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Sowei 2025-01-13
Secrets inside Noel and Sue Radford's £7k Christmas - from 60 Yorkshire puddings to multiple treesWhen the snow is falling and hot chocolate is piping, few activities are more refreshing and relaxing than plopping down on the couch and turning on the television. Some will watch live Christmas events from Rockefeller Center, while others will tune into a bowl game. But if you’re of a certain age, you clearly remember the excitement when Nickelodeon began to roll out its litany of timeless Christmas specials. From Kenan & Kel in the 1990s to Danny Phantom in the late 2000s, Nickelodeon has entered the pantheon of networks that have consistently rolled out classic holiday specials. While Nickelodeon’s legacy is cemented, the ranking of its best holiday season episodes is and will always be hotly contested. Not to start a debate at the holiday dinner table, but here are the 10 best classic Nickelodeon holiday specials. Show: Keenan & Kel Air Date: December 14, 1996 Kel ( Kel Mitchell ) loves orange soda and Kenan ( Kenan Thompson ) loves Christmas. He spends the entire year saving money to buy a new bike and takes an extra job as Santa at the mall to help get the last few dollars he needs. However, his plans are derailed when he comes across a brother and sister who dream of a great Christmas filled with presents that their mother can’t afford. In a selfless mood, Kenan uses the money he makes as Santa to surprise the kids and their mom with presents. Kenan’s upset that he didn’t get the bike he wanted, but he knows he did the right thing and Santa rewards him with a bike of his own. As with many Nickelodeon holiday specials, Kenan’s act of giving underscores the importance of family, friends, community, and giving throughout the holiday season. Show: Invader Zim Air Date: December 10, 2002 Name two more idiotically entertaining rivals than Zim ( Richard Steven Horvitz ) and Dib (Andy Berman). I’ll wait. While I wait, also figure out why Dib’s dad, Professor Membrane ( Rodger Bumpass ), named him Dib. Anyway, Zim and Dib’s rivalry takes center stage when Zim learns about the lure of Santa, kidnaps a man dressed up in a Santa suit and drains his brain. Normal holiday festivities, right? Once Zim drains the man’s brain and learns more about the lure of Santa, he devises a plan to build a Santa suit and convince all of humankind that he’s worthy of following and giving their undying devotion too. For the most part, it works and Zim is close to bringing all of human kind to the Tallest in order to extend his rule. However, Dib intervenes and garners the support of his sister, Gaz (Melissa Fahn), and his father, Professor Membrane, and stops Zim before he’s able to fully takeover. Overall, it’s a pretty weird storyline for a kid’s show during the holiday season, but Invader Zim is at its best when it’s weird. Show: Rocko’s Modern Life Air Date: December 1, 1994 Rocko ( Carlos Alazraqui ) is a better person than most because his grace throughout this Christmas special is unmatched. For nearly the entire episode, Rocko works to put together beautiful holiday decorations and host a lovely holiday party. Instead, his friends treat him poorly, other characters bully him, and no one except a magic elf shows up to his party. The elf works his magic and creates a memorable snowfall around Rocko’s house and Rocko’s house only. When the blizzard leaves a perfect amount of snow and holiday cheer around his house, Rocko’s friends show up at his front door to apologize and make the most of the holiday party. Rocko, being the kind soul he is, lets them in and thanks them for coming. Show: iCarly Air Date: December 13, 2008 Timmy Turner ( Tara Strong ) isn’t the only character in the Nickelodeon multiverse to have their dreams come true during the holiday season. When Carly’s brother, Spencer ( Jerry Trainor ), builds an electromagnet Christmas tree that sets fire to holiday gifts, Carly ( Miranda Cosgrove ) wishes that her brother was a bit more normal. However, things aren’t as great as Carly hoped they’d be. Spencer becomes a “normal” lawyer dating Ms. Benson (Mary Scheer) while Freddie ( Nathan Kress ) no longer has a crush on Carly, and Sam ( Jennette McCurdy ) is in a juvenile detention center. Most shockingly, Carly, Spencer, and Freddie were never friends in this alternate universe and never launched a webcast. The weirdness of the episode pays off in the end because Carly realizes what we’ve always known: her life is pretty great as is. Show: As Told by Ginger Air Date: December 10, 2001 As Told by Ginger is one of the most underrated series in the Nickelodeon catalog for various reasons, including its humor and ability to reach both young and