The suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, was thought by his mother to be living in San Francisco earlier this year, though it's not at all clear that he ever did. Social media has been flooded for the last 24 hours with postings that cast Luigi Mangione as both folk hero and murderer, and with plenty of images of him shirtless and smiling culled from his Instagram and Twitter accounts, which have since gone offline. As CNN reports , friends have known him for years to post images from his travels, and to maintain a mostly positive-seeming social media presence. That seems to have stopped earlier this year, and by July, friends were posting things publicly like "I haven’t heard from you in months," and "I don’t know if you are okay." One user also posted to Xitter in October, "Nobody has heard from you in months, and apparently your family is looking for you." Now we learn, as the Chronicle reports , that Mangione's mother filed a missing persons report with the San Francisco Police Department just a few weeks before the shooting, on November 18. In it she stated that she had last spoke to Mangione in July, and she believed he was working in the city at car-sales startup TrueCar, which is where he was listed on his LinkedIn as being employed. Kathleen Mangione reportedly told the SFPD she believed he was working at TrueCar at 124 Montgomery Street, which was listed as permanently closed, and it's not clear if TrueCar, which is based in Santa Monica, ever had offices there. Mangione's mother did not suggest that her son presented any kind of threat, and she reportedly told police she didn't know where he may have frequented in town. As SFist reported Monday shortly after Mangione's arrest, we know that he had an interest in AI and engineering, and that he had spent a summer in the Bay Area at Stanford in 2019, while he was attending undergrad at UPenn. He graduated in 2020, and CNN reports that he had been working remotely for TrueCar while living in Honolulu for about six months in 2022. The New York Times reports that, according to TrueCar, he had not been an employee since 2023. According to his family, Mangione had dropped out of contact sometime after having back surgery around August 2023, and that July contact with his mother is the last we know of. (His last post on his now-removed Instagram account had been photos from the Big Island in Hawaii in 2021.) A friend who runs a co-living compound in Honolulu for remote workers, RJ Martin, has spoken to both the Times and CNN and said that Mangione was mostly "upbeat," and they had been in touch until earlier this year, but Mangione went silent sometime around March or April. Martin said that Mangione had confided in him about his back issues — a spinal misalignment that caused him a good deal of pain — and said that he said he was not able to be physically intimate with another person without pain. Martin also said that Mangione's back problems were exacerbated after he took a surfing lesson in Hawaii in 2022, after which Mangione was "in bed for about a week." After last seeing family in Baltimore sometime last year, it seems like no one is sure where Mangione has been living for the past six to 12 months or more, and many friends have expressed disbelief that he could have undergone any sort of mental break. Indeed, a brief handwritten note found in his backpack when he was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania suggests pretty solid lucidity, and he appeared to take full responsibility for the shooting death of Thompson. Per the Times, the note reads, "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone... [healthcare companies] continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allowed them to get away with it," and he noted that during the time UnitedHealthcare’s market capitalization has grown, American life expectancy has not. While being escorted into an extradition hearing Tuesday, as CBS News reports , Mangione was heard having an outburst before being pinned to a wall by officers in Blair County, Pennsylvania. He reportedly shouted, "This is completely unjust and an insult to the American people!" Previously: Man Arrested In Connection With Healthcare CEO Slaying Spent Time In Bay Area
Daniel Razionale Launches Personal Website to Share His Outdoor Adventures and Connect with CommunityAll products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Vizio wants to expand the way music fans enjoy karaoke . The tech company recently released Vizio MicMe, a new soundbar with built-in technology designed for ka r aoke . See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The MicMe includes a Vizio soundbar, two wireless microphones, a charging doc and subwoofer. The set retails for $349 and was released in late November in time for the start of the holiday shopping season . The device is currently available at Amazon and Sam’s Club . Vizio MicMe will be available at other major retailers such as Walmart , Target and Best Buy , according to a press announcement on Oct. 29. “With the same excellence and innovation that customers have come to expect from Vizio, MicMe reimagines the way users can experience karaoke, bringing together the entire family and friends through a new approach to entertainment,” said John Schindler, vice president of product management at Vizio. “We are excited to welcome MicMe to the Vizio lineup and look forward to seeing users transform the way they host parties and spend time with their loved ones with this new entertainment experience.” When it’s not being used for karaoke, MicMe works as a regular soundbar. The device features Bluetooth 5.3, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. Although MicMe allows users to adjust certain settings directly on the microphone, the Vizio app offers advanced settings such as six voice enhancements and nine, mic color options. The wireless microphone offers up to eight hours of battery life — plenty of time to perform your favorite songs for karaoke night or a holiday party. Need a new TV to go with MicMe? If you missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday , there’s still time to find discounts on select Vizio TVs and soundbars. Shop Vizio TVs below.FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consent
