bingo jili Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday the country had received $1.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund, which would be used for key budget expenditure. Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said Ukraine had already received $5.4 billion from the IMF so far this year. Kyiv relies heavily on foreign financial aid to cover social expenditure and to support the economy as Ukraine’s military continues to battle Russian forces, almost three years since Moscow launched full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine allocates its own revenues to security and defence. Source: ReutersBy CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them National Politics | Polio survivor Francis Ford Coppola cautions against vaccine skepticism National Politics | House approves funding bill hours before shutdown deadline National Politics | Paris Hilton-backed troubled teen reform bill passes House Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.

Claims ‘woke’ ad sent Jaguar stocks plummeting are falseClemson added a quarterback to its 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday with Chris Denson announcing his decision to flip from Coastal Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Plant City High School in Florida had been committed to the Chanticleers since April and has yet to visit Clemson's campus. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been putting a push on to flip Denson in recent weeks following the decommitment of Blake Hebert last month. "I just feel like my development will be through the roof," Denson told On3.com about his decision to switch. "Playing under one of the best coaches in the country and knowing that I haven't reached my potential yet, I know that they will take me to that level." A three-star recruit, Denson is ranked as the No. 50 quarterback in the nation by the 247 Composite. He is the 14th player to commit to the Tigers, who have also seen six players decommit this cycle, according to The Greenville News. "What makes Clemson special is just the level of ball that they are playing at," Denson said. "And the way they compete. I'm a huge competitor, so that's the type of place and people I want to surround myself around." --Field Level MediaOne week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again DAMASCUS (AP) — A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Suddenly in charge, the rebels have been met with a mix of excitement, grief and hope. And so far the transition has been surprisingly smooth. Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence are minimal, looting and destruction has been quickly contained. But there are a million ways it could go wrong. Syria is broken and isolated after five decades of Assad family rule. Families have been torn apart by war, former prisoners are traumatized, and tens of thousands of detainees remain missing. The economy is wrecked, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high. Corruption seeps through daily life. Christians in Syria mark country's transformation with tears as UN envoy urges an end to sanctions DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In churches across long-stifled Syria, Christians have marked the first Sunday services since Bashar Assad’s ouster in an air of transformation. Some were in tears, others clasped their hands in prayer. The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling for a quick end to Western sanctions as the country’s new leaders and regional and global powers discuss the way forward. The Syrian government has been under sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled into civil war. Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000 DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorate over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials say new Israeli airstrikes have killed over 30 people including children. Israel's decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel’s foreign minister has described as Ireland's “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Ireland earlier announced that it would recognize a Palestinian state. And the Irish cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll in the war is approaching 45,000. The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's Republican secretary of state and attorney general sought to reassure voters before the November election that the state's elections were being vigorously protected against the possibility of immigrants voting illegally. That push coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. The officials' efforts in Ohio led to charges against just six noncitizens in a state with 8 million registered voters. That outcome and the stories of some of those now facing charges show the gap both in Ohio and across the United States between the rhetoric about noncitizen voting and the reality that it's rare and not part of a coordinated scheme to throw elections. South Korean leaders seek calm after Yoon is impeached SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s opposition leader has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon’s impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament. Yoon’s powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Storms across US bring heavy snow, dangerous ice and a tornado in California OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Inclement weather has plagued areas of the U.S. in the first half of the weekend, with dangerous conditions including heavy snow, a major ice storm and unusual tornado activity. An ice storm beginning Friday created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska. More than 33 inches of snow was reported near Orchard Park, New York, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow. On Saturday, a tornado touched down in Scotts Valley, California, causing damage and several injuries. In San Francisco, a storm damaged trees and roofs and prompted a tornado warning, which was a first for a city that has not experienced a tornado since 2005. Small businesses say cautious shoppers are seeking 'cozy' and 'festive' this holiday season With a late Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is five days shorter than last year, and owners of small retail shops say that people have been quick to snap up holiday décor early, along with gifts for others and themselves. Cozy items like sweaters are popular so far. Businesses are also holding special events to get shoppers in the door. But there’s little sense of the freewheeling spending that occurred during the pandemic. Overall, The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy advanced technology to identify and track drones back to their landing spots. That is according to briefings from his office. Federal authorities have said that the drones do not appear to be linked to foreign governments. West Africa regional bloc approves exit timeline for 3 coup-hit member states ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS has approved an exit timeline for three coup-hit nations. It comes after a nearly yearlong process of mediation to avert the unprecedented disintegration of the grouping. The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said in a statement: “The authority decides to set the period from 29 January, 2025 to 29 July 2025 as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period." In a first in the 15-nation bloc’s nearly 50 years of existence, the military juntas of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced in January that they decided to leave ECOWAS. Pope Francis makes 1st papal visit to France's Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society. The one-day visit to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, on Sunday is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It is the first papal visit ever to the island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768 and is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.