older audiences. Case in point, the show’s “Even Steven” holiday special is immaculate. In the tertiary plot, Ginger (Melissa Disney) discovers that her grandfather is Jewish and immediately pivots from celebrating Christmas to celebrating Hanukkah. Her shift from Christmas to Hanukkah happens so quickly that it causes a rift between her and Dodie (Aspen Miller) because Ginger refuses to go to Dodie’s Christmas party and hosts her own instead. Splitting the room down the middle, half of Ginger’s party is devoted to celebrating Hanukkah, and the other half is adorned with Christmas decorations. Meanwhile, Hoodsie ( Tress MacNeille) is writing letters to Santa, asking him to give him rhythm for Christmas. Yes, you read that correctly. He genuinely asked Santa for rhythm, the ability to dance on beat. When Ginger’s brother, Carl (Jeannie Elias), finds Hoodsie begging Santa for rhythm, he not only makes fun of him, but also declares that Santa isn’t real. As a result, Carl spends the remainder of the episode attempting to prove that Santa is real. Through this effort, he learns that Carl is not a fan of the holiday season because he routinely asked Santa to bring his father home for Christmas as a kid, and his dad rarely stopped by on the holidays. With this information, Hoodsie runs up to a man dressed as Santa on the street and asks him to bring Hoodsie’s Dad home for Christmas. Little does Hoodsie know, the man dressed up as Santa is Carl’s dad. In the end, Carl’s dad visits him for Christmas, and while they’re talking in the driveway, a fire starts inside as Ginger is hosting her holiday party. Carl’s dad runs in, puts out the fire, and saves the day, making Ginger realize that the most important part of the holidays is being surrounded by family and friends. And no, Carl does not get rhythm. Show: The Fairly OddParents Air Date: December 12, 2001 Clichés may be annoying, but they’ve stood the test of time for a reason. However, when an elder said, “Be careful what you wish for,” Timmy Turner clearly wasn’t listening. Instead, he had to learn the hard way when he told Wanda (Susanne Blakeslee) and Cosmo ( Daran Norris ) that he’d like it to be Christmas every day. In his head, there’d never be school, and he’d get presents every time he woke up. Conversely, Wanda and Cosmo are magically depleted, his parents can’t work, and the other holidays become envious of Santa Claus. As a result, Timmy must make a trip up to the North Pole all alone. Tough luck for a kid who can literally wish for whatever he wants every other day of the year already. Show: Drake & Josh Air Date: December 5, 2008 Give a little girl named Mary Alice the best Christmas ever, or go back to jail. That’s essentially the plot of “Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh.” Drake ( Drake Bell ) desperately wants to host a party on the rooftop of Josh’s workplace, Premier Theater. To the surprise of just about everyone, Josh’s boss agrees to let Drake host the party as long as he volunteers to dress up as Santa for kids in the mall. Drake agrees, but things go haywire when a woman tries to kiss him, and he runs away. While hiding, he runs into a little girl named Mary Alice ( Bailee Madison ) and promises to give her the best Christmas ever. Drake finishes his shift as Santa and gets to host the party after all, but it’s cut short when a few uninvited guests show up, and Josh ( Josh Peck ) calls the police. However, there’s a mixup when the police arrive and Josh gets arrested. Being the good stepbrother he is, Drake tries to break Josh out of jail. Unfortunately, Drake gets arrested, too. When Drake and Josh get to speak to a judge, they explain that they need to get out to fulfill Drake’s promises to Mary Alice. The judge releases them, but warns that they will be brought back if they do not give Mary Alice the best Christmas ever. No pressure, right? Show: Rugrats Air Date: December 6, 1992 It may not seem like it, but there is not much of a difference between The Boondocks ‘ Huey Freeman ( Regina King ) and the children of Rugrats . Huey chases Santa around the mall with a BB gun, screaming, “You gon’ pay what you owe.” Meanwhile, Tommy ( Elizabeth Daily ), Chuckie (Christine Cavanaugh), and the crew are setting dangerous traps for Santa , so they can question him about his character. “The Santa Experience” kicks off at the mall where Angelica (Cheryl Chase) bum rushes the line to see Santa and tells Mr. Claus how much she needs a dream dollhouse for Cynthia. While Mr. Claus pushed her away, mall staff gave her a box of free toys to apologize for Santa rightfully pushing her away. Even with the free presents, Angelica is ungrateful and doesn’t want them. Meanwhile, Tommy and Chuckie are debating whether or not Santa