amazing how well this works. Most of our fish stocks are looking the best they have been in years. 2025 could be our best action in decades. Red tides are lurking nearby but so far are not killing fish. The discharges by Army Corp of Lake Okeechobee into our rivers could feed these blooms. If you can escape, go fishing, grasp the opportunity. Most guides have openings. Just watch the weather and take advantage of fair days. The First of the year, lane snapper and red grouper open back up. Gags and red snapper will be closed, however. Always consult your fish rules app for the latest information. Nearshore fishing provides several dinner prospects. Sheepshead, snapper, flounder, and red mouths are good eating and available now. Light spinning rigs and shrimp or cut bait produce results. Keep terminal gear to a minimum. Fish have eyes. Be patient and slow everything down. Waters are cooler now, and fish are cold blooded. Any hard bottom holds fish as pressure has been light since the storms. Enjoy the warmer south winds prior to the cold fronts. If it’s windy, choose a protected inside location. Stay comfortable and safe. Gulf waters can be rough and dangerous if you get caught by sudden wind events. Cold fronts can sweep in and surprise you. Be sure you don’t scare your guests, don’t keep children out too long. If they enjoy the adventure they will want to do it again. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard is a columnist for the Beacon.
(BPT) - Has it been a while since you purchased a new TV? You might be surprised by how far TV technology has come since you bought your last set! Today's smart televisions offer dramatic improvements in picture quality and home screens that are far easier to navigate. Plus, they come with a host of cool features like voice control that you may not even know about. It's time to discover what you've been missing — and if you're asking yourself where to start, the Fire TV Buyer Insights Report can help. This independent study surveyed over 2,000 recent purchasers of smart TVs to learn everything from where they did their product research to why they decided to buy. With the holidays almost upon us, the insights in this report can help guide you as you kick off your seasonal shopping. Whether you're buying a gift, hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect game-day screen, read on to find the best TV for your needs. How do you find the right TV? Here's how recent purchasers did it. When it comes to buying a new TV, there are several factors you'll want to consider, starting with who's going to be using it. The study found that spouses (36%), kids (13%), and even grandparents (1%) were involved in the purchase process, so be sure to keep your home's audience in mind. Beyond that, you'll also want to think about: Room size Smart TVs range in size from a 32-inch screen all the way up to a whopping 100 inches or more. To determine the right screen size for your room, follow this guideline: Small rooms: 32"–43" screen Medium rooms: 43"–55" screen Large rooms: 55+" screen As for viewing distance, divide the screen's diameter by 8 to get the ideal viewing distance in feet. For example, a 32-inch screen should be watched from about 4 feet away, while you'll want to be about 8 feet away from a 65-inch screen. Usage How you plan to use your new TV should play a large part in your decision-making process. If you're always looking for the latest show or movie to watch, your smart TV should offer optimal access to the latest streaming services. Gamers will experience better play on a TV with a high refresh rate, while sports enthusiasts will want to watch the big game on a set with smooth motion handling. Connected TV experience One of the most important considerations is how you'll use TV. In the study, 83% of TV purchasers said that easy access to content was one of the things they liked best about their new TV. But beyond being an all-in-one source for entertainment, your smart TV should also play well with other smart home devices. For instance, Fire TV allows you to pair compatible devices seamlessly like video doorbells, smart home devices, and more. And with select models, Fire TV's Ambient Experience can turn the biggest screen in your home into a beautiful, always-on smart display rotating through beautiful art, personal photos, and glanceable information like calendars and reminders. Knowledge is power Before you land on the perfect TV, you'll need to do a little research first. The study found that only 12% of shoppers bought their TV on an impulse, while 65% engaged in some form of product research. Most (82%) respondents conducted some or all of their research online for instant access to smart TV reviews and feature comparisons. In fact, over half of respondents who searched online mentioned digital retailers like Amazon as a great source for honest ratings and buyer reviews. Timing is everything According to the study, the time from research to purchase takes about two weeks, so plan ahead — especially if you're thinking about giving a TV as a holiday gift. There are also some great deals available during this time of year, so keep an eye out for sales and promotional offers. The big picture A new TV is a big purchase, so don't make it an impulsive one. Take the time to do your research and remember that everyone takes a different path to finding the perfect TV. Whether your search begins online, offline, or with a mix of both, it will end with a next-level viewing experience that's just right for the way you watch.Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday, is the first presidential candidate I remember publicly expressing an opinion of. As it turned out, Carter would also be the first (and only) president to publicly express an opinion of me. During Carter’s presidency he was criticized and lampooned, but during his life he was more often hailed for his public service and broad, renaissance mind. Personally, I will always think of him as a man with a dry wit and a sharp tongue. If you’ve ever wondered why Carter was always smiling, it may be because he was a pretty funny guy. My first interaction with the former president was in the spring of 1987. I was the editor-in-chief of the Emory Spoke, the student-run humor magazine at Emory University in Georgia. We published three issues annually, generally blowing our budget on the one published fall semester, a full-color parody of a “real” magazine — “Playspoke” one year, “Spokelights for Children” another. Shortly before my tenure, a copy of a previous editorial team’s “Peeple Spokely” made its way to Time-Life’s corporate counsel. They quickly forbade us from ever again encroaching on one of their titles. It felt as if hellfire, damnation and personal legal ruin would rain down on any student foolish enough to violate their orders. My choice was clear. That fall’s issue would parody Time magazine. “How will we avoid hellfire and damnation?” our managing editor asked. It came to me in a flash. “We’ll put Carter on the cover. ‘Man of the Year’! If they come for us, the publicity will kill ’em.” Because Emory was home to the Carter Center and his presidential library, I leaned hard on every connection I could to make an interview happen. Months after our entreaties began, I was called into the office of the dean who had appeared on the cover of “Rolling Spoke” with a parking cone on his head. The reverence of our irreverence had paid off — we would be granted 30 minutes with Carter, and nothing was off limits. I’ll chalk it up to nerve and not any innate Republican tendencies, but about a month later, on the day of the interview, when Carter walked in the room, I tossed him a T-shirt featuring the Spoke’s logo and told him to put it on for the cover photo. He gamely complied. The interview was sublime — Carter talked about Domino’s deliveries to the White House, Willie Nelson playing on the South Lawn, installing a hi-fi in the Oval Office so he could listen to his friends the Allman Brothers. He shared his biggest presidential regret — not sending a second helicopter on the failed hostage rescue in Iran. We asked what he wanted to say about President Reagan behind his back: “That he is incapable of telling the truth.” When we asked what he’d say to Reagan’s face, he replied, “The same thing.” That got picked up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. When lobbying for the interview, we’d been clear about our satirical bent and forwarded past Spoke issues. During the discussion we restated our provenance as a humor magazine. “I haven’t heard anything funny, yet,” Carter deadpanned. We asked about his patience with journalists, if he ever wanted to haul off and hit a reporter. “Yes,” he said, “and this is one of those times.” After the issue was published, Carter sent me a letter that included the line, “I’m glad my humorous responses more than made up for the lack of that quality in your questions.” Sometimes I still impress myself, remembering that I once traded barbs with a former president. Other days, I’m overwhelmed by the thought that a future Nobel Prize winner called me out on the one thing I thought I was good at. Our paths crossed a few more times, and each time, Carter’s humor was what stood out. At a formal dinner, he dared me to eat the dessert’s floral garnish. Before I could move, he popped it into his mouth. He could have planned that joke to use on anyone who was at the table. But I like to think it was personal, and others who met Carter more than once have told me they also felt a stupefied humility that the onetime leader of the free world remembered them by name. A few years later, I was working on my MBA, again at Emory and Carter visited as a distinguished lecturer. He marched to the lectern and scanned our power-suited crowd. Then he turned to his assistant and said, “You didn’t tell me Binney would be here.” He looked at me, eyebrows raised, and said, politely, “Try to keep up.” My classmates were bewildered. Some in shock, some in awe. How had I pissed off a president? I hadn’t, of course. It was just a perfect opportunity for a man with a sly sense of humor, a good memory and a microphone. A man who made meaningful connections with the people he met, whether on the world stage or a college campus. Robert J. Binney is a screenwriter in Seattle.
US plans more actions against China over telecom hack