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Jackson Acquisition Company II Announces Pricing of $200 Million Initial Public Offering"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump invites China’s Xi to his inauguration even as he threatens massive tariffs on Beijing National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” 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. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

Terns pharmaceuticals CEO Amy Burroughs acquires $110,467 in stockWith Black Friday sales in full swing, there are still plenty of terrific deals to take advantage of. It’s the perfect time to shop for expensive electronics, including TV’s. Until Cyber Monday, you’ll be able to snag a high-end TV at a nice discount. Several top brands are offering huge deals on their best models. We’re seeing fantastic discounts on Samsung, LG, Sony and Hisense TVs. Whether you want a big-screen TV or something smaller for casual viewing, there are many options to consider getting during this sale event. Last updated on Nov. 30, 2024, at 2 a.m. ET. In this article: Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K The Frame Series Smart TV , LG 77-Inch Class OLED B4 Series Smart TV and Hisense U6 Series 65-Inches ULED 4K Smart TV . The cool thing about this smart TV is that it features an Art mode you can enable, which displays modern and classic art pieces whenever you’re not watching. The color volume is fantastic, the matte film reduces light glare and the frame is customizable with multiple color bezel options. If you’re looking for an affordable 4K smart TV, this 65-inch LED model won’t disappoint. Motion Xcelerator reduces blur and lag, and object tracking delivers impressive 3D surround sound. It supports HDR and Mega Contrast to minimize the difference between light and dark areas. This Roku TV offers a sharp 4K resolution and supports HDR10+ technology, which enhances color, contrast and brightness. The home screen is customizable with shortcuts to your favorite apps, and the voice remote lets you effortlessly search for paid and free content. Are you looking for a solid TV for casual viewing? This 40-inch Amazon Fire TV has plenty to offer. The Fire TV platform provides quick access to live TV, video games and music, and the remote has a dedicated Alexa button for launching apps, searching for content and controlling smart devices on your network. This TV boasts Quantum Dot technology for reproducing stunning visuals and bright colors. When mounted, its AirSlim design allows it to blend seamlessly with your wall. The advanced processor automatically transforms non-UHD content into 4K and improves sound. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better TV for your home entertainment hub than this 77-inch LG smart TV. OLED technology produces accurate colors and deep blacks, and the a8 AI processor automatically fine-tunes the picture quality based on what you’re watching. Plus, it features NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium and VRR for improved gaming. This high-end smart TV boasts advanced OLED HDR+ technology, which enhances image brightness and clarity. Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite produce excellent sound quality, and the 144-hertz refresh rate delivers ultrasmooth motion for gaming and live sports. Plus, the smart Tizen OS offers streaming and gaming access. If you want a cheap smart TV for a smaller room in your home, this 42-inch Insignia Fire TV is the one for you. It’s a full HD TV with a 1080p resolution and a built-in Fire TV interface for streaming content from apps such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. The Alexa voice remote makes it easy to find your favorite movies. This Hisense 65-inch TV features advanced Mini-LED technology for reproducing dark blacks and vibrant colors. Dolby Vision delivers superior picture quality, and the dedicated game mode provides a variable refresh rate for smooth gaming. The voice remote is convenient for finding content, and the smart TV interface is intuitive. If you have the space in your home for this massive TV, you’ll love the cinematic experience it offers. QLED technology delivers dazzling visuals and rich colors, and HDR Pro+ boosts contrast, brightness and clarity no matter what you watch. It has an integrated Google TV interface and is compatible with Alexa. Amazon Fire TV 43-Inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV 38% OFF Amazon Fire TV 65-Inch Omni QLED Series 4K UHD Smart TV 25% OFF Amazon Fire TV 50-Inch Omni Series 4K UHD Smart TV 31% OFF Sony 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Google TV Bravia TV 28% OFF Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Q80D Series Quantum HDR+ Smart TV 33% OFF LG 86-Inch Class UHD Smart TV 23% OFF LG 55-Inch Class QNED85T Series LED Smart TV 13% OFF Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a nation-wide drive to