ATLANTA — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats grappled Monday with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes, with some calling the move misguided and unwise after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. She, along with Biden and other White House officials, insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump, who argues that indictments and a conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote on social media. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., posted: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Certainly, the president has Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential power to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and first administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper wrote on social media. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said there “is no standard for Donald Trump, and the highest standard for Democrats and Joe Biden.” Harrison pointed to Trump’s apparent plans to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray and replace him with loyalist Kash Patel and suggested the GOP’s pursuit of Hunter Biden would not have ended without clemency. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House: “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!DUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubileeDeclassified files show the note to former MP John Spellar also said the republican party had ignored the “visceral component of sectarianism” in responding to a new government good relations strategy. Mr Spellar, then a Northern Ireland Office minister, had launched a consultation on the “A Shared Future” document, an attempt to address community divisions, segregation and sectarianism in the region at a time when the devolved powersharing institutions were suspended. A file at the Public Record Office in Belfast shows that OFMDFM official Chris Stewart wrote to the minister in July about a response to the document from Sinn Fein representative Bairbre de Brun. Mr Stewart told Mr Spellar that Ms de Brun’s letter had been critical of the document and was clearly intended to “mark your card”. He said among a number of points raised by de Brun was that “the promotion of equality is the key to improving community relations”. His memo adds: “Sinn Fein is clearly seeking to position or align the issue of community relations within its equality and human rights agenda. “This general Sinn Fein position has resulted in a simplistic analysis of community relations, which is flawed in its description of the causes and necessary policy response. “There is of course, no doubt that a lack of equality has been a contributing factor to poor community relations. “However, Sinn Fein ignores the many other factors, not least the violent conflict that resulted in over 3,000 deaths. “Sinn Fein also portrays poor community relations (for nationalists) as being a purely rational response to the political situation. “This ignores the more visceral component of sectarianism, which is all too prevalent in both communities.” Mr Stewart continues: “To suggest, as Sinn Fein does, that the promotion of equality should be the key component of good relations policy is to ignore the key message in A Shared Future, that indirect approaches alone are insufficient to deal with sectarianism and the abnormal relationship between sections of the Northern Ireland community.” The official recommended the minister invite representatives of Sinn Fein to a meeting to discuss the policy. The file also contains a note about Mr Spellar’s meeting with DUP representatives Maurice Morrow and Peter Weir the following month to discuss the document. The note says: “Morrow said he had no problem with sharing the future and suggested that the first step to that would be an election to decide who spoke for whom – though he was quick to say he didn’t want politics to dominate the meeting.” It adds: “Weir said that the biggest step towards improving community relations would be the creation of a political environment that had the broad support of both unionism and nationalism, and the GFA (Good Friday Agreement) could not create that environment.”Unions attack 2.8% Government pay rise proposal for NHS workers and teachers
