Harris: Fine Gael ‘will gain seats’ amid further fragmentation of Irish politics{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-27T00:53:35+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-27T00:53:35+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-27T00:53:33+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22136/news/rwanda/a-closer-look-at-the-mandate-of-rwandas-experience-laden-elders-forum", "headline": "A closer look at the mandate of Rwandas experience-laden elders forum", "description": "For the past one decade, the elder’s advisory forum, an institution composed of men and women over the age of 50 years, mostly seasoned politicians, has...", "keywords": "Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum,National issues", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22136/news/rwanda/a-closer-look-at-the-mandate-of-rwandas-experience-laden-elders-forum" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64912.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64912.jpg" }, "articleBody": "For the past one decade, the elder’s advisory forum, an institution composed of men and women over the age of 50 years, mostly seasoned politicians, has been advising the Head of State and other top leaders on a number of issues of national importance, but don’t do it through usual channels like the senate or parliament. Established in 2013, the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum (REAF)’s core mandate is to advise government on national topical issues, national political orientation and challenges pertaining to good governance, justice, economy and social welfare. The organ’s members are described as people of “high moral standing and have significant experience” in national leadership or other prominent roles. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Kagame graces Tito Rutaremara's 80th birthday Often, on their agenda are discussion points ranging from fostering the country's stability, progress, and social cohesion, in addition to carrying out research on a number of things. “We advise the president, but ultimately, it is his prerogative to decide how, or even if, to act on our recommendations,” Tito Rutaremara, REAF’s Chairperson, told The New Times in an interview. Rutaremara, 80, has a political career spanning over five decades and has held numerous roles, including serving as Ombudsman and chaired the commission that drafted the 2003 constitution. He also served as a senator and member of parliament. He is flanked by over a dozen other seasoned individuals who boast experience not only in leadership but also in aspects like family and parenting, business, research, and beyond. We do all types of research, analysing writings, holding discussions, and studying public opinions, Rutaremara told The New Times. Though it is composed of older people, the forum does research on contemporary topics like the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which, according to Rutaremara, they have carried out a research on Rwanda’s readiness to embrace it. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, often called 4IR or Industry 4.0, is a term used to describe the current era of technological advancement where digital, physical, and biological systems are merging. ALSO READ: Lawmakers endorse Elders Advisory Forum Unlike earlier industrial revolutions, which were driven by steam, electricity, or computers, the fourth industrial revolution is powered by innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and biotechnology. A “purely advisory” mandate Rutaremara clarified that REAF's role is purely advisory, and so, to discharge its responsibilities, the forum conducts research, reading, interviews and public consultations and comes up with a position paper which is then presented to relevant organs. REAF's mandate covers a broad range of issues, including national policy direction, governance challenges, justice, the economy, and social welfare. The forum may present its advice either upon the president's request or independently. Members of the council are appointed by the president, who also oversees the forum through his office. The council is typically composed of seven members, although the number can be adjusted as the country’s needs evolve. At least 30 per cent of the members must be female. Making decisions The forum has two main organisational bodies: The Council of Elders, which is REAF’s highest decision-making body, and the Bureau of REAF. The bureau consists of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who are responsible for leading the council's activities, preparing meetings, implementing resolutions, and coordinating with other government bodies to ensure smooth collaboration. The Council of Elders’ decisions are reached through consensus; however, if consensus is not possible, an absolute majority vote among the members present will determine the outcome. REAF operates independently in establishing its internal regulations, provided they align with the law under which it was created. These regulations may be published in the Official Gazette of Rwanda. ALSO READ: Bonding with youngsters, telenovelas, and dancing: The other side of Tito Rutaremara The forum’s members serve a renewable term of five years, during which they have the authority to conduct any research deemed necessary to support their advisory role and to establish regulations for the forum's daily operations. A member may lose their position for several reasons, including the completion of their term, voluntary resignation, or inability to perform their duties due to illness or disability. Behaviour incompatible with the responsibilities of their role, no longer meeting the qualifications that were considered at the time of their appointment, or receiving a prison sentence of six months or more without rehabilitation, may also lead to loss of a position on the forum.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesca Mutamba" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }

Nendah Tarke scores 24 to help Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60ALLEGANY – Mark Schmidt designated specific responsibilities to the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team as it prepared to face Bryant: Get the ball to Noel Brown. St. Bonaventure Bonnies center Noel Brown (24) works against Bryant University Bulldogs forward Kvonn Cramer (1) during the second half at the Reilly Center on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. It gave the Bonnies a huge advantage – literally and figuratively. The Bulldogs had no answer for Brown, a 6-foot-11 center who rose to the occasion in an 85-70 win against Bryant on Sunday at the Reilly Center. As good, he has helped the Bonnies to a 6-0 start for the first time since 1973, a byproduct of coaching, a well-distributed offense and the Bonnies’ livelihood, its defense. “It takes, one, good coaching,” said Brown, who had a game-best 22 points and seven rebounds against Bryant and is averaging 12.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. “It takes a lot of dedication and practice, every day, and it takes a team effort. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but over the spread of a few games, the points have been spread out, over player to player to player, and it begins on defense. Honestly, I think it just begins with an identity that starts with hard work.” Bona guard Melvin Council Jr. explained what Brown has done to lift himself from being a role player in his first season at Bona, as a transfer from George Washington, to being the center in charge in his second year with the Bonnies. The St. Bonaventure men’s basketball team began the weekend 5-0 for the first time since 2021, and is now 6-0 for the first time since 1973 after an 85-70 win against Bryant on Saturday at the Reilly Center in Allegany. “A lot of people don’t know this, and I don’t want to give the secret out for Noel, but he comes back late at night to work on paint touches and stuff like that, so it looks easy,” said Council, who scored 18 points. “We always tell him, ‘We’re going to run through you for the offense. We’ve got to get you a touch before we do anything.’ That’s what we try to do, every game.” Brown scored in double digits for the fourth time in five games and bested his previous career high of 18 points on Feb. 14 at Fordham. He and his teammates even got into a little trash talking with former Bona guard Barry Evans, now with the Bulldogs (3-3). Evans hit a jumper with 8:12 left in the first half ... and got called for a technical foul after having words with the Bona bench. “We expected that to happen,” Council said, chuckling. “He said, ‘You know how I get!” Bona’s 6-0 start hasn’t come without some stress – including Sunday. Bryant wiped out two significant leads for the Bonnies. The Bulldogs used a 15-1 run in the final five minutes of the first half to cut the Bonnies' lead to 46-40 at halftime. In the second half, they came within at least eight points twice in the final seven minutes, but the Bonnies slowed down the pace, capitalized in transition and opened a 75-66 lead to 82-66 inside the final two minutes. Brown took the lead in the locker room at halftime and gave his team instructions: Lock in on defense and the offense will unfold. No excuses in the second half. Come out with an edge. Lajae Jones hit a 3-pointer 20 seconds into the second half, which kicked off an 18-4 run and opened Bona’s lead to 64-44. Now, the Bonnies take their undefeated record on the road, but to a technically neutral court, when they face Utah State at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the ESPN Events NIT Season Tip-Off tournament in Kissimmee, Fla. The field also includes North Texas and Northern Iowa. “We’re trying to celebrate this one,” Schmidt said, wryly, when asked about preparing for the multi-team event at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. “You have a chance to play good teams on a neutral court, and those neutral courts, that’s like playing in the Atlantic 10 tournament,” Schmidt said. “It gets our guys more comfortable playing away from home, against a really good team. You don’t want to play those teams at their place.” But the Bonnies aren’t putting too much stock in their undefeated start. “We can’t be satisfied being 6-0,” Schmidt said. “We’ve got to improve. We can’t listen to the noise and everybody talking about how we’re 6-0, and this and that. It’s the next game. We’ve got to prepare for the next game.