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Talk on film industry held
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was obvious from the early General Election 2024 indications that there was "a very clear route back to Government" for Fianna Fáil. However, Mr Martin warned that it was far too early to predict precisely what Coalition partners might be involved as he paid tribute to the Green Party, who are facing serious electoral losses, for their contribution to the three-party Coalition in the 33rd Dáil. The Tánaiste refused to comment on whether the Social Democrats, who are set to make major Dáil gains, will be the obvious Coalition partners for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Mr Martin was speaking as he arrived at the Nemo Rangers GAA complex in Cork where the South Central and North Central counts are being handled. The former Taoiseach will be elected on the first count after securing a whopping 14,000-plus first preference votes. He secured almost one-in-four first preference votes in Cork South Central. "There is a very clear route back to Government, although it is not fully determined," he said. "Because a lot will depend on those final seats I have spoken about." "We know very little at the moment - just tallies. In the majority of cases these will be reasonably accurate but then you have to work out geography, work out eliminations, work out distribution of surpluses. "It will be many, many counts before we really are in a position to look at the destination of the final two seats in five seaters and, in cases, the final two seats in four seaters. "Geography will be particularly important on the transfer area. What I am basically saying is that it is too early to call the exact type of Government that will be formed, the composition of the next Government. "But I think there will be a sufficiency of seats that aligns with the core principles that I outlined at the beginning of the campaign around the pro-enterprise economy, around positively pro-European Union position and a Government that will strongly push for home ownership - around parties that are transparently democratic in their affairs." Mr Martin has repeatedly ruled out Sinn Féin as a Coalition partner because of their economic policies. He said the incoming Government will have challenges most especially in tackling Ireland's housing issue. "Also I acknowledge that there are many people out there who are suffering, who are under pressure notwithstanding the optics of the economy in terms of statistics (that it is) doing quite well. "Many people are feeling the pressure because of the cost of living issues - we still have unfinished business with housing, to be frank, we have a lot more houses to build. "That was a challenge in this election." Mr Martin warned against "racing too far ahead" in terms of speculating about the formation of the next Government before even a substantial number of TDs have even been returned. "I genuinely would have to caution that the final seats cannot be determined. I remember in 2020, late on the evening of the count we looked to be in a very good position for closing the deal on eight seats - but we didn't close any of them by the following day." Mr Martin admitted he was "very pleased" with Fianna Fáil's overall general election campaign - and repeated that he believed the party had fielded arguably its greatest selection of candidates ever. "You will understand my wariness of the final predictions as to the final destination of the seats." The Tánaiste said he had no idea how long it would take after the final counts to hammer out a Coalition deal. "It remains to be seen (formation of Government). There will have to be negotiating teams and I would like to think that the Dáil can do it (a Government agreement) than it did the last time." "This is not easy - whatever parties engage in the discussions...very detailed work will have to be done in terms of a Programme for Government." Mr Martin said opinion polls consistently underestimated Fianna Fail support. "There is an issue. I could’ve had a better evening last night if the polls had been a bit more accurate. The polls give Fianna Fáil heart attacks all the time. We should respect the process. "Believe me, there will be a lot of twists and turns before this is over. I’m going through the permutations myself at home in different constituencies. “I’m ringing a few candidates and you pick up the local knowledge. "Geography will play a part in this as well transfers. We will win new seats. New TDs will be elected. "And that is always positive for a political party, that there is new blood coming in as well and a fresh injection of young blood coming into the party. "And that is very positive. "With a few balances of the ball we could do quite well here, but I am very conscious here that a lot will depend on the transfers. "It is a very different environment now but it is has been a very strong effort on behalf of the volunteers across the length and breadth of the country. "I have been sustained by some great people around the country from 2011 onwards and there is a great belief in many of those whose families belong to the party historically, they didn’t give up and they believed in the founding fathers of the party, the values of the party. "Mary always says I’m at glass half full person but part of me feels we are only another 2% away from even better results. But it is very competitive." Mr Martin added that he wanted to specifically mention the Green