LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. People are also reading... Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. How to host the ultimate wine tasting Tip 2: Know your numbers How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Tip 3: Set a theme Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Tip 4: Don't forget food Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. Tip 5: Small pours = big fun The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. How to host the ultimate wine tasting The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. Tip 1: Determine the vibe A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is returning from a monthlong absence to play in Friday's game against the visiting Dallas Stars . Stone, 32, has been sidelined since sustaining a lower-body injury in Vegas' 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 6. He bolted out to a fast start to the season by recording 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) and a plus-9 rating in 13 games. Stone has totaled 588 career points (218 goals, 370 assists) in 653 games with the Ottawa Senators (2012-19) and Golden Knights. He won the Stanley Cup with Vegas to conclude the 2022-23 season, contributing 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 22 playoff games.
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The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.
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Over the last couple of months, there have been recalls of millions of pounds of meat for listeria concerns and of carrots for potential E. coli contamination . Searches for “recalled ground beef” are trending on Google while some on social media are claiming that hundreds of thousands of pounds of ground beef have been recalled. THE QUESTION Is there a ground beef recall for potential E. coli contamination? THE SOURCES U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Minnesota Department of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) THE ANSWER Yes, there is a ground beef recall for potential E. coli contamination, but the recalled meat was not sold in grocery stores. WHAT WE FOUND Wolverine Packing Co. is recalling about 167,277 pounds of ground beef products due to potential E. coli contamination, according to a Nov. 20 announcement from the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) . The recalled beef is not sold in stores. The FSIS says the beef was shipped to restaurant locations nationwide. The FSIS did not name the restaurants where the beef was distributed. Restaurants can identify the recalled beef by looking for establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024, and frozen products have a production date of 10 22 24. The FSIS has shared a list of product labels for the recalled beef. The FSIS says the problem was discovered after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture notified them of a group of people who reported eating ground beef before becoming sick. On Nov. 15, the Minnesota Department of Health urged people to contact their healthcare provider if they ate a hamburger at a table-service restaurant anytime after Oct. 31 and developed diarrhea, particularly bloody diarrhea. At the time, the Minnesota Department of Health reported that infected people ate the contaminated meat between Oct. 31 and Nov. 7. The FSIS said all 15 reported infections so far have been in Minnesota. E. coli is a kind of bacteria that can be found in many places, including the intestines of people and animals. Most kinds of E. coli are harmless and part of a healthy intestinal tract, but some E. coli can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis and other illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . The kind of E. coli found in the contaminated beef can cause dehydration, stomach cramps that last two to eight days and diarrhea that is often bloody, according to the FSIS, although the Minnesota Department of Health also notes that patients usually have no fever or a low-grade fever. Most people recover in five to 10 days, but about 5% of infections lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that involves acute kidney failure, the Minnesota Department of Health says. HUS can occur to people of any age, but is most common in older adults and children under 5 years old, the FSIS says. Symptoms include easy bruising, pale skin and decreased urine output. People who experience these symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care.
Many Australians have grappled with financial challenges this year. Rental affordability is at record lows in almost every capital city and region, interest rates haven't budged in over a year, and millions of people are experiencing food insecurity . Treasurer Jim Chalmers acknowledged earlier this month that while the economic situation was improving, many Australians were still under "substantial" financial pressure. "We're making good progress in the fight against inflation. We're making good progress when it comes to the key economic indicators. But we know that that doesn't always translate into how people are feeling or faring in the economy," he said. So will the cost of living improve in 2025? Here's what economists think. What will happen with inflation in 2025? Annual headline inflation was 2.8 per cent in the September quarter of 2024, a significant drop from the June figure of 3.8 per cent. The main reason cited by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for that decrease was a fall in electricity prices, as a result of government energy rebates, and lower petrol prices. The trimmed mean — a measure of underlying inflation that removes the biggest price swings — was 3.5 per cent in the September quarter, down from 4 per cent in June. Source: SBS News Sean Langcake, head of macroeconomic forecasting at Oxford Economics Australia, told SBS News: "The headline inflation number is important because it is the reality of what most people are paying out of their budget, and it's really great that that's come back down within the RBA's target range." "But the trouble there is that the underlying measure gives you a better read of where things are going to be in the future. "The big problem we have that's keeping inflation elevated is that the trend we have in productivity is really poor and we need to see some improvement there for inflation to make a bit more progress." John Hawkins, a senior lecturer at the University of Canberra's School of Politics, Economics and Society, said he expected that, overall, inflation would "continue to moderate" next year. 