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! College/high school sports enterprise reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Buy these ASX dividend shares as Christmas presentsGus Malzahn is resigning as Central Florida's head coach to become 's offensive coordinator, a person familiar with the hire told The Associated Press on Saturday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Seminoles have not confirmed Malzahn's move, which is pending a state background check. ESPN first reported the decision. The Knights made official that Malzahn is leaving in a statement released a day after UCF (4-8) concluded its season with to Utah. “We would like to thank Coach Malzahn for his contributions to our football program over the past four seasons, including our transition into the Big 12 Conference," the school said. "We appreciate his professionalism and dedication to our student-athletes throughout his tenure at UCF and wish he and his wife, Kristi, the very best in their future endeavors.” Malzahn finished with a 28-24 mark in four years at UCF, the last two ending with losing records after joining the Big 12. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons in 2020. Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was fired Nov. 10 following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles rank 131st out of 134 in total offense and scoring offense, averaging 15.8 points a game heading into Saturday night's rivalry game against Florida. The Seminoles (2-9) have dropped significantly since going 13-1 last season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Knights, meanwhile, struggled mightily in Malzahn's fourth season — most of it because of quarterback issues. Four players took snaps from center as the Knights finished 2-7 in conference play. It was the program's worst record since going 0-12 in former coach George O’Leary’s final season in 2015. Florida State coach Mike Norvell fired Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and receivers coach Ron Dugans amid the Seminoles' season-long skid. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and Mark Long, The Associated Press

Vladimir Putin's assassination targets have been revealed after some top-secret documents were declassified for the first time by US intelligence. The "kill list", which has been kept hidden for years and has now been unveiled thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request, contains the names of people on the Russian president's "kill list" - and includes his critics, opponents, as well as other politicians. Over the past few years, there have been a series of instances during which prominent critics of the Kremlin, and Putin in particular, died in suspicious circumstances - from falling out of windows to being poisoned or taking their own lives in inexplicable ways. Now, the long-classified memorandum by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has been released, and it sheds lights on some of those mysterious deaths. The document declares: "Putin probably authorizes assassinations of high-profile figures abroad. "The Russian Government will continue to use its intelligence services and other loyal entities to assassinate suspected terrorists as well as individuals abroad whom it deems as threats to [...] Vladimir Putin's regime. Our confidence level for this judgment is high, based on official Russian statements and the findings of foreign governments in countries where assassinations have taken place." The document was declassified following a request from Bloomberg , with the publication reporting that American politicians had tucked information inside a 2016 intelligence spending bill that tasked US intelligence with preparing a classified assessment for the committees - and it was about "the use of political assassinations as a form of statecraft by the Russian Federation since January 1, 2000." The memo mentions the "first clear case" of Putin ordering an assassination abroad took place in 2004, when Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev - who was the second president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria between 1996 and 1997 - was killed. He was assassinated when a bomb ripped through his SUV in Doha, Qatar . Authorities found the killing was carried out by agents from Russia 's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), Anatoly Belashkov and Vasily Bogachev. The pair were sentenced to life imprisonment by a Qatari court before being extradited to Russia, where they were expected to serve their sentence. However, Russian prison authorities later claimed they never found Belashkov and Bogachev. Another assassination mentioned in the memo is that of British-naturalised Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, a former officer of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) who specialised in tackling organised crime, who was killed in London in 2006. The former Russian spy was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 which was slipped in a cup of tea in a London hotel and died three weeks later. Litvinenko had fled to Britain after criticising Putin and after his death, it was revealed that MI6 had paid him. It is believed his murder was signed off by Putin - which the