The opposition welcomed the news of the Prime Minister's decision, viewing it as a positive step towards a more inclusive and democratic political system. They expressed their readiness to take on the responsibility of governing the country and pledged to work towards rebuilding trust and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.11th Annual Christmas with Dr. Levy a success
NEW YORK (AP) — If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they’ll make at least one resolution for 2025. There’s some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren’t expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Relaxed New Year’s Eve plans for many Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year’s Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn’t usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he’s got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Younger Americans are more likely to make a resolution Every New Year’s also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they’ll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they’ll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods’ resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it’s to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. ___ Sanders reported from Washington.
In addition to its search and organization features, Exa prioritizes user privacy and data security. With robust encryption protocols and stringent data protection measures, Exa ensures that users' personal information and curated collections remain secure and confidential. This commitment to privacy and security gives users peace of mind knowing that their data is safe and protected.In recent years, Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province in southwestern China, has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its real estate market. With the introduction and implementation of a series of new policies, the city has seen a surge in housing demand from both first-time homebuyers and homeowners looking to upgrade their living conditions. This phenomenon has not only revitalized the local property market but also brought about positive changes in the city's economic landscape.The launch of "Answers" represents a bold move by Reddit to compete with established players in the search engine space, most notably Google. While Google has long been the go-to destination for online information search, Reddit's unique focus on user-generated content and community-driven discussions gives it a competitive edge in certain niche areas.
CHICAGO — Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez each scored 21 points, Bobby Portis added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Chicago Bulls 112-91 on Monday without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Middleton set a season high for the second game in a row after scoring 18 in Saturday’s win over Washington. The three-time All-Star missed the first 21 games following surgery on both ankles. Middleton and Lopez each made three of Milwaukee’s 18 3-pointers. Gary Trent Jr. nailed four from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points. Antetokounmpo missed his second consecutive game because of back spasms and his fourth overall this season. Lillard missed his third game in a row — this time because of a non-COVID illness. The eight-time All-Star sat out the previous two with a strained right calf. Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Chicago. The Bulls made just 10 of 48 3-pointers in losing their second in a row. Takeaways Bucks: The Bucks continued to look more like the team they expected than the one that struggled at the start of the season. Bulls: The Bulls were a bit thin in the backcourt, with Lonzo Ball out with an illness and Josh Giddey missing his third straight game because of a sprained right ankle. Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (7) grabs a rebound over Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Melissa Tamez Key Moment Milwaukee led by 23 in the second quarter and withstood a push by Chicago in the third. The Bulls cut it to 76-68 when Dalen Terry stole a pass and broke for a layup to cap a 10-0 run. But the Bucks answered with 11 straight points, including back-to-back 3s by Trent and a floater by Delon Wright that bumped the lead to 87-68 with just over two minutes remaining in the third. Key Stat The Bucks made 11 of 24 3-pointers in the first half, while the Bulls were 6 for 28. Up Next The Bucks host Brooklyn on Thursday, while the Bulls visit Atlanta that night.National Harbor, Maryland–(Newsfile Corp. – December 10, 2024) – In a bold move to reshape the landscape of Black entrepreneurship, BlackCEO has unveiled its revolutionary Extreme Business Makeover program, an intensive three-day transformation experience that’s already being hailed as a game-changer for ambitious Black business leaders. Trevor Otts “We’re not just building businesses; we’re architecting the future of Black wealth creation,” declares Trevor Otts, founder of BlackCEO. “This isn’t another surface-level training program – it’s a complete metamorphosis that turns visionary Black entrepreneurs into unstoppable industry leaders.” The program emerges at a critical moment when Black entrepreneurs face unprecedented challenges in scaling their businesses. While Black-owned businesses represent one of the fastest-growing segments of new business formations, less than 1% scale to the million-dollar mark. The Extreme Business Makeover aims to dramatically shift these statistics through its comprehensive “done-for-you” approach. What sets this program apart is its unprecedented scope of execution. Rather than merely offering advice, BlackCEO’s team of world-class experts implements every aspect of business transformation – from brand development and marketing automation to AI integration and wealth management strategies. Participants emerge with not just a plan, but a fully operational, scaled-up business infrastructure ready to compete at the highest levels. “Traditional business programs tell you what to do. We actually do it for you,” explains Otts. “When our participants walk out after three days, they have everything implemented – websites built, marketing funnels running, AI systems integrated, and PR campaigns launched. It’s transformation at unprecedented speed.” The program has already attracted attention from major industry players and investors who recognize its potential to create the next generation of Black business titans. With its global network of digital campuses and culturally relevant approach, BlackCEO is positioning itself as the decisive answer to the question of how to scale Black-owned businesses effectively in today’s complex market environment. Selected participants receive: The selective application process ensures only the most committed visionaries participate, focusing on entrepreneurs ready to create lasting impact in their communities. “We’re not just changing businesses,” Otts emphasizes. “We’re creating a new generation of Black business leaders who will reshape industries and create jobs. This is about creating a legacy that will influence the global economy for decades to come.” Black entrepreneurs interested in this transformative opportunity can apply through BlackCEO’s website. The inaugural cohort begins April 2, 2025, with applications being accepted now through July 2, 2025. For more information about the BlackCEO Extreme Business Makeover or to schedule an interview with Trevor Otts, please contact trevor@blackceo.com . About BlackCEO BlackCEO is the leading development and training platform tailored for Black entrepreneurs. With a network of digital campuses worldwide, BlackCEO offers culturally relevant courses, mentorship, and resources designed to address the unique challenges faced by today’s Black business leaders. From startups to seasoned professionals, BlackCEO fosters a thriving community through innovative programs like Coaching Circles and workshops. Its comprehensive services span branding, AI, marketing, funding, and wealth management strategies, providing the tools needed for sustainable growth and success. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232316 #distroFlorida social media influencer arrested for stealing from Target