None

Is Enron back? If it’s a joke, some former employees aren’t laughing

Provides update on Super Photonics Joint Venture and recently announced US$25 Million Public Offering TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POET Technologies Inc. (" POET ” or the " Corporation ”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of the POET Optical InterposerTM, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and light sources for the data center, tele-communication and artificial intelligence markets, today announced that it has signed a Master Agreement, an Optical Engine Purchase Agreement and a Deed of Consignment with Globetronics Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd (" GMSB ”), to manufacture optical engines for POET in Penang, Malaysia. Further information concerning GMSB is provided below POET also today provided an update on the announced acquisition of the minority equity interest of its existing joint venture in China, Super Photonics Xiamen (" SPX ”) and its recently announced public offering. POET has engaged GMSB to assemble and test Optical Engines based on designs made exclusively by POET. The Deed of Consignment relates to a suite of wafer-level process equipment recently purchased by POET that is being installed at the GMSB facility in Penang. Concurrent with the Deed and a Purchase Agreement, the Parties entered into a Master Agreement, covering a period of three years, which governs the overall relationship between the Parties. POET and GMSB have prepared an initial project plan and statement of work for the installation and start-up of the consigned tools, the costs for which will be absorbed by POET. POET will submit purchase orders under the Optical Engine Purchase Agreement, with pricing to be based on specific optical engine types. Globetronics Technology Berhad (" GTB ”) has allocated RM7.7 million (approximately US$1.7 million) for additional capital expenditures in connection with manufacturing optical engines for POET over the 2025-2027 period. Separately, and further to the Corporation's November 25, 2024 announcement of a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Quanzhou Sanan Optical Communication Technology Co., Ltd. (" SAIC ”) to transfer to POET its 24.8% stake in the joint venture SPX, along with all the production equipment previously leased by SAIC to SPX, POET is pleased to confirm that the parties expect to shortly conclude their ongoing negotiations and that binding definitive agreements are expected to be signed by December 31, 2024. Terms of the transaction with SAIC remain subject to finalization and are expected to be announced upon signing of the definitive agreements As previously disclosed, it is the Corporation's intention following completion of the transaction to continue to operate SPX in a manner consistent with past practice while it brings up a wafer-level assembly operation for optical engines in GMSB, thereby implementing its "China Plus One” strategy. As a further update to the Corporation's public offering announced on December 12, 2024, POET is pleased to confirm that the US$25 million offering has been fully subscribed by a single institutional investor. The closing of that offering is now expected to take place after completion of the SPX acquisition described above. Terms of the offering remain unchanged from those previously announced, and the offering remains subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About POET Technologies Inc. POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET's photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical InterposerTM, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET's Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained "Edge" computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com . Adrian Brijbassi [email protected] Thomas R. Mika, EVP & CFO [email protected] GMSB was incorporated on 16 May 2008 as a private company limited by shares and having its registered address at B-21-1, Level 21, Tower B, Northpoint Mid Valley City, No.1, Medan Syed Putra Utara, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan. GMSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTB. GMSB has an issued share capital of RM25,027,500 comprising 25,009,000 ordinary shares and is principally involved in the business of providing manufacturing and packaging services in semiconductors and turnkey manufacturing in encoder and sensor LEDs and related products. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate”, "believe”, "expect”, "plan”, "intend”, "potential”, "estimate”, "propose”, "project”, "outlook”, "foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Corporation's expectations with respect to its business partnership with GMSB, completion of the acquisition of the minority equity interest in SPX from SAIC, completion of its previously announced public offering, success of the Corporation's product development efforts, the performance of its products, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Corporation's technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Corporation's technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the completion of definitive agreements with its SAIC concerning the acquisition of SPX, timing and conditionality for completion