re-activate inoperative accounts, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts, in a bid to improve the proportion of current account, savings account (CASA) deposits in domestic deposits. The proportion of CASA deposits came down to 40.03 per cent in domestic deposits as at September-end 2024 against 41.88 per cent as at September-end 2023. Increasing CASA will help India’s largest bank protect its margins. As at September-end 2024, SBI’s domestic deposits stood at ₹49,10,528 crore and total deposits, including domestic and foreign offices deposits, were at ₹51,17,285 crore. SBI, in a statement, said the nation-wide drive is to raise awareness about the importance of Inoperative account activation . A savings or a current account is treated as inoperative if the customer has no transaction in the account for a period of over two years. Activation of these accounts requires Re-KYC (know-your-customer). Before commencement of the drive, SBI organized a one-day workshop at Gurugram for its national business correspondents to sensitize them about the importance of inoperative account activation. The workshop emphazised the significance of PMJDY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana) accounts and the importance of reactivating inoperative accounts. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman, SBI, emphasized the need to drive Re-KYC exercise in letter and spirit, to maintain PMJDY accounts in active status and enabling customers to conduct transactions seamlessly. The SBI Chief proposed a vision map for technological changes necessary to offer unique solutions to leverage the Business Correspondent channel optimally. As at September-end 2024, SBI had about 80,300 Business Correspondent outlets. CommentsBetter home & finance's Thor Bjorgolfsson sells $454,931 in stockNone

Brainy, 'normal guy': the suspect in US insurance CEO's slayingWould you trust an "AI Jesus" with your innermost thoughts and troubles? Researchers and religious leaders on Wednesday released findings from a two-month experiment through art in a Catholic chapel in Switzerland, where an avatar of "Jesus" on a computer screen — tucked into a confessional — took questions by visitors on faith, morality and modern-day woes, and offered responses based on Scripture. Related video above: How AI-generated news sites threaten election integrity The idea, said the chapel's theological assistant, was to recognize the growing importance of artificial intelligence in human lives, even when it comes to religion, and explore the limits of human trust in a machine. After the two-month run of the "Deus in Machina" exhibit at Peter's Chapel starting in late August, some 900 conversations from visitors — some came more than once — were transcribed anonymously. Those behind the project said it was largely a success: Visitors often came out moved or deep in thought, and found it easy to use. A small sign invited visitors to enter a confessional — chosen for its intimacy — and below a lattice screen across which penitent believers would usually speak with a priest, a green light signaled the visitor's turn to speak, and a red one came on when "AI Jesus" on a computer screen on the other side was responding. Often, a lag time was needed to wait for the response — a testament to the technical complexities. After exiting, nearly 300 visitors filled out questionnaires that informed the report released Wednesday. Philipp Haslbauer, an IT specialist at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts who pulled together the technical side of the project, said the AI responsible for taking the role of "AI Jesus" and generating responses was GPT-4o by OpenAI, and an open-source version of the company's Whisper was used for speech comprehension. An AI video generator from Heygen was used to produce voice and video from a real person, he said. Haslbauer said no specific safeguards were used "because we observed GPT-4o to respond fairly well to controversial topics." Visitors broached many topics, including true love, the afterlife, feelings of solitude, war and suffering in the world, the existence of God, plus issues like sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church or its position on homosexuality. Most visitors described themselves as Christians, though agnostics, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists and Taoists took part too, according to a recap of the project released by the Catholic parish of Lucerne. About one-third were German speakers, but "AI Jesus" — which is conversant in about 100 languages — also had conversations in languages like Chinese, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Russian and Spanish. "What was really interesting (was) to see that the people really talked with him in a serious way. They didn't come to make jokes," said chapel theologian Marco Schmid, who spearheaded the project. Most visitors were aged 40 to 70, and more