jolibet download The policies will continueJapanese author Haruki Murakami is back with his latest work of fiction... Fiction The Lion Women Of Tehran by Marjan Kamali is published in paperback by Simon & Schuster The Lion Women Of Tehran is a powerful, moving story about freedom and friendship by Iranian-American novelist Marjan Kamali. At a time when political turmoil builds up in Iran, Ellie and Homa – two best friends from different upbringings – are forced into living very different lives. Kamali takes us on a journey of friendship, showing us the beauty of long-lasting ties of sisterhood, and highlights the importance of freedom for women around the world. It’s an emotional journey and one that helps readers realise the power that women hold, and the impact of their lion voice. Trial By Fire by Danielle Steel is published in hardback by Macmillan Trial By Fire by Danielle Steele is a story about loss, love and the courage it takes to move forward after difficult times. Dahlia de Beaumont, born to a French mother and American father, is owner and CEO of the family perfume business. The traumatising loss of her parents and later her young husband result in her focusing her time and energy into her four children and perfume empire. She brings up her children alone and can’t imagine loving another man as she did her husband. During a trip to San Francisco, wildfires erupt in Napa Valley, and she’s compelled to offer aid. Not only will this risk her life and her future but will also create new opportunities to build relationships and cement that which is important in her life. This expansive novel explores themes of loss, love, resilience, personal growth, and the opportunity for a renewed chance at love. It offers an intimate portrayal of loss and healing, which feels deeply personal. The author’s ability to weave love and family into a story of grief is powerful, highlighting how important connections are during challenging times. The City And Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel, is published in hardback by Harvill Secker Wistful, nostalgic, powerful and poignant – there are so many more ways you could describe Haruki Murakami’s latest novel, The City And Its Uncertain Walls. Based on a novella he wrote many years ago, it tells the story of a young man’s journey into an imaginary city to find the true self of his girlfriend who has gone missing. Inside the city, with its mysterious high walls and other notable quirks, he finds a job in a library as a dream reader, working alongside his girlfriend. But she has no memory of their love story or their previous life together. And so begins a quest, and one which takes you the reader along every step of the way, making you question your own journey and how far you would travel for love. The novel is also an ode to libraries and books, the physical realm of which has dissipated in an age of technology. Non-fiction Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher is published in hardback by HarperCollins As autobiographies go, Cher’s is certainly not short on subject matter. So much so that her new release is Cher: The Memoir, Part One, taking the reader up to the early 1980s. Her story is truly remarkable, starting with a family background she describes as like the “opening of a Dickens novel”. The supporting characters read like the stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and non-stop anecdotes include teenage dates with Warren Beatty, Phil Spector brandishing a gun and an encounter with a fish-shaped sex toy in Salvador Dali’s studio. Behind the glamour is her relationship with controlling husband Sonny Bono, who she says helped her become a star but treated her like a servant. Her sense of humour is apparent throughout, although some of her wit is lost in the written word. A fascinating read and insight into a true pop icon, part two can’t come quick enough. Children’s book of the week Tales From Muggleswick Wood by Vicky Cowie, illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Children’s Books East Yorkshire-based writer Vicky Cowie presents a stunningly bound gift edition combining five of her previous short stories, framed within a narrative of a grandmother reading to her grandchildren across a wholesome weekend sleepover at her countryside home. Interconnecting tales Muggleswick Wood, Kevin The Kelpie, The Biggest Blooming Beetle, The Secret Of Snittington Hall and Melvin The Mole are presented as bedtime tales, lovingly told to cousins creating a sweet, fantastical world young readers can dive into; vividly imagining the landscape and characters as easily as you might Kenneth Grahame’s Toad Of Toad Hall. With gorgeous illustrations from Charlie Mackesy – who you might recognise from The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse – this timeless collective brings to mind Beatrix Potter and A. A. Milne’s most beloved characters, and is a perfect gift for any young reader (aged four to eight years) this Christmas, to be handed down through generations.AEW Superstar Claims 'Inhumane Treatment' In Wild Accusation

