Where to buy GK Barry’s personalised necklace that she’s been spotted wearing in the I’m A Celeb jungle
"Right, okay." Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue They're the first words Phil Thomson can find when asked to sum up the year that was for the ACT Brumbies. "There's enough on record to say it has been a challenging year," Thomson said. "But under the circumstances, we got through in the best position under the circumstances that were available from a business perspective." Rugby Australia seized control of the Brumbies after what felt like an eternity of boardroom battles. Club officials were left with no other option if Australia's most successful Super Rugby club was going to keep its head above water. You could forgive Thomson for switching his phone off the moment he locked his office door for the Christmas break. But the nature of the job means the mind is always ticking. That's just the territory he lives in. "There's a little bit of time just to recharge the battery, but you've got to hit the ground running at the start of January," Thompson said. "We've got a tough start to the season." But before we get to the season opener in Suva's searing heat and humidity against the Fijian Drua, or the back-to-back trips across the Tasman to face both of 2024's grand finalists inside the opening month , let's take a moment. The Brumbies endured plenty of highs and lows in 2024. Pictures by Keegan Carroll and Sitthixay Ditthavong Australia's Super Rugby teams have undergone a dramatic makeover. The Wallabies have given success-starved fans a glimmer of hope, and the British and Irish Lions are coming to mark the first checkpoint in what RA trumpets as the game's golden decade. Here are the biggest headlines from this year and the reasons to be excited about 2025. BIGGEST STORY OF 2024 Brumbies chairman Matt Nobbs might have lost count of how many nights he spent staring at the ceiling with his mind in overdrive, because "the last thing we wanted to do as a board or an organisation was to fold." Thomson looked every part of a man who had been fighting for a year while RA chief Phil Waugh declared the national union would seize control of the cash-strapped Brumbies . Brumbies chief Phil Thomson, Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh, and Brumbies chairman Matt Nobbs committed to working together to save the club. Picture by Gary Ramage The Brumbies had resisted a centralisation push for 12 months, fighting the heavy-handed approach of former RA chairman Hamish McLennan. They fired back at relocation questions, desperately searched for ways to end years of financial turmoil and endured sleepless nights to no avail. Handing the keys to RA was the only way the club could survive. "It was the only option that was available to us and it was the best option for the professional game and rugby within the ACT and the region. It was the best outcome under the circumstances," Thomson said. "There's nothing different outwardly. The staff are dressed in a Brumbies uniform and there's no difference for them from the day-to-day front. It's just the back of house that has changed with the operating model." A new Brumbies board was supposed to be established by August 1. The club heads into the new year still waiting on RA to settle on the make-up of the board. SEMI-FINAL ANGUISH Can the Brumbies finally get over the semi-final hurdle? Stephen Larkham will get an idea of where his side - boasting a host of Wallabies stars and two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini - stands in the opening month, with away games against the Chiefs and Blues in rounds three and four. The Blues and the Chiefs handed the Brumbies two of the club's worst losses in history throughout 2024, and the ACT's semi-final exit at Eden Park suggested there was still a fair gap between themselves and the competition's best. Allan Alaalatoa is desperate for grand final success. Picture by Keegan Carroll Plenty feel like every Brumbies campaign builds to an inevitable semi-final defeat across the Tasman. If they want crowds back, it might take grand final glory to make people sit up and take notice. "Everyone is extremely disappointed to fall at the semi-final post again, three years in a row, and we know we want to go one better into that final," Thomson said. "Now it's up to the group to continue to learn as they have each year and continue to improve themselves to put themselves in a position to win the championship." YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME Fans stood on Canberra Stadium seats and lifted banners demanding the ACT Brumbies "bring back our Friend". Thirteen years later, they've got their wish. Andy Friend might have run a little late to the press conference announcing his return as Brumbies coach - this time taking charge of the Super Rugby Women's program - but the first day on the job meant he didn't yet have a pass to get into the nearest car park. Andy Friend is back at the Brumbies. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong Friend is daring to dream about the Wallaroos becoming the code's hottest ticket and changing the Australian rugby narrative. Speaking of the Wallaroos, here are three players to watch in 2025: Australian sevens stars Bienne Terita, Demi Hayes and Tia Hinds will join the Brumbies in a bid to earn a Wallaroos call-up for the World Cup in August. REASONS TO DREAM They'll sell out the MCG, Stadium Australia and Lang Park. A quick glance at what's left suggests the British and Irish Lions will pack out Canberra Stadium too . More than 500,000 tickets have been sold for the Lions tour, which looms as a major coup for Australian rugby after years of financial nightmares. A heartening spring tour has even sparked hope the Wallabies can win the series. Some change from when people were saying the Australians were so poor they didn't deserve a Lions tour. The Brumbies upset the Lions in 2013. Picture by Melissa Adams The Lions will return to Canberra Stadium on July 9 for the first time since they were stunned by the Brumbies in front of 21,655 in 2013. The majority of tickets have already been snapped up. Some 40,000 British and Irish fans will travel to Australia for the tour, and a legion will follow the Lions to Canberra. "It is a great opportunity, it's a once in 12 years opportunity," Thomson said. "The Lions tour basically sells itself with the number of supporters we have coming in from overseas and the interest that drives from rugby supporters within Australia. "As you saw with the results in the last tour with the Wallabies, there's a lot of people interested in the Wallabies, there's a lot of people wanting to have something to cheer for. "Hopefully our Super Rugby sides can start that off in February and give fans something to cheer for at both Super Rugby and international level." So, is 2025 the year rugby finally turns around in Australia? RA bosses will certainly hope so as they prepare to negotiate a new broadcast deal beyond 2025. Nine and Stan - who hold the current rights with a deal worth $30 million per year - are keen to extend for another five years, but RA will only sign a deal if the price is right. Then you're rolling into a men's World Cup in 2027 and a women's World Cup in 2029. Rugby fans have a reason to be bullish. "The next five years is a big opportunity for rugby in Australia," Thomson said. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Caden Helmers Sports Writer Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. 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It's been nearly a month since the start of the MLB offseason, and the Boston Red Sox have done nothing to address their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. Luckily, few teams have made significant moves to this point. With the Winter Meetings right around the corner, the stove should start heating up in the coming weeks. That may be the case as far as trades go, as the Red Sox discussions with the Chicago White Sox regarding a Garrett Crochet deal haven't been as intense, according to MassLive's Sean McAdam. "Meanwhile, the Sox have been quiet of late in the trade talks surrounding the Chicago White Sox’ Garrett Crochet, according to an industry source," McAdam wrote. "Another unidentified team has emerged as 'very aggressive' with the White Sox in recent days, though it’s believed the Red Sox still view the lefthander as an attractive option." Crochet made the transition to full-time starter this past year and posted a 3.58 ERA and a 1.069 WHIP while striking out 12.9 batters per nine innings. Those numbers were good enough to earn All-Star honors, but his club went on to set the MLB record for most losses in a season. Boston doesn't need to acquire Crochet this offseason, but they do need to do something. If the asking price is too high, they need to quickly pivot and shift all attention to one or two top-end starters whether that be Max Fried, Corbin Burnes or Blake Snell. MORE RED SOX NEWS Juan Soto trolls fans across baseball with signing announcement Red Sox have made an offer to superstar free agent Juan Soto Red Sox have discussed trading stud infielder this offseason Red Sox projected trade offer for All-Star starter is expensiveRUSSELL Wilson has treated his teammates to a special gift for the Christmas season. It is becoming a tradition for NFL quarterbacks to provide gifts for their offensive lineman, and Russell Wilson didn't skip out. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback opened the checkbook for a lavish package of gifts. Starting out, each of the Steelers linemen got a $10,000 gift card to Airbnb . They can use this to travel wherever they want in the world for free. Next, the linemen got a Steelers-themed Louis Vuittton bag. Read more on the NFL They also got a bottle of Wilson's wife, Ciara's, TenToOne Rum. Lastly, the linemen got a custom pair of Steelers Good Man Brand shoes. NFL fans loved the special package from Wilson and shared their thoughts on social media. "Good guy Russ," one fan said. Most read in American Football "Great job Russ!" another fan said. "One of the best gifts ive seen lol thats sick," a third fan said. "Russ is a man of the people," a fourth fan said. "Russell knows how to spoil his team!" a fifth fan said. Wilson isn't the only quarterback giving out lavish gifts to his linemen. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy splurged on new Toyota Trucks for his teammates. Each of his starting lineman got a new truck for Christmas. August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears August 8 - Pre-season begins August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters September 1 - Final day of pre-season September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs November 5 - Trade deadline January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season January 11 - Playoffs begin February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana "Boys, I just want to say Merry Christmas. I got some gifts for you guys — sorry for the wait, but if you want to follow me outside," Purdy said in a video. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow got each of his linemen a historic katana. "Joe does a great job at buying gifts that are extremely meaningful," offensive lineman Orlando Brown said. Read More on The US Sun "The fact that he bought me a sword, it's the most ancient form of respect." Plenty of other gifts have been shared across other teams during Christmas as well.These board, video and card games will bring cozy vibes to your holiday gaming
Longtime sports anchor, announcer Greg Gumbel dies at 78Still have Christmas presents to buy? Before you dash to the nearest commercial strip, fight other customers for the last janky item on the shelf or spend precious time at the check-out, why not coast through the shopping flurry by supporting these 10 Latino-owned, California-based online businesses? Order a quality-crafted handbag from Cuyana for your college-bound niece, fuel your java-obsessed cousin with a monthly coffee subscription from Coffee del Mundo , or add Mexican sazón to your sibling’s camping experience with Itacate meals. Not only will you be gifting a meaningful and unique item fit for their personalities, but you will also be supporting Latino entrepreneurs. For the foodie: ‘The SalviSoul Cookbook’ Perfect for anyone that loves to try new recipes, the “Salvisoul Cookbook” ($21.10) is a great addition to any kitchen. L.A.-based chef Karla Tatiana Vasquez crafts a collection of 80 recipes, along with familial anecdotes and stories that honor her Salvadoran heritage. From rellenos de papa to flor de izote con huevos revueltos, salpicón de res and variations of Salvadoran pupusas, Chef Vasquez celebrates Salvadoran culture in Los Angeles and beyond. The cookbook is available at major retailers. If you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, inquire online about private classes hosted in the L.A. area. For the CBD-enthusiasts: XiCali products Provide relief with XiCali Products , an L.A.-based CBD business on a mission to alleviate pain. Founder Chelly XiCali turned to homemade CBD remedies to help her mom manage her debilitating diabetic neuropathy. Although her mother was initially skeptical, she eventually embraced the natural remedy for her pain relief, prompting Chelly to start her business. Their top seller is the Canna Canela Rub ($25-$75) , a blend of CBD oil and warming Sri Lankan cinnamon bark and ginger — great for anyone with aches and pains. The Corona Polisher Headache Roll-On ($25-$40) , made with hemp liniment, frankincense, peppermint and magnesium, soothes severe headaches and makes an ideal stocking stuffer. And if the holiday gift-shopping stress has got you worried, the Mellow Out tincture (25-$75) is a nonaddictive and natural remedy to temper that tension. For the scent aficionados: L’Aromatica Gift a scent that tells a story. L’Aromatica is a Latina-owned fragrance company based in Northern California that offers small-batch, vegan, cruelty-free and gender-neutral scents made with pure botanical ingredients. Shoppers can choose from their three in-house brands: L’Aromatic, the original Mixed-Media line; Laro, the luxury line; and Marin Fragrance Co., their local and casual collection. Don’t know how to shop for scents online? L’Aromatica provides fragrance profiles with detailed information on what is included in each bottle. Whether it’s their Pacifica scent ($60) , which pays homage to California’s seaside with notes of eucalyptus and aquatic musk, or their rich and creamy Kulfi scent ($45-60) featuring saffron botanicals, they’ve got you covered. Before buying a full-size fragrance, sample it first as all ingredients react differently to individual body chemistries. Individual samples for some fragrances start at $3.50 . Can’t decide which scent to go with? The Laro Discovery Set ($55) comes with 11 samples and a detailed sheet describing each fragrance’s notes. For the candle-obsessed: Soy Latina Candles Elevate your candle maven’s space this holiday season with Soy Latina Candles , a handmade brand that offers nontoxic home and body products. Founder Krystal Flores, based in L.A., initially picked up candle-making as a hobby while caring for her son during his open-heart surgery recovery. Her best-selling candle, Flor de Luna ($26) features delicate notes of amber, agave, pear, musk and rose. Another customer favorite is the Reina candle ($26) , which boasts a sweet floral aroma with hints of jasmine, amber and black currant. Soy Latina Candles also offers room sprays, including the Chapina Room spray ($22) , a collaboration with content creator Jessica Sosa. This spray features zen-like aromas of beachy coconut and tranquil aloe reminiscent of coastal Guatemala. To top it off, a portion of each purchase supports families with children in hospitals through donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, as well as those suffering from visual snow syndrome through the Eye and Vision Foundation. For the happy camper: Itacate meals Gift the taste of Mexican flavor to campsite meals with Itacate . Founder Martha Y. Diaz, based in the Bay Area, created the company as an avid outdoor adventurer who sought the comfort of Mexican food during her excursions. Her professional background in sustainability and product safety led her to create Itacate, a company that specializes in rehydrated Mexican meals for outdoor camping. Her best-sellers include the Charge-Up Chilaquiles ($12.49) , a vegetarian and protein-rich traditional dish, and the Sunset Caldo ($12.49) , which consists of a spicy chipotle-based broth. Itacate also features sweet treats like the Arroz con leche ($6.95) and the Coconut Brittle Bugitos snack ($6.99) , toasted mealworms (yep!) with dry coconut. Items are available on the Itacate website or at REI. For the jewelry fan: GRL Collective Fill your loved-one’s stockings with trinkets from GRL Collective . The Latina lifestyle brand was created by southern Californian Kristine Rodriguez in 2017 and was born out of a passion for empowering women and girls. The Latina stud earrings ($60) are subtle yet perfect everyday statement pieces. The Earminder Studs ($48-$68) make the ideal gift for yourself or someone you admire, as each stone represents a daily positive reminder. The Chingona/Badass Charm Hoops ($60-92) features a dainty, twinkling affirmation while the Breastfeeding trophy necklace ($85-$100) is a tribute to mothers. GRL Collective also features mixed pattern, cruelty-free leather handbags and coin purses that are sure to glam up any outfit. Items are available for purchase online. For the coffeehead: Coffee del Mundo Looking to fuel the Java lovers in your life? Coffee del Mundo, founded by Jonathan Kinnard in South L.A., offers a range of experiences that all caffeine enthusiasts can enjoy. With their Frequent Flyers Club ($35 per month) , available year-round, coffee-obsessed individuals can transport their taste buds to the volcanic landscapes of Guatemala or the tropical forest of El Salvador. The monthly subscription allows individuals to curate their own coffee-tasting experience, with options for light, medium and dark roasted beans and five different taste profiles. The South L.A. coffee shop also offers a limited edition eco-friendly Mundo sampler ($35) , which includes three 3-ounce handpicked roasted coffee bags and a tasting guide. You can order items online or visit their storefront (7414 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles), which offers a dairy-free menu. For the chocoholic: Cru Chocolate Give the gift of Cru Chocolate this season while simultaneously supporting a brand that is redefining the chocolate world through its ethical practices. Cru Chocolate is all-natural, culturally authentic and sustainably produced. Based in Roseville, Calif., founder Karla McNeil Rueda, an engineer with expertise in cacao technology, works closely with talented farmers in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras to ensure that only the finest ingredients are ethically sourced. The award-winning chocolate comes in powder form, perfect for a cozy cup of hot cocoa this holiday season. Their 4.4 lb bulk bag ($98) is the ideal holiday treat for chocolate enthusiasts. Want to test it out first? The wheel set , containing 2 rounded cacao disks, is $10 . For the fashionista: Amor Prohibido There is no better way to start a new year than with a fresh look! Gift your fashionista a staple piece from Amor Prohibido , a streetwear brand that tells a story through specially crafted clothing. Designer Bryan Escareño incorporates his upbringing in southwest L.A into each design, often evoking memories of the ’90s. His latest collection, “Dance in the Rain,” features earth-toned greens and blues. Artist DannyLux showcased the collection in his music video “ Soltera ,” wearing the Moss Green Denim Love Button-Up ($278.00) and Big Stepper Split Denim ($372.00) . The collection “Diosito” incorporates subtle elements of religion with a single-stiched cross. The Mi Diosito White Thermal ($75.00) is a nice addition to any wardrobe, as is the Mi Diosito Baby Tee ($85.00) . For the goal-oriented hustlers: Cuyana Organize your items with style. Cuyana specializes in crafting timeless handbags for everyday use. Founded by Karla Gallardo and Shilpa Shah, and based in the Bay Area, Cuyana partners with expert leather suppliers from Ecuador, Vietnam, Italy, Argentina and beyond. They’ve curated a gift guide with their most beloved and new items, as well as luxury splurges. Check out their Travel Case Set ($168) made with 100% Argentinian leather. You can also customize the System Tote 13-inch bag ($328) by adding a laptop sleeve ($98) or pouch ($178) , making it the perfect gift for people attached to their computers.9 killed in Haiti in latest gang attack
