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Overall, Lenovo's initiative to provide online tutorials for female gamers struggling with the "W+Spacebar" combination is a commendable effort to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the gaming community. By offering guidance and support, Lenovo is empowering female gamers to overcome challenges, improve their skills, and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience.KUWAIT: The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced that it has proposed solutions to address environmental crises facing urban cities in Kuwait through a study titled “Crisis Management and Decision Support for Sustainable Smart Cities.” Engineer Dana Al-Enezi from the Environment and Life Sciences Research Center at the KISR told KUNA that the study presented by the institute was presented at the International Conference on Smart Management and Innovation for Sustainable Cities recently. Al-Enezi added that the study, in which Dr Ali Al-Dosari, Dr Abdullah Al-Enezi, and Dr Ahmed Hassan from Matrouh University in Egypt participated, in addition to specialist Ahood Al-Enezi from the Ministry of Health, provided an integrated system to support decisions and early warning with the aim of enhancing environmental risk management strategies. She explained that the study provided a number of technical and scientific solutions to address these crises, most notably the installation of sensors in rainwater drainage networks to help monitor flood-prone areas early, allowing for preventive measures to be taken to reduce potential damage to infrastructure. The solutions also include applying earthquake resistance standards in buildings, especially in the northern and southern regions of Kuwait, which have witnessed repeated seismic events, in addition to using remote sensing and satellite technologies to continuously monitor environmental changes and accurately analyze geological and environmental data, in addition to developing a comprehensive database that combines spatial, geotechnical, geological, topographical, environmental, and other information. She explained that the main objective of this study is to direct development efforts towards building smart and sustainable cities capable of adapting to the desert environment and achieving a balance between urban expansion and environmental conservation, pointing to the need for comprehensive strategies to confront climate change, enhance infrastructure, and achieve sustainable development that serves future generations. “We studied the impact of environmental crises such as dust storms, floods, and earthquakes on real estate prices in various governorates. It became clear from the statistical data we collected that Ahmadi Governorate is the most affected by environmental crises, which was reflected in the decrease in real estate prices compared to other governorates, despite recording the highest sales rates during the period,” Engineer Al-Anzi said. She added, “The study included 3,415 real estate records that were filtered to obtain accurate data on 2,814 properties sold at 100 percent. The results showed that weak infrastructure and poor management of facilities in some southern regions, in addition to recurring environmental crises such as floods and earthquakes, were major factors influencing the real estate market”. Regarding the impact of environmental crises on the quality of life and urban development, she stated that dust storms and heavy rains represent a major challenge to the environment and infrastructure in the country, which requires strengthening urban development plans to address these challenges. — KUNA
In conclusion, as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region prepares to welcome the arrival of lower temperatures and the possibility of snow, let us embrace the beauty of this natural phenomenon and stay vigilant in ensuring our safety and well-being. With proper preparation and a spirit of resilience, we can weather the winter months ahead and emerge stronger as a community. Let the snowflakes fall, and may they remind us of the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons.The outcome of the EU investigation could have significant repercussions for Google and Meta, as well as for the wider digital advertising industry. If the allegations are proven to be true, both companies could face hefty fines and be required to change their advertising practices to ensure fair competition in the market. Additionally, the investigation may prompt other regulatory bodies around the world to scrutinize similar partnerships and collaborations among tech giants.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” Everyone who has encountered Adames so far can’t wait for him to get to work as an example both on the diamond and in the clubhouse. “He’s a unique connector of people,” Posey shared from Craig Counsell's description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. “That really struck me because I think to win championships you have to have personalities like Willy that they're able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse, and that's not just players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy, he plays with joy and I know that our fans are just going to be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis.” Adames' deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013. “I didn’t know 'til it was done. I was like ‘wow,’" Adames said. From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far beyond the baseball diamond. And that's as important to Adames as playing all 162 after he appeared in 161 games last season for Milwaukee. He considers part of his role to help the young players learn “to be a professional" and lead a club that has missed the playoffs the past three years in winning the right way. “For me that comes first, it comes first to be a great human being. I've got to thank my parents for that, they raised me the right way, to try to treat everybody the same, it doesn't matter what you're doing,” Adames said. “I think that's something that I'm really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there's a lot of hate out there and I don't really like that.” The Giants know Adames' positive influence could go far. Asked about the instability at shortstop, Melvin noted, “Well, it's not a problem now.” Adames gives the Giants a power bat and reliable defense at his position. This year for the Brewers, he produced his best offensive season in the big leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs. “Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I'd watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day,” Melvin said. “It always looked like every day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that — Matt Chapman is like that, too — it's easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It's easier said than done but really for me that's the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball.” Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise. It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I'm a little nervous about this." A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home. “It looks amazing.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.With each new monster move revealed, players are faced with fresh challenges and opportunities to test their skills in combat. From swift, agile foes to massive, hulking beasts, every encounter in "Black Myth: Wukong" promises adrenaline-pumping action and heart-pounding excitement.‘It’ll Be Brutal’: Inside Trump’s Planned War on Leakers and the Press
In conclusion, the tale of Real Madrid's specialized training to counter Barcelona's high defensive line, coupled with Mbappe's struggles with the offside trap, serves as a reminder of the fine margins that separate success from failure in the world of football. While the outcome may not have been ideal, the lessons learned from this experience will undoubtedly help shape Real Madrid's approach in future encounters, ensuring that they are better prepared to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.
Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!OTTAWA—First Nations groups challenging the Trudeau government’s carbon levy in court are seeking an order that would force Ottawa to immediately dole out or guarantee hundreds of millions of dollars promised to them, saying they fear the money could be lost if there is an early election. The federal government says a decision on how it plans to give promised since 2020 to Indigenous groups is coming soon. But the Chiefs of Ontario are worried following years of delays, a dispute over how the money should be divided and an unstable minority Parliament that has increased the chances of an early election. “We don’t want to litigate over this. We want Canada to work with us in good faith so we can end the litigation brought forward by Chiefs of Ontario,” Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said in a written statement. “The longer Canada takes to fix the carbon tax and the longer they’re taking money from our Nations, and the more challenges they will face.” The Chiefs of Ontario of the Trudeau government’s carbon pricing and rebate regime a year ago, arguing it was disproportionally impacted by the so-called carbon tax and were unable to reap the same benefits of the accompanying rebates as other Canadians. The groups contended the carbon pricing system is discriminatory because First Nations face more difficulty transitioning away from fossil fuels due to infrastructure gaps and at the same time face a greater impact from climate change. Indigenous Peoples living and working on reserves are tax exempt so they are also less likely to qualify for the carbon rebates central to the Trudeau government’s system. “First Nations are not the cause of climate change and we should not bear the financial burden of fixing it,” Benedict said. Ottawa’s carbon pricing system tries to incentivize consumers to forego fossil fuels by making polluting fuels more expensive, then collecting and returning the proceeds to Canadians through a revenue neutral quarterly rebate program. A portion of the proceeds from the consumer levy are meant to go to small businesses and Indigenous groups — but the federal government has been slow to hand out that cash. In its April budget, the federal government , including $2.5 billion from previous years. But Indigenous groups have yet to receive any of the money owed to them and there is disagreement over which groups should qualify and how the cash should be divided. Earlier this year, Ottawa said it would increase the amount set aside for Indigenous groups from one to two per cent of the total carbon levy revenues. The money set aside includes $282.2 million for proceeds collected from 2020-21 to 2023-24, and $249.3 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to Environment Canada. The Trudeau government has said it’s been engaging with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups on the issue since 2021 and expects a resolution soon. “We understand the concerns expressed and hope to be able to issue contributions in a very near future,” a spokesperson for Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said in an email. “Our priority has always been and will continue to be returning these proceeds in a way that provides flexibility to address self-determined priorities, including climate action.” Lawyers for the Chiefs of Ontario said they were told the government hopes to start the process of giving out the promised cash early in the new year, but Indigenous groups are growing anxious with the chances of an early election now higher after the NDP pulled out of its supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals. The NDP, who are likely to still hold the balance of Parliament in a confidence vote, has not signalled a desire for an immediate election. In a statement, the Conservative party, which leads all major polls and routinely attacks the carbon plan, did not say if it would hand out the money already set aside for First Nations if they form government before that’s done. “First Nations communities will not have to take our government to court over the carbon tax because we will not take the money from them in the first place as Justin Trudeau has been doing for years,” said Jamie Schmale, the party’s Crown-Indigenous Relations critic. On Wednesday, another group of First Nations — the Confederacy of Treaty Six Nations in Alberta — said it is planning to challenge the system in court to seek an exemption from the carbon levy and is seeking the support of the Assembly of First Nations, which has already endorsed the case put forward by the Chiefs of Ontario. “We have raised the issue of the carbon tax with the federal government before, as many chiefs and nations, and nothing has been done to address our concerns,” said Stephen Buffalo, the president of the Indian Resource Council of Canada, an organization that represents First Nations that produce oil and gas. “Obviously this is a disrespect, an injustice, and a slap in the face to reconciliation.”OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Fresh off one of its best showings of the season, the Baltimore defense now has another problem to worry about. Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn't officially rule him or anyone else out — they don't play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker's status seems dicey. “Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.” Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn't allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense. Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh. But Smith was injured in that game and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can't go. “We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.” It's hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later. So they still haven't shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it. “I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing," Hamilton said. "We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.” Hamilton's ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That's after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens' previous game. “I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.” NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday's practice. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as his former domestic policy chief. She is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins, 52, previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins’ pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. ___ Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.9. Undermining Employee Morale:
