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Pastrnak didn't think about scoring during droughtTHIS country has a "fractured government," and if the people want a "redress of grievance, there is no urgent remedy," former president Rodrigo Duterte said on Nov. 26, adding that "only the military who can correct it." But his question on how long the military would be willing to support a drug-addicted commander-in-chief unsettled Malacañang. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. promptly rejected the call for the military to intervene in the country's current political situation. In brushing it aside, Brawner emphasized that the AFP's job is to protect the republic, its people, and the country's sovereignty and sovereign rights. He is absolutely correct! Meddling in politics is not part of the military's mandate. But some quarters see that something could be wrong with his planned removal of military personnel assigned to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG). Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.
Cornerstone Christian Academy to expand program to high schoolIRVING, Texas , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC ), in conjunction with its first quarter earnings release for fiscal 2025, invites you to listen to its conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet on Monday, January 6, 2025 , at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time ( 10:00 a.m. Central) with Peter Matt , President and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Lawrence , Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The teleconference will also be available via webcast. To access the webcast (in listen-only mode), please visit CMC's Web site at www.cmc.com . About CMC CMC is an innovative solutions provider helping build a stronger, safer, and more sustainable world. Through an extensive manufacturing network principally located in the United States and Central Europe , we offer products and technologies to meet the critical reinforcement needs of the global construction sector. CMC's solutions support construction across a wide variety of applications, including infrastructure, non-residential, residential, industrial, and energy generation and transmission. SOURCE Commercial Metals CompanyGermany to tighten criminal law as people-smuggling ‘action plan’ agreed with UK
Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning The Farm as the football team’s general manager. Luck will oversee “all aspects” of the program starting immediately, the school announced in a news release Saturday morning. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news. “I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step,” Luck, who starred for the Cardinal from 2009-2011 after redshirting in 2008, told ESPN. “We’re undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports. We have to re-prove it in football, and we’re excited to be part of that challenge.” According to ESPN, Luck’s position will be a redefined role from the traditional college general manager. Instead of primarily being a subordinate to the head coach, Luck, 35, will preside over the coaching staff, player personnel staff and recruiting, as well as the business side of the program. It is no secret that Stanford has struggled to keep pace during the name, image and likeness era of college sports. The announcement of Luck’s return comes one day after Stanford lost to San Jose State to complete its fourth consecutive 3-9 season, the past two under coach Troy Taylor. “I am a product of this University, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said in Stanford’s news release. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest and toughest football players in the world.” Stanford’s release noted that Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster management and with athletics and university leadership on everything from fundraising and alumni relations to student-athlete support and stadium experience. Luck, who has remained close to his alma mater since leaving for the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, told ESPN that the idea of rejoining Stanford football first surfaced when he spoke to school president Jonathan Levin about a month ago. According to Luck, Levin suggested, “Why don’t you run football, Andrew?” “Andrew Luck exemplifies the Stanford student-athlete,” Levin said in a statement Saturday. “I’m excited he’s returning to campus to help lead our football program and ensure that our student-athletes achieve excellence in the changing collegiate athletics environment.” Luck most recently served as quarterbacks coach at Palo Alto High School, which is across the street from Stanford Stadium, and began working on his Master’s degree at Stanford in 2022. This month, Luck was among the Stanford dignitaries who attended the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at SAP Center as the class included the late real estate developer and philanthropist John Arrillaga, a mega-donor for Cardinal athletics. “Besides my folks and the friends and extended family I grew up with, Stanford, this is home for my wife and I,” Luck told ESPN. “I’m profoundly influenced by Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Pep Hamilton and all the coaches and professors that I’ve ever had.” Luck was the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting in 2010 and 2011. “Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford Football,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.” ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Berlin confirmed plans to reform its legal framework make it a clear criminal offence to “facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK” as part of the agreement, the Home Office said. The Home Office said the move would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats. Both countries will also commit to exchange information that may help to remove migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms and tackle end-to-end routes of criminal smuggling networks as part of the deal. It comes ahead of the UK and Germany hosting the so-called Calais Group in London, which sees ministers and police from the two countries, alongside France, Belgium and the Netherlands, gather to discuss migration in Europe. Delegates are expected to agree a detailed plan to tackle people-smuggling gangs in 2025 at the meeting on Tuesday. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For too long organised criminal gangs have been exploiting vulnerable people, undermining border security in the UK and across Europe while putting thousands of lives at risk. “We are clear that this cannot go on. “Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together. “Our new joint action plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.” Nancy Faeser, German federal minister of the interior said: “We are now stepping up our joint action to fight the brutal activities of international smugglers. “This is at the core of our joint action plan that we have agreed in London. “I am very grateful to my British counterpart Yvette Cooper that we were able to reach this important agreement. “It will help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations. “By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk. “Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. “Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve. “This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes.”