is a good person. You know, typical baby stuff, right? Tommy is convinced Santa is a great guy, while Chuckie is, of course, scared of Saint Nick and thinks he’s a bad guy. In the kitchen, the parents are having a relatable conversation about their challenges and struggles, trying to ensure each of their children has a good holiday season. Later, the kids and parents head north to celebrate Christmas in a cabin. There, Chuckie and Tommy set up a booby trap to catch Santa. Much to their disappointment, the trap only manages to catch Stu ( Jack Riley ). Ultimately, everything turns out for the best as Santa just rings the front doorbell and delivers the presents face-to-face. Angelica gets her doll house, Chuckie determines Santa is a good person after all, and the Rugrats get the perfect Christmas. Show: SpongeBob SquarePants Air Date: December 6, 2000 If you ask most fans of SpongeBob SquarePants about Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), most would say he’s closer to being the Grinch than Santa Claus. However, “Christmas Who?” proves otherwise. Spongebob ( Tom Kenny ) visits Sandy ( Carolyn Lawrence ) and finds the proud Texan setting up Christmas decorations around her house. Instead of helping her, Spongebob freaks out because he thinks the lights and decorations have started a fire. It would be nearly impossible to start a fire that far underwater, but I digress. Anyway, Sandy stops him and explains to Spongebob who Santa Claus is and what happens on Christmas. Excited and enchanted, Spongebob shares the story of Christmas and Santa Claus with nearly everyone in Bikini Bottom. As a result, everyone but Squidward sends letters to Santa and spends all night caroling. When Santa doesn’t show up, everyone calls Spongebob a fraud and mocks him, including Squidward. However, Spongebob turns Squidward’s heart from coal to gold when he gives him a handcrafted clarinet for Christmas so that he won’t go without a gift. In return, Squidward dresses up as Santa and surprises Spongebob, who is delighted, and wishes him a merry Christmas. Squidward didn’t account for all of the other citizens of Bikini Bottom spotting him and asking for gifts. Instead of ruining the charade, Squidward ends up giving away nearly everything in his home away as a gift. Thankfully, Squidward is rewarded when the real Santa Claus sends a letter thanking Squidward for helping keep the spirit of Christmas alive. Show: Hey Arnold! Air Date: December 11, 1996 “Arnold’s Christmas” is not only the best Nickelodeon late-year holiday special, but it’s arguably one of the best episodes of the entire series. The series revolves around Arnold (Toran Caudell) attempting to pull off a Christmas miracle for his neighbor, Mr. Hyunh (Baoan Coleman). Through this endeavor, much of Mr. Hyunh’s backstory is revealed, including the heartbreaking story of how he and his daughter, Mai (Hiep Thi Le), have been separated for more than 20 years. While Arnold and his best friend, Gerald (Jamil Walker Smith), fall short in their quest to find Mai and reconnect her with Mr. Hyunh, Helga (Francesca Marie Smith) unexpectedly saves the day and gets Mai in touch with her father. Helga never gets the credit for creating this touching reunion, but she will always be remembered for being the driving force behind one of the most touching moments in Nickelodeon history. More Headlines:Call to exempt listed firms from tax on mergersjiliplay 9.com

A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House saysA 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House saysPresident of Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy commits $60,000 to keep Baltimore pizza shop open

Vijay Gir is a Certified Blockchain Expert with over 8 years of experience in the blockchain industry. He has a deep passion for sharing his knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and web3 technologies. For the past 7 years, Vijay has been dedicated to writing about these transformative topics, helping others stay informed and understand the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies. a silent closing? Bitcoin is hovering around $96,316 with a slight dim of 0.35% from December opening. A few minutes ago it was over 2%, however as we approach christmas eve, it looks like Santa is preparing the gift. Current Momentum: A Mixed Bag December started with Bitcoin flirting with record highs, but it's now down $15,000 from last week's peak. Still, BTC has climbed by 2.28% in the past two hours, showing that short-term traders are staying active. Zooming out,...Spain's monarch pays tribute to the victims of Valencia floods in his Christmas Eve speech

