To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page James Corden and Ruth Jones announced in May that the beloved BBC programme, starring Joanna Page as Stacey and Mathew Horne as Gavin, would be returning for one final Christmas special. The show originally ran from 2007 to 2010, before coming back for a festive episode in 2019, with a cliffhanger leaving us begging to know what happened after Nessa (Ruth) proposed to Smithy (James). Though plot details and spoilers have been kept tightly under wraps, we do know it's set to be a very emotional ride, but the tears have already started streaming. The cast reunited for a BBC Radio 2 takeover, with singalongs, Rob Brydon reading the travel news in the style of Uncle Bryn, James dropped recipes, and answering messages from fans. They were joined by Pam and Mick actors Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb, and Robert Wilfort, who plays Stacey's brother Jason, though Gwen actress Melanie Walters didn't appear to be present. Grab the tissues! (Picture: Instagram) There wasn't a dry eye in the studio or at home (Picture: Instagram) The stars of Gavin and Stacey took over BBC Radio 2 yesterday (Picture: Instagram) As the radio show wrapped up, the stars celebrated being together for one last time, and were left wiping back tears and sharing hugs. A clip shared on social media saw Alison comforting James as he hugged her, while Mathew and Joanna held hands on the sofa, holding back tears. Alison was also seen weeping, while James appeared to mouth 'love you' to Larry as he stood up for a hug. Towards... Meghna AminPep Guardiola denies rumours of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne
The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran's poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called "politically motivated". The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board follows a similar one in June. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.UAB secures 98-86 win against Louisiana
LONDON (AP) — West Ham forward Michail Antonio was taken to hospital after being involved in a road traffic incident on Saturday. West Ham added the 34-year-old player was in a stable condition after the incident in the Essex area. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital," the Premier League club said in a statement. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari were shared on social media on Saturday. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident. Antonio signed for West Ham in 2015 and has made more than 300 appearances. West Ham doesn't have a league game until Monday. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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Yusei Kikuchi signs with Angels, Juan Soto taking offers & the BBQ Mailbag | Baseball Bar-B-Cast"Good evening, and thank you for allowing me to join you for a few moments on such a special night of gathering and celebration. Alongside the Queen, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía, I wish you a happy and peaceful evening." This Christmas Eve, I would like to begin by addressing, and I’m sure you’ll understand, the terrible Dana storm that struck with unusual force almost two months ago in several areas of eastern and southern Spain, particularly in Valencia. The people who lost their lives and those who are still missing deserve our utmost respect, and we must never forget the pain and sorrow left behind for their families. Thousands of people saw how what had been their town, their neighbourhood, their workplace, their home, their business, or their school was reduced to rubble or even disappeared. It is a reality that is hard to come to terms with, but one from which we should all strive to draw the necessary lessons to strengthen us as a society and help us grow. We must never forget those first images of the flood that destroyed everything in its path: the rescues of people—some sick, elderly, or exhausted—trying to escape their cars or seeking refuge on rooftops. We also witnessed those who opened their homes to care for the most vulnerable, countering the relentless force of water and mud with the overwhelming power of solidarity and humanity. Neighbours, volunteers, civil protection teams, firefighters, security forces, the Armed Forces, NGOs, and even businesses that organised collections and donations, mobilising their staff and machinery—the help and collaboration of all have enabled the more than 800,000 affected people to gradually regain some sense of normality in their lives. Efforts are also being made to ensure that medium- and long-term needs are addressed to secure true recovery. This pure and practical solidarity has been recognised day after day in the tireless work of anonymous volunteers and public servants. At the same time, we have also observed—and understood—the frustration, pain, impatience, and calls for greater and more effective coordination among authorities. All these emotions—those that move and comfort us, and those that wound and sadden us—stem from a common source: the awareness of the common good, the expression of the common good, or the demand for the common good. Despite occasional differences and disagreements, there remains in Spanish society a clear sense of what benefits everyone and what must therefore be protected and strengthened. This is something the Queen and I have observed and appreciated even more deeply during this decade of reign. It is the responsibility of all institutions and public administrations to ensure that this notion of the common good continues to be clearly reflected in any discourse or political decision. Consensus on what is essential, not only as an outcome but also as a constant practice, must always guide the public sphere. This is not to stifle the diversity of opinions—legitimate and necessary in a democracy—but to prevent this diversity from leading to the denial of the existence of a shared space. It is from this agreement on the essentials that we must address the issues that concern us and affect our collective lives in various ways. The growing international instability, the climate of public debate, challenges in accessing housing, and immigration management are among the matters that deserve our attention and that I wish to discuss tonight. Immigration is a complex phenomenon of great social sensitivity, arising from diverse causes. Without population movements throughout history, present-day societies—open and interconnected—could not be understood. As a daily reality, migration, if not properly managed, can lead to tensions that erode social cohesion. The effort to integrate, which involves everyone, respect for basic laws and norms of coexistence and civility by all, and the recognition of the dignity every human being deserves are the pillars that must guide us in addressing immigration. At the same time, we must never forget the firmness required to combat the networks and mafias that traffic in human beings. How we approach immigration—which also necessitates good coordination with our European partners as well as countries of origin and transit—will reflect much about our principles and the quality of our democracy. Another pressing issue, especially for the young, is the difficulty in accessing housing. Cities, particularly large urban