A Youtuber who has travelled to some of the most dangerous countries in the world is now planning to visit North Korea. Callum Mills, 32, enjoys places where there is a higher element of risk such as active war zones or political instability, including Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Ukraine. He has met drugs lords, the Taliban, stood on Saddam Hussein's Palace and had dinner with gang members in Brazil. The traveller saw a Banksy original wall mural in the West Bank in Palestine and visited compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and even met Pablo Escobar's brother Roberto Escobar while on a trip in Medellin, Colombia. Now, Callum is now planning his next trip - to North Korea. He says he became "addicted" with danger tourism after exploring the most obscure places in Egypt during Covid. Since then, the adrenaline junkie has been to countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Ukraine. However, Callum says it is not the danger that fascinates him as all his trips are about connecting with different cultures and meeting new people. He said: "It is hard for people to understand this - it does become an addiction you seek the adventure and that feeling of being on edge. Their representation is always negative - I wanted to go there and connect with people locally. "I like to roam about and see what happens. I would always buy a one day flight. I like to get to the more obscure places that are not touristy. I've been asked this many times - about how I get to see some of the things that I do. I always say, 'I just speak to people'. "There have been incredible people who I've spoken to, with some people teaching me a lot about things. Getting to visit all these countries, people and areas has delivered a better education than school ever did." Callum - also known as Callum Abroad on YouTube - was in his second year of nursing degree at the University of the West of Scotland when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. His classes were being cancelled and he could not attend university so he decided to check what flights were available from Scotland. He said: "The longer I spent at home the more restless I became. The only flight I could take was Cairo in Egypt - and I never looked back I just kept doing. "It wasn't because I had a keen interest in Cairo. I wanted to see something a bit different - not just the pyramids. I decided to go to "Garbage City" as the locals call it. It didn't go well with the locals - I was told I was going to be attacked. "I found it pretty interesting - they go round the city and collect all the garbage before taking it back to their community to be sorted." After the first trip at the age of 28 he never returned to university as the more he travelled the more people were interested in what he was doing. Next, he packed his bags and travelled to Syria as he "wanted to show people what the world is really like." However his travels ended up being featured all over the news when he shared a video of what it is like to enter the boarders in Syria. He said: "My social media went crazy. I was being wanted because I exposed what it was like to enter the borders - where you had to pay soldiers to enter the borders." But despite this Callum says he "loved" his time in the country as the locals were "fantastic". "People think it is a complete war zone. But once you get there people are really nice," he added. "The media and the west forget sometimes that people in these countries are just ordinary people." Pakistan was the next country on the list - which is now Callum's favourite destination and he has been there six times already. He explained how he understands why some people would feel "intimidated" in Pakistan. Callum continued: "Both of my arms are filled with tattoos - but people just look at you because they are curious. I go to a lot of weddings there - it is countless the number of weddings I go to." Callum shares most of his experiences in his YouTube channel. And after meeting with drugs gang in Barcelona and Bogota he took a flight to Medellin in Colombia and even met Roberto Escobar, brother of Pablo Escobar. He said: "I chatted with him while his wife translating what I was saying. We got a picture together. I don't tend to plan things in my travels - I just plan things as I go. That's the beauty of it." In June 2023 the Coatbridge native decided to travel on a 40-hour train from Romania to Moldova and then by a bus to get him in Ukraine. Bombs dropping in the Ukrainian cities of Kherson and Odesa is one such moment that sticks in Callum's mind. "I could hear the bombs dropping off behind me when I got to Kherson. There was a time I had to take a second because I felt very emotional," he said. "A lot of people said they are prepared to die in Odesa. They don't think the Russians will stop until they get Odesa - that was a common theme I was getting from people. I just wish the war would stop killing each other - the level of devastation is bad." He added: "The bomb sirens were going off doing the day and the night - when the siren goes off people don't panic. I think it has got to the point where it is numb to them." In Afghanistan, he says he was taken away for questioning by the Taliban and asked him to convert to Islam. "I took the land border from Pakistan - it is very strict and it is a bit hectic there is a lot of screaming and shouting," he said. "The Taliban came up for me and I remember I was a bit nervous and only of them spoke English and the other didn't. I was making small talk with them. In Afghanistan it was my first interaction with the Taliban. They were asking me where I was from, asking if I was in the military or my family. Asked if I was Muslim and then they shook my hand." In Bogota's Bronx in Colombia he met gang members who told their stories. This happened while he was beside a crocodile and they said they would get the reptile to bite the limbs off of other gang members if they caught them. The UK Foreign Office advises against everything but essential travel to North Korea, but Callum is "desperate" to go. The country ruled by the Kim family since 1948 has been widely condemned for abusing human rights violations. Callum said: "I am prepared for any backlash I get and I want to see it with my own eyes. Nobody in the west was allowed in for five years. I wanna see the capital. It's a chance to speak to a North Korean - it would be great if I could do it. "I understand that it will be a challenge and I can take that on board - I am aware of the hardships people in North Korea face. I know some people might think that it's wrong to travel to North Korea however as someone who's got a desire to travel and see the world, I would hope people can understand that. "It's like when a car has a bump on the motorway, people tend to slow down and look because they are curious." However, Callum admits he doubts this will be possible in North Korea due to the strict guided nature of the tours. He said: "I think when you go to these countries you have to follow the rules. Don't go and break the rules in these countries. As long as I conduct myself in a proper manner I am pretty confident. It'd be good to have the human perspective and see it with my own eyes." According to the government the level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high. Although daily life in the capital city, Pyongyang, may appear calm, the security situation can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities. This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents, as stated by the Foreign Office. Information about his travels are at the YouTube at Callum Abroad, as well as on Twitter through his @CallumAbroad account.