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 1:56 p.m. ESTInventory management software and drone technology provider now includes freezer and cold storage warehouse environments. Traditionally, staff across food and beverage, pharma and healthcare, health and beauty, and chemicals and technology have had to physically cycle count in harsh freezer environments. But now, Gather AI says, drones do the counting, and employees can comfortably view the results from a dashboard away from the cold. Gather AI computer vision technology enables drones to fly autonomously through warehouses with no GPS, WiFi, or infrastructure changes needed. The machine learning algorithm analyzes inventory pictures and reads and interprets far beyond the barcode including lot codes, text, expiration dates, case counts, and occupancy information. Warehouse operators can compare their real-time physical inventory with the warehouse management system (WMS) data. Gather AI says its solution scans ten times faster than traditional means in the freezer environment — up to 900 pallets per hour — and improves inventory accuracy by up to 70%. RELATED CONTENT RELATED VIDEOS Related ArticlesDubai, Paris, London, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, New York City, Rome, Florianópolis, Barcelona, and Bangkok Shine as Top Travel Destinations in Summer 2025

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is to ask the Ministry of Finance to exempt the retrospective tax for merger and acquisition (M&A) deals of listed companies, as part of its moves to boost the sluggish domestic exchange. It also aims to push the Thai stock market as a listing hub for flagship businesses in sectors with the potential to grow, such as healthcare, data centres, and food and beverage. The Jump+ project will be launched next year to boost market capitalisation. SET president Asadej Kongsiri said during an interview with the Bangkok Post that listed companies are considering acquiring businesses outside the stock market, but they are concerned over potential negative consequences. "In the process of business expansion, there may be a merger along the way and sometimes the companies on the SET want to acquire non-listed peers," he said. Consequently, the SET is preparing to ask for support from the Ministry of Finance by avoiding retrospective tax collection for those businesses pursuing M&As. "That would help companies expand and grow to their goals faster without being afraid of having their accounting audited retrospectively," said Mr Asadej. These companies would grow, and that will allow the government to collect more tax revenue in the future. In turn, it would let more companies enter the official tax system, he added. JUMP+ PROJECT Mr Asadej revealed that the SET aims to increase the value of stocks and the market capitalisation of the Thai bourse through the Jump+ project, which is similar to a successful initiative by South Korea's stock exchange. Currently, there are more than 800 companies listed on the Thai bourse, with a market cap of roughly 17 trillion baht. Several companies have a large amount of assets and cash, with only a small portion of debt. Nonetheless, they do not have a plan to expand their business. "These companies are classified as having a lazy balance sheet, but they have growth potential," Mr Asadej noted. If a listed company has developed a business expansion plan and future investment, they will be able to increase their stock value, whether they grow in their current business or a new business. The Jump+ initiative is a growth acceleration platform designed to enhance the value creation journey of high-potential listed firms across the Thai capital market. Through this voluntary programme, the SET will empower listed companies by driving operational excellence, advancement in ESG (environmental, social and governance), and adoption of analytical tools and artificial intelligence (AI). Participants will gain access to advisory services and communication channels to enhance market visibility, along with benefits and incentives from the SET, government agencies and partners. The SET will also introduce a new index tracking the performance of successful Jump+ companies and provide analysis reports in partnership with the Investment Analysts Association to support their investment decisions. A group index, possibly called the SET Jump Plus Index, would be set up if a large number of companies participated in the programme, noted Mr Asadej, adding that this initiative would be implemented from the first half of 2025. LISTING HUB According to the president, the SET aims to be a listing hub for flagship Thai businesses, or industries that have strengths and high growth potential, and that are in investment trends. Target businesses include healthcare, wellness, data and cloud centres, and