Kremlin has always denied. Two of his cronies, Dmitri Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi, were accused of carrying out the hit. In 2022, Kovtun died aged 56 in a Moscow hospital due to complications from Covid-19, while Lugovoi is still wanted in the UK for Litvinenko's murder. The US intelligence report said about the assassination: "The official British inquiry into Litvinenko's murder concluded that Putin 'probably approved' it, based upon a review of physical evidence and decision-making on matters related to the security services." The memo also mentions the death of Russian businessman Alexander Perepelichny in 2012. The 44-year-old collapsed in Surrey after pending the night with his mistress in Paris - and according to the document, he was "assassinated with a biological toxin in the UK in 2012 shortly before he was scheduled to testify about a Kremlin tax fraud network." Another suspected killing mentioned in the document is that of Alexander Bednov, a critic of the Kremlin, who died in 2015. The document says: "At least some key separatist figures in Ukraine's Donbas Region who resisted Kremlin orders, such as Oleksandr Bednov, have probably been killed at Moscow's behest, reflecting Russia's priority on maintaining control over the region." While some of the cases mentioned in the document are from years ago, there are still fears that since the invasion of Ukraine , Russia has continued pursuing Putin foes abroad. Some of the most high-profile deaths that have been linked to Putin include that of his opponent Alexei Navalny, 47, who died in February in a jail in the Russian Arctic while serving a 19-year sentence on "extremism" charges. In August last year, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a vocal Putin critic and the head of the Wagner mercenary group, died in a fireball private jet crash. The death of Russian TV chef Alexei Zimin, who fled to London after opposing the Ukraine war, has also been linked to Putin. The 52-year-old was found dead in a Belgrade hotel while on a promotional tour to the Serbian capital.Pakistani authorities launch operation to clear Imran Khan supporters from the capital

Carolina Hurricanes (16-6-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (14-9-1, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Panthers -123, Hurricanes +103; over/under is 6.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes hit the ice in Eastern Conference action. Florida has gone 7-5-1 at home and 14-9-1 overall. The Panthers have a 3-0-1 record in one-goal games. Carolina has a 7-4-1 record on the road and a 16-6-1 record overall. The Hurricanes are 7-2-0 when they commit fewer penalties than their opponent. Saturday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Panthers won the previous matchup 6-3. TOP PERFORMERS: Sam Bennett has 11 goals and 11 assists for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart has seven goals and four assists over the last 10 games. Jack Roslovic has 12 goals and three assists for the Hurricanes. Seth Jarvis has four goals and six assists over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 4-6-0, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.1 penalties and 10.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Hurricanes: 6-3-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.3 assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.8 goals per game. INJURIES: Panthers: None listed. Hurricanes: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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In June of 2021, Michael Zheng captured the NJSIAA state singles tournament title as a junior at Delbarton. Sunday, the Columbia University junior was crowned the fall 2024 NCAA Division-I singles tournament champ as the second-seeded Montville, N.J. native defeated Michigan State’s Ozan Baris, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, TX. “It feels amazing,” Zheng told NJ.com in a phone interview after the win. “I was so close six months ago last season, and I’m just really happy to get this one for sure.” Zheng was also finalist at this past spring’s NCAA singles tournament as he became the first player since USC’s Steve Johnson to make back-to-back finals. Zheng was able to use that experience to his advantage. “I think playing in the final last time helped for sure,” Zheng said. “Last year I was so nervous before the final. This year I was nervous, but it wasn’t quite the same. I came out here trying to play free and compete as hard as I could.” This was year one of a two-year pilot for the singles and doubles championships being conducted in the fall which was approved in 2023. “It was really different having the tournament in the fall,” Zheng said. “I still felt like this was the true individual championship. I do think some of the best players were still here, and I’m glad to have the title in hand.” Zheng is the first player from the Ivy League to win the singles title since Yale’s Lucien Williams in 1922, and he is now Columbia’s first champion since Robert LeRoy won twice in 1904 and 1906. “It’s a huge honor to represent Columbia and the Ivy League,” Zheng said. “I’m happy that we’re back on the national scale.” Zheng is also the fifth man born in New Jersey to ever