Party. "I want to pay tribute to all those who served in the last Dail, and who may lose seats. "I think the Green Party made a very positive contribution to Government. I think some good constructive positive policies emerged from the last government. "I think the last government had to weather very significant external shocks from Covid. I think the long shadow of Covid is over this election too. "I will always remember Angela Merkel at the commencement of Covid saying she equated Covid to world war in terms of its long-term impact on politics and society and so on. "That probably hasn’t been analysed to the degree it should. But if you look at the cost-of-living crisis, it has its genesis within Covid. "If you look at healthcare where a lot of waiting lists dramatically because of the emergency that Covid was. And there were a lot of impacts on society from it. And we weathered it and we came through us and then we had the war in Ukraine. So the Greens to their credit, didn’t buckle over the 4.5 years. "Being in government can be difficult for any political party. It is to the credit of the Greens that they went into government. We had challenges, we had different priorities, but this government went full term and I think Ireland was for the better for it."Atiku, Obi ‘align’ ahead of 2027
Why Miami’s Pop-Tarts Bowl appearance is important even after missing College Football PlayoffDecember 6, 2024 Deadline: Contact The Gross Law Firm to Join Class Action Suit Against AILELOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a $182 million, five-year contract. The reigning World Series champions announced the deal with the two-time Cy Young Award winner on Saturday. Snell, who turns 32 on Wednesday, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts for San Francisco this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. The left-hander struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus , payable on Jan. 20, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13 million each year will be deferred. Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. Snell joins Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles’ rotation. Ohtani didn’t pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but the two-way star is expected back on the mound in 2025. Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. Because he turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to give Snell another one and won’t receive draft-pick compensation. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Cenk Uygur Tells Brian Tyler Cohen He’s ‘Wrong’ About Trump Supporters Having ‘No Long-Standing Principles’
JJMP cadres kill ward member-cum-guard with axe in LateharPresident-elect Donald Trump nominated his longtime aide and fierce ally, Kash Patel, to serve as the next director of the FBI . Trump lauded Patel for having done an "incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council." The president-elect went on to say Patel played a "pivotal role" in "uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax," and noted that was a key factor in his decision to tap Patel to lead the FBI. Indeed, Patel is one of Trump's staunchest defenders and has publicly railed against the "Deep State" political establishment and called to root out government employees deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump. Patel singled out many of those people in his book, "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy," published in September 2023. The Bulwark 's Tim Miller pointed the list out on X , formerly Twitter , on Monday afternoon. Some of those on Patel's list weren't even aware they were on it until after Miller posted about it. "Just learned I'm included on this list," former Justice Department spokesperson Sarah Isgur, who worked under Trump, wrote on X. "I've never met Patel or attended any meetings where he was present as far as I know." Newsweek reached out to Trump's transition team via email and Patel via his website, Fight with Kash, on Monday night for comment. This article will be updated with any statements that are provided. Here are the other current and former officials in Patel's crosshairs, according to the book, which notes that the list is not exhaustive:
& Applications to join ’s editorial team in Lent 2025 are now open. Apply to join our leadership team or edit a section in order to take your place at the beating heart of Cambridge’s current discourse and history. is the oldest and only independent student newspaper in Cambridge, and one of only three in the UK. We hold institutions to account, representing the interests of students with integrity, ambition, and a creative edge. This tradition, which began with the paper’s creation in 1947, has seen break many historical and discourse-shaping stories. In 1953, we reported on Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA. In the past year, we broke the controversy surrounding “race-realist” fellow Nathan Cofnas, and the news that Cambridge's veterinary course could lose its accreditation. is, however, much more than just news. We have space for your opinions, interviews, and investigations, as well as room for you to express your tastes in fashion, music, or film and TV, and a section devoted to letting students have their say on the latest theatre productions in Cambridge. With contributions from Amol Rajan to Charles III, Sylvia Plath to Jeremy Paxman, and Germaine Greer to J. G. Ballard, you have the opportunity to join an impressive lineage of journalists, writers, and creatives. Most importantly, we are a training paper. We aim to nurture new talent, offering a working environment that can prepare you for the world of journalism beyond Cambridge, but is primarily social, collaborative, and encouraging. In Lent, will be producing four print newspapers in addition to one print newspaper at the start of Easter. Join us for a busy, but exciting and rewarding term of student journalism. The Editors-in-Chief of in Lent term will be Sophie Denny (slmad2) and Wilf Vall (wv229). Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the application process or what it’s like to contribute to the paper. Now is the ideal time to join . All applications must include: Your full name, subject, year, and college. The role (s) for which you would like to apply. Whether you would be willing to consider other positions, if you are not offered your desired role (s). Any other extracurricular commitments in Lent term and the Easter holidays Please see the information below for specific details on how to apply for each role. Applications must be submitted to by . Please note that applications to be a writer, columnist, photographer, or illustrator will open in due course. The Deputy and editors each oversee a number of sections within the team. If you wish to apply for these roles, please provide: A critique and vision for your chosen side of the paper: what ideas do you have for next term? How will you ensure regular output on the website? (reference to specific sections is encouraged, 500 words max) Any experience you have for the role, especially in regard to journalism, leadership, and management (300 words max) Three ideas for the print content across your side of the paper (300 words max, feel free to include photos of previous setting you’ve liked in or elsewhere) Feel free to include or link to any samples of your work, although this is not a requirement. We are also recruiting for two Visual Editors, one primarily covering photography, and one focusing on illustrations. Deputy Editor Overseeing the day-to-day running of the newspaper sections, Deputy Editors will be responsible for managing the regular publication of content to our website throughout term. As a line manager to various section editors, it will be the Deputy Editors’ responsibility to ensure that a high volume of good quality content is produced, and fact-checked. Deputy Editors will also be responsible for managing content for the newspaper, and for setting the paper alongside the rest of the leadership team. Applicants should be committed individuals with excellent time management and organisational skills. Experience within and a working knowledge of Adobe InDesign are requirements for the role. We are looking to recruit two Deputy Editors. Vulture Editor Overseeing the day-to-day running of the Vulture sections, Vulture Editors will be responsible for managing the regular publication of content to our website throughout term. As a line manager to various section editors, it will be the Vulture Editors’ responsibility to ensure that a high volume of good quality content is produced, and fact-checked. Vulture Editors will also be responsible for managing content for the newspaper, and for setting the paper alongside the rest of the leadership team. Applicants should be committed individuals with excellent time management and organisational skills, and an interest in Cambridge’s creative scene. Experience within and a working knowledge of Adobe InDesign are requirements for the role. We are looking to recruit two Vulture Editors. All applications for Visual Editor must include: Any experience you have for the role, especially in regard to photography/videography, illustration, leadership, and management (300 words max) A short portfolio of your previous work (either photography or illustrations, depending on the role you are applying for) Visual Editor The Visual editors will lead our teams of photographers and illustrators, working on both our online content, and visual content for the printed newspapers. High quality visual content is essential for the success of the magazine, meaning that Lent term is the ideal time to take on this role. They will work alongside the whole editorial team, and our Social Media Manager, in order to create cohesive and striking visual designs across the paper. We are hiring one Visual Editor to manage photography, and one to oversee illustrations. Candidates are expected to make clear which role they would like to be considered for. We are also looking for a Social Media Manager. All applications for this role must include: Social Media Manager We are looking to recruit one Social Media Manager, who will be tasked with developing ’s presence on its social media platforms, through a wider range of posts and a more engaging visual style. The candidate must be experienced in publicity and communications, and be competent using visual editing tools. The role will involve spotlighting articles on our pages, posting weekly roundups of our output, and devising new ways to engage with our readership online. The candidate will be expected to have a range of innovative ideas to develop ’s use of social media, as this will be a priority in Lent term. Do you want to help shape one of ’s sections and work closely with a range of contributors? Our section editors have the unique opportunity to push discussion and platform different conversations and perspectives. Section editors will commission, select and edit content for our