electronic parts. "We are preparing to meet with relevant agencies, including the Board of Investment, the Finance Ministry, and foreign embassies to help attract companies from all over the world to invest in Thailand," Mr Asadej said. "This is a long-term plan that may not be completed in my term. But it must be started to put the Thai stock market in the spotlight and increase the bourse's potential in the long term." Additionally, information spreads through social media and various other channels very quickly nowadays. They contain both the truth and untruths. Therefore, proper and effective communication and warnings provided to investors must be carried out more quickly. He added that the SET is considering the use of AI to help analyse small stocks to provide investors with better information for their investment decisions. One of the pain points nowadays is that investors can only see analysis of large stocks. It is not worth it for brokers to analyse smaller stocks that investors do not trade often. "Now there is technology that can do it. It is a basic analysis that can be translated into many languages for investors to choose from. It helps them access investment information more comprehensively," Mr Asadej said. RISK FACTORS Mr Asadej said that US-China trade is an external factor that could have implications for the Thai stock market in terms of both opportunities and risks. During the first Donald Trump administration from 2017 to 2021, there were US$130 trillion worth of manufacturing relocations from China to the rest of Asia, of which only 10% was captured by Thailand. Vietnam attracted a significant portion due to various factors such as its natural resources and a young workforce whose skill sets were better than that of the Thai population. When Trump returns to the White House next month, Thailand should adjust itself to be capable of seizing the opportunities, including manufacturing relations that are better than during the first Trump administration, said Mr Asadej. Another risk factor is that Trump will increase import taxes on countries that have a trade surplus with the US. Among the members of Asean, Thailand ranks second in terms of its trade surplus with the US and 12th within Asia. "We must closely monitor the US tax policies under the Trump government on countries where China has production bases, including Thailand," Mr Asadej said. As for domestic factors, Mr Asadej believes the political situation is more stable now and the economy is bouncing back thanks to the recovery in tourism to pre-pandemic levels and the government's faster budget disbursement. However, the energy and petrochemical groups, which are heavyweight stocks on the SET, are being pressured by the global economic slowdown while the high level of supply in the market has affected the profits of many companies. Those factors have resulted in a decrease in the total profits of listed firms on the SET overall. In future, it will be necessary to increase contributions from other industries on the SET to balance that of the energy sector, Mr Asadej added.GE Aerospace has successfully demonstrated a one-megawatt hybrid electric propulsion system as part of a $5.1 million research and development contract with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Under the Applied Research Collaborative Systematic Turboshaft Electrification Project (ARC-STEP) contract, GE Aerospace researched, developed, tested, and evaluated a megawatt (MW) class electrified power plant. This work aimed to identify and enhance technologies applicable to future Army air vehicle propulsion systems and military electrified ground vehicles. “GE Aerospace has a nearly 50-year legacy as the powerplant for Army Aviation from the proven T700 engine to the new revolutionary T901 engine,” said John Martin, Director of Turboshaft Advanced Programs at GE Aerospace. “ARC-STEP builds on that legacy and refines technologies along a path for hybrid electric propulsion for both the US Army and the world.” Hybrid electric propulsion system The successful demonstration featured a CT7 turboshaft engine paired with an electric machine and power electronics produced by GE Aerospace. During the testing conducted at the GE Aerospace Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, experts from both the US Army and GE Aerospace collaborated to investigate and integrate technologies that enable the development of lightweight, efficient, reliable, and safe hybrid-electric propulsion systems. The effects of hybrid electric propulsion on the efficiency and effectiveness of different platform types were also analyzed during the demonstration. “It’s exciting to see the successful demonstration of ARC-STEP, which has enhanced our understanding of the