win the NCAA singles championship joining Godfrey Brinley (Perth Amboy) in 1886, William Larned (Summit) in 1892, Fred Alexander (Sea Bright) in 1091 and Ted Schroeder (Newark) in 1942. Only Larned and Alexander grew up and stayed in the Garden State. Alexander played collegiately at Princeton. “I’ve been getting so much support from friends and family back in Jersey,” Zheng said. “Jersey tennis is really strong, and I’m happy to represent New Jersey as well. Hopefully I’ll keep that going.” Both Zheng and the unseeded Baris broke each other’s serves early in the opening set before the Lion went up a double break at 5-2. Zheng capitalized on a mis-hit into the net from Baris on a shot from Zheng that appeared to be going out after a long rally. “It was huge getting that double break,” Zheng said. “You’re able to then play more free on your serve and you can go for it more. I knew it was going to be a tough battle. He got the second set, and I was able to reset and get it done in the third.” The second set was tightly played, but Baris was able to bounce back after being down 4-3 by winning the next three games. Zheng regained his composure and responded by taking the first two games of the third and cruised from there. “After he got that break back and I missed that volley on the deuce point on serve in the second, my heart sank,” Zheng said. “I felt like I might have given away another final. But, I quickly got rid of those thoughts and my coach helped me reset. I battled in that third set.” Zheng also won the first set against Alabama’s Filip Planinsek in May’s singles final before he lost in three sets, so he knew Baris wasn’t going to go down easy. When the last shot from Baris hit the net, Zheng threw his hands up in the air similar to when he won the N.J. state singles crown at Mercer County Park. “It was a huge relief honestly,” Zheng said. “I thought I may have squandered it. He played a tough game and I had to really earn it. I was relieved to get that last point.” Zheng compared this tournament title run to his N.J. singles championship three years ago. “It’s kind of similar,” he said. “It was a huge honor to play for Delbarton and win it my junior year. Then a couple years later I’m back on a similar stage winning the national tournament. There are some parallels, and I’m happy to bring home the title.” Michael Zheng of Delbarton celebrates after winning the singles title during the NJSIAA boys tennis Singles & Doubles finals at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, NJ on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media Zheng said his phone has been flooded with text messages and calls from coaches, teammates, family members and friends from New Jersey in the past week or so, and he’s sure to have gotten many more after his thrilling victory on Sunday. “I’ll get to them all eventually,” he said. “I’m honored for the support. It’s been amazing.” Celebration plans for Zheng feature a flight back home this evening and supporting his teammates for a conditioning test on Monday. Zheng next will be one of six players (three men, three women) representing Team USA at the 2024 Master’U BNP Paribas Championship in Reims, France next week, it was announced recently by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Earlier this year, Zheng competed in his second U.S. Open qualifiers after winning the ITF’s M25 Southaven Open in August. A Columbia, the former NJ.com Boys Tennis Player of the Year has gone 63-19 overall including 32-10 in dual matches at singles and 31-17 at doubles. Chris Nalwasky may be reached at cnalwasky@njadvancemedia.com . Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) . The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, click here . As always, please report scores to njschoolsports.com . Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription .

Crystal Group announces appointment of VP, Advanced TechnologySan Domenico played a solid game at both ends of the court during Saturday’s 69-25 victory over American Canyon. The Panthers were strong defensively, holding American Canyon to single-digit scoring in every quarter. San Domenico closed the door on the Wolves with a 30-point lead in the third quarter. Gavin Early led a balanced Panthers attack with 16 points, eight rebounds, six steals and six assists. Chidera Oneukwu finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Omar Willimas, Kris Jakstas and Irakli Jokhadze all chipped in 10 points apiece. • Marin Catholic fell 49-37 to Urban in the Wildcats’ boys basketball season debut on Saturday. Jake Ryan led Marin Catholic with 10 points as the Wildcats (0-1) battled uphill all day. The Wildcats are scheduled to join the Montgomery High tournament field on Thursday. Girls basketball San Domenico faced a big test in Friday’s Pinole Valley Tip-Off Classic during a 76-33 loss to defending NorCal Division I champion Bishop O’Dowd. Tosia Konczak led the Panthers with 13 points and Carly Amborn added 11. Bishop O’Dowd was paced by a 24-point outing from Jayla Stokes, daughter of former 49ers receiver JJ Stokes. San Domenico faced Justin-Siena in Napa on Saturday.The owners of Happy Tails, a doggy daycare in Tribeca, are barking up the right tree by officially opening their first