of its previously announced public offering, the negotiations with contract manufacturers, the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers, management's expectations regarding the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, the introduction of new products, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, reorganization efforts, plans for and completion of projects by the Corporation's consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, failure to receive necessary regulatory approvals for the Corporation's arrangements with GMSB and SAIC, failure to complete the recently announced public offering, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Corporation's products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, lack of sales in its products, lack of sales by its customers to end-users, operational risks in the completion of the Corporation's projects, risks affecting the Corporation's ability to complete its products, the ability of the Corporation to generate sales for its products, the ability of its customers to generate sales for products that incorporate the Corporation's products, the ability to attract key personnel, the failure of its reorganization efforts and the ability to raise additional capital when needed. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Corporation's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 - Fax: 416-322-5075

For many voters, the recent presidential election was devastating. For others, it was exhilarating. For both, it was a reminder that the president is America’s chief executive and military commander in chief, not our ruler. I point this out not because Donald Trump will be sworn in as America’s 47th president but because that’s how America’s government was designed. The primary concern of the framers of the U.S. political system was not how to protect and extend democracy but how to prevent democratic tyranny. Their solution was a limited national government, defined by separation of powers and checks and balances among the legislative, executive and judicial branches — operating within a federal system. We already see this system at work as President-elect Trump faces resistance to some of his nominees for key government posts. Limiting government, particularly at the federal level, is a core American principle. When asked whether the Constitutional Convention would produce a monarchy or a republic, Benjamin Franklin famously responded, “A republic, if you can keep it!” In a republic, government is “by the people” and “for the people.” But this still begs the question of how government officials are selected and the scope of their power. Many leading political thinkers, from Plato to the present, have agreed on one thing: “democracy” is not the answer. By “democracy,” they meant rule by simple majorities. Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th-century French author of “Democracy in America,” wrote that the most significant danger to America was the power of the majority, which, if given broad authority, would lead to a trampling of individual rights, what he called the “tyranny of the majority.” As James Madison, the father of the Constitution, put it, “Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property.” Instead of (and in contrast to) a strictly democratic system of government, ours is defined by the protection of individual rights. People have not flocked to this country for hundreds of years to participate in democratic elections. There are many places where they can do that, often in a purer democratic form. Instead, they are attracted to America because our individual rights are protected by our political, legal and social institutions. The brilliance of the U.S. Constitution is that while allowing for rule by and for the people, it also incorporates a multitude of protections designed to prevent, or slow down, “the people” from turning into a mob, undermining justice and trampling on individual rights. During the recent presidential campaign, strong voices on the right and the left called for the abandonment of critical aspects of the Constitution (through various means), freeing their side to exercise near-unlimited power if elected. John Rawls, one of the 20th century’s most significant political theorists, developed a concept called the “veil of ignorance.” The rules of society, Rawls declared, should be designed without knowing how or where you will fit in. You might want to be king, but if you create a kingdom, you don’t know in advance if you will be king or a peasant in that imaginary realm. Applying this framework prompts most people to favor systems that treat the least advantaged, the peasants, justly because they’re likely to be among them. Applying this to the government, imagine what type of system you would design if you knew that “your side” would be out of power for the foreseeable future. Be thankful that we have such a system. It’s why the Constitution doesn’t give the president unlimited power; there are all sorts of institutional hurdles to slow down ill-considered law-making, and it’s why the Senate historically has shied away from confirming federal judges on a purely partisan basis. The founders understood, as Henry David Thoreau would repeat and emphasize in his famous 1849 essay “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience”: “That government is best which governs least.” Frederic J. Fransen is president of Huntington (W.Va.) Junior College and CEO of Certell Inc. He wrote this for InsideSources.com .Israel PM's shock blame for Aussie synagogue attack