One of the key areas of focus in this special action plan is the inspection of railway infrastructure and equipment. Railway tracks, signaling systems, bridges, tunnels, and other critical components of the railway network will be thoroughly inspected to identify any signs of wear and tear, damage, or malfunction. Any issues found will be promptly addressed to prevent accidents and disruptions to train services.GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- Tanger® (NYSE: SKT) , a leading owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping destinations, has earned additional recognition from national certification programs for taking steps to address climate change and enhance well-being at its centers. With these actions, Tanger now has achieved LEED certification for 20 centers, or 58% of its owned and managed portfolio by gross leasable area. Additionally, Tanger has expanded recognition of its centers as StormReady® and WELL Health-Safety Rated. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121075293/en/ Tanger Outlets Nashville is the 20th Tanger shopping center to achieve LEED certification. The open-air outlet center in Nashville, Tennessee, which opened last year, was designed with extensive features – like on-site solar energy infrastructure – that help to address the impacts of climate change and enhance community well-being, in support of Tanger’s overall sustainability commitments. Photo credit: Tanger “As a key part of Tanger’s mission, we strive to deliver the best experience for all who shop, dine and work in and around our shopping destinations. Providing for the well-being of our communities through sustainable, healthy operations is a vital part of that commitment,” said Jessica Norman, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Tanger, who oversees the company’s environmental, social, and governance program and disclosures. “These recognitions from respected benchmark programs verify the steps we’ve taken to prepare our centers for the impacts of a changing climate and have positioned us to better serve the needs of our communities, in keeping with our core value to consider our communities first.” LEED Tanger Outlets Nashville in Tennessee has achieved LEED Silver® certification for Building Design and Construction (BD+C): Core and Shell Development from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED® is the world's most widely used green building rating system, recognizing best-in-class building strategies and practices. With this certification, Tanger Nashville becomes the 20th shopping center in Tanger’s portfolio to be certified in the LEED program and Tanger’s third retail development to achieve BD+C certification for addressing carbon impacts in the design and construction process. Tanger Nashville’s transformational design supports sustainability through on-site solar energy production, water use reduction systems, low-emitting materials, lighting controls, electric vehicle charging, and more. The center fosters engagement and well-being through ease of access, walkability, green and gathering spaces, an extensive mural arts program, and restaurants, retail brands, and experiences that celebrate the local culture and community. Opened in October 2023, the development has also helped to revitalize the Southeast Nashville community that surrounds it, fueling job creation, economic health, and business growth in the area. Earlier this year, the Nashville chapter of the Urban Land Institute recognized Tanger Nashville with a 2024 Excellence in Development Award for being one of the best and most innovative projects in the region and for its positive impacts on the community. Tanger Nashville will next pursue LEED Gold® for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) certification, as will Bridge Street Town Centre, Tanger’s open-air lifestyle shopping destination in Huntsville, Alabama. Tanger has 18 other shopping centers that have achieved LEED Gold O+M certification (one of which also achieved BD+C certification), reflecting Tanger’s deep commitment to best-in-class, sustainable operations across its portfolio. StormReady Tanger has also taken steps to mitigate the potential impacts of severe weather on its operations, for the benefit of all who work and shop at its centers. Tanger partners with the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Weather Service to ensure its shopping centers are “StormReady” and has been recognized as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. These programs help communities strengthen local safety programs and preparation skills needed to protect lives and property in extreme weather and water events. The scenario-specific Weather-Ready plans Tanger maintains at its centers have helped its local team members remain safe and mitigate property damage during events like this year’s devastating hurricanes. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tanger’s center in Asheville, North Carolina, was well prepared to support the community, hosting emergency responders on-site and quickly restoring business operations to serve residents and business partners. WELL Health and Safety As part of its commitment to the well-being of people at its centers, Tanger achieved and has maintained the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management for all the shopping centers it owned and managed in the U.S. in 2022. This year, Tanger Outlets Nashville also achieved this Rating, and the two newest additions to Tanger’s portfolio, in Huntsville, AL, and Asheville, NC, are expected to achieve it in 2025. A component of the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL Building Standard, the WELL Health-Safety Rating recognizes owners and operators like Tanger that prioritize the health and safety of their team members, visitors, and stakeholders. Tanger also participates in the WELL at Scale program to maintain its WELL Ratings more efficiently and benchmark its health and well-being efforts across the portfolio. For more information about Tanger’s commitments to people, planet, and communities, please see the company’s 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, available on its investor relations website at investors.tanger.com/corporate-responsibility . About Tanger® Tanger Inc . (NYSE: SKT) is a leading owner and operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping destinations, with over 43 years of expertise in the retail and outlet shopping industries. Tanger’s portfolio of 38 outlet centers, one adjacent managed center, and one open-air lifestyle center includes over 15 million square feet well positioned across tourist destinations and vibrant markets in 20 U.S. states and Canada. A publicly traded REIT since 1993, Tanger continues to innovate the retail experience for its shoppers with over 3,000 stores operated by more than 700 different brand name companies. For more information on Tanger, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit tanger.com . The Company uses, and intends to continue to use, its Investor Relations website, which can be found at investors.tanger.com , as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Additional information about the Company can also be found through social media channels. The Company encourages investors and others interested in the Company to review the information on its Investor Relations website and on social media channels. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website or social media platforms is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based upon the beliefs and expectations of management at the time of this release. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents filed by the Company with the SEC, including specifically the "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company's other filings with the SEC, which identify additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121075293/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact Kasie Wilson KWT Global Tanger@kwtglobal.com Investor Relations Contact Doug McDonald SVP, Treasurer and Investments (336) 856-6066 TangerIR@tanger.com KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLIMATE CHANGE OTHER RETAIL COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY REIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) GREEN TECHNOLOGY RETAIL ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY SOURCE: Tanger Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 04:15 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121075293/enAP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:14 p.m. EST
As I listen to my friends sprinkle “Pookie” into conversation like a modern-day sonnet, I can’t help but wonder: Is this what poetry has become in the 21st century? Sonnets, once prose dipped in honey, now seem to have dissolved into emojis and cutesy nicknames. Has poetry lost its shine, its luster, in our era of abbreviations and TikTok trends? Of course, I am not hoping my friends write me poems proclaiming my beauty and intellect each morning (although I wouldn’t mind it). Still, in contrast to a century ago, or even thirty years ago, our language and poetry have been reduced to abbreviations and line breaks. Has poetry lost its shine and luster, turned into jargon being spoon-fed to the masses? With the welcoming of niche groups all over social media platforms, including groups for the more literary-minded amongst us (search for “BookTok,” for example), anything and everything is out there. However, despite that, it seems people have only further diluted the meaning of poetry and art for cheap and quick views. This brings me back to the question: is poetry alive, especially within young people? Or does our Rilke lie within TikTok slideshows? With little to no encouragement in public schools toward careers in the arts, many are left to find their interest in poetry piqued within the confines of TikTok. To explore this question further, I turned to young creatives who are redefining what poetry means today. First up, Roswitha Bwanga, who was the second-place winner of the Allyship Poetry Contest. They have been completing their studies in visual and creative arts at Sheridan College. They explore many fields of artistry, dabbling in poetry. In order to maintain clarity and flow, the following interview has been lightly edited. How did your interest in poetry emerge? I started writing poetry when I was 15, at first just to appreciate things I saw in nature. A beautiful sunrise, or a pleasant sunny day, I just wanted to write about things I would see. Then I went through a brief phase of thinking poetry was cringe-worthy, and I stopped writing altogether. But soon my life went through a lot of changes: I went to university, I learned more about the world and I realized how stressed I felt most of the time. While it was a rough time to go through, that’s how I rediscovered poetry. Writing poems became a way to get rid of all the negativity that was always holding me down, and I’ve continued to write ever since. Was there any specific poem that shaped your own life, inspiring you to write? If so, what in particular stood out? I’ve only recently started to read other poems. Before then, I never really read any classical, or contemporary poetry. Essentially, there has not been a specific poem that inspired me to write, rather it was the need to process emotions that became the motivation for me to write. As a writer, how have you adapted methods of the classics and applied them to modern pieces? I’ve never paid much attention to classical poetry methods when I originally started writing, but now I’m interested in learning about rhyming schemes and different meters. I think free verse style poetry is the most appealing to contemporary poets because there is no ideal to follow. While studying how other people approach poetry is interesting, I think poets, especially young poets just starting to write, should