It's no secret that Akbar V's love for Nicki Minaj goes way back . For this reason, it doesn't come as a major surprise that the femcee took to social media today to wish the "FTCU" rapper a happy birthday. She turns 42 today, and in honor of the occasion, Akbar wrote her a heartfelt message on X. In it, she refers to Nicki as her big sister, and thanks her for all she's done. "Happy birthday to my big sister @NICKIMINAJ i love you thank you for all you do for female rap thank you for the tips behind the scenes you have given me thank you for not being who they try to [portray] you to be," she wrote. "Love you." Read More: Nicki Minaj Throws Shots At Spotify Amidst Drake's UMG Legal Drama This is far from the first time Akbar V has honored Nicki, however. Last summer, she even dropped a song seemingly dedicated to her, which sparked some controversy among fans. While some thought it was a nice gesture, others thought she took things too far. Regardless, she stood by the track and came to her own defense on X. “The fact that folks think she gotta like my post or comment is cr*zy. I’m a fan of hers. I want to follow in her steps in music, period. I love her, I’m inspired [and] [I] don’t care who says it’s [d**k] riding. I don’t care, I rap. I’m a rapper. I looked up to her and still do , every rap [b**ch] [does]," she wrote at the time. “They just don’t like to admit [it] [because] [they’re] so obsessed with the ‘Nicki hate train,’" she continued. "Nicki never told me to do [nothing] just like when I was in the streets, my friends never told me to dislike people If they didn’t like them... Me, Akbar V is loyal and always will be ." Read More: Nicki Minaj Shares Shady Message For Kai Cenat’s Mother After Thanksgiving Shout-Out [Via]

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020

Opinion: B.C.’s business disadvantage about to get worse

Is Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) An Undervalued Cybersecurity Stock to Buy?

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Like a last-minute holiday shopper, the Philadelphia Phillies scrambled this week to hone their roster for the 2025 season. There’s a risk to late-minute shopping. Many of the big-ticket, in-demand items are off the shelves. The positive, however, is that some overlooked bargains can be found, which is exactly what the Phillies did. They traded for starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo on Sunday and signed starter/reliever Joe Ross on Monday. They signed outfielder Max Kepler last week and relief pitcher Jordan Romano earlier this month. Ross, Kepler and Romano each inked one-year deals. Luzardo is under club control through 2026. How did the Phillies do? On a scale of one to five — and this being the holiday season — let’s give the Phillies four candy canes. 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BPU begins process to consider 8% increase in Atlantic City Electric rates Luzardo seems slotted for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation. Remember how big a problem the No. 5 starter was in the last two months of this past season? Luzardo should solve that. “First of all, we like Jesús Luzardo a great deal,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on a Zoom call with reporters Monday night. “We think he’s a quality big league pitcher, and we’ve liked him for a few years. “I've always felt that the best way to win is to try to throw a quality starting pitcher out there every single day if you can,” Dombrowski said. “It gives you the odds to win. We just felt that by acquiring Luzardo, it gives us that capability.” Ross can swing back and forth between the bullpen and rotation. Romano could be the closer. Kepler will start in left field and solidify the bottom of the batting order. The moves are low-risk, high-reward because of the short contracts. Luzardo, Ross, Kepler and Romano have track records of success. But all four are coming off injuries that led to down seasons in 2024. Those fans saying “bah-humbug” to what the Phillies did probably entered the offseason with unrealistic expectations. The Phillies couldn’t afford to sign a marquee free agent this winter. They will already have the No. 3 payroll in baseball next season, topped only by the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. The Phillies have plenty of stars. “We like our everyday lineup,” Dombrowski said. “We think it’s a good everyday lineup. Three of those guys on the infield (Alec Bohm, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper) started on the All-Star team. We like (Bryson) Stott a lot. We’ve good depth with (Edmundo) Sosa and whoever else it is. “J.T. (Realmuto) behind the plate. (Nick) Castellanos, now with (Brandon) Marsh and (Max) Kepler. We know (Johan) Rojas can play defense. Can it get better? Yes. But if that’s the positional player club we go into in spring training, we feel very good about it.” And then there’s pitcher Andrew Painter. One of the organization’s top prospects, he was slated to join the 2023 rotation but underwent Tommy John surgery that summer and missed all of last season. He and his fastball in the high 90s are on the way back. Painter was 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA over 15 2/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League. The Phillies plan to bring Painter along slowly in 2025 and have him make his big-league debut sometime in the summer. “We think it’s a good plan,” Dombrowski said. “He’ll build up at some point through the minors, but we’re going to save a lot of his innings until we get to July-ish for the big-league level. It might be June, it might be August, but you can’t use too many of them at the minor league level.” So picture this, Phillies fans: Philadelphia is in contention. It needs a pitching boost around the trade deadline. Instead of someone from another team, here comes Painter — the face of the team's future — to lead the Phillies to the postseason. Talk about Christmas in July. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Staff Writer Author twitter Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