AMGEN TO PRESENT AT CITI'S 2024 GLOBAL HEALTHCARE CONFERENCEReal Housewives star Brandi Glanville spends $70K to get rid of 'Moroccan face parasites'
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An Argentine military officer who was arrested in Venezuela earlier this month has been charged with terrorism, Venezuela’s attorney general said Friday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An Argentine military officer who was arrested in Venezuela earlier this month has been charged with terrorism, Venezuela’s attorney general said Friday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — An Argentine military officer who was arrested in Venezuela earlier this month has been charged with terrorism, Venezuela’s attorney general said Friday. In a statement published on Instagram, Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused the officer, Nahuel Gallo, of “being part of a group of people who tried to commit destabilizing and terrorist acts (in Venezuela) with the support of international far-right groups.” In a press conference on Friday, Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich described the charges as “another lie” by Venezuela’s government, and said that Gallo should be returned to Argentina “immediately.” The case has ramped up tensions between Venezuela’s socialist government and the right-wing administration of Argentine President Javier Milei, whose embassy in Caracas is currently sheltering five high-profile opposition activists and is surrounded by Venezuelan security forces. Gallo, a corporal in Argentina’s Gendarmería security force, was detained by Venezuelan officials on Dec. 8 after he showed up at an immigration office along Venezuela’s border with Colombia and sought permission to enter the country. Gallo’s relatives said that he had traveled to Venezuela to visit his wife, who is Venezuelan and was in the country to spend some time with her mother. They have published an invitation letter that was sent to Gallo, and said he was on vacation at the time of his arrest. Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with Argentina in August after Milei and several other Latin American leaders refused to recognize the reelection in July of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Argentina’s diplomats were expelled, but the five opposition activists, who had sought refuge at the ambassador’s residence to avoid arrest, remained in the building after they were denied safe passage out of Venezuela. The activists, who have been holed up in the embassy since March, recently said that Venezuelan security forces have cut off electricity and water to the residence in a bid to pressure them to leave the building. Venezuela officials have denied those accusations, and said that the activists used the Argentine embassy to plan terrorist acts. The Venezuelan human rights group Foro Penal said earlier this week that 19 foreigners are currently being held in Venezuela as political prisoners. In September, two Spanish citizens who were on vacation in the south of Venezuela were arrested and accused of being part of a plot to overthrow President Maduro. They were arrested just days after Spain’s parliament recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of the election. Advertisement Advertisement
Emboldened by the view from the top of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions are out to eliminate nightmare holiday gatherings when the Chicago Bears come to town Thursday for a lunchtime division duel. The Lions (10-1) are streaking one direction, the Bears (4-7) the other in the first matchup of the season between teams on opposite ends of the division. Riding a nine-game winning streak, their longest since a 10-game streak during their first season in Detroit in 1934, the Lions are burdened by losses in their traditional Thanksgiving Day game the past seven seasons. Three of the defeats are courtesy of Chicago. The Bears and Lions get together for the 20th time on Thanksgiving -- the Bears have 11 wins -- this week in the first of two meetings between the teams in a 25-day span. Detroit goes to Soldier Field on Dec. 22. "I think there's two things," Campbell said of the Thanksgiving losing streak. "Number one -- Get a W. And it's a division win that's why this huge. Number two is because the players are going to get a couple of days off. So, they have family, friends in, it'd be nice to feel good about it when you're with everybody because it's just not real fun. It's not real fun to be around." Detroit (10-1) owns the best record in the NFC but the Lions aren't even assured of a division title. Minnesota sits one game behind them and Green Bay is two games back. The Bears (4-7) sit in last place