The traditional Thingyan Festival, which is deeply cherished by all Myanmar people as a New Year celebration, has been successfully inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This inclusion is a significant historic achievement for the people of Myanmar, showcasing the value and pride they place on their cultural heritage. A press conference by the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee was held yesterday afternoon at Yangon’s Greenery Park to highlight the efforts made towards this accomplishment. The event also featured voices from those who actively contributed to the inscription process. Daw Sanda Khin Chairperson of the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee Thingyan, the traditional Myanmar New Year festival, has now been officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This marks Myanmar’s first intangible cultural heritage acknowledged on the global stage. Every country has a wealth of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. In 2003, UNESCO established the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee to protect and preserve such traditions worldwide. Myanmar signed the UNESCO Convention in 2013, committing to safeguarding its intangible cultural heritage. To achieve global recognition, cultural elements must first be designated as national heritage. Myanmar has documented over 2,200 intangible cultural heritage items at the national level, and Thingyan was chosen for its outstanding significance to represent the country internationally. This effort was spearheaded by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, with support from Myanmar’s ambassador to UNESCO based in France, scholars, civil society groups, and individuals. The nomination process began in March 2023, when Thingyan was formally submitted to UNESCO. The application highlighted Thingyan’s historical roots, authenticity, cultural values, and widespread public participation. It also emphasised its unique characteristics, such as the spirit of generosity, social harmony, and inclusiveness, transcending age, gender, and ethnicity. These attributes, combined with efforts from relevant ministries and experts, ensured Thingyan’s successful recognition as a global cultural heritage. Thingyan’s designation as an intangible cultural heritage underscores its importance as a unifying festival that reflects Myanmar’s history, culture, and community values. It is a celebration of goodwill, cleansing, and the ushering in of a new year, making it a cherished tradition that resonates with people from all walks of life. Daw Nan Laung Ngin Director, National Museum (Yangon) Department of Archaeology and National Museum Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture Member, Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee Culture encompasses two distinct categories: tangible heritage and intangible heritage. Tangible heritage includes material objects, artefacts, and ancient cities like the Pyu cities, which can be physically touched and observed. On the other hand, intangible heritage represents cultural elements that cannot be physically manifested, often referred to as spiritual or mental heritage. Internationally, it is widely recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. Scholars emphasize that the presence of tangible heritage alone does not necessarily define a society’s importance. Instead, the core measure of a society’s civility or cultural depth lies significantly in its intangible heritage. Consequently, public awareness and education about the significance of intangible cultural heritage remain an ongoing priority. A notable distinction between tangible and intangible cultural heritage lies in their recognition processes. Tangible heritage can be submitted to international bodies like UNESCO by experts or governmental authorities. In contrast, intangible cultural heritage requires collective input and submission by relevant community organizations and stakeholders rather than solely by governments. For example, the submission of the Thingyan Festival as an intangible cultural heritage was a collaborative effort among various organizations. The festival’s recognition underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives in cultural preservation. At the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, attended by representatives from 195 countries and over 800 participants, decisions were categorized into three key areas. The priority involves safeguarding rapidly disappearing cultural traditions. For instance, Myanmar submitted the Chin community’s traditional flute-playing custom, which is on the brink of extinction. Similarly, widely celebrated traditions like the Thingyan Festival are also protected under these initiatives. Dr Lae Lae Aung Director, Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture At the 19th Session of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, Myanmar submitted a proposal recognising the Traditional Thingyan Water Festival as part of its cultural heritage. Unlike the global Gregorian calendar, the Myanmar calendar operates uniquely, with the New Year occurring after the Tagu (April) month concludes and the Tabodwe (November) month begins. During this transitional period, the calendar’s details are carefully observed. Myanmar’s traditional New Year period coincides with extremely hot weather. From ancient times, people have celebrated Thingyan by sprinkling water to ease the heat and symbolically wash away the impurities of the old year, ensuring they do not carry over into the new one. Thingyan showcases Myanmar’s rich cultural traditions, customs, and vibrant way of life. Beyond water-related festivities, the recognition of Thingyan as an intangible cultural heritage aims to preserve this unique tradition and introduce its significance to the world, fostering appreciation and understanding of Myanmar’s cultural values. —Information Team/ KZL