areas, act as growth hubs, generating a demand that supply struggles to meet. It is important that all stakeholders reflect, listen to one another, explore various options, and engage in dialogue to develop solutions that make housing accessible under reasonable conditions, especially for the young and the most vulnerable. This is the foundation of security and well-being for many life projects—and it is something we can achieve. Our lives are also shaped by an increasingly complex and volatile external environment. Too often, we see challenges to international law, resorting to violence, denial of the universality of human rights, or questioning of multilateralism to address global challenges such as climate crises, pandemics, energy transitions, trade, and resource scarcity. We even witness debates over the validity of democracy itself as a system of governance. In this context, Spain, along with other European Union member states, must resolutely defend the foundations of liberal democracy, human rights, and the social welfare achievements that underpin our shared political project. Europe—the idea of Europe—is an essential part of our shared identity and a legacy we owe to future generations. In a world that needs strong, cohesive actors, guided by principles and values, Europe remains our most valuable reference point. Domestically, our greatest reference is the 1978 Constitution, its words, and its spirit. The agreement on essentials was the fundamental principle that inspired it. Working for the common good means preserving this great pact of coexistence, which affirms our democracy and enshrines our rights and freedoms—the pillars of our Social and Democratic State under the rule of law. Even after so much time, the harmony that gave rise to it remains our solid foundation. Cultivating this spirit of consensus is vital to strengthening our institutions and maintaining the confidence of society in them. A pact of coexistence is preserved through dialogue—the kind of dialogue, conducted with dignity and generosity, that must always nourish the definition of shared will and state action. For this reason, it is essential that political competition—legitimate but sometimes deafening—does not drown out a more resounding call: a call for serenity. Serenity in public life and daily life, to pursue collective or individual projects, to prosper, and to care for and protect those who need it most. The recent reform of Article 49 of the Constitution, concerning persons with disabilities, is a good example of what we can achieve together. We cannot allow discord to become a constant background noise that prevents us from hearing the true pulse of our citizens. As I have said many times before, and I would like to repeat: Spain is a great country. A nation with an extraordinary history—despite its dark chapters—and exemplary in its democratic development over recent decades, overcoming even the threat of terrorism that claimed so many victims. It is a country with a promising present, despite the challenges that remain, such as addressing poverty and social exclusion. Our economy’s performance—in terms of growth, employment, and exports—is encouraging, and the overall level of social welfare is notable. Looking to the future, I sincerely believe Spaniards have immense potential, which should fill us with hope both nationally and internationally. This future lies primarily in our youth—the youth who have made us proud in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the recent European Championships, who innovate despite difficulties, and who lead the way in our science. It is the youth who respect our elders and their valuable experience, who push for progress in equality, and who prepare themselves in schools, universities, and vocational training centres to enter the workforce with determination despite youth unemployment. Most of all, it is the youth who have filled us with pride, pouring into the streets of towns affected by the Dana to give their all. With this spirit of work and commitment to the common good, I conclude my words and return to where I began—to all the towns and regions affected by the floods, where so much remains to be done, and where the needs of neighbours often dwarf all efforts, though hope endures. May the solidarity that has united us in the most difficult times remain present in every gesture, every action, and every decision. May aid reach everyone in need, so they can rebuild the future they have fought for with courage and dignity, facing a present that can often be merciless. The sooner we achieve this, the stronger our sense of community and nation will be. Because the memory of the journey we have taken, the trust in the present, and the hope for the future are inescapable parts—perhaps the most valuable but also the most delicate—of our common good. May the spirit of these days of togetherness and harmony endure into the New Year. From the Queen, our daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, and me, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Eguberri On, Bon Nadal, Boas Festas.4 Compelling Singapore Stocks That Could Ride the AI Wave to Greater Prosperity - The Smart Investor
By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
This paper is a joint project of IFP and the Center for Addiction Science, Policy, and Research (CASPR). Policy efforts to address addiction have stalled Over the past two decades, addiction policy efforts on both the left and right have struggled to reduce harm from opioids, alcohol, and stimulants. For opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine, the problem has grown many times worse, with overdose deaths near record highs, particularly as these drugs have become widely used in combination. Deaths from alcohol per capita have doubled since 1999 and continue moving upward. No American city or state, no matter how liberal or conservative, has found a solution that can reduce the rate of addiction at scale. On the enforcement side, it is virtually impossible to stop fentanyl or methamphetamine smuggling. No one is considering an alcohol ban, and attempts to raise alcohol taxes have failed in both red and blue states. While treatment efforts help many people and "medication-first" is considered the standard of care, the medical options currently offered are unlikely to ever reach scale. Only 3% of people with a substance use disorder take medication in a given year, due to existing medications' limited appeal, efficacy, and availability. For several substance use disorders (methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis), there are no FDA-approved medications at all. US policymakers need a new approach to addiction policy, oriented towards advancing innovation in medication development. Asymmetrical innovation in addiction Rapid innovation is happening in the field of addiction, but it's been occurring on the wrong side: addiction-inducing technologies are becoming more powerful. Fentanyl is cheaper than heroin, 25x stronger by weight, and therefore 25x smaller for smuggling purposes. Fentanyl is also more addictive, and fentanyl overdoses are more difficult to reverse. As fentanyl has come to dominate the opioid supply over the past 10 years, overdose rates have risen... Santi Ruiz
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