and would likely need to run the table to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Lions have been dominant in all phases and haven't allowed a touchdown in the past 10 consecutive quarters. Detroit's offense ranks first in points per game (32.7) and second in total yardage (394.3) The Lions defense has not given up a touchdown in the last 10 quarters. Rookie placekicker Jake Bates has made all 16 of his field goal attempts, including four from 50-plus yards over the past three games. Chicago shows up in a foul mood. The Bears are saddled with a five-game losing streak and Chicago's defense has been destroyed for nearly 2,000 total yards in the last four games. The Bears failed to reach the 20-point mark four times in five outings since they last won a game. In their latest defeat, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense perked up but they lost to Minnesota in overtime, 30-27. "We have to play complementary football for us to be able to win these games," coach Matt Eberflus said. "The games we have won, we have done that. The games we have been close we've missed the mark a little bit. Over the course of the year, it's been one side or the other, this side or that side. In this league you have to be good on all sides to win. That's what we are searching for." Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The wide receiver trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Romeo Odunze combined for 21 receptions and two touchdowns while tight end Cole Kmet caught seven passes. "What I've been impressed with is just how he has grown," Campbell said. "He has grown every game but these last two I really feel like he's taken off and what they're doing with him has been really good for him and he just looks very composed. He doesn't get frazzled, plays pretty fast, and he's an accurate passer, big arm, and he's got some guys that can get open for him." Detroit's banged-up secondary could be susceptible against the Bears' veteran receivers in their bid to pull off an upset on Thursday. The Lions put two defensive backs on injured reserve in the past week and top cornerback Carlton Davis isn't expected to play due to knee and thumb injuries. Detroit offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and top returner Kalif Raymond (foot) are also expected to miss the game, though Campbell expressed optimism that running back David Montgomery (shoulder), formerly of the Bears, would play. Bears safety Elijah Hicks was listed as a DNP for Tuesday's walkthrough. --Field Level Media
( MENAFN - IANS) Washington, Dec 28 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has concluded a two-day conference of the team at the Indian Embassy in the US and Consuls General and "expressed confidence in the deliberations and noted that they would plummet the India-US partnership". EAM Jaishankar wrote on Friday on X, "Concluded a very useful two-day conference of team @IndianEmbassyUS and our Consuls General in Washington DC today. Confident from the deliberations that the continuous growth of the India-US partnership will be accelerated." As per a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar is visiting the US from December 24 to 29. On Thursday, EAM Jaishankar met with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in Washington, DC. He said that the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on the progress of the India-US strategic partnership and exchanged views on current regional and global developments. Jaishankar also held a meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken in Washington, DC on Thursday. The two leaders reviewed the advancement of the India-US partnership over the past four years and agreed that cooperation has strengthened in many sectors. EAM Jaishankar expressed confidence that ties between India and the US will serve mutual interests and global good. EAM Jaishankar, during his visit, met India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra and Consul Generals based in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston and Atlanta. The officials discussed opportunities for deepening India-US partnership, focusing on technology, trade and investments. The visit by the EAM comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US earlier in September and participated in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. The US and India have seen frequent high-level interactions. Earlier on Tuesday, senior diplomats from India and the US, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. India-US bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership," based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues. Regular exchange of high-level political visits has provided sustained momentum to bilateral cooperation, while the wide-ranging and ever-expanding dialogue architecture has established a long-term framework for India-US engagement. MENAFN27122024000231011071ID1109036109 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Middle East latest: UN General Assembly demands a ceasefire in Gaza
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.