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100LONDON, United Kingdom, December 11 – Fifa’s confirmation of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the men’s 2034 World Cup – despite the country facing years of scrutiny over its human rights and environmental record – will be one of the most controversial steps that football’s governing body has ever taken. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Yet while many critics will be dismayed at the prospect, few should be surprised given the influence that the kingdom’s unprecedented investment in sport has secured. So is the tournament being used to help transform Saudi Arabia’s reputation, or can it be a catalyst for social reform? And what does this tell us about Fifa and football more widely? Here, BBC Sport looks at the key questions. Why is this a coronation, not a contest? Official confirmation of a Saudi World Cup will come at a ‘virtual’ meeting of Fifa’s Congress on Wednesday afternoon. But this has seemed like a formality for more than a year. In October 2023, it emerged the Saudi bid would be unopposed after Australia – the only other potential candidate – decided not to enter the running, hinting that it was futile to do so after being given less than a month by Fifa to mount a challenge. Fifa has defended a fast-tracked process that many argue was lacking in transparency and accountability. But critics believe it effectively paved the way for the Saudis, by decreeing that the 2030 World Cup would be staged across three continents (Spain, Portugal and Morocco are co-hosts, with the first three matches in South America). That meant that under its rotation policy, only bids from Asia and Oceania were considered for 2034. It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia and Fifa, under president Gianni Infantino, have developed a close relationship. The country hosted Fifa’s 2023 Club World Cup, and the governing body has a lucrative sponsorship deal with Saudi state-owned oil giant Aramco. There has also been widespread speculation that Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could make a major investment in streaming giant DAZN which has agreed to broadcast the inaugural edition of Infantino’s pet project – an expanded Club World Cup next summer. The sense of inevitability surrounding Saudi’s bid was only reinforced last month with the late-night publication of Fifa’s evaluation report, authored by Infantino’s deputy, Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. It awarded the bid an average score of 4.2 out of 5 , the highest ever. No media conference was held in order to explain such a glowing assessment, nor the fact that the bid was deemed ‘medium risk’ for human rights and ‘low-risk’ for environmental protection, sparking outrage from campaigners. Furthermore, with ratification expected to be confirmed by acclamation at the Congress, rather than a traditional vote, the only way any dissenting national associations can express their opposition is to abstain from the round of applause. While the precise protocol remains unclear, there are suggestions that associations are to be asked to simultaneously show their support for both the unopposed Spain, Portugal and Morocco 2030 bid and the Saudi 2034 bid (rather than having two separate acclamations). Fifa meanwhile can argue that anointing hosts via uncontested bids is preferable to the past, when long races between various countries could be vulnerable to vote-swapping and attempted corruption, and that as a global body they have a duty to take their flagship event to new territories. What have other countries said? Norway’s football federation has said it will abstain from the acclamation, arguing the bidding process “undermines Fifa’s own reforms for good governance” and “challenges trust in Fifa”. It added that Fifa’s guidelines for due diligence had not been followed, “increasing the risk of human rights violations”. Most federations outside of western Europe will endorse the Saudi bid. Germany’s DFB said it “took the criticism of the applicant country seriously...[but] our goal is to work together with Fifa to improve the situation in the coming years”. The FA is yet to declare what position it will take , although BBC Sport has been told some senior officials, while aware of human rights concerns, are wary of accusations of hypocrisy if it fails to support Saudi Arabia but then wants England to participate. Most scrutiny has come from outside the sport. In March, the Guardian said it had found evidence of high numbers of unexplained deaths of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. The country defended its regulations and standards, but Fifa came under pressure to secure binding commitments for reforms, external before awarding the World Cup. In October, an independent report conducted by the Saudi arm of a major law firm – which was submitted to Fifa as part of its bid inspection – was condemned by human rights groups for ignoring the alleged abuse of migrant workers. Last month Amnesty urged Fifa to halt the bidding process, external “to avoid worsening an already dire situation”, warning that “fans will face discrimination, residents will be forcibly evicted, migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die” if a Saudi tournament went ahead. There has been some opposition to Saudi’s growing influence within football. In October for instance, more than 100 professional women’s footballers signed an open letter urging Fifa to drop Aramco as a sponsor, calling it a “punch in the stomach”. But others fear that many