brick-and-mortar location at 120 Duane St. after garnering great success with their mobile dog daycare service. Get the Full Story As the first-of-its-kind member-only dog club in the heart of Manhattan, the new venture aims to elevate the experience for pets and their owners, offering an exciting range of amenities designed to pamper and engage furry companions. “We wanted to create a playground for dogs and a destination for pet owners,” Irving Fallas, co-founder of Happy Tails, told amNewYork Metro during an onsite tour. “This facility is more than just a daycare; it’s a vibrant space where dogs can socialize and play in a safe and stimulating environment.” Happy Tails stands out from typical dog daycares due to its innovative design and commitment to personalized care. The facility is divided into four sections to cater to different canine temperaments, addressing safety concerns often found in larger, unsegregated spaces. As part of their meticulous approach, trainers assess all dogs before integrating into playgroups. “You’ll see the difference when you’re here,” Fallas said. “It’s intentional. We don’t just sign off on pets; we make sure every dog passes an assessment to make sure they can fit in with the group,” Fallas said, noting the staff is made up of trained professionals who understand dog behavior. The range of amenities at Happy Tails is nothing short of “paw-fect.” Dogs can enjoy a theme park-style obstacle course, relax on comfy dog couches and even indulge in gourmet treats from the dog café, which features items like dog-friendly macarons and creatively named dog wines such as “Zinfantail.” Membership at Happy Tails also grants access to certified dog trainers and pet therapists, ensuring that pets not only play but also receive proper training and care. “It’s about creating an engaging, enjoyable day for them, and for our clients, it means peace of mind knowing that trained staff are in charge,” Fallas said. Happy Tails is already receiving glowing feedback from its community, with owners celebrating their pets’ enthusiasm for the new space. One memorable moment involved a dog so reluctant to leave that staff had to gently drag her away after a day of fun. “That was a huge moment for us,” Fallas said. “To see that our clients’ dogs are truly enjoying their time here is why we started this.” The excitement doesn’t stop there; Happy Tails plans to host a series of events for pets and their owners, including community holiday gatherings and singles mixers. Looking to the future, Fallas and co-founder Teddy Tawil have ambitious plans for expansion throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, providing more spaces for dogs to thrive. For more information, visit happytail-dogs.com .

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has backed departing All Black TJ Perenara, after he used the side's haka ahead of their match against Italy to show support for the recent hikoi. "Toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te Tiriti o Waitangi," Perenara said at the weekend in front of the crowd in Turin , which translated as "the sovereignty of the land remains, the sovereignty of the people remains, the Treaty of Waitangi remains". The statement came after tens of thousands took part in a hikoi to Parliament , expressing opposition to the government's controversial Treaty Principles Bill. "I think it was awesome," Ngarewa-Packer said of Perenara's addition to the haka. "I mean, you know, a huge mihi to him and what he's achieved and done in his career, but also to bring rise to the mana of te Tiriti, to the mana that he has in that role, the mana of the haka - which Ngati Toa were really supportive of using during the hīkoi. She criticised the All Blacks' organisation, which cut the phrase from a video of the haka uploaded to its social media accounts. "I think there's just been, you know, sadly an under-reaction and a real lack of connection from the All Blacks in changing the haka on Instagram and on social media to not actually understand the mana of what he was saying and doing and and that's, that's a real shame," she told Morning Report on Monday. "He just simply said quite beautifully, 'the mana and the strength of our land, the mana and the strength of our autonomy and the mana of te Tiriti o Waitangi', which, you know, te Tiriti is you know, is the most mana document, which is why you're seen certainly the reaction to the [Treaty] Principles Bill. "But I actually think to remind the mana of the unity intended of te Tiriti and to sort of keep everybody, you know, more balanced and mindful that there is mana in our haka, there is mana in Māori. And this is an example of how we use it to protect each other. And I think that's sad that it's, it's been, you know, confused and used in a way that you know, to be honest for them to cut it, it shows that they're almost, you know, not proud of te Tiriti and getting caught up in the ACT narrative, which is really, really disturbing." The bill was introduced as a part of National's coalition agreement with ACT. ACT leader and bill architect David Seymour said sports stars were not necessarily authorities on political matters. "Because someone is very good at rugby, for example, doesn't mean that they have any extra