just write how they feel. Writing without restrictions will help you get your words out. Do you think most teenagers are capable of connecting to poetry today? This is a huge question because I think there is a multitude of factors that differ for each individual, which influences whether a person connects with poetry or not, but on the surface, I think most teenagers today think of poetry as outdated, boring, or cringey. While part of the problem lies in the way many teens might associate poetry with Shakespeare, an unpleasant English course, or school in general, I believe an inability to discuss and deal with feelings is another big reason for the disconnect between youths and poetry. It’s unfortunate because, in my opinion, many teens could benefit from writing poetry, so I really wish there was a way to get more of them engaged with writing. Even something small, like including more diverse and contemporary perspectives about poetry in school might help change their perception. —————————————————————————————————————————— After speaking with Bwanga, it seems that the key issue might not be whether teens have an innate interest in poetry, but whether they are provided with the resources to explore it. While factors like literacy rates and a focus on STEM subjects in schools play a role, the way poetry is approached within the English curriculum in Ontario’s schools also significantly influences students’ engagement with it. The only way we can expect our generation to produce poetry is to push avenues toward pursuing poetry and reading modern poetry. The curriculum pushes Shakesphere under the guise we can always learn from the past, which isn’t wrong, but rarely are students ever given opportunities to be pushed towards poetry that reflects their own lives today, leaving disinterested minds in and out of the classroom. This also becomes a discussion, then, on the value of art, and the value of learning art; while it is easy to find articles online that support teaching arts and crafts in early childhood, with benefits ranging from development of fine motor skills to overall growth and wellbeing, you need to dig a bit deeper see the benefits for older students. But find it you can: a study from earlier this year, for example, reported better problem-solving and cognitive flexibility in arts-educated students. Creativity, in other words. If we understand and buy into the argument for teaching the arts to young people, we should also be concerned with offering material that speaks to young people, material that they can connect with and may spur on their own artistic journeys. However, those who seem to be interested aren’t exactly uplifted in their environments to pursue poetry. Shakespeare does give lessons in how the magic of language changes over time, but when was the last time a teenager found inspiration for their Instagram caption in iambic pentameter? I discussed the twisted discourse with Patricia Zhang, a young creative who resides in Toronto — considered by many as the epicentre of arts and culture in the surround sound of placid Ontario. Her work consists of photography, capturing her own stylistic shots as well as portraits for smaller magazines. Although it isn’t necessarily poetry, Zhang can speak for being a young creative who pursued the arts on her own. What type of art do you do? Have you tried poetry? I do photography and writing — I have tried poetry but am not great at it, I prefer prose. Has your school encouraged you to explore other artistic pursuits, perhaps in the form of extracurriculars or via a range of courses on offer? Since I don’t go to an art school I can’t really speak on this — but I think the school I go to does have a lot of opportunities for art and I’ve participated in our school-wide art show in photography and won first. We also have a really amazing photography and art department overall. Is there a desire in teenagers to dabble in art and poetry? Is it a lack of interest or support? There is a desire in teens to dabble in art and poetry. I think that a lot of the time, it seems really scary or impossible to get published — and that deters a lot of young artists. I think there is a lot of interest for these young voices in art, but for support, I would definitely say for things such as writing and art it would be great if young artists could have a way to access a larger network of people who can help them get published since it looks super daunting at first sight. The art culture in Toronto specifically is really beautiful, though, and so, so, so welcoming to emerging artists. —————————————————————————————————————————- Zhang seems to be in the lucky majority, residing in Toronto where art runs around like the debris of construction. But she does offer more evidence that teens are willing and able to write poetry, they just lack access to the tools needed. Networks that offer connections and provide examples of what a successful working artist (in whatever medium) looks like in today’s world might encourage more young creatives to enter into that space. Representation is, as ever, another essential piece — seeing successful, working artists of colour can only expand minds and possibilities. It is up to you to decide whether or not poetry is still alive. The exploration of poetry’s relevance today is far from settled, but I can’t dictate what poetry means to you. Though I may trash it, people are fleeing to TikTok and other social media apps to access their dose of poetry. Does this type of poetry, that great tweet, a J. Cole song, or a surprisingly inspiring real-estate slogan, make the medium less valuable — or simply more accessible? Language, after all, is an ever-morphing tool that will carry new turns of phrase to new generations. And social media, like it or not, is where young people congregate today, so if socials manage to engage teenagers in poetry and other art forms that they may not otherwise see, this surely is a positive. It’s up to us to decide whether we see poetry as something to be left in the past or as a powerful catalyst for creativity and progress — a medium that not only evolves with each generation but also propels us forward, shaping how we express, connect, and grow as individuals and as a society. Maybe poetry is now tucked inside the emojis we send, the lyrics we hum, and the TikTok slideshows we scroll past. Like sunlight through curtains, it sneaks in, whether we notice it or not.