President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. ("DIRTT” or the "Company”), a leader in industrialized construction, is pleased to announce that Holly Hess Groos is joining the DIRTT Board of Directors effective November 26, 2024 and will also serve as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Effective November 26, 2024, Scott Robinson, current Board Chair and Audit Committee Chair, will step down from his role as Audit Committee Chair. Ms. Groos is a senior financial executive. She retired from Verizon after a 30-year tenure in various leadership roles, including CFO of Verizon Wireless, Head of Internal Audit, SVP Business Excellence, Operational Excellence and Treasurer of Verizon. "We are thrilled to welcome Holly to our Board of Directors,” said Scott Robinson, Board Chair. "We believe her extensive financial experience, including serving as SVP and CFO of multiple divisions at Verizon, combined with her background in operational transformation, will be invaluable in supporting DIRTT in the execution of our growth strategy.” Ms. Groos remarked "I am excited to join the DIRTT Board of Directors and to leverage my financial and operational excellence expertise in an effort to transform how the world builds. I look forward to supporting the team on DIRTT's inspiring transformation journey." Ms. Groos earned a Bachelor of Science (Business Administration / Accounting) from Miami University. She is a Certified Public Accountant from the State of Ohio, a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt and a member of AICPA. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information” and "forward-looking statements” (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information”) as defined under applicable provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-Looking Information, by its nature, is based on assumptions, and is subject to important risks and uncertainties, including that Ms. Groos's experience and background will support DIRTT in the execution of its growth strategy, or that such strategy will be executed as expected. You should not rely on any Forward-Looking Information, which represents our beliefs, assumptions and estimates only as of the dates on which it was made, as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update this Forward-Looking Information, even though circumstances may change in the future, except as required under applicable securities laws. We qualify all of our Forward-Looking Information with these cautionary statements. About DIRTT Environmental Solutions DIRTT is a global leader in industrialized construction. Its integrated system of physical products and digital tools empowers organizations, together with construction and design leaders, to build high-performing, adaptable, interior environments. Operating in the commercial, healthcare, education, and public sector markets, DIRTT's system offers total design freedom, and greater certainty in cost, schedule, and outcomes. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, DIRTT trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "DRT” and is quoted on the OTC markets on the "OTC Pink Tier” under the symbol "DRTTF.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT [email protected] .

In a major fillip for retailers, nearly 12 million shoppers are poised to hit the stores on Christmas Eve for their last-minute festive buys. This year is set to see a merry increase for the high street with an anticipated 11.6 million people expected to flood brick-and-mortar establishments, marking sales up by a whopping 17% from the previous year, as reported by VoucherCodes.co.uk. The company highlighted that stores have £1.08 billion in sales to look forward to, just from footfall on that single day, while online purchases are predicted to add another £0.22bn, totalling an impressive forecast of £1.31bn in consumer spending. Michael Brandy, Senior Commercial Director at VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: "This Christmas consumers are leaving their shopping to the very last minute, panic buying their last few Christmas essentials on Christmas Eve. This is good news for retailers who can expect sales to be up 17% compared to last year." Anita Naik, the firm's savings expert added: "Christmas Eve can be a great day to head out and find a Christmas bargain - if you don't mind the crowds. "With retailers starting their Boxing Day sales earlier and earlier each year, you can often find discounted Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve as stores try to shift unsold stock before the festive season is over. Preparation is key when time and money are tight, so plan which stores you want to go to, and things you need to buy ahead of time." The RAC also predicts Christmas Eve will be the busiest day of the week for travel, with about 3.8 million individual journeys planned by car as folks gear up for either shopping expeditions or trips to spend the holiday with relatives, reports the Mirror . The hospitality sector is poised for a revival, with payments tech company Dojo reporting that reservations for Christmas Day meals and drinks in pubs, bars and clubs have surged by 273%, while restaurants are also experiencing a significant boost, with bookings climbing by 115%. However, the festive season is not without its challenges, as over 9 million people in the UK anticipate falling into debt due to the hefty price tag associated with Christmas festivities, according to research from the ethical lender Creditspring. Neil Kadagathur, CEO of Creditspring, said: "Christmas is a period we should all look forward to but millions of people approach it with dread due to the crippling impact it has on their finances. "A new year often marks a time when we look to get our finances in order, but many people are going to enter January on the back foot and already under intense financial strain." ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community Join our Court & Crime community Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community Join our Northumberland community Join our County Durham community Join our Sunderland community Join our NUFC community Join our SAFC community Join our Great North Run communityTikTok is inching closer to a potential ban in the US. So what’s next?Islamic Studies: An Essential Discipline For Contemporary Society In Jammu And Kashmir Urgent reforms needed to ensure quality education and ethical guidance amidst growing neglect Islamic Studies is one of the most vibrant and relevant academic disciplines of contemporary times. In a world grappling with the erosion of ethical values, moral responsibility, and societal harmony, the subject offers a robust framework for understanding ethics, spirituality, and interfaith coexistence. Yet, in Jammu and Kashmir, a region with a rich history of Islamic scholarship and cultural plurality, this discipline is languishing due to systemic neglect, bureaucratic apathy, and short-sighted policies. Despite its immense potential to address critical societal challenges, Islamic Studies remains an overlooked academic pursuit, particularly at the secondary and higher secondary levels, where its foundation is most needed. The significance of Islamic Studies lies not just in its religious and cultural dimensions but also in its ability to mould character, promote moral values, and foster mutual respect among diverse communities. It is a holistic discipline encompassing ethics, philosophy, history, and comparative religion. This multidisciplinary approach is particularly pertinent at a time when societal decay, corruption, and moral decline are rampant. In Jammu and Kashmir, where communal harmony and moral education are vital, Islamic Studies could act as a linchpin in shaping individuals and communities for the better. However, the dismal state of its implementation paints a grim picture. Islamic Studies is currently offered across major universities in Jammu and Kashmir, including the University of Kashmir, the Islamic University of Science and Technology, and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University. It is also taught in several degree colleges and higher secondary schools, indicating its relevance and demand. However, significant issues persist in its implementation and governance. The inconsistency in teaching Islamic Studies is most apparent at the secondary and higher secondary levels. While the subject enjoys some presence in higher education, its foundation at the formative stages is woefully inadequate. This creates a gap in students’ academic and moral upbringing. Recent revelations through the Right to Information reply disclosed that seven higher secondary schools offering Islamic Studies are without any faculty to teach the subject. This raises a troubling question: how are students in these institutions expected to learn and benefit from this subject without qualified teachers? Such negligence undermines not only the credibility of the subject but also the future of students who wish to pursue it as an academic and professional field. If principles of ethics, character building, and moral reasoning are not imparted during these formative years, how can students be expected to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for these values later in life? The lack of institutional support and qualified teachers deprives young minds of guidance during their most vulnerable years, leaving them without the tools to traverse the complexities of modern life. A glaring example of this neglect is witnessed in the recent advertisement by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission for 575 lecturer posts, which shockingly excluded Islamic Studies altogether. This omission has dashed the hopes of countless postgraduate and doctoral degree holders in the subject, who had been waiting for an opportunity to contribute to academia and society. For years, students have dedicated their time, resources, and energy to pursuing degrees in Islamic Studies, only to find themselves stranded with limited or no employment opportunities. This state of affairs has left many qualified individuals disillusioned and questioning the relevance of their academic pursuits. Subsequently, this neglect not only results in wasting the potential of