'Nothing short of alarming': The full-time workers being priced out of the rental market Petrol prices were "always volatile", Hawkins noted, and whether they went up or down would depend on what happened in the Middle East. "If things are quiet there, relatively, then there won't be an inflationary stimulus from that," he told SBS News. Hawkins said food prices should remain relatively stable, barring any major weather events decimating crops, while home insurance costs would likely keep rising as a result of increasing climate-related claims. The price of products like clothing and cars have either been flat for years or have been gradually coming down — and that would "probably" continue in 2025, he said. The cost of things like education and health insurance should also continue to ease somewhat, Langcake said, "not least because we're gradually moving into a lower inflation environment". While rents have been rising more steadily, he warned significant relief was unlikely any time soon. "Equally, the cost of building a new house has stayed a little bit more elevated than we might've expected ... which is all kind of adding to the conundrum of it being difficult to add housing supply to the market," Langcake said. How much will wages and Centrelink payments rise in 2025? Annual wage growth was 3.5 per cent in the September 2024 quarter, according to the ABS. "It's settled into a pace of about 0.8 of a percentage point each quarter, at the moment — that's fairly healthy by historic standards," Langcake said. As long as there isn't a large spike in unemployment, it should continue to increase at similar rates throughout 2025, he said. That would put wage growth slightly ahead of underlying inflation, meaning you may end up with a little bit of extra money in your pocket. New year, new career? The jobs that had the biggest pre-Christmas salary increases From 1 January, more than a million Australians will also get a modest financial boost thanks to the indexation of certain Centrelink payments. Youth Allowance and Austudy recipients will get up to $30.60 extra each fortnight, while ABSTUDY payments will increase by as much as $54. Disability Support Pension recipients who are under 21 years old and don't have any dependent children will get up to $30.10 more, and the Carer Allowance will increase by $5.80. You can see the full list of payments being increased here . Other Centrelink payments will be indexed throughout the year. Will there be an interest rate cut in 2025? At its final board meeting for 2024, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the official cash rate on hold at 4.35 per cent. The board said while it had gained "some confidence" that inflation was "moving sustainably towards its target", it remained "too high" to cut rates at this stage . The RBA's target range for inflation is 2 to 3 per cent. Hawkins said depending on what the inflation figures for the December quarter were, it was "quite possible" the RBA could start cutting rates at its next meeting in February. "If it's surprisingly high, then I think they won't cut them — but if inflation continues on that downward trend that it has been on since the end of 2022, then I think they probably would feel that it's time to start the easing process," he said. Source: SBS News But Langcake doesn't think the RBA would move that soon. "I think they're still going to want to see two inflation periods where things improve further, and that puts us to May being the earliest possible time for a cut," he said. Langcake predicted we'd have three rate cuts in 2025, likely by 0.25 per cent each time. If that happens, interest rates will be sitting at 3.6 per cent by the end of next year. What impact could the 2025 federal election have on the cost of living? The exact date for the next federal election is yet to be announced, but experts have narrowed it down to some time between March and May . Labor has repeatedly said tackling the cost of living is one of its priorities — and has already made some election promises, including subsidising childcare and reducing university fees and student debt . The March budget could include further targeted cost of living measures, Hawkins said. "It wouldn't surprise me, for example, if your electricity rebates get extended, otherwise electricity prices are going to jump back up in the middle of next year and headline inflation will jump up," he said. But Langcake cautioned Labor won't have much room to move if it wants to keep government spending under control. Worsening deficits, higher spending: Jim Chalmers unveils mid-year budget update "If they are sticking to a goal of running not too large a deficit, it's going to be hard for them to hand out too many goodies," Langcake said. It's harder to know what cost of living relief the Coalition would promise voters, Hawkins said. "At this stage, we haven't really got a lot of detail on what their policies are." Langcake said overall, he didn't expect there to be a significant difference in the cost of living policies put forward by the two major parties. "I think it'll be a lot of, 'We'll promise voters this', and then the other team says, 'Yeah, we'll do that too', and you get to pretty fine margins in terms of what the actual difference is."