In the latest twist in the bruising beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar , the Canadian rapper has initiated legal action against Universal Music Group and Spotify over allegations that the two companies conspired to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us .” The action is doubly surprising because UMG distributes both artists’ recordings. In a filing Monday in Manhattan court first reported by Billboard , Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC accused UMG of launching an illegal “scheme” involving bots, payola and other methods to boost the numbers for Lamar’s viciously personal song, which accuses Drake of pedophilia and amplified the already fiery dispute between the two artists. The petition, obtained by Variety, claims that UMG “engaged in conduct designed to artificially inflate the popularity of ‘Not Like Us’... including by licensing the song at drastically reduced rates to Spotify and using ‘bots’ to generate the false impression that the song was more popular than it was in reality.” While other streaming services are not named in the petition, it does claim that “UMG appears to have used similar tactics with other streaming services. On information and belief, UMG paid, or approved payments to, Apple Inc. to have its voice-activated digital assistant ‘Siri’ purposely misdirect users to ‘Not Like Us.'” “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the petition continues. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” Reps for Drake, Lamar, Spotify and UMG either declined or did not immediately respond to Variety ’s requests for comment. Drake’s attorneys claim that UMG violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which is often used in criminal cases against organized crime (and was deployed to convict R. Kelly of sexual misconduct and other crimes in 2021). They also allege deceptive business practices and false advertising under New York state law. As Billboard notes, Monday’s filing is not yet a full lawsuit, but a so-called “pre-action” petition — a procedure under New York law that aims to secure information before filing a lawsuit. However, the move is extraordinary in a number of ways. Earlier this year, Lamar piled on a series of increasingly personal diss tracks against Drake, not only accusing him of having relationships with underaged women — which Drake has denied — as well as children not revealed to the public, and has gone so far as to address Drake’s son Adonis, his mother and others in his songs. Drake released songs in response , but soon removed them from his socials and then went silent. The beef calmed down after a man was shot outside of Drake’s Toronto residence in May, but fired up again with the surprise release of Lamar’s new “GNX” album on Friday. However, he did appear to address the situation late Sunday in a Kick stream with host xQc in which he introduced himself by saying, “I’m Drake, this is xQc, real streaming legend. Me, I do music, in case you don’t know. “I’m here,” he continued. “Full intact, mind, body, and soul, in case you were wondering. You need facts to take me out, fairytales won’t do it,” he added, possibly alluding to the forthcoming legal action. He made a similar statement later in the show, adding, “Nothing makes me uncomfortable. I’ve worked too hard to be uncomfortable. Nothing fazes me, like I said, it takes only facts to fold me, fairytales don’t work.” Variety will have more on the situation as it develops.