GENEVA (AP) — World Cup sponsor Bank of America teamed with FIFA for a second time Tuesday, signing for the Club World Cup that still has no broadcast deals just over six months before games start. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * GENEVA (AP) — World Cup sponsor Bank of America teamed with FIFA for a second time Tuesday, signing for the Club World Cup that still has no broadcast deals just over six months before games start. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? GENEVA (AP) — World Cup sponsor Bank of America teamed with FIFA for a second time Tuesday, signing for the Club World Cup that still has no broadcast deals just over six months before games start. Bank of America became FIFA’s first global banking partner in August and sealed a separate deal for a second event also being played in the United States, two days before the group-stage draw in Miami for the revamped 32-team club event. It features recent European champions Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea. “FIFA is going to take America by storm and we’re going to be right at their side,” the bank’s head of marketing, David Tyrie, said in a telephone interview Tuesday. Bank of America joins 2026 World Cup sponsors Hisense and Budweiser brewer AB InBev in separately also backing the club event, and more deals are expected after Saudi Arabia is confirmed next week as the 2034 World Cup host. While games at the next World Cup, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, will be watched by hundreds of millions globally mostly on free-to-air public networks, the Club World Cup broadcast picture is unclear. FIFA has promised hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money for the 32 clubs to share but is yet to announce any broadcast deals for the month-long tournament. It is expected to land on a streaming service. “You have to think about how you are going to connect with these fans,” Tyrie told the Associated Press from Boston. “TV is one, sure, social media is a big avenue. “The smart marketing capabilities are able to say ‘Hey, we need to tilt this one a little bit more away from TV-type marketing into social-type marketing.’ We have got a pretty decent strategy that we’re putting in place to do activation.” Engaging Bank of America’s customers and 250,000 employees are key to that strategy, Tyrie said. “It’s going to be for our clients, and entertainment, it’s going to be for our employees in creating excitement. All of the above.” The Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums across 11 cities, including Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C, and Lumen Field where the hometown Seattle Sounders play three group-stage games. European powers Madrid, Man City and Bayern Munich lead a 12-strong European challenge. Teams qualified by winning continental titles or posting consistently good results across four years of those competitions. The exception is Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who FIFA gave the entry reserved for a host nation team in October based on regular season record without waiting for the MLS Cup final. LA Galaxy hosts New York Red Bulls playing for that national title Saturday. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Messi’s team opens the FIFA tournament June 15 in the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium and will play its three group games in Florida. “The more brand players you bring in, the bigger the following you have got,” Tyrie acknowledged, though adding Messi being involved was “not a make or break for the event.” The Club World Cup final is July 13 at Met Life Stadium near New York, which also will host the World Cup final one year later. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Advertisement Advertisement
Germany to tighten criminal law as people-smuggling ‘action plan’ agreed with UK
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Inside an arena in Tampere, Finland in mid-December, future top PWHL draft prospects faced off in a tournament final. At the Women's Euro Hockey Tour (or Six Nations Tournament), the Canadians faced an American roster stacked with senior national team talent, including Lacey Eden, Abbey Murphy, Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards. A Canadian squad with less international experience stuck in the game until the final minutes, when the Americans pulled ahead on a Murphy goal for an eventual 5-3 win. Canadian goaltender Ève Gascon had 33 saves in the loss, putting up a performance her coach described as "phenomenal." "Not necessarily the results against the U.S. that we were hoping for, but we are super proud of our team's performances throughout the course of the tournament," Canadian national development team head coach Alison Domenico said in an interview with CBC Sports. "In that last game alone to kind of come back, being down a couple, it could have been easy to pack it in." American forward Abbey Murphy, pictured here at a Canada-U.S. Rivalry Series game in November 2024, scored the game-winning goal for the American national development team at the Women's Euro Hockey Tour/Six Nations Tournament. (Tony Avelar/AP) Even though several players on both sides of that final are likely to be high draft picks in the PWHL within the next few years, the tournament wasn't broadcast in Canada, nor was it streamed by Hockey Canada. While many Canadians will watch top NHL prospects at the world junior hockey championship for men under 20, which begins on Dec. 26, there's no world championship for women of the same age. There's a world championship for women under 18, which will take place in Finland in January and is broadcast nationally on TSN. But there are few international opportunities