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Tributes have begun pouring in for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms who passed away earlier tonight in Delhi aged 92. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted to the emergency ward at around 8.30 PM in a critical condition. The AIIMS bulletin said he was "treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home" on 26 December. Writing on X, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, "I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge issued a statement that read: "Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! "With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty. Also Read: Architect of liberalisation Dr Manmohan Singh passes away at 92 I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication." The man who famously spoke of studying under the dim light of kerosene lamps in his village without electricity and went on to become a storied academic was the copybook reluctant politician, almost stumbling into the rough and tumble of mainstream politics. He was the proverbial dark horse when Sonia Gandhi stepped back from taking the prime minister’s post, ignoring the clamour from her party, and chose him instead. And so Manmohan Singh the academic bureaucrat became the 14th prime minister of India in 2004. Theirs was a partnership that lasted 10 years, the equation between Sonia Gandhi and Singh often cited for its equanimity and an example of how a working relationship should really be. Notwithstanding the inevitable tensions. Singh also had to balance the interests of the United Progressive Alliance’s coalition partners. Also Read: What Dr Manmohan Singh was asked at his final press meet, 10 years ago today Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted, "Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible." Also posting on X, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote, "Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents." Born in the village of Gah in undivided Punjab, now in Pakistan, Dr Singh's family witnessed first-hand the tragic Partition of 1947, and he often spoke of communal harmony throughout his long public life. A renowned economist and respected figure in India and abroad, Dr Singh's profile on the website pmindia.gov reads, "Dr Singh completed his matriculation examinations from the Punjab University in 1948. His academic career took him from Punjab to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957." Singh followed this up with a DPhil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. His book India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth was an "early critique of India's inward-oriented trade policy", the profile reads. He served two terms as India's prime minister from 2004-14, besides his earlier stints as Union finance minister in PM P.V. Narasimha Rao's cabinet, as well as governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A man of few words but immense wisdom, he often spoke of communal harmony and democratic values that are at the core of India as a nation. At an event in Amritsar in 2004 marking the 400th anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib , he had recalled his roots. "The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, touched an emotional chord while addressing a mammoth gathering in Amritsar, recalling his roots and paying tributes to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib," reads a September 2004 statement carried on the website archivepmo.nic.in. Congress MP and general-secretary (organisation) posted on X, saying: "Soft-spoken, sober, and always dignified, he had a steely resolve. He was the technocratic transformer of the Indian economy through his 1991, 1992, and other budgets. His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition. "The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India's global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest GDP growth rate in the country’s history." Dr Singh's fellow former RBI governor D. Subbarao recalled his association with Singh, who died on Thursday. "I had experience with him as prime minister and as finance secretary and late as governor. What I would say about Dr Manmohan ... that he was a great listener. "He did not speak very much. But whenever he spoke, it has lots of substance," Subbarao, who was RBI governor from 2008-13, said. Rajiv Kumar, former Niti Aayog vice-chairman, recalled that during his stint as finance minister, Dr Singh was always open to meeting economists even at short notice. Kumar also said Dr Singh encouraged him to join ADB (Asian Development Bank) in Manila. Kumar was an economic advisor in the DEA then. Union minister Nitin Gadkari mourned the loss, saying he was profoundly saddened by the passing away of Singh. Gadkari said Dr Singh's invaluable contribution to shaping India's economic trajectory remains a cornerstone of our nation's progress. "A leader of unparalleled humility and quiet strength, he always placed the country's welfare above all else," he said in a post on X. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over Dr Singh's demise. She extended her condolences to the bereaved family of the former PM, and remembered her days of working with Singh, saying she would miss his affection. "Profoundly stunned and saddened by the sudden demise of our former prime minister Manmohan Singh ji . I had worked with him and saw him from very close quarters in the Union cabinet. His erudition and wisdom were unquestionable, and the depth of the financial reforms ushered in by him in the country are widely acknowledged," Banerjee wrote on X. "The country will miss his stewardship and I shall miss his affection. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and followers," she added. Hailed for putting India on the road to liberalisation and privatisation in the early 1990s, Dr Singh was criticised for turning a blind eye to charges of corruption. The going often got tough. During his first tenure as prime minister, the coalition began to unravel when India signed a civil nuclear deal with the US. It almost cost his government with the Left parties pulling out of the UPA coalition. However, his government survived. "I honestly hope history would be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in Parliament," he had said famously in January 2004. Today, the decade with Singh at the helm of affairs is widely believed to be an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity, his journey to the acme of India’s governance and political power unique in the annals of India’s politics. With PTI inputs Follow us on: Facebook , Twitter , Google News , Instagram Join our official telegram channel ( @nationalherald ) and stay updated with the latest headlinesAfter missing two games with a head injury, UConn's Alex Karaban is expected to return to the lineup when the No. 25 Huskies battle the Texas