The Texas A&M football program added a much-needed top 10 recruiting class earlier this month, but the players the Aggies add through the transfer portal could have a big say in how many of those players remain at A&M. A year ago, Mike Elko signed the 19th-ranked class according to 247sports.com . He had been on the job for just over three weeks and it showed. Eight Southeastern Conference teams signed higher-ranked classes, six of them in the top 10. Elko did much better in the portal, signing 25 players to fill the holes left by the fallout that typically comes with a coaching change. Fourteen of the transfers started at least one game this season. Leading the way were cornerback Will Lee III, right offensive guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, safety Marcus Ratcliffe and defensive end Nic Scourton who all started 12 games. Tight end Tre Watson started 11 games, while linebacker Scooby Williams and center Kolinu’u Faaiu both started 10. A&M would have struggled without those players. With them, the Aggies went into the last game of the regular season with a chance to play for the Southeastern Conference championship. A&M took a step forward this season on many fronts, but it should have come into this season talented enough to compete for a championship, considering the last four recruiting classes were ranked eighth, first, 15th and 19th. The only remnants of those recruiting classes remained for Elko to work with, which is why the transfers accounted for 108 of the possible 264 starts by the 22 starters. Elko needs another solid portal class. Williams and Lee have announced they’ll return. Faaiu, Ratcliffe and Ricks are expected to be back as well. That will give A&M much needed veterans along with the seven returning starters from previous recruiting classes, eight if you count senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell who started the first two games of the season and then was lost to an injury. Some thought A&M would be in position to make a run at national championship after adding the top-ranked 2022 class, which was the best of the recruiting era. It turned out to be fool’s gold. Only 16 players from that class remained when the season started. Seven already have entered the portal and junior defensive tackle Shemar Turner will declare for the NFL Draft. Turner and junior running back Le’Veon Moss are the only players from that class to earn all-conference honors for the Aggies. Turner was a second-team pick last year and a third-team pick this year, while Moss was a second-team selection this year and was on his way to being a first-team pick until he got injured. The 2023 freshman class was much smaller but might turn out to be more productive. Offensive guard Chase Bisontis, safety Dalton Brooks, quarterback Marcel Reed and linebacker Taurean York combined for 34 starts this year. That class also includes running back Rueben Owens, defensive end Rylan Kennedy, linebacker Daymion Sanford and defensive tackle DJ Hicks, players with a high ceiling along with punter Tyler White who has been a weapon this season. Last year’s freshman class didn’t have a player make a start this season. Multi-talented five-star recruit Terry Bussey was the plum. Assistants on both sides wanted him. He ended up at wide receiver and kick returner, showing potential, but his statistics don’t jump out. He has 13 receptions for 179 yards, 14 carries for 97 yards, seven punt returns for 37 yards and seven kickoff returns for 175 yards. His highlights were a 65-yard touchdown run against McNeese State and a 52-yard kickoff return against Auburn on the final play of the first half. Other than Bussey, the only true freshmen from the signing class to appear in more than three games have been defensive back Myles Davis (11) and linebacker Tristan Jernigan (8). None have entered the transfer portal, so they must be happy with their status. A few might become starters next season and others supply depth, but A&M needs help in the portal. It was remarkable A&M had all its goals within reach heading into the Texas game when you look at production. A&M ranks 52nd in the country in total offense at 402.7 yards per game, which is 10th in the SEC. On defense, A&M ranks 64th in the country at 364.6 ypg, which is 12th in the SEC. Elko and his staff got pretty much the most out of what they had. The team’s strength was the defensive line, and that unit underachieved, though you can’t lay all the blame there, but the bottom line is A&M ranked 49th in the country in run defense, allowing 137.7 ypg to rank 11th in a league where you have to win along the line of scrimmage. Maybe the most disappointing statistic is A&M is ranked 65th in the country in sacks at two per game, which is 13th in the SEC. A&M might rank first in the country in almost getting quarterbacks tackled with 42 quarterback pressures. If the Aggies could have just averaged one more sack a game, they’d be in the top 10 in the country. A&M might need to hit the portal to find a defensive end to replace All-American Nic Scourton or Stewart, though it is high on Kennedy and junior Cashius Howell. The Aggies certainly need to find one or two stud wide receivers. History shows those players can be found in the portal and they can make a huge difference. The SEC announced its all-league teams earlier this week that included 95 players on the three teams. Almost a third of the players – 31 – were transfers. South Carolina fifth-year senior end Kyle Kennard, the defensive player of the year, spent his first four seasons at Georgia Tech. Ole Miss senior Jaxson Dart, the first-team quarterback, spent his first season at Southern California. Dart is among nine Ole Miss players on the All-SEC teams and all but two of started their college careers elsewhere, including junior defensive tackle Walter Nolen, a first-team pick. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is the master of the portal and this was by far his best collection, but the Rebels failed to make the 12-team College Football Playoff because of losses to Kentucky at Florida. There’s still something to be said for recruiting and developing players, which is the case with the SEC teams headed to the CFP. Georgia had 13 players earn All-SEC honors and the only two transfers were running back Trevor Etienne (Florida) and deep-snapper Beau Gardner (UCLA). Texas had seven all-league players with defensive back Andrew Mukuba (Clemson) and quarterback Quinn Ewers (Ohio State) starting their careers elsewhere. Tennessee had five players earn all-league honors with defensive back Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) being the lone transfer. The Vols’ home-groomed players include running back Dylan Sampson, the league’s offensive player of the year. Winning is still about developing players, but coaches are expected to do that in one or two years, not four or five. The transfer portal has changed that. Name, image and likeness has changed that. And schools and alums are pumping more money than ever into the program. You must win now. Teams have used the transfer portal to close the talent gap on the likes of Georgia and Alabama, which had six players earn all-conference honors with none of them being transfers. Elko and his staff did a great job developing last year’s transfers with Scourton and cornerback Will Lee III earning all-conference honors. They also developed the players he inherited with Moss and junior offensive tackle Trey Zuhn III both earning all-league honors for the first time. The key for A&M is getting to the point where it is complementing the players it has developed with a few transfers, not completing revamping the roster every year. The sky is the limit for A&M’s incoming class, which has two five-star recruits and 13 four-star recruits, but the Aggie might need one more strong portal class to bridge the gap. The two reasons a player might leave would be the most important, not winning enough and getting a better NIL deal. A&M checks all the other boxes along with a few unique ones. “I think what we have to offer that’s completely different is we don’t talk about NIL in terms of what we have to offer,” Elko said. “What we have to offer [is] a phenomenal university with the best fan base in the country, the best stadium atmosphere in the country, the best facilities in the country, unbelievable mentorship development in every aspect of their life, [and] tremendous support in every aspect of their life, whether it be nutrition, academics, mental health, being an Aggie forever, and everything that that stands for, and everything that that needs, and that's what this university is, and that sells.” A&M’s atmosphere for games this season against Notre Dame, LSU and Texas was off the charts. A lot of big-time recruits in the 2026 and ’27 recruiting classes were in attendance for one or more of those games. “We’ve been dealing with this all the way back to when I was a defensive coordinator,” Elko said. “When you get kids on this campus for the first time, they’re always blown away by what this is. I don’t think the message is out there as loud and as clear as it needs to be about what Texas A&M really is. And so I think the more that word travels, the more they understand what this place and what this university is really all about that makes his process a lot easier.” The word that is out there is A&M’s not a national championship contender, at least not now. If A&M had knocked off Texas, it’s a different story. The Aggies would have arrived. That’s not the case. The reality is the Aggies are headed to the Las Vegas Bowl, which is much better than a year ago when they were headed to the Texas Bowl with nothing but questions. A&M knows exactly what it needs. It needs to do well in the transfer portal. It also needs to put the finishing touches on another top 10 recruiting class and most of all it needs to be better on the field next year. There’s no time like the present. Scourton grabs honors. Scourton was named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation on Thursday night. Scourton, who transferred from Purdue, had 37 tackles, 14 of them for losses, including five sacks. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder had four quarterback pressures and broke up two passes. The former Bryan High standout, who has declared for the NFL Draft, forced a fumble. The first-team defensive lineman on the Walter Camp All-American team were South Carolina's Kennard, Michigan junior Mason Graham, Marshall sophomore Mike Green and Penn State Junior Abdul Carter. Linemen joining Scourton on the second team were Virginia Tech senior Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Boston College senior Donovan Ezeiruaku and Ole Miss’ Nolen. Colorado junior Travis Hunter made the first team at both wide receiver and defensive back. SEC players on the first team were LSU junior offensive lineman Will Campbell and Texas junior offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. SEC players on the second team were Alabama junior offensive lineman Tyler Booker, junior Tennessee’s Sampson, senior place-kicker Alex Raynor, Texas sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., Georgia junior linebacker Jalon Walker, Georgia junior defensive back Malaki Starks and Texas senior defensive back Jahdae Barron. A challenging 2025 schedule. Next year’s A&M football schedule is exactly what we all thought it would be: challenging. Road trips to Notre Dame, Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Texas are daunting. It also doesn’t matter who A&M is playing on the road, it’s a challenge for a program that’s lost 12 of its last 14 road games. That in turn puts a premium on home games, another concern with A&M having been unbeaten at home only once in 25 years. Let me repeat that: A&M has been unbeaten only once since the 1999 team went 6-0 to cap a 55-4-1 decade at Kyle Field. Oh, those were the days. With history in mind, pencil in A&M for a 6-1 record at home. The Aggies probably will go 3-2 on the road. Las Vegas probably will set the over/under for road victories at 2.5. So that means A&M goes 9-3 or 8-4. The Aggies could be much better as a team yet go 8-4 or even 7-5. Such is life in the SEC. A&M had an easier schedule this year and took advantage of it until ending SEC play with three straight losses. Maybe next year it’ll be the one pulling off upsets and finishing strong a la South Carolina. Next season obviously hinges on a trio of three-game stretches. A&M better take advantage of having Auburn, Mississippi State and Florida at home. A&M needs to flourish in those games with up next road games to Arkansas, LSU and Missouri, though there is a bye between LSU and Missouri. A&M needs to be at 5-1 or 6-0 starting the second half of the season at Arkansas. Ending with a smile. The best bumper sticker I saw last week was “be careful of the idiot behind me.” I hate it when they are factual. The best marquee sign was C&J Barbeque with “Who had medians on their Christmas list?” At least I knew to go the back way to avoid William Joel Bryan Parkway. I wonder what happens when residential folks complain about more traffic? Maybe more medians. Robert Cessna’s email address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com .