website, while also having the opportunity to write pieces themselves. Section editors will also be responsible for managing and producing content for our print editions. All applications for section editor must include: Vision statement: Look through your chosen section’s output this last term. Detail what has been done well, and what needs improvement (300 words max) Critique one article from the section: why didn’t it work? (200 words max) Provide three article ideas for print or online next term (300 words max) What will you look for in writer applications? How will you effectively select the best talent? (100 words max) News Editor News is central to ’s role within Cambridge, and the paper’s biggest section. It’s dynamic and fast-paced, responsible for covering news in Cambridge, its institutions, and the wider city in an timely and accurate manner. News editors need to be dedicated, proactive, and have a good eye for a story. News editors will be expected to lead the weekly news meetings at the office in order to discuss stories and that week’s news agenda. The Senior News Editors will lead a team of four Deputy News Editors and around fifteen news correspondents. They are responsible for shaping the news agenda, deciding what should (and should not) be covered and, crucially, how it should be covered – it’s a big responsibility. Senior News Editors must equally commit to training correspondents and Deputy News Editors in news writing according to the in-house style. We are looking to recruit two Senior News editors. The role of Deputy News Editor is the perfect intermediary position for someone who wants to both write and edit. They will play an important mentoring role to their assigned news writers, but will also investigate their own leads to produce original and exciting copy. We are looking to recruit four Deputy News Editors. The Investigations Lead must have a nose for the untold story and a drive to work independently, tackling in-depth projects with the aim of uncovering important issues and holding Cambridge institutions to account. The Investigations Lead will primarily be expected to plan and produce a number of original investigations for our print editions. Features Editor The Features section of investigates Cambridge’s current state, and its history, with fresh eyes. Features should contain perspectives that readers wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. We’re looking for editors with a clear understanding of what makes Cambridge unique, and what is worthy of further interrogation. Features editors must be motivated individuals who can communicate clearly with a team of writers to help them build on their leads. They will be instrumental in the production of long-form features for the print editions, so must work well with deadlines. We are looking to recruit two Features editors. Comment Editor Comment is one of ’s most popular sections. We want a Comment team who are passionate about discussing Cambridge’s key issues and understand the importance of seeking new perspectives and the development of clear, opinion-led tone. Comment editors will lead a team of columnists and staff writers and will be responsible for generating ideas, commissioning articles, and editing copy. Not all students see things the same way, so editors need to lead a balanced and diverse range of opinions. In addition to the application questions, please write a comment article on a topic which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max). We are looking to recruit three Comment editors. Interviews Editor Our Interviews editors hold a really exciting position within the paper, taking a key role in controlling the discourses in Cambridge. They often meet with and get the chance to talk to a diverse range of Cambridge alumni, as well as figures in the news, and those involved in the Cambridge landscape more broadly. Interviews editors should be able to discover new voices within our community, often working independently to organise and carry out interviews. We want someone who understands how to draw out an interesting story from a person or transcript. Please ensure that one of your article ideas is for a quickfire interview. We are looking to recruit two Interviews editors. Science Editor Science editors should seek to bring students closer to Cambridge’s vibrant scientific community, reporting on new research and scientific exhibits in Cambridge, as well as features that offer interesting perspectives on issues in the student discourse. Editing the section provides a welcome creative escape, relating new stories or complicated problems in an accessible and engaging way. In addition to the application questions, please write a science article on a topic which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max). We are looking to recruit two Science editors. Sport Editor Sport is one of our busiest and most active sections, so editors are in a prime position to shape discussions around sport in Cambridge. Sport editors must be prepared to provide quick coverage on match reports, covering a wide and varied range of sports at different levels across the university. They also have the opportunity to interview the sporting stars of Cambridge, present and past. They will lead a team of correspondents and staff writers, pushing for diversified and exciting content for the section. In addition to the application questions, please write a sport article on a topic which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max). We are looking