between that tournament and the senior national team, creating a development gap as women aim to reach the highest level of the sport. For fans, it also means fewer opportunities to see and get excited about future PWHL stars. Most will go from the under-18 tournament to play in the NCAA, but those games aren't always easy to find in Canada, either. Earlier this year, the IIHF said a women's world junior championship is on the horizon, but isn't likely to happen for several years, the Canadian Press reported. In Europe, the problem is that there aren't enough female players to fill teams on the under-18 side, a senior national team and another age group in between, according to Mike Helber, the director of hockey operations for the Swedish Ice Hockey Association. "What will end up happening is that our best players will play at least in two of the tournaments, maybe even all three," Helber said in an interview with CBC Sports. On the flip side, it's difficult for players to develop without opportunities to play against top players. Helber's goal is to increase the number of Swedish players between the ages of 19 and 24, and to get more of those players coming to North America for college. Those players grow playing against top Canadian and American prospects, and bring what they learn back to Sweden when they return to their national team, Helber said. "We need to get more players over towards North America to see how good the players actually are," said Helber, an American who played collegiate hockey at the University of Michigan. "They're shocked at times." Once the player pool grows, Helber would be open to seeing a world championship for college-aged players. In the meantime, he still wants to see Swedish players getting opportunities to compete against other countries. Sweden's Hilda Svensson celebrates a goal with the Swedish team at the women's world championship in April 2024. The 18-year-old also competed for her country at the Women's Euro Hockey Tour/Six Nations Tournament. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) He liked the format of the Six Nations tournament, and is also looking for opportunities for the Swedish team to compete against American college teams. "They need to see the level that North American athletes play at," he said. "The best way to do that is to find ways to play against them." Countries weren't limited to sending players of a certain age to the Six Nations tournament. The PWHL took a break during the tournament but most European PWHL players opted to stay with their club teams, with a few exceptions, like Boston Fleet goaltender Emma Söderberg (Sweden). Like the United States, Canada sent its development team, which has only a handful of opportunities to compete each year. The team also played a three-game series against the Americans this past summer, which the U.S. won two games to one. Some players on the development team could be a big part of Canada's senior national team at the 2030 Olympics and beyond, including defender Nicole Gosling, who won a world championship with the senior team in April, and Caitlin Kraemer, . Defender Nicole Gosling competed for Canada's national development team at the Women's Euro Hockey Tour/Six Nations Tournament, and is likely to be a top PWHL draft pick in the near future. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) With no in-between world championship for those players, it's important to find ways to keep getting them international experience, Domenico said. "Any way we can get them playing other countries and even just getting used to going overseas, getting the jet lag plan," she said. "Going through all of those experiences are really important when you get to that next level." For the PWHL, there could be a few benefits to having the best up-and-coming college-aged players competing against each other. It could help teams scout prospects. It could also help introduce a player like Kraemer to more fans before she gets drafted into the PWHL, just like a world junior tournament has done for top young players like Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard. "The PWHL is supportive of the development of women's hockey at all levels, which includes events that would provide greater opportunities for player development and that continue to grow the game globally," the league's senior vice-president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, told CBC Sports.Boise State’s Spencer Danielson isn’t buying Deion Sanders’ defiant Heisman stance
Exiled Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof's definition of home is shifting NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. Jake Coyle, The Associated Press Dec 5, 2024 1:44 PM Dec 5, 2024 1:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Director Mohammad Rasoulof poses for a portrait photograph for the film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" at the 77th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, on May 23 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File) NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. His weekslong journey would take him from Tehran, through rural Iranian villages, on foot across a mountainous borderland and ultimately to Hamburg, Germany. As arduous and dangerous as the trip was, Rasoulof’s travels had an added wrinkle: He was trying to finish a movie at the same time. A week after arriving in Germany, Rasoulof would premiere his film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the Cannes Film Festival in France. As he fled, Rasoulof was preoccupied with the movie’s edit, which was being carried out in Germany. “I remember when I was sitting in the car that was driving me to the border,” Rasoulof says. “I had my laptop and