By DAVID BAUDER Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg The fact-check accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine’s journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn’t a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it during his only debate with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump’s claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

In India, where elephants are revered as sacred symbols of wisdom and strength, privately-held captive elephants live a stark contradiction. Reflecting on this grim reality, the Kerala High Court recently likened the lives of these captive animals to an “eternal Treblinka”, drawing a poignant comparison to the infamous Nazi extermination camps. Elephants used for religious purposes, entertainment and tourism are subjected to much cruelty and forced to behave in unnatural ways. These social animals are subjected to isolation and abusive training methods to break their spirit. Although elephants have the highest protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, they have been at the forefront of practices that seek to capture them from the wild for a life in captivity. New rules and loopholes In its intent to regulate potential misuse of captive elephants in private custody and curb illegal captures from the wild, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) published the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules in March 2024. These rules facilitate the transport and the transfer of elephants and also specify the procedure of transfer of ownership. However, the ambiguity in procedures and rationale for transport and/or transfer of wild elephants could pave the way for further commercial exploitation. For instance, it states that when an owner is no longer able to maintain an elephant, the ownership of that elephant may be transferred. However, there is no obligation for this exchange to be non-commercial. Elephants can, therefore, be traded as movable property. The rules also provide for transport of the elephants temporarily. Again, there is no explicit requirement to justify the transportation of a privately owned elephant across or within State borders on an interim basis. States with a high number of privately owned elephants could potentially lease their elephants to serve as props, from religious ceremonies to weddings to political rallies. These are activities that compromise the welfare of elephants even as they objectify and commodify them. This regularisation of the transfer of elephants for religious activities, tourism, or any other commercial ventures effectively contributes to the economic valuation of elephants, treating them as tools for generating income. Thus, the legislation could be misused by private elephant owners to essentially “rent out” their animals, which risks incentivising the capture of wild elephants and directly undermines elephant conservation. Microchip misuse, births in captivity As of January 2019, there were 2,675 documented captive elephants in the country, with a deeply disturbing implication. It has been reported that when these animals die, they are replaced by elephants captured from the wild. Most captive elephants were microchipped as part of a 2002 initiative that Project Elephant launched to track all captive elephants in India that have valid certificates of ownership. Anecdotes suggest that these microchips are retrieved from an elephant posthumously and then inserted into an elephant caught in the wild to legalise an illicit capture. Despite this popular modus operandi, the Rules do not require the removal and the destruction of microchips implanted in captive elephants, which should be done in presence of forest officials. Moreover, the Rules do not require the submission of a post-mortem report in cases where an elephant dies during transfer or transportation, leaving a critical gap in monitoring and accountability. Worse, this fuels the never-ending cycle of elephants in captivity. This cycle is perpetuated by a provision in the Rules that recognises the birth of calves in captivity, allowing them to be legally classified as owned captive elephants. What is required instead, is a mandate to implement humane, non-invasive birth control measures for elephants in private custody, to break the cycle of commercial exploitation and prevent more elephants entering captivity through birth. Additionally, a shift from using live elephants in temples, processions, and tourism to alternatives such as electronic elephants is crucial. Civil society, temple committees and the government should lead this change to protect wild elephants. The trade between States Further, there are numerous reports of elephants being transported from the northeastern States to the southern and western States. One such instance involved an elephant being “gifted” to a Delhi temple by a