players are reluctant to speak out in case it jeopardises a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, and also that it is difficult for footballers to take a stand when governments are prepared to do business with Saudi Arabia. This week for instance, the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, visited the kingdom in a bid to strengthen economic ties. What will a Saudi World Cup look like? “Extraordinary”, according to the Saudi Football Federation. Its bid proposes 15 stadiums, (including three that are under construction, and eight where work is yet to start), across five host cities, including one (the futuristic development of Neom) that is yet to be built. Fifa’s evaluation report hails “a range of impressive stadiums which, when built or refurbished, could offer state-of-the-art infrastructure”. It is also almost certain to be held in winter. But there could be one major difference with neighbouring Qatar’s tournament, which took place in November-December, 2022. Noting that summer temperatures “can exceed 40C”, Fifa has said there is an “elevated risk in terms of event timing” for Saudi 2034, and referenced having to navigate “climatic conditions” and “religious events”, leading to speculation the event may be held from the start of January to avoid a clash with Ramadan. Premier League and other top European leagues would oppose a winter World Cup according to the PA news agency. What does this say about Saudi sporting influence? For many, ratification of a Saudi World Cup would be the ultimate expression of the power the country now wields across sports, and the opportunity, disruption and controversy that have accompanied it. The kingdom has invested billions of pounds staging events since 2021, when the country’s de-facto ruler the Crown Prince made it a key part of his ‘Vision 2030’ strategy to modernise and diversify the economy. The kingdom has since hosted Formula 1, football’s Spanish and Italian cup finals, the Club World Cup, and top-level boxing, golf, horse-racing and tennis. The country’s Public Investment Fund has also launched the breakaway LIV golf series, taken control of four Saudi Pro League clubs and purchased Newcastle United. Meanwhile a recent report by Danish organisation Play the Game has revealed that Saudi Arabia has signed more than 900 sponsorship deals, external and made dozens of formalised agreements with football federations as it extends its influence across the sports landscape. But staging a World Cup will take Saudi’s sporting revolution to an entirely different level, and perhaps even pave the way for an Olympic bid in the future. Is this just sportswashing? Many critics see this as the biggest act of sportswashing in Fifa’s history with the World Cup being used to help improve the image of a country that has faced years of criticism over subjects such as: While campaigners acknowledge that there have been important reforms in recent years, for example over women’s rights, they also point out there has been continued repression. Saudi Arabia executed the third highest number of prisoners in the world in 2023, and three hundred people have already been put to death this year, a record tally based on official figures. This year Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced to 11 years in prison after she used social media to call for an end to rules stating that women needed the permission of a male relative to marry or travel. Campaign group Reprieve said: “This is one of the world’s most brutal authoritarian regimes spending vast sums of money to create a false image, to distract from worsening repression and state violence. “Some of those executed or currently facing a death sentence are protesters or have done nothing more serious than be caught with small amounts of cannabis. “Fans planning to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2034 should be aware that this is a country where exercising freedoms we take for granted in democratic societies can get you killed.” The Saudi authorities insist their bid is designed to diversify the economy and boost tourism, act as a catalyst for modernisation and reform, and inspire a youthful population to be more active. Last year, the country’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, defended the country’s right to host the tournament, told me claims of sportswashing were “shallow.” He added: “We’ve hosted more than 85 global events and we’ve delivered on the highest level. We want to attract the world through sports... any country has room for improvement, no-one’s perfect. We acknowledge that and these events help us reform to a better future for everyone.” Women in Saudi Arabia were only allowed to enter sports stadia to watch matches in 2018, but since then a professional women’s football league and national women’s team has been created, with more than 70,000 girls now playing regularly. However, last year, Jake Daniels, the UK’s only openly gay active male professional footballer, told the BBC he “wouldn’t feel safe” at a Saudi World Cup. When I asked what he would say to female and gay fans worrying whether they would be safe to attend, Prince Abdulaziz said that “everyone is welcome” . Could Saudi 2034 lead to change? Many believe that while Qatar delivered a secure and memorable World Cup enjoyed by many fans, the years of controversy that overshadowed the tournament over human rights, discriminatory laws, and the major disruption to the football calendar caused by a first winter World Cup could now be