to recruit three Sport editors. Lifestyle Editor The Lifestyle section should mix fun, down-to-earth, and relatable content with the personal and introspective, ensuring appeal to all students at Cambridge, and our broader readership. Editors must be quick, up-to-date with Cambridge events, and have a knack for sparking amusing conversations with our readership. From Agony Aunts to reviews, satire to personal columns, how-tos to please don’ts, Lifestyle is a diverse and engaging section. In addition to the application questions, please write a notebook style article which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max) We are looking to recruit two Lifestyle editors. Arts Editor Arts editors have the luxury - and the responsibility - of engaging directly with the vibrant Cambridge arts scene. Whether reviewing the newest Cambridge exhibits or zines, interviewing up-and-coming creatives, or debating the best and worst of Cambridge architecture, the editors of this section must be able to write about Cambridge’s arts scene in an accessible and down-to-earth manner that can be enjoyed by all. Arts editors must be willing to immerse themselves in Cambridge’s artistic spaces, and be thoughtful about how can build upon our examination and support of them. In addition to the application questions, please write an arts article on a topic which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max).We are looking to recruit two Arts editors. Fashion Editor We are looking for two Fashion editors with an eye for style. The Fashion section must aim to be accessible, personal and relevant to both the student body and our broader readership. We're looking for individuals who are compelled by the vast range of fashion visible within Cambridge and have ideas about how we can translate that for online content. Beyond writing and editing creative and topical articles, Fashion editors will be responsible for liaising with the Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator to organise a photoshoot for each print edition. From style guides to creative investigations, this role lets you set the standard for the Cambridge fashion scene. Film & TV Editor Film & TV editors must be compelled by both the Cambridge film and television scene and the broader cultural moment. The section will be expected to produce interviews and features on the Cambridge film scene, which provide new insights into these spaces. Editors will also be responsible for producing timely reviews of new films and TV, whether that means the latest student film screening or the newest Netflix show. Editors must be strict with the content that is reviewed in the section, able to discern which films will and will not garner the interest of the average Cambridge student, and to ensure that these reviews are written in direct relation to our readership. We are looking to recruit two Film & TV Editors. Music Editor Music Editors need to be not only passionate about music, but engaged in the rich and exciting Cambridge music scene. They will be responsible for producing regular reviews of student bands, music nights, and concerts. They must also interview and feature prominent players in the Cambridge music scene, engaging with bands and societies in creative and innovative ways. Beyond this, they will need to produce content which explores music more generally, in the form of features and playlists, platforming and discussing all genres. Please ensure that one of your article ideas is for an interview with a relevant figure/band in the Cambridge music scene. We are looking to recruit two Music editors. Theatre Editor Theatre is the most fast-paced section in Vulture. Theatre editors must ensure that all reviews are published promptly, meaning the role requires a lot of organisation and foresight. The Theatre editors will commission reviews as well as behind-the-scenes features and commentary exploring Cambridge's rich theatre scene. You must also seek to highlight the creative work students undertake to bring productions to life. This is a demanding role due to the large output of the section and the time-critical nature of reviews. We are especially looking for individuals who are extremely organised and able to take great initiative in reaching out to shows. In addition to the application questions, please write a theatre feature on a topic which you feel would be pertinent to our Cambridge audience (600-800 words max). We are looking to recruit two Theatre editors. We are also looking to recruit a Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator, a team of sub-editors, and a team of archivists. Click the drop-box below to see what’s required of each role, and what we need from you in your application. Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator We are looking for one Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator who has the creative vision to develop ideas for fashion shoots and the organisational skills and understanding of photography to work actively with photographers during the shoot. We are aiming to have four fashion shoots in Lent Term, and one at the start of Easter Term, all of which must be professional and creative, linking to relevant themes. The Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator must work alongside the Fashion editors to devise each shoot’s concept, find locations and models, and direct the shoots. For this, we are looking for a highly-organised individual who will be able to liaise closely with photographers, models, and our Fashion editors. As Fashion Shoot Co-Ordinator, you will be able to express your creative vision, setting the standard for the Cambridge fashion scene. To apply for this role, please submit three ideas for fashion shoots for next term, a portfolio of any fashion work you have done in the past, and details of any organisational experience (300 words max). Sub-editors Know your less from your fewer? Have an eye for commas, apostrophes, capital letters and spelling? Our team of sub-editors are the key to ensuring that maintains its reputation for clear and professional journalism. They ensure that all print editions conform to ’s house style and flag up any content that may be unsuitable for publishing. Sub-editors come into the office to sub our print copy before we send off our pages – it’s fast-paced and a great chance to get involved with the heart of the paper. We are looking to recruit a number of sub-editors as well as a Chief sub-editor who will manage the team to ensure content is reviewed in a timely fashion. Applications for Sub-editor must include a critique of an article from any section from the past couple of terms, with particular attention to the detailed improvements which a sub-editor could make with reference to the style guide (300 words maximum).The Varsity style guide can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F1nbjvvra1Fx-a5fCXreFmgivhSRke5Q/view Archivist Starting all the way back in 1931, has a rich history. Whether a lover or dedicated historian, our archives – which contain issues dating back to 1947 – offer many interesting insights and well-known names. As well as digitalising past print editions in the office to ensure our legacy is preserved and accessible, the Archivists will be responsible for producing the ‘Vintage ’ column online. The column reflects on past stories in a humorous or reflective way. The Archivists should also be able to act as a point of guidance or assistance for other section editors looking to produce features with a historical or archival focus. We are looking to hire two individuals for this role. To apply for this position, please provide three ideas for a 'Vintage ' column with reference to stories from our online archives (see 'Paper Edition' on the website footer below). (500 words max). Please note that applications to join our writer and visual teams will open soon after editor applications close. If you have any questions about any role, or about how works in Lent term, please do not hesitate get in touch. Best of luck with your applications! Support is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges. We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding and we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead. In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too! Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as £1, to help with our running costs. Many thanks, we hope you can help!
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The Section 2 boys soccer banquet was held Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Saratoga Holiday Inn. There was a large school banquet and a small school banquet with more than 550 people attending. Below are the awards from the banquet.The Golden Thread Award is presented to someone who has gone above [...]Nonprofit Group Calls On Biden To Pardon Cannabis PrisonersBy Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather , the territory’s health ministry said. The army denied claims it had entered or set fire to the complex and accused Hamas of using the facility for cover. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel's military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area and had ordered people out of the hospital, but said it had not entered the complex as of Friday night. It repeated claims that Hamas militants operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces have been seen in other hospitals, maintaining security but also controlling access to parts of the facilities. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified staff member said in an audio message posted on social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, denied the accusations. “While IDF troops were not in the hospital, a small fire broke out in an empty building inside the hospital that is under control,” he said Friday night. He said a preliminary investigation found “no connection” between military activity and the fire. The Israeli military heavily restricts the movements of Palestinians in Gaza and has barred foreign journalists from entering the territory throughout the war, making it difficult to verify information. “These actions put the lives of all of these people in even more danger than what they faced before,” U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay told journalists, and noted colleagues' reports of “significant damage” to the hospital. It should be protected as international law requires, she added. Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine . The United Nations says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice, seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most now sheltering in sprawling tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. "I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days , doctors there have said, and the Health Ministry said an adult — a nurse who worked at the European Hospital — also died this week. Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Narions contributed to this report.