private owner in Assam. Unfortunately, in all these transfers, the new rules have served as an enabling agent for trade in an endangered species. In August, following reports and objections submitted by this writer and others, the Elephant Project, under the aegis of MoEFCC, took action. It issued an office memorandum that flagged the illegal transfers of captive elephants. The memorandum reiterated the need for the strict adherence to Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 and emphasised the mandatory digitisation of the genetic profiles of captive elephants. The Ministry’s efforts to address captive elephant transfers are commendable. Yet, they fail to adequately remedy these key issues in the Rules. Regrettably, the legislation lacks the teeth to ensure the meaningful protection of captive elephants. Without language that speaks the welfare of elephants and safeguards them from any form of commercial exploitation, the paradox of the elephant being venerated as a sacred animal while also being the most exploited wild animal will persist. Shubhra Sotie is an environmental lawyer and Specialist, Wildlife Policy and Research at Humane Society International (HSI) India Published - December 28, 2024 12:08 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit judiciary (system of justice) / wildlife / animal / religion and belief / entertainment (general) / tourism / laws / India / technology (general) / government / Delhi / Assam / welfare / Kerala / electronicsNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.

What kind of day will tomorrow be? To find out what the stars say, read the forecast given for your birth sign. For Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 Although the day may start out a tad moody, the atmosphere is overall a lot lighter and brighter than it's been over the past couple days, giving us a welcome burst of holiday cheer. The spirit of goodwill is strong, and we're encouraged to spread warmth and positivity around. The day is great for team-based projects, meeting new people, and connecting with friends. The evening hours bode especially well for socializing and dating. Creative inspiration should also be in ample supply. ARIES (March 21 to April 19) There's much fun and enjoyment to be had from spending time with friends or participating in group activities. The more, the merrier! TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) There might be some extra money, a promotion, or a new opportunity in your near future. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It's a good time to take a trip or plan one. You can also experience success with teaching, public speaking, or meeting people from other parts of the world. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might receive a blessing of some sort or an unexpected gift. Someone is looking out for you! LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Sharing your joy and generosity with others is good for your soul as well as theirs. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Hitting your targets for the day should be a breeze. If you have a team to work with, it will be easy to get everyone on the same page. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Enjoy the lighthearted and romantic energy in the air. Your creative endeavors will be rewarded, too. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) The support of your family will get you through the day. Meanwhile, this could be a good time to decorate your space to promote relaxation and cheer. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) You'll have luck with meetings, talks or negotiations. In addition, spend time with someone who makes you laugh. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) You could experience improvement with a health or financial matter. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Spoil yourself today. Meanwhile, your charm and charisma can help you attract good things, including love. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Revel in your alone time. You deserve a break. FOR TODAY'S BIRTHDAY You crave to understand as much as you can about yourself and the world at large. You may also get a lot of enjoyment out of teaching, inspiring or entertaining others. Being a part of experiences that encourage your growth is good for you. Additionally, you love people who allow you to have fun and be fully yourself. Chances are, you have a style, talent or approach that's all your own. You're drawn to anything that's bold, fresh and exciting. This year, let go of old, self-limiting beliefs and open yourself to something new. Birthdate of: Jake Gyllenhaal, actor; Ronan Farrow, journalist; Tyson Beckford, model/actor. Get more of Mecca's astro-guidance at www.mylifecreated.com . Her book "Astrology for Happiness and Success" is available now. (c) 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc.WHEN it comes to Christmas, few things fail to capture the holiday spirit - twinkling lights, festive movies, and, of course, the nation's favourite songs. But while these tunes fill our homes with cheer, they also fill the bank accounts of their creators with staggering sums year after year. Some of these seasonal hits have become financial goldmines, generating millions in royalties. And not just for Mariah Carey. In fact, while All I Want for Christmas