repeated. Back in 2010, Qatar’s shock victory in the vote to decide the 2022 hosts took Fifa’s then-leadership by surprise. In contrast, Infantino appears to have been supportive of the idea of a Saudi World Cup. And with Fifa having brought in a human rights policy in 2017, there could be even more scrutiny on its decision – and any evidence that it leads to workers being adversely impacted. As with Qatar, the Saudi World Cup infrastructure will be largely built by migrant workers from South Asia, with more than 13 million foreigners living in the country, and the scale of construction required has inevitably led to concerns. Fifa’s own report has concluded that “a number of severe human rights impacts did ultimately occur in Qatar from 2010 through 2022 for a number of workers connected to the World Cup. This included: deaths, injuries and illnesses; wages not being paid for months on end; and significant debt... a credible argument can be made that Fifa contributed to some of the impacts”. The media scrutiny that accompanied the build-up to Qatar’s World Cup may have led to labour reforms that were brought in, although campaigners have raised concerns over implementation , and are furious that Fifa has not acted on the key recommendation of its own report and paid financial compensation to workers who were harmed. Last year, Prince Abdulaziz assured me there would be no repeat of Qatar’s issues with workers’ rights, saying: “We have 10 years to work on that, we already started in a lot of the venues, so we have a long time to do it in the right process.” However, in its Saudi evaluation report, external , Fifa references “areas where further legal reforms are needed and... effective enforcement, without which the risk of indecent working conditions could be elevated”. Fifa hails the Saudi government’s “commitment to respecting, protecting and fulfilling internationally recognised human rights in connection with the competition including in the areas of safety and security, labour rights, rights of children, gender equality and non-discrimination, as well as freedom of expression (including press freedom)”. But with regard to diversity and anti-discrimination, its report also “notes gaps and reservations in the implementation of relevant international standards”. Despite that, Fifa claimed “a good potential that the tournament could serve as a catalyst for some of the ongoing and future reforms and contribute to positive human rights outcomes”. Amnesty said the assessment was: “An astonishing whitewash of the country’s atrocious human rights record. Fundamental human rights reforms are urgently required in Saudi Arabia, or the 2034 World Cup will be inevitably tarnished by exploitation, discrimination and repression.” Campaign group Fair Square said Fifa had “plumbed new depths”. What about the environment? Campaigners have long accused the world’s biggest oil exporter of adding to climate change through its fossil-fuel industry, and of blocking climate action. But now they have also expressed major concerns about the impact of staging a 48-team tournament, pointing to the energy required for cooling systems, the desalination of water and carbon-intensive infrastructure projects. The Saudi government says it is diversifying away from fossil fuels and trying to reduce omissions, and has rejected criticism it is using sport to distract from its record on sustainability. Fifa’s World Cup evaluation report said “Whilst the extent of construction would have a material environmental impact, the bid provides a good foundation for delivering mitigation measures to address some of the environment-related challenges.” Fifa’s credibility in this area was badly undermined last year when a Swiss regulator ruled it had made false statements about the reduced environmental impact of Qatar 2022 having claimed it would be the first “fully carbon-neutral World Cup”. Furthermore, while Qatar constructed seven new stadiums, Saudi Arabia is building 11 and refurbishing a further four. A total of 64 matches were played in Qatar but Saudi 2034 would feature 104, so the environmental impact could be greater. What does this tell us about sport? A Saudi World Cup underlines the extraordinary shift in sporting power towards the Middle East. Up until relatively recently, the idea of tiny Qatar and neighbouring Saudi Arabia hosting World Cups within the space of just 12 years would have been inconceivable to many. But given these countries’ wealth, and sports bodies’ desire for financial growth and new markets, that will now happen. Saudi Arabia can point out that it will be far from the only controversial host of a sporting mega-event in recent years. In the past two decades, Russia has hosted both the World Cup and Olympics. China has hosted both the summer and Winter Olympics. Same-sex relationships are also illegal in 2030 World Cup co-hosts Morocco, as they are in Qatar. And environmental campaigners have expressed dismay at the staging of the 2030 World Cup across three continents. Amnesty has also recently expressed concern about human rights in 2026 World Cup hosts the United States., external Others however, fear that the applause Saudi’s bid receives on Wednesday will represent a devastating defeat for sport’s commitment to human rights and sustainability, and a low-point for those in charge of world football. The Saudi authorities and Fifa now have the next decade to try to convince the doubters the country can be a suitable host, and that the sport’s flagship event is not tainted.