Economy faces 'some potential storms' in 2025, Moody's chief economist says
Welcome to the hot seat, Brent Venables: Oklahoma coach at crossroads after bowl loss and second losing seasonUltimately, the viral video of the woman riding an electric bike with her father serves as a humorous yet cautionary tale. While it may have brought a few laughs to viewers, it also sheds light on the importance of following safety guidelines and being mindful of the weight limits of vehicles. So next time you hop on an electric bike, make sure to check the weight restrictions and drive responsibly – your passengers will thank you for it!
US airports with worst weather delays during holiday seasonBy Vanessa G. Sánchez, KFF Health News (TNS) LOS ANGELES — President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California’s immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state’s most impoverished residents. At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care. Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state’s progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year. Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump’s election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say. The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions , which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants. “The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities,” said Mar Velez , director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities.” Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal. Since Election Day, community health worker Yanet Martinez said, people are more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” Martinez said. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Clinics and community health workers encourage immigrants to enroll for health coverage through Medi-Cal and Covered California. But workers have noticed that fear of deportation has chilled participation. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Community health workers like Yanet Martinez encourage people to enroll for health benefits. But many California immigrants fear that using subsidized services could hurt their chances of obtaining legal residency. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Since Election Day, community health worker Yanet Martinez said, people are more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” Martinez said. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he’s living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. “I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it’s good that he won.” He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status. “I’ve thought about it,” Selvin said, but “I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won’t deny that, obviously, I’d like to benefit — get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup.” But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn’t seen a doctor in nine years. It’s not Trump’s mass deportation plan in particular that’s scaring him off, though. “If I’m not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won’t get deported,” Selvin said. Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year. She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn’t be able to afford her visits to the dentist. A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump’s deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out. “I’ve heard people say he’s going to get rid of everyone who’s stealing.” Although she’s afraid she could be deported, she’s also hopeful about Trump. “He says he’s going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest,” she said. “That’s good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work.” Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction. “They’re just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California,” Gonzalez said. “People on the ground are saying, ‘I’m hopeful,’ because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety.” Gonzalez said he’s not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status . Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal. Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization. California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers. “Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this.” Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of government benefits. “President Trump’s mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey . Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act’s plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide , without access to subsidized health insurance. On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration’s rule. Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state. “¿Ya tiene Medi-Cal?” community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans. “¡Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! ¡Todo gratuito!” she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge. “Gracias, pero no,” said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun. Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” she said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.” This article was produced by KFF Health News , which publishes California Healthline , an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation . ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.M3 Group Joins MEDIROM Mother Labs’ Series A Financing Round at JPY9 Billion (as of December ...Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.
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For many residents, the arrival of snow is a welcome sign of the changing seasons. Children eagerly anticipate the opportunity to build snowmen and engage in playful snowball fights, while adults appreciate the serene beauty of a snowy landscape. However, the onset of snowfall also brings with it the need for caution, as slippery roads and decreased visibility can pose challenges for commuters and travelers.