Catholic respondents found the experience stimulating than did Protestants, the report showed. Schmid was quick to point out that the "AI Jesus" — billed as a "Jesus-like" persona — was an artistic experiment to get people thinking about the intersection between the digital and the divine, not substitute for human interaction or sacramental confessions with a priest, nor was it intended to save pastoral resources. "For the people, it was clear that it was a computer ... It was clear it was not a confession," Schmid said. "He wasn't programmed to give absolutions or prayers. At the end, it was more summary of the conversation." The Catholic Church, from the Vatican on down, has been wrestling with the challenges — and possible opportunities — presented by the explosion in public interest in AI since generative artificial intelligence captured the world's attention two years ago when OpenAI's ChatGPT made its debut. The Vatican has appointed a friar from a medieval Franciscan order as its top expert on AI, and a Lutheran church in Bavaria served up sermons delivered by a chatbot last year. Pope Francis, in his annual peace message for this year, pushed for an international treaty to ensure the ethical use of AI technology. Chatbots like ChatGPT are powered by algorithmic models trained on vast pools of text and other data to mimic speech and generate seemingly unique and human-like responses. Haslbauer is sensitive to public reaction and has noted chatter on social media saying the project is "blasphemous" or the "work of the devil." "If you read comments on the internet about it, some are very negative — which is scary," Haslbauer, whose long-haired look featured as a basis for the image of the virtual Jesus. In a demonstration of the technology in the chapel, Haslbauer queried "AI Jesus" about its message for a troubled world, and about whether AI could be helpful as a way for people to find God. "All knowledge and wisdom ultimately come from God," the chatbot said in a soothing voice, after a pause to respond, and the image briefly crackled. "If used wisely, AI can indeed be a tool to explore the wonders of creation, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and foster connections among people." "Yet it remains essential to seek God with all your heart and soul beyond any technology," it added. Kenneth Cukier — a journalist, author and expert with the U.S.-based nonprofit group called "AI and Faith" — said if "AI Jesus" helps people connect deeper to themselves and the world, it "has to be a good thing." "It will lead to better individuals and a better world," he said. "However — and there's a big however — this does feel a little bit infantile, and pardon my pun, machine-like." "The risk is that it pulls people, ultimately, farther away from that which is more meaningful, deeper and authentic in spirituality," said Cukier, the co-author of "Big Data: A Revolution that Will Transform How We Work, Live and Think." For Schmid, the exhibit was a pilot project — and he doesn't foresee a second coming of "AI Jesus" anytime soon. "For us, it was also clear it was just a limited time that we will expose this Jesus," he said, adding that any return would need to be done after deeper thought. "We are discussing ... how we could revive him again," he said, noting interest from parishes, schoolteachers, researchers and others as the project got media attention in Switzerland and beyond. "They all are interested and would like to have this 'AI Jesus.' So we have now a little bit to reflect on how we want to continue." ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. —— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of AP's text archives.

Netflix ( NFLX ) stock has closed at a fresh record every day this past week — and it could keep soaring. A growing number of analysts are calling for the streaming giant's shares to soon trade in the quadruple digits. On Wednesday, Pivotal Research analyst Jeff Wlodarczak raised his price target on Netflix to a Street high of $1,100 a share, implying over 20% upside based on current trading levels of around $900. Bank of America's Jessica Reif Ehrlich followed one day later, boosting her target to $1,000 from $800. Jefferies analyst James Heaney also raised his target to $1,000 earlier this week. The price target increases come despite some concerns over slowing growth for the streaming giant. Wall Street analysts who cover Netflix have a median price target of just around $800 a share, according to the latest Bloomberg consensus estimates. One of the main catalysts for the recent price target boosts is the company's continued foray into live events, with the most recent boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson attracting over 108 million global viewers last weekend to become the most-streamed sporting event of all time. For context, the 2024 Super Bowl, which was the most-watched American TV broadcast ever , pulled