Coppin State wins 68-60 over NavyThe Kansas City Chiefs bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a dramatic 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. THE CHIEFS SURVIVE AGAIN. 🔥 Patrick Mahomes comes up CLUTCH with a 33-yard run late, before Spencer Shrader wins it as time expires! Get your #NFL action on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/POt57HQYig — ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) November 24, 2024 Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. 99 YARDS TO THE 🏡 @KaVontaeTurpin was gone!! 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/4ckMWDEDPL — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 24, 2024 The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.
Tech review: Earbuds and phones for those on your holiday list
Malik Nabers vents frustration after Giants' loss: 'It ain't the quarterback' | Sporting NewsKitchens will lead Tar Heels in Fenway Bowl against UConn. Another ex-Browns coach is standing byBetter data, innovation and regulation needed to tackle growing space debris threat
NEW YORK (AP) — Keith Higgins Jr. had 16 points in Lehigh's 60-59 win over LIU on Saturday. Higgins also contributed three steals for the Mountain Hawks (4-6). Tyler Whitney-Sidney shot 4 for 12, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc to add 11 points. Ben Knostman had 10 points and shot 3 of 4 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Jamal Fuller finished with 20 points and eight rebounds for the Sharks (4-11). LIU also got 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks from Shadrak Lasu. Blake Lander finished with 10 points. Higgins scored eight points in the first half and Lehigh went into the break trailing 35-28. Knostman led Lehigh with nine points in the second half as their team outscored LIU by eight points over the final half. Lehigh plays Neumann at home on Sunday, and LIU hosts Le Moyne on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Kitchens will lead Tar Heels in Fenway Bowl against UConn. Another ex-Browns coach is standing bySupreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday.
For travelers, Puerto Rico is a floating island of desirability
Bristol's 21 lead Hampton past Loyola (MD) 76-68Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug. Conor McGregor must pay woman $250K in sexual assault case, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has found that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The Dublin jury awarded the woman more than $250,000 for her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her on Dec. 9, 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified he never forced her to do anything and that the woman had fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. The jury found for the woman on Friday. Nick Chubb plows through heavy snow for 2-yard TD, giving Browns 24-19 win over Steelers CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19, ending the Steelers’ five-game winning streak. The Browns had blown a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and were down 19-18 before getting the ball back with 3:22 remaining after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman shanked a 16-yarder. With snow piling up and covering the yard lines on the field, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston completed a third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy to the Pittsburgh 9. Two plays later, Chubb barreled into the end zone. The AFC North-leading Steelers fell to 8-3 while the Browns are 3-8. Shohei Ohtani in early stages of rehab from shoulder surgery and hopes to be ready for opening day LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabilitation from left shoulder surgery after the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar says the goal is for him to be ready to pitch and hit by opening day next March, but he's going to be conservative in his approach and make sure he's totally healthy first. Ohtani won his third MVP award Thursday, and first in the National League. He was in Los Angeles with his wife and beloved dog, Decoy, although because of his surgery four days after the Dodgers' World Series victory over the New York Yankees, the family hasn't been able to celebrate. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. In a 'Final Four-type weekend,' two top-6 clashes put women's college basketball focus on West Coast LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two games featuring four powerhouse teams has put the focus in women's college basketball on the West Coast this weekend. JuJu Watkins and No. 3 Southern California host Hannah Hidalgo and No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Top-ranked South Carolina visits Lauren Betts and fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday. Both games are nationally televised and the arenas are expected to be packed. WNBA scouts will be on hand to check out some of the nation's top talent. Two teams will come away with their first losses of the season. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb calls it “a Final Four-type weekend.” A documentary featuring Watkins will air on NBC ahead of USC's game, which leads into the Army-Notre Dame football game. Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.Knicks Numbers Reveal Why Nikola Jokic Is No. 1 Nightmare Matchup