expertise. In fact, the point of the Treaty Principles Bill is that everybody can read it and make up their mind, regardless of how famous they are." He welcomed Perenara raising awareness of the bill, but wished the 32-year-old 89-test veteran had focused more on the game. "What TJ Perenara has done is point people to the bill, encourages them to go and read it so people can make up their own mind and the arguments we're advancing for it. So, yes, I mean, in a way he's doing exactly what I hope people would do, although I also hoped they'd put a few more points on Italy." The All Blacks won the game 29-11, but in unconvincing fashion . New Zealand Rugby recently added a line into its constitution, acknowledging Māori as tangata whenua and Te Tiriti ō Waitangi as the country's founding document. Ngarewa-Packer said the All Blacks, like Parliament, could not enjoy an association with some aspects of Māori culture while rejecting others. Seymour criticised Te Pāti Māori's use of a haka in the House to protest the Treaty Principles Bill. "You cannot use our culture for performative, for entertainment and when it suits the commercial, you know, or the needs of the organisation, when its true intent, it's authenticity and intent of the emotion and messaging, it's no longer wanted by the organisation - you just don't get to have it both ways. "That's part of the tikanga that we're contending with in the House - want to do karakia Māori, want to do karanga Māori, waiata Māori. But if we use our tikanga [authentically] or in our deep, you know, emotions, then suddenly it's not wanted. So you just don't get it both ways." National has said it will vote the Treaty Principles Bill down at its second reading, but not before several months of consultation and the select committee process. Several former National Party MPs have criticised the bill, including former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley and former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ALLO Fiber today announced a fiber broadband project installing a 10 Gigabit network in Flagstaff, AZ. This fiber connection will enable world-class internet, broadband, cybersecurity, managed services, telephone, and video services for residents and businesses. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2025 . This $65 million project will employ 75 local professionals, with many more involved during the construction phase. Flagstaff residents and businesses will soon be able to take advantage of award-winning customer service and internet speeds. Through this 100% fiber-optic network, students can improve how they learn, and employees can work efficiently from the office or home. The fiber network will feature up to 10 Gigabit speeds for residents and up to 100 Gigabit speeds for businesses, providing equal upload and download speeds optimized by ALLO's world-class Wi-Fi 7 routers. Additionally, Flagstaff residents, businesses of all sizes, and governmental entities will be supported by ALLO's fiber-rich network, delivering active and passive solutions without installation fees or restrictive contracts. Internet, data transport, cloud connectivity, video, and voice are included in ALLO's comprehensive communications, entertainment, and business products. Businesses can access ALLO's managed services, next-generation firewalls, phone systems, and cybersecurity offerings before the fiber network is built. The community will also have access to a community-wide network providing ultra-reliable and extensive internet bandwidth. ALLO Arizona General Manager Mike Horton stated, "As we expand our coverage across Arizona , we are excited to begin construction in the City of Flagstaff . We understand that with continued growth in the region, the value of essential communications infrastructure and advanced technology is an important asset for the city and surrounding communities. We look forward to offering ALLO Fiber services to Flagstaff and continuing to create local jobs in the process." Flagstaff is the seventh Arizona community that ALLO serves. ALLO began developing our first Arizona Gigabit community in Lake Havasu City in September of 2021, followed by the Kingman , Yuma , San Luis , Somerton , and Sierra Vista markets. ALLO is also operating Middle Mile projects in Yuma and Mohave Counties. For more information about ALLO in Flagstaff , please visit AlloFiber.com/ Flagstaff and AlloFiber.com/careers . About ALLO Communications ALLO Communications, a leader in providing fiber-optic services, has been dedicated to delivering world-class communications and entertainment services since 2003. With a commitment to building Gigabit communities, ALLO serves over 50 communities across Nebraska , Colorado , Arizona , Missouri , Iowa , and Kansas . ALLO is known for its reliable fiber networks and customized technology solutions that support businesses of all sizes. For more information, visit AlloFiber.com . Contact: Tanna Hanna Vice President of Marketing Tanna.Hanna@allofiber.com 308-633-7815 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-power-of-allos-all-fiber-network-coming-to-flagstaff-arizona-302338563.html SOURCE ALLO Communications

Titans keep losing as coach Brian Callahan tries to show some progress

Iowa 72, Washington St. 43