in 124 million US viewers. The Netflix event's impressive numbers came despite the streamer experiencing several technical glitches throughout the broadcast, which analysts (and investors) mostly shrugged off. "We view the event as a (very) successful learning experience for NFLX and expect these technical issues will not happen again with future live events," Pivotal Research's Wlodarczak wrote on Wednesday. The analyst said the event's success likely means Netflix will "accelerate its offerings of 'eventized' live programming," which will help lower subscriber churn and increase the streamer's ability to raise prices. "The NFLX service remains a highly compelling, frankly relatively inexpensive, entertainment alternative for consumers, which bodes well for future subscriber/average revenue per user growth," he said. Since the start of the year, Netflix shares have surged over 85%, far outpacing the broader markets and streaming rivals, including Disney ( DIS ) and Comcast ( CMCSA ). Much of the uptick has been driven by the company's push into live content and the positive impact that could have on its ad-supported offering. Last week, Netflix said its ad tier, now two years old, has reached 70 million global monthly active users , a significant jump from the 40 million users the company revealed at its second Upfront presentation in May. Netflix's next big live event will be its NFL Christmas Day doubleheader, with the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans. Beyoncé will serve as the headline performer during the Ravens vs. Texans halftime show, which analysts said should help attract viewers outside of the US. The company inked a three-season deal with the NFL earlier this year to air the Christmas Day games, which will be produced by CBS Sports ( PARA ). The streamer reportedly coughed up about $75 million per game, according to the Wall Street Journal. Jefferies' Heaney, who described the success of the Paul-Tyson match as a "breakthrough" moment for Netflix's live events strategy, said he's increasingly confident the NFL Christmas Day games will outperform linear viewership and serve as a catalyst to ad growth. BofA's Reif Ehrlich agreed, adding, "Live and advertising are complementary growth drivers, as more live programming drives additional high value, premium ad inventory. Netflix's ability to monetize this premium live inventory will be key to making advertising a multiyear growth driver." Netflix recently beat Wall Street expectations across every major financial metric in its third quarter results on Oct. 17 , with shares surging to all-time highs as many analysts call Netflix the winner of the hard-fought streaming wars. Still, the company recently revealed that year-over-year engagement levels came in roughly flat — a potential headwind when it comes to its ability to raise prices and boost growth. "With much of the subscriber growth seemingly representing improved monetization of an existing (and not growing) user base, we question whether the momentum can continue into next year," MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman wrote in a recent note to clients. Valuation has also been a concern, with Fishman adding that Netflix's stock "is massively expensive for a company whose own guidance implies a revenue deceleration into 2025." Last month, Netflix said its revenue growth is expected to slow from an expected 15% this year to between 11% and 13% in 2025. Alexandra Canal is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @allie_canal , LinkedIn, and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance .By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” 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. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

The Little Foxes review: Just in time for Christmas, a back-stabbing family feud, writes PATRICK MARMION By PATRICK MARMION and GEORGINA BROWN Published: 23:47 GMT, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 00:12 GMT, 13 December 2024 e-mail View comments The Little Foxes (Young Vic, London ) Verdict: Sibling cesspit Rating: Anne-Marie Duff has become widely celebrated as the mousey housewife who roared in the hilariously chaotic revenge comedy Bad Sisters on Apple TV+. And here she goes again, at London’s Young Vic theatre, only this time as a seemingly downtrodden sister in a wealthy family fighting for control of an Alabama cotton plantation. Lillian Hellman’s play The Little Foxes, written in 1939, is a bitter domestic melodrama in which one brother Ben (Mark Bonnar) seeks to swindle his sister Regina (Duff) out of a potential multi-million dollar fortune by plotting with another, Oscar (Steffan Rhodri). But Regina already has the measure of her conniving siblings. She plans to thwart them by withholding money kept by her mortally ill husband, Horace (John Light). Just in time for Christmas , this is a tasty but cheerless exercise in family