these scholars but also discourages future generations from pursuing this discipline. On the other hand, the absence of recruitment for Islamic Studies lecturers and the vacant teaching positions in higher secondary schools further compound the issue. It raises several critical questions about who is teaching Islamic Studies in these schools where faculty positions remain unfilled. Are students being taught by unqualified teachers, or are they left to study the subject on their own? If the government is unwilling to address these vacancies and recruit qualified staff, it begs the question of why the subject is being offered at all. Such neglect reflects a broader trend of side-lining humanities and social sciences in favour of technical and vocational education. While technical education is undoubtedly important, it should not come at the expense of disciplines that shape character, promote ethical reasoning, and contribute to societal well-being. The government and educational authorities must recognize the critical role of Islamic Studies in addressing contemporary societal challenges. Immediate steps are needed to rectify the glaring gaps in its implementation and governance. Qualified Islamic Studies teachers must be recruited at the secondary, higher secondary and college levels to ensure that students receive quality education in the subject. Vacant positions should be filled without delay, and the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission should include positions for Islamic Studies lecturers in their advertisements. Adequate resources, including qualified teachers and updated curricula, must be allocated to ensure the subject’s effective implementation. A comprehensive policy for the promotion of Islamic Studies should be developed, ensuring its integration into the broader educational framework of Jammu and Kashmir. This would provide much-needed employment opportunities for postgraduate and doctoral degree holders in the subject. If meaningful reforms are not undertaken, the future of Islamic Studies in Jammu and Kashmir looks bleak. Students and scholars may abandon the subject altogether, leading to its eventual closure at the secondary and higher education levels. Such a scenario would be a loss not only for the academic community but also for society at large, which stands to benefit immensely from the ethical and moral guidance that Islamic Studies provides. The current trajectory will discourage students from pursuing Islamic Studies, leaving countless young minds without a moral compass to steer the complexities of modern life. The government must act now to prevent this valuable discipline from fading into obscurity. By Dr K Sajad Ahmad [email protected]

Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs reportBy ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021 , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the federal election interference case against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate classified documents case against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his conviction on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Trump’s presidential victory set “at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: On the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans who voted to acquit Trump during his Senate impeachment trial said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he enjoyed absolute immunity from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. Related Articles National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke National Politics | Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration National Politics | Expecting challenges, blue states vow to create ‘firewall’ of abortion protections National Politics | Washington power has shifted. Here’s how the ACA may shift, too The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of improperly storing at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July on grounds that Smith was illegally appointed . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed.

Surrey was an entertaining place to live and work in 2024, judging by stories worth revisiting for Year in Review packaging: After a one-year break in 2023, 48,000 dance music fans filled Holland Park for July's sold-out , which featured Swedish House Mafia, Kx5 (the collaboration of Canadian DJ Deadmau5 and American producer Kaskade), Diplo and dozens of other hip-hop and electronic artists. Starting in 2015, tens of thousands of ticket-holders have flocked to FVDED, and the 2024 festival represented a triumphant return to Holland Park for Blueprint Events and partner Live Nation Entertainment. Looking ahead, the dates of July 4-5 have been booked for . Much bigger and boasting more things to do, the expanded was revealed in September. First launched in 2020 by the Whalley-raised Vilio brothers, the Bridgeview-area indoor amusement park is now around 100,000 square feet, three times larger than the original facility and now among Canada's largest such parks. New features include carnival-themed mini golf, a new carousel, full-sized "Roller Disco" rink, more than 100 new arcade games, 16-person laser tag arena, larger bowling alley, two karaoke party booths, a 200-capacity banquet room and more, with