potential for MW-class series hybrid systems to power future Army air and ground vehicles,” Dr. Mike Kweon, program manager of DEVCOM ARL’s Versatile Tactical Power and Propulsion Essential Research Program (VICTOR ERP), said. “Often, power and propulsion systems are significant bottlenecks in advancing transformational capabilities. I look forward to seeing how ARC-STEP will shape the direction of power systems for the Army’s future air and ground vehicles.” The efforts associated with this Army contract support GE Aerospace’s work in hybrid electric propulsion. This includes the Hybrid Electric Experiment (HEX) program in collaboration with Sikorsky and the NASA Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The goal is to develop a megawatt-class integrated hybrid electric powertrain and demonstrate its flight readiness for single-aisle aircraft. ARC-STEP, HEX, and EPFD are helping GE Aerospace continue building extensive experience with hybrid electric systems and power generation. CT7 turboshaft engine GE Aerospace has highlighted the operational versatility of its CT7 family of turboshaft and turboprop engines, which are utilized globally in various aviation environments. The company notes that the CT7-2 engine, offering 2,000 shaft horsepower, is recognized for its durability, fuel efficiency, and adaptability. It serves helicopters in multiple roles, including executive transport, firefighting, and rescue missions. Additionally, the CT7-8 engine family, with shaft horsepower ranging from 2,500 to 3,000, is tailored to meet the rigorous demands of modern medium-lift helicopters. This engine suits executive transport, search and rescue, passenger transport, and the oil and gas sectors. The efforts associated with this Army contract support GE Aerospace’s work in hybrid electric propulsion. This includes the Hybrid Electric Experiment (HEX) program in collaboration with Sikorsky and the NASA Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The goal is to develop a megawatt-class integrated hybrid electric powertrain and demonstrate its flight readiness for single-aisle aircraft. To date, GE Aerospace has delivered over 1,500 CT7 engines, collectively accumulating 30 million flight hours, underscoring their reliability and performance in the field.

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to Christians in the country to embrace peace unity, especially during festive period. In a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday, Atiku urged Nigerians to emulate life of Jesus Christ. He said: “Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, extends heartfelt Christmas felicitations to the Christian community in Nigeria as they celebrate the 2024 commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. “In his message, Atiku implored Nigerians to embrace a life of love and unity, drawing inspiration from the joyous spirit of the Christmas season. “He urged citizens to be guided by compassion and selflessness, encouraging them to cherish the significance of Christmas as a time for reflection and togetherness. Speaking further, Atiku berated President Bola Tinubu’s administration over economic challenges facing the country. He said: “The Waziri Adamawa, however, did not shy away from pointing out the failure of current political leaders to make the necessary sacrifices for the nation’s collective good. “He condemned the lack of leadership, which has resulted in widespread suffering and preventable deaths across the country. “Yet, despite these grave challenges, Atiku appealed to Nigerians to remain united, to embrace one another with love, and to confront the root cause of their struggles, poor leadership. “With love and unity, there is no obstacle too great to overcome. Let us, therefore, come together to share love and joy with all people of goodwill.”A s Barbados marked 58 years of independence and the third anniversary of becoming a republic, Prime Minister Mia Mottley blended her address to the nation with reflection and her vision for the nation’s future. Speaking during the annual Independence Day parade at Kensington Oval, she focused on the themes of resilience, self-reliance, and economic progress while paying tribute to Shirley Chisholm and welcoming a high-level U.S. congressional delegation. The event celebrated the country’s journey through historical struggles and triumphs while laying the groundwork for a brighter future. Mottley acknowledged the trials that Barbados has overcome throughout its history, from the scars of slavery and colonialism to contemporary challenges like climate change and economic crises. “We stand in the shadow of great people who came and sacrificed for us,” the prime minister said. “We have endured the worst aspects of