High-flying CEO alleged to have subjected his wife to ‘number of assaults’ and ‘threats to kill her’ Graham Beegan This is the high-flying CEO and former Irish swimmer who appeared in court this week accused of coercively controlling his wife as well as multiple counts of assaulting and threatening to kill or seriously harm her. Graham Beegan (45), who was also previously a board member and treasurer of Swim Ireland, is alleged to have subjected his wife to “emotional, physical and financial control” and “monitored her with cameras” in their home, it is alleged. Beegan, with an address at Pakenham House, Spencer Dock, Dublin 1, is charged with coercive control of his wife, which had a “serious effect” on her on dates between January, 2019 and September, 2022. He is also charged with three counts of assaulting her, causing her harm and four of threatening to kill her at their home address on dates in 2021 and 2022. Beegan is well known in the swimming world and represented Ireland at national level and won numerous medals in the 1990s. He went on to become the treasurer and board member of Swim Ireland from March 2017 to April 2021. Beegan is also a successful business owner and a member of a number of executive boards. Graham Beegan (45) He is on the board of directors of UK-based luxury car company H.R. Owen, which has an annual turnover of £556m and sells high-end cars including Aston Martin, BAC, Bentley, Bugatti, Czinger, Ferrari, Hennessey, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Radford, Rimac and Rolls-Royce. He is also the board chairman of Limor ‘Less is More Ltd’ which is the developer of an audio and podcasting app. Beegan is also a director of a number of other firms including Berjaya Property Ireland Ltd, Berjaya Reykjavik Investment Ltd, BBAZ Consultants, Frontier Horizon Holdings Ltd and GBAB Consulting Ltd. He is also listed as a director of Ultimate Submissions Mma Limited but that company is in liquidation. Beegan describes himself as having “board appointments across aviation, NGB, technology etc. Business owner, strategic mindset, managing multiple international projects including largescale portfolios in multiple industries not limited to property, hotels,technology, education, aviation leasing”. He appeared in Dublin District Court this week where Garda Shona Moran told Judge Gerard Jones she arrested the accused for the purpose of charging him. He said “no comment” to each count after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets. Gda Moran said the DPP directed trial on indictment and time was sought for the preparation of a book of evidence. In a summary of the prosecution’s case, she said the accused and the woman were married and she made a complaint in 2022 alleging “emotional, physical and financial control”, which was “basically coercive control.” The woman “outlined a number of assaults and threats to kill,” the garda said. She had not required any medical attention. It was also alleged he monitored her with cameras and by electronic means in the home. Mr Beegan had gone to a garda station and was questioned. Gda Moran had no objection to bail subject to “strict conditions”. Judge Jones granted bail, with a €500 cash lodgement required. Under conditions, Mr Beegan is to stay away from the alleged victim and have no contact with her by any means including electronic. He is to sign on weekly at Store Street Garda Station, provide gardaí with a primary address and contact phone number and notify them of any change of address. Defence barrister Robert Crowley said the accused had no issue surrendering his passport but travelled regularly for work and asked to be able to apply to have it returned when required. Judge Jones said the passport could be returned with three days notice and proof of travel arrangements. Mr Crowley said the accused was not making a legal aid application. The charges against Mr Beegan are under Section 39 of the Domestic Violence and Sections 3 and 5 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He has not yet entered pleas to the charges. He was remanded on bail to a later date and will be sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when the book of evidence is ready.
In a recent interview, the former Spanish Foreign Minister shared his insights on the complex dynamics of China-EU relations, emphasizing that collaboration and challenges exist simultaneously in the relationship between the two global powers.
By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
In the world of football, success is often measured by the performance of players on the field. Clubs invest significant resources in scouting, recruiting, and developing talent in the hopes of achieving glory on the pitch. However, not every player lives up to expectations, and when faced with underperforming individuals, tough decisions must be made. This is where the case of Manchester United’s midfielder, Fred, comes into play.Despite the controversy, Tencent Video remains a dominant player in the competitive online streaming market, with a vast library of popular TV shows, movies, and original content. As the platform continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of its users, it will be interesting to see how the "shrinking" of its membership plans will impact user engagement and subscription rates in the long run.Title: Military Service Registration to Commence on January 1st: Mandatory for Men Aged 18 and Above
Drones, helicopters being considered for U.S. border, public safety minister saysThe ocean, vast and unforgiving, now holds the secrets of her final moments, a grim reminder of the darkness that lurks in the shadows. The search for justice continues as authorities vow to bring her killers to account, offering a sliver of hope in the face of overwhelming grief.Overall, the anticipated arrival of the new cold front and the drop in temperatures it brings offer a welcome change for residents of Southern China. The cooling effects of the cool air shipment will provide relief from the oppressive summer heat, benefiting various aspects of life in the region. As people prepare to welcome the cooler weather, they can look forward to enjoying a more comfortable and pleasant environment as autumn approaches.