ST. PAUL — A planned lottery to give some would-be cannabis business owners a licensing head start won’t go forward early this week after a judge halted the process Monday. Ramsey County District Court Judge Stephen Smith sided with a group of applicants who had been denied access to the social equity pre-approval lottery. They sued over a process they argued had lacked clear criteria and that left no room for appeals. “There’s no lottery tomorrow,” Smith ruled toward the end of an hourlong online hearing. He said the state was free to file an appeal. Ahead of the hearing, officials with the Office of Cannabis Management warned that the lottery might not happen at all if it was postponed given the cost and logistics of putting it on. Attorney David Asp, who represented some of the applicants, told Smith that the lottery was rushed and that people who were denied entry deserved a chance to contest their disqualification. “The state doesn’t dispute that our client will suffer irreparable harm if this order isn’t entered. That’s usually one of the main issues in an injunction, but it’s not a dispute here. Our clients will be harmed. As I said, more than $1,000,” Asp said. “The harm on the OCM side is entirely of their own making.” The Office of Cannabis Management had defended its process, saying they were attempting to root out applicants who were looking for a quick profit instead of actually moving to set up legitimate businesses. Officials with the regulatory agency said that some applications appeared to have been put in on behalf of other entrepreneurs trying to get a foothold in Minnesota’s nascent market. “The Legislature chose for this pre-approval process to be an efficient and expedient one, and part of that is evidenced by the fact that there is no appeals provided for for the pre-approval process, whereas in the final license approval process, there is an availability for reconsideration,” said the agency’s attorney, Ryan Petty. “So a major factor of this is the Legislature’s decision to make this process efficient and expedient so that the social equity applicants can get that head start.” There were more than 1,500 applicants for this stage of the licensing process, the agency said. The lottery was to narrow that down to 282. When the judge asked Petty about the timeline, including the lottery being scheduled shortly after denial letters went out, Petty said the selection process involved several moving parts. “There wasn’t any hiding the ball here. There wasn’t any attempt to restrict the ability of applicants to challenge their denials,” he said. State lawmakers legalized cannabis for adult recreational use in 2023, but the setup of a retail marketplace has been slow. No licenses have been issued for commercial growers or sellers ahead of what is expected to be an early 2025 launch. People can grow their own marijuana and give away small quantities. American Indian tribes have also opened their own stores, but those sales are limited to reservation land. The social equity lottery is intended to give a leg up to people who live in high-poverty areas, those harmed by the war on drugs, and military veterans. ______________________________________________________
BOSC stock touches 52-week high at $3.4 amid market optimismTOKYO, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: MRM) (“MEDIROM”) announces that M3, Inc. (TOKYO PRIME: 2413), or an affiliate within the M3 group, is participating in the Series A equity financing round of MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc., a subsidiary of MEDIROM. NFES Technologies Inc. is the lead investor of the Series A financing round at a pre-money valuation of JPY9 billion. Additional information is available here: https://medirom.co.jp/en/ir/20240824/6148%09 Forward-Looking Statements Regarding MEDIROM Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates or expectations about MEDIROM’s possible or assumed operational results, financial condition, business strategies and plans, market opportunities, competitive position, industry environment, and potential growth opportunities. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “design,” “target,” “aim,” “hope,” “expect,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “goal,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements relate to future events or to MEDIROM’s future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause MEDIROM’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond MEDIROM’s control and which could, and likely will, affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects MEDIROM’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MEDIROM’s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect MEDIROM’s business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price is included in MEDIROM’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” sections of MEDIROM’s most recently filed periodic report on Form 20-F and subsequent filings, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. MEDIROM assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. ABOUT M3, Inc. M3 is a one of a kind venture company that operates a multitude of global services centred around its physician platform such as m3.com. M3 is the first company incorporated after the year 2000 to be included in the Nikkei 225 Index. Its 330,000+ Japanese and 6,500,000+ global physician member panel serves as a central platform in advancing innovation and reform across healthcare worldwide. Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Securities code 2413) 1-11-44 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 JAPAN Web https://corporate.m3.com/en ABOUT MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc. A subsidiary of MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: MRM), focuses on the health-tech sector. The company’s core activities include the "Specific Health Guidance Program" offered through the "Lav" health application and development and sales of the 24/7 recharge-free MOTHER Bracelet smart tracker. By leveraging the features of the recharge-free MOTHER Bracelet, MOTHER Labs offers customizable health management solutions across diverse sectors, including caregiving, logistics, manufacturing, etc. MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. NASDAQ Symbol: MRM Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan Web https://medirom.co.jp/en Contact: ir@medirom.co.jp MEDIROM MOTHER Labs Inc. Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan MOTHER Bracelet is the world's first* 24/7 recharge-free smart tracker. It uses innovative technology from a Silicon Valley tech company that allows for power generation based on temperature differences between body and surrounding air. The recharge-free feature eliminates the risk of data loss when a device is taken off for recharge. MOTHER Bracelet records five basic metrics: heart rate, calories burned, body surface temperature, step count, and sleep. Official Website: https://mother-bracelet.comPainful council tax rise proposed for Milton Keynes by Labour-run council
Vanquishing Bears, Thanksgiving losing streak tops Lions' holiday list
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