slavery and colonialism, and today, as a nation, we continue to turn from cheek to cheek — from pandemics to cost-of-living crises, from climate to violence and instability.” You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition Business owners disappointed Police investigate shooting She also stressed that resilience is not only a hallmark of Barbados’ past but also its future. “We must not allow petty things to colour our lives and stimulate them into vast proportions of evil. To dwell on every slight and catch it close to our breasts and nourish it will corrode our thinking,” she declared. Quoting Shirley Chisholm, she added, “Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. And the first battle is won, my brothers and sisters, when we fight for belief in ourselves.” The Prime Minister highlighted the significant strides made to transform Barbados’ economy. Chief among these was the reduction in the national debt-to-GDP ratio, from a staggering 177 per cent to below 100 per cent, a feat she attributed to prudent financial management and a people-centred approach. “Six and a half years ago, we assumed the government as the third most indebted country in the world in terms of debt to GDP per capita,” Mottley said. “Today, we stand with those problems literally melting away behind us, and by next year, I fully anticipate that our debt-to-GDP ratio will be down to less than 100 per cent.” She noted that this progress was achieved not merely through fiscal measures but through investments in people. “We’ve ensured that you have been able to go back to the University of the West Indies and all tertiary institutions free of charge because, without education, we have nothing.” Her government, she noted, had also invested in essential infrastructure, including buses, garbage trucks, and modernised social services. “We cannot fall into the habit of leaving things unattended for a decade as happened before,” she warned. A focal point of the celebrations was the tribute to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first woman to run for President of the United States. Born to Barbadian parents, Chisholm’s legacy was celebrated as an inspiration for Barbadians and women globally. “Today we chose to salute one great person, and her name is Shirley Anita Chisholm,” Mottley declared. “We can say she achieved mighty things and laid a pathway that still waits for the full fruition of its promise.” Encouraging young people to learn about Chisholm’s life, the prime minister said, “She told us that nobody’s going to do anything for us. That’s what we know as a country, and that’s why I say we must get up and prepare our own way.” The tribute coincided with the centenary of Chisholm’s birth, a milestone also highlighted by Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus. “Shirley Chisholm would be proud that Barbados is now led by two groundbreaking, history-making, and trailblazing women, the president and the prime minister,” he said in his address. Jeffries is in Barbados along with a delegation that includes influential members like Representatives Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee. He lauded Barbados for its leadership on critical issues like climate change and economic development, referencing a recent agreement between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and Barbados to provide $500 million in funding for renewable energy, water infrastructure, and cybersecurity. “This historic agreement will bring thousands of good-paying jobs and tremendous economic development,” Jeffries stated. Meanwhile, as she addressed the existential threat of climate change, Mottley painted a stark picture of its impact on Barbados, including the devastation of Hurricane Beryl, which affected 90 per cent of the island’s fishing industry. “We now know that the first six months of the year bring drought and the next six months bring rain we can’t hide from,” she said. “But smallness makes us nimble, and we must remain agile in facing the world’s problems.” As part of her forward-looking vision, the prime minister announced “We Gathering 2025,” a year-long initiative to bring Barbadians from the diaspora back home to celebrate their heritage. “Come home, come home, come home,” she urged. “We will merge together as one people, recognising that we have a solemn duty to work not only to build this country but to make this planet a better place.” She also called for peace at all levels of society, emphasising the importance of respect, self-discipline, and non-violence. “Geography does not limit aspirations and never should,” she said. (RG)

Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don't expect big revelations

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