feuds. The back-stabbing brothers even seek marriages between their own children - first cousins - to secure a medieval-style alliance (a subject debated by MPs this week, in one of those weird overlaps of art and life). Rhodri’s Oscar is a nasty piece of work who beats his alcoholic wife (Anna Madeley, Mrs Hall of All Creatures Great And Small) and manipulates his feckless son Leo ( Piers Morgan ’s son Stanley, who passed out on Press Night this week, causing a half-hour halt, before manfully carrying on). Anne-Marie Duff (pictured) has become widely celebrated as the mousey housewife who roared in the hilariously chaotic revenge comedy Bad Sisters on Apple TV+. And here she goes again, at London’s Young Vic theatre, only this time as a seemingly downtrodden sister in a wealthy family fighting for control of an Alabama cotton plantation Lillian Hellman’s play The Little Foxes, written in 1939, is a bitter domestic melodrama in which one brother Ben (Mark Bonnar) seeks to swindle his sister Regina (Duff) out of a potential multi-million dollar fortune. Pictured: Mark Bonnar as Ben and Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Regina’s virtuous daughter Alexandra Only Regina’s virtuous daughter Alexandra (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) emerges with any credit. Regina was originally played on Broadway in 1939 by the formidable Tallulah Bankhead, and here Duff works hard to be less of a monster. But when she stands by, watching her husband have a heart attack on the stairs, her self-serving moral depravity can no longer be denied. Bonnar’s Ben, an opportunist in a tailored tweed suit, notes that soon all America will be this way. Lyndsey Turner’s slick production transposes the original 1900 action to the 1960s, with Lizzie Clachan’s peculiarly bland set of beige hessian panels and G Plan furniture arranged around a grand, four-seater green velvet Chesterfield sofa. Perhaps this is an attempt to say something about the civil rights era, as black servants played by Freddie MacBruce and Andrea Davy lurk in silent judgement of their masters’ complacent supremacism. Rhodri’s Oscar is a nasty piece of work who beats his alcoholic wife (Anna Madeley, Mrs Hall of All Creatures Great And Small) and manipulates his feckless son Leo (Piers Morgan’s son Stanley) But it’s too vague a gesture. Despite top-of-the-range acting and portentous sound effects, urging us to feel the tension, Hellman’s writing is simply too schematic to make us care about the outcome. Ballet Shoes (Olivier, National Theatre) Verdict: Girls’ Own epic Rating: Noel Streatfeild’s children’s classic Ballet Shoes, by contrast, is a jolly riot of wishful family thinking suitable for children aged seven and over. It’s a zany story about three orphaned sisters growing up in 1930s London in the home of itinerant palaeontologist Great Uncle Matthew (‘GUM’). A Girls’ Own fantasy reminiscent of Enid Blyton, it sees the three siblings follow their own creative stars. Pauline discovers a talent for acting, Posy wants to be a ballerina, and Petrova dreams of being an aviator. They’re assisted by GUM’s niece Sylvia (another, older orphan), and seen-it-all housekeeper Nana. Daisy Sequerra (pictured) brings dedication and tantrums as dancer Posy, while Yanexi Enriquez embodies cast-iron certitude as the mechanically minded Petrova But when the sisters run out of money after GUM fails to return from his travels, they are forced to take in lodgers: a lesbian English teacher, a jazz dancer from New York and an Indian mechanic with a fabulous Citroen. Director Katy Rudd previously staged an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Ocean At The End Of The Lane at the National Theatre, and again produces an impressive exhibition of stagecraft. Frankie Bradshaw’s set is an edifice of archaeological curiosity, but also transports us from ballet schools to film sets, around London and across continents. A doughty cast is led by Justin Salinger doubling as the studiedly eccentric GUM and Russian ballet teacher Madame Fidolia. Grace Saif straddles bolshiness and ambition as budding actor Pauline. Daisy Sequerra brings dedication and tantrums as dancer Posy, while Yanexi Enriquez embodies cast-iron certitude as the mechanically minded Petrova. Noel Streatfeild’s children’s classic Ballet Shoes, by contrast, is a jolly riot of wishful family thinking suitable for children aged seven and over. Pictured: Pearl Mackie, as Sylvia, left, and Sid Sagar (Jai Saran) The whole enterprise could collapse like a house of cards. But Pearl Mackie, as Sylvia, the girls’ surrogate mother, helps maintain continuity. It’s spirited, wholesome and hearty, and you’ll either love it already, or — like me and my 14-year-old daughter — be captivated by its ambition. The Little Foxes until February 8; Ballet Shoes until February 22. Pinocchio (Watermill Theatre, Newbury) Verdict: The ordinary becomes extraordinary Rating: Carlo Collodi