Is You remains an everlasting favourite, she’s not the top earner in the world of Christmas music. Another artist has quietly claimed the title, raking in an estimated £1million annually from a single holiday hit that continues to dominate charts and playlists every December. Below, The Sun’s rich list reveals Christmas’s biggest earners in the music industry, with some surprising entries. Slade, Merry Christmas Everybody. Annual royalties: £1million. Total since release: £50million. Noddy Holder and Slade musician Jim Lea penned the song, which reached number one in 1973. It’s stood the test of time since then, re-entering the charts each year, and making a pretty penny for the pair who wrote and composed it. Most read in Music Today Noddy, 77, has started performing again, six years after he was told he had only six months to live after a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. Noddy, worth around £25million, signed up to a chemotherapy trial which saved his life. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale of New York Annual royalties: £400,000. Total since release: £14.4million. Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl' s duet was performed at his funeral by Glen Hansard and Lisa O’Niell as his family danced in the aisles. The Fairytale Of New York singer died last November aged 65 following a battle with ill health. His 1987 song tells the story of a couple arguing on Christmas Eve in New York City. It was written by Shane and Jem, who said the song started out as a bet when the Irish band's producer at the time, Elvis Costello, joked they'd never be able to write a Christmas single. Jem Finer is an artist and musician with an interest in reconfiguring old technologies. 'It's not a blank, vacuous celebration of fun and over-consumption, rather a human story that many people can probably relate to,” he said of the song. Mariah Carey, All I Want for Christmas is You Annual royalties: £400,000. Total since release: £11.6million. Mariah might not want a lot for Christmas, but why would she when this track makes her millions? The song, which has appeared in hit films like Love Actually, has become a festive earworm since its release in 1994. “When I wrote [it], I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have worldwide,” Carey said in 2021. “I’m so full of gratitude that so many people enjoy it with me every year.” She’s probably equally as grateful for the £11million it’s added to her fortune of £270million. Wizzard, I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day Annual royalties: £180,000. Total since release: £9million. Wizzard were a rock band formed by Roy Wood, a former member of the Move and co-founder of the Electric Light Orchestra. Their biggest track, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day, was released in 1973 and performed on Top of the Pops. Famously, it peaked at number two in the charts after losing out to Slade in a battle of the true Christmas classics. Roy, 77, is still bringing the festive magic with his event ‘Rockmas’, which this year stars features Paul Young. Chris Rea, Driving Home for Christmas Annual royalties: £200,000. Total since release: £7million. Although this song was released in 1986 as a non-album single, it didn’t capture the public’s attention for another two years, climbing to the number one spot at Christmas 1988. But all these years later it is still gives families a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It’s also given Chris’s bank balance enough of a boost to charter a private jet instead of driving. Jona Lewie – Stop the Cavalry Annual royalties: £120,000. Total since release: £5.4million Jona, whose real name is John, says that thanks to the success of Stop the Cavalry in 1978, he now just "tinkers around" in his studio. The song is an anti-war protest starting ‘Hey Mr Churchill comes over here...’ He admits he didn’t intend it to become a festive song "I absolutely did not sit down with the idea of writing a big Christmas hit. I don't think I would have been able to.” Jona added that it provides half of his back catalogue income. Shakin Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone Annual royalties: £140,000. Total since release: £5.32million. Welsh singer and songwriter Michael Barratt had a hit number one with Merry Christmas Everyone (not to be confused with the near-identically named Slade song) in 1985. Poor old Shakey himself only gets a small fraction of the £140,000 royalties though, as the key in the writing. He picks up about £10,000, but the man behind the lyrics, Bob Heatlie, pockets a whopping £130,000 a year. East 17, Stay Another Day Annual royalties: £97,000. Total since release: £2.81 million Boy band members Brian Harvey, Tony Mortimer, John Hendy, and Terry Coldwell’s iconic video for this chart-topping song saw them trekking through the snow in white fur coats. After the song was released in 1994 Tony spoke of how he wrote it after losing his brother Ollie to suicide, but changed it into a love song about losing a partner. Read More on The US Sun He said: “I find it really awkward to listen to. "When I go to the supermarket, I pray it doesn’t come on. My family never listen to it.”Clippers may cut ties with Norman Powell in favor of $117 million ex-Knicks phenom | Sporting NewsBiden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.