an indoor go-kart track to come. "We may have both indoor and outdoor go-karts here one day, but we'll see how the indoor ones do first, starting in early 2025," Steve Vilio reported. Sept. 30 was a special night at Bell Performing Arts Centre, where Canadian entertainer sang and made people laugh as headliner of a gala concert for Surrey-based . The "Building Hope" gala event raised funds and awareness for the construction of affordable housing in the city. Indigenous folk duo Twin Flames and Surrey's Ranj Singh & The Discriminators also performed at the event, tickets for which sold for $200 and up. A live auction included two first-class tickets to any Air Canada destination, generating $14,000 for the charity. In a raffle for Taylor Swift concert tickets, the initial winners weren't in their seats to claim the prize, so other names were drawn. Whisky curator Stacy Kyle spent a good portion of her summer sorting, cleaning, cataloguing and showcasing bottles at , a Surrey bar that boasts Canada’s largest whisky collection with close to 1,300 different kinds, or “expressions,” as Kyle calls them, with most of the focus on Scotch and American varieties. “The total number of bottles is closer to 2,000. I haven’t counted them but I’ve touched them all now,” Kyle added with a laugh. The collection was bought from the owners of Fets Whisky Kitchen, a landmark restaurant/bar that closed in 2022 after 36 years of business on Commercial Drive, Vancouver. "This tour has been an experience I’ll never forget, and I’m truly blessed," Surrey-raised rapper said of spring concerts opening for hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg across Canada, including a homecoming show at Rogers Arena on June 25. Signed to Death Row Records, now owned by Snoop, . Years ago, Merkules was better known as Cole Stevenson while growing up in a rancher on 90A Avenue, in the Green Timbers area of Surrey. The house, since demolished, is where Merkules honed his rap skills (starting out as Merk Mikz), during a period of isolation there following a brutal attack he suffered at age 16, while walking home from a New Year’s Eve party. More than 90,000 people soaked up the sun and festivities during Surrey's Canada Day festival in Cloverdale on July 1, breaking a record for the largest crowd in the event's 20-year history at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre. Saskatchewan's The Sheepdogs certainly didn't disappoint with a headlining set of old-school rock 'n' roll as the sun set, followed by fireworks. The event's large summer attendance is "a testament to the incredible spirit and community pride that makes Surrey such a special place to live," Mayor Brenda Locke said later. It's fun for Surrey residents to watch and spot local landmarks in , the second season of which airs starting Jan. 15. Both set and filmed in Surrey, the police drama debuted in February and became CBC's most-watched new series of the 2023-24 season. Last February, during an invite-only launch party for the night before its TV and streaming debut. The series, which stars Supinder Wraich and Enrico Colantoni, is a CBC original series from Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios. It was quite a story how Surrey-based actors Chelsea Rose and Jonathan Winsby met on set, began dating, got engaged and then co-starred in a big, fun, Broadway musical on an iconic Vancouver stage (Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage) where their romance first blossomed. In May they played Bible-thumping Sarah Brown and high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s . Rare is a chance for real-life lovers to play characters who kiss and, in this story set in 1950s New York City, fall for each other in a song-filled adventure of attracted opposites. Winsby has performed in several shows at the Stanley over the years, including a 2021 production of , which also starred Rose. That’s when they first met. Talk about a memorable late-October trip to Kansas City for Surrey-based , which competed at the and placed sixth on the international stage. "We improved 67 points over 2022 (after improving 104 points between 2018 and 2022!), and I could not be more proud about what we put on the stage this year," raved director Anne Downton. An a cappella chorus with more than 60 members of varying ages, Westcoast rehearses Wednesdays at Parkland Community Church at 96 Avenue and 160 Street, where singers learn "new, challenging repertoire, from traditional barbershop to contemporary pop and rock arrangements." More details on . Thirty years ago last August, a landmark concert was held in Surrey when close to 28,000 people paid $35 each to see and hear some popular alt-rock bands of the day (Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Green Day and others) perform at the Fraser Downs horse racetrack of Cloverdale Fairgrounds. The touring festival still represents one of the largest single-day ticketed concerts in Surrey history. I was there, and so was Jill, my partner. We didn't know each other then, but that day I took a single photo of the stage and crowd, and we're almost certain that the 14-year-old Jill is in that rare photo, with her back turned to the camera. Quite a coincidence!NYC's mayor warms to Trump and doesn't rule out becoming a Republican