ends his 19th-century morality tale about the fibbing Pinocchio with his death by hanging. There are neither ropes nor strings in Michael Morpurgo’s whimsical fantasia about a puppet who is not so much wicked as thick, as might be expected in a boy carved from a cherry log with eyes made from pine... which is what gave him his name. Morpurgo’s point, pithily made in Simon Reade’s adaptation, is that Pinocchio is a unique individual, as are we all. Carlo Collodi ends his 19th-century morality tale about the fibbing Pinocchio with his death by hanging His knuckle-headedness means he is easily lead astray by more wily characters but, supported by his parents’ unconditional love, he will find his own path through life. The charm of this show comes from the ordinary becoming extraordinary. Gepetto is inspired by the shape of a log to create a son for his childless wife. In a truly magical moment, Pinocchio (Jerome Yates) appears, stock still, his limbs gradually coming to stiff life. Occasionally he lies, but it is Pinocchio’s laddish stupidity that gets him into trouble. He doesn’t understand that a careless blow can kill a friendly cricket, any more than that his toes will burn if he puts them too close to the fire. Under Indiana Lown-Collins and Elle While’s breezy direction, nothing is irredeemable. There are neither ropes nor strings in Michael Morpurgo’s whimsical fantasia about a puppet who is not so much wicked as thick, as might be expected in a boy carved from a cherry log with eyes made from pine... which is what gave him his name That includes Pinocchio’s scorched extremities, thanks to Gepetto’s expert emergency surgery, involving a drill and screwdriver, and his ingeniously extending lying hooter — which gets pecked off by a flock of woodpeckers. The cast keep the show moving splendidly through a series of merry musical misadvantures, but the real show-stealers are Marc Parrett’s puppets, including a poo-shooting pig with a head made from a watering can, a gang of ginger weasels as slinky as can be and, best of all, a giant lantern suggesting a luminous whale, in which Pinocchio and his dad are reunited over a lunch of tuna and anchovies. Delightfully diverting. Until January 5, watermill.org.uk Alabama London Share or comment on this article: The Little Foxes review: Just in time for Christmas, a back-stabbing family feud, writes PATRICK MARMION e-mail Add commentGHMC to launch online portal to curb illegal constructions in Hyderabad

One 'unloved, under-followed' ASX tech stock to buy nowSelena Gomez considers herself a lucky girl and it's all thanks to Benny Blanco . The Only Murders in the Building actress confirmed her relationship with the music producer in December 2023. Since then, the two have been inseparable and have spoken very highly of one another. In November, PEOPLE Magazine featured Benny in their Sexiest Man Alive issue . Many were confused at first and believed that Benny was named the Sexiest Man Alive and trolled the music producer, but Selena quickly came to his defense on Instagram and expressed her love. In a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Selena was asked about what she thought when she heard that Benny was going to be featured in the issue. Selena Gomez's new movie 'Emilia Perez' has Netflix fans DRASTICALLY divided People share what celebs are really like in person – from Miley Cyrus to Selena Gomez She said, "It was very charming. I think, for me, I am beyond proud to know that there is someone in the world that deeply cares about every tiny detail about who I am and have someone support me, encourage me, inspire me and motivate me. It brings me a joy and more than anything, he's just my best friend and I'm really, really lucky." Many commented under the clip CBS Sunday Morning posted on their TikTok praising the star and her lover. One person wrote, "Love that for her!! She deserves all the happiness." Another person wrote, "Hearing her speak about Benny... just warms my heart. I’m SO happy for her." A third person commented, "Yep, this is a husband. This is how your husband should make you feel. Very happy for you." A fourth wrote, "She is so lucky to have him and vice versa. Two good people that will respect each other." Selena's fans have noticed the singer and actress change in this relationship but for the better. Before Benny, Selena publicly dated pop-star Justin Bieber for eight years on and off. In the PEOPLE issues, Benny revealed more about his relationship with Selena and admitted they are both morning people. He said, "I’m a real morning person. It’s my favorite time to spend with Sel, because we both wake up really early. It's like our moment before the rest of the world wakes up. I have a true best friend that I get to do everything in the world with, and every day is the best day of my life." DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter. Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.