Yellowstone Season 5 finale was the most-watched episode in series history. Here's how and where you can watch itA Crown Point apartment building is uninhabitable after an early Sunday morning fire ravaged its roof. The Crown Point Fire Department was called around 3:24 a.m. December 8 to the 900 block of Cypress Point Drive for a fire, according to a Sunday news release from the City of Crown Point. Crews arrived the scene to find a fire that extended to the roof, so, officers started alerting neighbors to evacuate, according to the release. None of the residents in the building when the fire broke out were injured, although a dog — a Dachshund named Pippi — died, according to social media. While it’s unclear how many units were occupied in the building, all 36 units were affected because of the roof damage and power getting cut off; as such, the property manager has coordinated with the American Red Cross to get the residents temporary accommodations, CPFD Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cusack told the Post-Tribune Sunday. Four units, however, were destroyed, and four additional units have smoke and water damage, according to the release. Firefighters from multiple departments brought the fire under control in about an hour and cleared the scene by 7:15 a.m., according to the release. No firefighters were injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Those residents displaced by the fire who haven’t gotten help from the American Red Cross yet are asked to call 1-800-733-2767. The Crown Point Police Department and Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Merrillville, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Lake Dale, Lake Hills, Hebron, Schererville, Union Township and Boone Grove Fire Departments and Tri-Creek EMS, assisted.LANGHORNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Savara Inc . (Nasdaq: SVRA), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on rare respiratory diseases, today announced the grant of inducement awards to four new employees. On November 20, 2024, the Compensation Committee of Savara's Board of Directors granted the inducement awards to four new employees who recently joined the Company. The inducement awards consist of options to purchase an aggregate of 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and restricted stock units (RSUs) covering an aggregate of 70,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. These equity awards were granted under the Savara Inc. 2021 Inducement Equity Incentive Plan pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules as an inducement material to the employees’ acceptance of employment with the Company. The options have an exercise price of $3.13 per share, the closing trading price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the grant date. Each option has a 10-year term and vests as to 1/16 th of the number of shares subject to the option on each quarterly anniversary of the employee’s first day of employment, subject to the employee’s continued employment on each such vesting date. The RSUs vest in full on the two-year anniversary of the employee’s first day of employment, subject to the employee’s continued employment on such vesting date. About Savara Savara is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on rare respiratory diseases. Our lead program, MOLBREEVI*, is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Phase 3 development for autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP). MOLBREEVI is delivered via an investigational eFlow ® Nebulizer System (PARI Pharma GmbH). Our management team has significant experience in rare respiratory diseases and pulmonary medicine, identifying unmet needs, and effectively advancing product candidates to approval and commercialization. More information can be found at www.savarapharma.com , X: @SavaraPharma , LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/savara-pharmaceuticals/ ). *MOLBREEVI is the FDA and EMA conditionally accepted trade name for molgramostim inhalation solution. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122399085/en/ CONTACT: Media and Investor Relations Contact Savara Inc. Temre Johnson, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs ir@savarapharma.com KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH OTHER HEALTH CLINICAL TRIALS GENERAL HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Savara Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122399085/en