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Dehradun: The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Sunday issued an orange alert for an avalanche at an altitude of over 3,000 metres in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district over the next 24 hours. The alert is for a period of 24 hours from 5 pm on Sunday to 5 pm on Monday. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari wrote to the district magistrate of Chamoli and drew his attention to the DGRE's orange alert (level 3) for the area. He asked him to take appropriate safety and precautionary measures in view of the alert. All officials concerned should be in alert mode, he said in a communication to the district magistrate. The areas located above 2,500 metres in Chamoli district have witnessed a spell of heavy snowfall over the past few days while the lower areas have received light to medium showers. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee media incharge Harish Gaur said the sun rose after a gap of several days in Badrinath on Sunday but there is one and a half feet of snow frozen at the Himalayan temple. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Dehradun: The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Sunday issued an orange alert for an avalanche at an altitude of over 3,000 metres in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district over the next 24 hours. The alert is for a period of 24 hours from 5 pm on Sunday to 5 pm on Monday. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari wrote to the district magistrate of Chamoli and drew his attention to the DGRE's orange alert (level 3) for the area. He asked him to take appropriate safety and precautionary measures in view of the alert. All officials concerned should be in alert mode, he said in a communication to the district magistrate. The areas located above 2,500 metres in Chamoli district have witnessed a spell of heavy snowfall over the past few days while the lower areas have received light to medium showers. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee media incharge Harish Gaur said the sun rose after a gap of several days in Badrinath on Sunday but there is one and a half feet of snow frozen at the Himalayan temple. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
How Far Can Tesla Stock Go After Nearing All-Time High in Massive Turnaround Year?
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PM Images Background The small independent refiner, Delek US Holdings ( NYSE: DK ), hereon referred to as “Delek” or “the parent company”, endured a wild ride across the last half-decade with refining margins crashing during the COVID-19 pandemic, before subsequently surging following the onset of Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell says it was a really easy decision to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the presence of three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani played a part, too. Snell was introduced Tuesday at Dodger Stadium accompanied by his agent Scott Boras. The left-hander finalized a $182 million, five-year contract last Saturday. “It was really easy just cause me and Haeley wanted to live here, it’s something we’ve been talking about for a while,” Snell said, referring to his girlfriend. “Then you look at the team. You look at what they’ve built, what they’re doing. It’s just something you want to be a part of.” Last month, Snell opted out of his deal with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second consecutive offseason after he was slowed by injuries during his lone year with the San Francisco Giants. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus, payable on Jan. 25, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13.2 million each year will be deferred . Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. “It just played out the way that people around me felt comfortable with, I felt comfortable with, they felt comfortable with,” Snell said. “We talked and found something that could work for both of us. You want your worth, you want your respect, and you want enough time to where you can really make a name for yourself. I've made a name for myself outside of LA, but I'm going to be invested.” Two-way star Ohtani, who signed a record $700 million, 10-year deal a year ago, had a historic first season with the Dodgers. He helped them win the franchise's eighth World Series while playing only as designated hitter and became MVP in the National League for the first time after twice winning the award while in the American League. “It helps with him in the lineup for sure. That’s big motivation,” Snell said. “You want to be around players like that when you’re trying to be one of the best in the game. Yeah, it played a big part.” Snell joins Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles’ rotation. All-Star Tyler Glasnow will be back after having his first season in LA derailed by a sprained elbow. Ohtani didn’t pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but is expected back on the mound in 2025. The rest of the rotation includes Tony Gonsolin, Landon Knack, Dustin May, Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan. “I pitched on six-man, five-man, four-man rotations,” Snell said. “I'm good with it all as long as we have a plan, we'll execute it.” Snell, who turns 32 on Wednesday, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. He has known Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, since he was 18. In the aftermath of winning the World Series and discussing how the Dodgers could repeat next year, Friedman said, “All conversations kept coming back to Blake.” “Usually in major league free agency, you're buying the backside of a guy's career, the accomplishments that they have had,” he said. “With Blake, one thing that's really exciting for us is, as much success as he's had, we feel like there's more in there." Snell was 2-2 against the Dodgers in his career. “We couldn’t beat him, so we’re going to have him join us,” Friedman said. .___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB Beth Harris, The Associated Press
Unconvincing Canada tops Germany 3-0 at world juniorsJimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100