Semester 2 registration is open at Saskatchewan’s Distance Learning Centre. Sask DLC is a fully accredited online school that offers Kindergarten to Grade 12 education to Saskatchewan students of all ages and backgrounds. The straightforward school supply list includes a computer with internet access and, as part of the computer or as an add-on, a mouse, microphone, and webcam. Students also need headphones/earbuds, a scanner/cell phone camera for submitting work, a printer and paper, along with standard supplies such as pens/pencils, an eraser, ruler, scissors, markers, geometry set, binders, and paper or notebooks. New courses in practical and applied arts and elective courses will give students greater opportunities to explore their interests or try something new and see if it sparks their curiosity. Tourism 10 and 20 courses will introduce students to food and beverage, accommodation, recreation and entertainment, transportation and travel services. Tourism 10 provides the theoretical component necessary for Tourism 20. Tourism 20, newly available in Semester 2, provides more theory and is coupled with a work placement. Other new courses available in Semester 2 include Energy and Mines – Oil & Gas 20 and Football Skills 10. Students enrolling in Energy and Mines 20 will learn about energy exploration, production and environmental stewardship practices, as well as industry trends, safety, economic impacts and technological advancements. This course, available in Semester 2 only, provides 50 hours of online theory and a 50-hour work placement. Football Skills 10, one of the courses offered as part of a grouping of unique electives, will introduce students to the basic concepts of football. They will explore the elements and rules of tackle, touch and flag football while developing fitness levels, mental training and leadership skills. Students will examine the importance of basic training, conditioning, nutrition and mental wellness in developing an athlete. They will learn about game strategy and tactics, individual and team goal setting, leadership, communication and team building, sportsmanship and fair play and have the opportunity to explore pathways in football beyond high school. Football 20 and 30 are expected to be available in the 2025-26 school year. Also, Baseball 10, 20, and 30 are part of the unique electives grouping. Whether new to baseball or having some experience, students will find that these courses cater to all skill levels. Starting with the basics and rules, students progress to intermediate topics like statistics and metrics for athlete development and can explore non-playing careers such as coaching, umpiring, recruiting, and broadcasting. Baseball 30 will be available in Semester 2. Sask Polytech provided high school students taking online automotive courses, with the opportunity to get practical, hands-on learning in the automotive mechanical field, through a one-day learning camp at the Sask Polytech Saskatoon Campus. Sask DLC and Sask Polytech learning camps provide students from across the province with opportunities to learn about potential career paths and make informed choices for their future beyond high school. The camps allow students to either confirm their current career aspirations or discover new ones. Students got a preview of the Automotive Service Technician certificate program and apprenticeship training options available at Sask Polytech. “Sask Polytech is excited to support students interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry,” Sask Polytech President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said in a News Release. “High school students can gain numerous benefits from exploring the trades and participating in the camp. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the automotive industry and to learn about the Automotive Service Technician program.” Interest among students in Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive courses continues to increase. More than 300 students registered for Mechanical and Automotive courses, including 168 with work placements so far this school year. Last year, 124 students registered in Mechanical and Automotive 10, 20 or 30-level courses, completing more than 4,500 work placement hours. An additional 98 students took the introductory theory-only course. Sask DLC offers five Mechanical and Automotive courses for students across the province, including a 10-level introductory course where students can choose to do full-online theory or participate in 75 hours of online theory with a 25-hour work placement. At the 20-and-30- level each course is a combination of 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of an in-person work placement at a local business. Students participating in the optional learning camp at Sask Polytech will earn six credit hours toward their work placement requirement. Student work placements are possible due to a partnership between Sask DLC and the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers Association (SADA). Through this partnership, students are provided with opportunities to complete their work placement at a SADA member dealership. This partnership provides students with work placement opportunities near their home community and supports the automotive sector’s recruitment of future qualified employees to serve the industry. These courses complement several other 35 Sask DLC trades courses with work placements or hands-on learning opportunities available to students including Agriculture Equipment Technician, Autobody, Construction and Carpentry, Electrical, Energy and Mines - Oil and Gas, Parts Technician, Power Engineering, Precision Agriculture, Tourism, and Welding. Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive, and other courses are open for semester 2 registration. Courses are available to full-time Sask DLC students and high school students attending local schools throughout the province to supplement their in-person learning. High school students can contact their local school administrator or guidance counsellor for help registering. Learn more about all online courses with work placements available through Sask DLC at .In our latest episode , we sit down with Hamid Hassanzadeh , the visionary founder of Parametric Architecture (PA) , to explore the extraordinary journey of a platform that has reshaped the world of computational and parametric design. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global hub for architects, designers, and enthusiasts, Hamid shares the story of PA’s growth, its impact on the design community, and the future of architecture in the digital age. Also, check out our latest merch at Interesting Engineering Shop . Born in a bathroom Like some of the greatest brands today, PA started with humble beginnings, “Parametric Architecture was born in a toilet,” Hamid recollected. In 2016, he worked as an architect in Istanbul, Turkey. At that time, Hamid was experimenting with tools like Rhino and Grasshopper to integrate visual scripting into architectural workflows. These experiments ignited a passion for parametric design, inspiring him to create an Instagram page to share his projects. “I signed out of my account, created a new one called Parametric Architecture, and uploaded my first logo in Photoshop. That’s how it all started,” he added. What began as a small page showcasing his work quickly gained traction. “In just one hour, a video I posted got 2,000 views, and I only had 20 followers,” he recalls. Encouraged by the response, Hamid committed to sharing one project each week. Within seven months, the page had amassed 10,000 followers. Designed for designers Initially focused on sharing his work, Hamid soon expanded the platform to feature other designers and their projects. “After seven months, I thought, maybe it’s better to share other designers’ works as well—not to be selfish,” he says. This shift broadened the platform’s scope and opened Hamid’s eyes to the vast possibilities of parametric design. “I got to know more architects, more designs. My eyes opened widely to the world,” he told us. By 2020, Parametric Architecture had grown to over 500,000 followers. During the pandemic, Hamid transformed his side hustle into a full-fledged business. “We started a website, Twitter, LinkedIn, and invited architects to discuss the emergence of these tools in architecture. The platform skyrocketed,” he explained. What is parametric design? For those unfamiliar with the term, parametric design can seem daunting. Hamid breaks it down: “Parametric design uses algorithms, relationships, and coding to calculate forms, spaces, and designs. It’s about using data-driven tools to create optimized models and iterate thousands of designs by changing just one parameter.” He credits the 2007 launch of Grasshopper 3D as a pivotal moment. “Grasshopper opened the floodgates for architects to use visual scripting directly. Before that, coding wasn’t practical for architects. Grasshopper made it accessible,” he added. Bridging gaps between architects and engineers Hamid is passionate about parametric tools, particularly their ability to connect architects and engineers. “Now architects can speak the language of engineers,” he explains. “They can optimize their models faster and adapt to the needs of structural and electrical engineers in real-time. This collaboration has made design environments more cohesive,” he added. Tools like Grasshopper and Rhino and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements have revolutionized workflows. “The beauty of these tools is that you can iterate endlessly. Change one parameter, and the entire design updates in real time,” he says. This iterative approach saves time and fosters creativity. Community building at its heart One of the most significant contributions of Parametric Architecture has been the development of a global community. “We are democratizing knowledge,” Hamid told us. “We’re making advanced design tools and computational techniques accessible to everyone, from students to professionals,” he added. Through initiatives like PA Talks and PA Academy , the platform has become a hub for learning and inspiration. “PA Talks started in 2018 to give architects a voice,” Hamid explains. “We’ve hosted legends like Peter Eisenman, who joined a live session on Instagram at 90. It was surreal,” he added. PA Academy, launched in 2022, focuses on teaching cutting-edge tools like AI and parametric design. “We want to make this knowledge accessible and affordable,” Hamid says. “You shouldn’t have to pay $50,000 for a master’s degree to learn these skills,” he said. AI in architecture The rise of AI has been a game-changer for the architectural field. “AI tools like MidJourney and ComfyUI are merging parametric design with artificial intelligence, giving architects unprecedented control over their designs,” Hamid notes. “You can type a prompt and explore multiple design options instantly,” he added. Despite the hype around AI, Hamid is quick to clarify its role. “Architecture is not just image generation. It’s a combination of design, materials, engineering, and context. AI is just one tool in a much larger process,” Hamid added. Sustainability to its core Parametric design has profound implications for sustainability. “By reducing the use of concrete through advanced geometries, we’re contributing to a more sustainable future,” Hamid emphasizes. He also sees a bright future for 3D printing in construction: “In the next 10 years, we might see multi-material 3D printers constructing entire buildings, from concrete walls to timber features.” This innovation extends beyond Earth. “Imagine robots building shelters on other planets before humans arrive. 3D printing could make this a reality,” he predicts. Architecture is not for the faint-hearted Despite its advancements, architecture remains a tough profession. “Architects often work long hours for low pay,” Hamid says candidly. “They design projects before getting funded, making it hard to sustain offices and teams,” he said. He hopes platforms like PA can help. “By providing resources and education, we aim to empower architects to be more efficient and adapt to new technologies,” he says. The road ahead As PA continues to grow, Hamid remains focused on accessibility. “We want to lower costs, expand workshops, and collaborate with universities to make advanced tools available to everyone,” he explained. His ultimate goal? “To create a more efficient and sustainable built environment. With the right tools, architects can design better buildings and improve the entire construction process,” he concluded.