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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday. The Chief Minister, accompanied by Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, as well as senior officials, offered tributes at a portrait of Dr. Singh at Lok Seva Bhawan. Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Majhi described Dr. Singh as a “great son of the country” who was respected worldwide for his knowledge and skills in economics. He noted that due to Dr. Singh’s liberal economic policies, India embarked on its journey to becoming a major global economy. As Prime Minister, Dr. Singh accelerated the nation’s development across various sectors. “His wisdom, politeness, honesty, and humble nature have established a unique identity for him in the realm of politics,” the Chief Minister added. He also prayed to Lord Jagannath for the departed soul’s peaceful repose, extending his condolences to Dr. Singh’s grieving family.You couldn’t fault the effort on either side, but the skill levels seemed to be lacking. Henshaw threw a forward pass with the try-line beckoning even if the pass had gone two yards backward. Billy Burns kicked the ball dead and Rory Scannell missed a penalty to touch. The passing and handling lacked accuracy resulting in quite a few knock-ons and turnovers. Sam Prendergast managed to avoid the above malaise – his passing was always accurate and his kicking precise. He also took his try remarkably well, although you have to wonder at the Munster midfield defence with Leinster a man down due to a Tommy O’Brien yellow card for repeated offenses in defence. What does Rory Scannell add to this Munster team? The penalty count was Munster 3 Leinster 11 at an early stage of the second half, so Leinster have a few work-ons as well. I always favoured Crowley as Sexton’s natural successor – Ross Byrne simply doesn’t represent enough of a running threat – which puts his backline under additional pressure. But unfortunately, both Crowley and Byrne’s form have taken a backward step as Prendergast’s star has risen, and right now he is the only outstanding player we have at 10. Sadly, Crowley was rested for this match which robbed the spectators of an interesting head to head comparison. But Munster were never going to take a 0-14 half-time score line lying down, with Tom Ahern using every inch of his 6’ 10” frame to make the line wide off a short tapped penalty and make it 7-14. The Leinster scrum really starting motoring and gave the referee no choice but to award penalties from which Prendergast extracted the maxim yardage. It didn’t take Van Der Flier long to bring the score-line back to a 14 point margin – 7-21. Henshaw then squandered a penalty advantage with a croc roll which meant the penalty was reversed. Seriously lads? Experienced test players conceding needless penalties? But Munster’s passing and handling did not improve, and they struggled to put sustained attacks together. As if to confirm my earlier prognosis, Ross Byrne then missed a penalty to touch. Prendergast’s masterclass seems to have spooked him into trying too hard and taking on too much. Not to matter, the Leinster pack took charge not troubling their backline with too much ball. Their modh díreach leading to a try for Caelan Doris. Despite not being a huge man, his ability to break through the toughest of defences never ceases to amaze me. The game ended with Leinster in almost total control, the Munster bench no match for Leinster’s. Tadgh Beirne was his usual industrious self, but it is difficult to pick out other outstanding Munster performers. For Leinster Osborne got involved an awful lot to mixed effect but other than Prendergast the plaudits have to go to the Leinster pack who had the edge for most of the match.

The bullet-riddled bodies of the two cops were seen lying inside a police van near a temple in Udhampur (PTI photo) JAMMU: A policeman allegedly shot dead his colleague with an AK-47 assault rifle before turning the weapon on himself in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district early Sunday, officials said. The two policemen along with another colleague were travelling from north Kashmir's Sopore to the Subsidary Training Centre (STC), Talwara, in Reasi district of Jammu region when the incident took place. The bullet-riddled bodies of the two cops were seen lying inside a police van near the Kali Mata temple in Rehembal area of Udhampur around 6.30 am. Officials said the head constable opened fire at the driver over some argument before ending his own life. A selection grade constable, who was also travelling in the vehicle, escaped unhurt and is being questioned, they said. Udhampur SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure said the accused used his AK 47 assault rifle in the firing. "They were posted in Sopore and belonged to Kashmir. The accused constable shot dead his colleague before killing himself," the officer said. "Initial probe reveals it is a case of fratricide and suicide," police said. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .None

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