Longhorns on Sunday in Austin, Texas. Karaban was injured against Dayton in the final game of the Maui Invitational. Earlier this week, UConn head coach Danny Hurley said Karaban is feeling better, and he told reporters Saturday that Karaban "should be available" to play against the Longhorns, barring any setbacks. Karaban is averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game. Freshman Liam McNeeley helped fill the scoring void by tossing in 17 points when the Huskies (6-3) beat No. 15 Baylor 76-72 Wednesday in the Big 12-Big East Battle. UConn has won both of its games since going 0-3 in Maui. "I think part of the problem has been me," Hurley said following the Baylor win. "I've coached these guys frustrated, and I've coached them frustrated for too long. This is a team that's going to be a work in progress, and a team that's going to get better and better. And we're relying on a lot of young players and new players. "For us, I have to coach this team with more grace and more building them up and more enthusiasm and more energy. I can't coach them mad because we're not currently playing as well as the last two (UConn) teams have played. And I think, like I said yesterday, there's been some people that have helped me kind of check, whether it is my ego, or just my approach with the team." Texas (7-1) has won seven games in a row since opening the season with an 80-72 loss to Ohio State. The Longhorns are coming off a 63-57 win over host NC State on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Freshman Tre Johnson went 4 of 6 from 3-point range and scored 18 points in the win. He is averaging a team-high 20.8 points per game and is shooting 44.6 percent on 3-pointers (25 of 56). He broke a 57-57 tie with N.C State by making a 3-pointer with 1:43 to play. "Tre Johnson is a big-time player," Texas coach Rodney Terry said. "He makes big-time plays. He works really hard on his defense as well, but he's a guy that throughout the course of the year we'll play through." Arthur Kaluma had 15 rebounds -- one shy of his career high -- against NC State. Kaluma enters Sunday's game as the team's No. 1 rebounder (8.0) and No. 2 scorer (13.6). "I think my team is growing up," Terry said. "We still have a ways to go on our journey, but proud of the way they persevered (against NC State) and found a way to win in a tough environment." Kadin Shedrick is the only other Texas player scoring in double figures at 10.1 points per game. He also leads the Longhorns with 17 blocked shots. An injury prevented Shedrick from playing when UConn beat Texas 81-71 last season. "Back-to-back national champions, what else can I say?" Shedrick said of UConn. "They're really good, and they're going to be hungry coming off their rough week (at Maui). They're going to be locked in when we play them, so we've just got to make sure we're locked in and ready for them to want to throw a punch." --Field Level Media
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Super Football Conference: Patriot White All-Division teams, 2024Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save In his letter of Dec. 3 (“Sad, embarrassed, disillusioned”), Bill Lauer asks how we can explain the election of Donald Trump to our children (and lists the many negative attributes of our soon to be president. Here are some explanations I have thought of or read from others: 1. Many Americans are still racist and sexist, and Kamala Harris is a woman with color in her skin. This is the very image that many Americans fear beyond all others. 2. Many of our colleges and universities have stopped teaching psychology, except to psych majors. So very few Americans have the knowledge that would help them recognize the severity of Donald Trump’s multiple mental illnesses. Many of our past presidents have had some level of psychological disturbance, of course, but never anything like what we see in Donald Trump. 3. Our high schools stopped teaching civics/government quite awhile back. So most Americans do not understand how our own government works and what is needed for it to work well. People are also reading... The real reason Corvallis' Pastega Lights moved to Linn County Corvallis chemical manufacturer eyes Albany for expansion UPDATED: GAPS teacher strike NOT off after talks over returning to the classroom break down Recently made-over park sees this change after Albany got an earful Corvallis decides layout for new civic campus — with a side of strife Agreement reached (again), GAPS teachers get new contract Albany man pleads to numerous sex crimes Strike to end, GAPS reaches tentative deal with Albany teachers Philomath moves forward following July Nazi flag controversy Court dismisses jail-related Benton County whistleblower complaint 2025 to bring rate increases, new fee for hauling Corvallis waste Corvallis woman cuts hair for homeless: 'The Lord gave me a calling' OSU football: Beavers add 18 players as signing period opens Graduate employees reach deal with OSU to end strike Family objects to Jefferson man’s sex offense sentence 4. The Democrats failed to appeal to the working class of America. 5. Americans have been angry and scared about the economy for a long time, and we blame whoever is in power. This all began when Ronald Reagan changed the tax laws, so that the rich paid less and the middle class paid more. He gave so much to the rich that it also required gutting social programs for the poor. After several years of “Reagonomics,” people were angry and scared and turned to Bill Clinton. Clinton solved some problems but did not change the tax structure back to what it had been, so the harm to the middle class continued, as did the lack of programs for those that now fell into poverty. Consequently the fear and anger increased, and Americans swapped parties and made George W. Bush the next president. Bush, however, created two more tax cuts for the rich, driving even more middle class folks into poverty. More anger and fear developed, and there was a switch of parties over to Barack Obama. Obama did nothing about changing the tax laws to help the middle class, and folks were so scared and angry that they elected Donald Trump, a man with no political experience or acumen. Trump immediately provided yet another tax cut for the rich at the expense of the middle class, pushing ever more working class folks into poverty and Americans swing, yet again. This time to Joe Biden. Biden did some good things for the economy, in general, but did not change the tax code. So the average American continues to suffer, and in their desperation the American people swung back to Trump. 6. Americans have a long-standing habit of voting against their own best interests. Mark Weiss Mark Weiss lives in Corvallis with his brilliant wife, two cats and a dog. He was a counselor in our community for 39 years. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Indigenized Energy Names Lorilee J. Morsette as Chief Operating Officer