Michael Derrer Fuchs Tech stocks away from the semiconductor industry have come back with a vengeance in recent months. The AI trade temporarily peaked at the onset of the second half, resulting in software and legacy technology areas outperforming. Then, following the Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Donald Trump will be crowned king of America and the uncrowned king of the world, in 2025. All eyes and ears will be on him. He loves astonishing everyone. However, America and the world, will be in a volatile churn. The biggest challenge before Trump will be to end the Ukraine and Gaza wars. There is too much casual talk about World War 3, without realising its perils. Never before, post-World War 2, have we been so close to another global conflagration. In 1962, during the Cuban crisis, there were two nuclear powers, America and Russia. Today, there are myriad players like China, North Korea, India, Pakistan and possibly Iran and Saudi Arabia. Ending wars Nukes are not marbles to play with. A nuclear war could pulverise this planet. Trump must play peacemaker. He may kiss, hug or scold Putin and Zelensky. But, he must make them holster their guns, to win global credibility. Yet, hopes should be pragmatic. Trump has to manage the quartet of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Perhaps Dale Carnegie’s axiom may work, “Win friends and influence people.” Wars will devour moneys. America will spend $ 895 billion on defence. NATO will spend $ 1.47 trillion on armaments. Russia has allocated $ 125 billion on defence. Sadly, wars boost business. Companies manufacturing armaments grew between 18% to 49% in Russia, Japan, Turkey and Israel. The world has ample money to fight. What it lacks is the leadership to stop the fights. France, Great Britain and Germany will wobble with unstable governments, weak growth and immigration. The Middle East will balance adroitly between American security and Chinese infrastructure investments. Sudan has 10 million displaced citizens. A brutal famine awaits. Syria will be unstable. Modi needs a vibrant agenda after his Parliamentary losses. Pakistan will struggle. Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will prosper, away from global conflicts. Bangladesh will fester. Gargantuan task: Inflation Taming inflation will be the gargantuan task for global leaders. Prices of flour, rice, oil and sugar, have spiralled 7% to 15% in grocery shops in Asia and Africa. The poor eat less. If inflation is tamed, interest rates may fall. Then consumers may spend in restaurants and buy cars. Wars will strangle global GDP growth to about three%. America’s could grow by about 2.5%, Europe will struggle with about 1.5%. Britain will crawl at 1.2%. Many western economies are mired in a 2% to 3% growth-trap. They should innovate. America will tighten its borders to choke immigration. Trump may fly some immigrants back home. However, protectionist policies may backfire due to resultant higher local labour costs. Then, American products will become uncompetitive. Trump’s planned tariff-wars, to sideline China may flounder. China is the world’s factory. It invests in technologies, ports and railways in Middle East and Africa. Developing nations should create more jobs. They suffer 10% -15% unemployment. Hence, the desperate attempts to migrate. A happy man does not leave home. India will shine with 6%. Oil prices will hover at $ 75 per barrel. Prices may rise if the wars end. Gold prices will stabilise around $ 2,900 per ounce if political sanity prevails. Stock markets will be volatile. Electric vehicles (EVs) will get traction, but high prices may depress demand. Corporations will debate how to harness artificial intelligence (AI). Digitisation will gallop. It will also reduce jobs and kill customer service. If you have a complaint about your refrigerator or bank, you press buttons, hear recorded messages. But no salesperson talks. Wind and solar energy will contribute to around 17% of electricity consumed. Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, is lowering production of maize and soya. Astronauts may talk on 4G phones, on the next mission to the moon. Drones will carry waste down, from Mount Everest. Marvellous! Expect to pay more for OTT streaming or accept commercial breaks. Tom Cruise will enthral in a new Mission Impossible sequel. Scientists may discover a one-jab Corona viruse vaccine and even a cancer vaccine. In 2025, our best hopes are to avoid a world war end the infernos in Ukraine and Gaza, tame inflation and create jobs. These are humble expectations. Hunger, poverty and inequalities continue; we can tackle them, only if we remove the Damocles’ sword of a world war. My soulmate Patricia says we will not celebrate New Year. She is commiserating with the families of over one million soldiers and civilians perished in the Ukraine and Gaza wars. “Hopefully, we will celebrate the cease-fires in 2025,” says Patricia. Good girl. That’s why I adore her. rkaneja@anejamanagement.com (The author was the managing director of Unilever Tanzania.)