I was taking notes and sending them to my editor. The two friends who were taking me kept saying, ‘Put that thing away for a second.’” In Cannes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” won a special jury prize and Rasoulof was celebrated with a 13-minute standing ovation. The movie has since been hailed as one of the best of the year, and arguably its most daring. Rasoulof made “Sacred Fig” clandestinely in Iran, directing scenes from a separate location to avoid raising suspicions. (The opening titles read: “When there is no way, a way must be made.”) Its story — a devastating family drama set during the 2022 protests that engulfed Iran — would surely only add to Rasoulof’s prison sentence. So after all of this, how is he feeling? When he recently met with The Associated Press for an interview, Rasoulof shrugged. “Ordinary,” he says. Rasoulof, 52, has a more gentle, bemused presence than some of his films would suggest. But how could Rasoulof, after what he’s lived through this year, feel anything like ordinary? “I still haven’t grasped the meaning of exile,” he explains. “I think it will take some time. The feeling of that void has not hit me yet, and I think it may never come.” Rasoulof has been busy traveling from film festival to film festival. In September, he and his 24-year-old daughter attended the Telluride festival in Colorado. Many more such stops were to come. Since fleeing Iran, Rasoulof has effectively been immersed in the world he’s long known: cinema. “Maybe I am living in the world of cinema, and maybe that’s why things are so familiar,” he agrees. “Maybe that’s why I don’t feel I’m in exile.” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” currently playing in theaters, is the Oscar submission from Rasoulof’s adoptive home, Germany. He’s settled in with his family, grateful for how the country has welcomed him. Speaking through an interpreter, Rasoulof grants that he’ll probably always mentally have a bag packed, ready to return to Iran should the chance ever come. But what “home” constitutes has changed for him. “I might be able to change this concept of home for myself,” he says. “I walk on the streets here and I see people of different colors and forms from all over the place, and they all call this place home. So there’s always the chance that one can build something new.” How oppressive politics can infiltrate the home is central to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It concerns a family of four: Iman (Missagh Zareh), a lawyer newly appointed to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran; his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Iman is proud of his high position, but, when the government crackdown on protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini accelerates, his daughters are increasingly at odds with him. After Iman's gun goes missing, his wife and daughters turn into suspects. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” populated with real cellphone videos from the protests, plays out as an excruciating microcosm of Iranian society. “It wasn’t like I put those videos in. They just came in,” says Rasoulof. “The reality is that it was through those videos I realized what happened. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement occurred, I was in prison.” Rasoulof has spent several spells in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In 2010, he was arrested on set for filming without a permit. In 2022, he was jailed for seven months after pursuing the release of another of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Panahi, who secretly made the film “No Bears,” was only released in 2023 after commencing a hunger strike. “My windows at home opened to the hills that have the Evin prison in them,” says Rasoulof. “I knew behind those walls many of my friends were sitting.” Rasoulof, inspired by the courage of the younger generation, resolved to pour the same spirit into “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” Although it wasn’t until Rasoulof’s appeal of his sentence failed that he resolved to flee, he grants that deciding to make “Sacred Fig” essentially sealed his fate. “Making this film was part of that decision,” he says. “Although I had made up my mind earlier, because it was such a bitter decision, I was denying it and delaying it, waiting for a miracle to allow me to stay.” “I would open the fridge to make sure there was nothing there that would go bad,” he adds. “It was a strange circumstance.” For the film's actors and crew members, signing up for the movie meant also becoming co-conspirators. Everyone knew the risks. And, like Rasoulof, many of them have since left Iran. Rostami and Maleki also now live in Germany. Asked if his collaborators are all currently safe, Rasoulof responds: “No one is safe from the Islamic Republic.” In his new life, Rasoulof is experiencing freedoms he never had in Iran. His films, for example, are widely available outside his native country but not in Iran. His prize-winning 2020 drama “There Is No Evil,” about capital punishment in Iran, is banned — though, ironically, Rasoulof’s prison guards enjoyed watching it with him from a flash drive. “I haven’t seen many of my films on a big screen, especially my last film,” he says. “I really want to see ‘There Is No Evil’ on a big screen. A festival in Portugal has promised to take me to see my own film.” The name of Rasoulof’s film comes from his memory of an ancient fig tree he once visited on an island in the south of Iran. It’s a tree that, with apparent metaphorical meaning for the Iranian government, spreads its seeds onto other trees, killing them and growing in their place. Rasoulof pulls out his phone to share a photo of his apartment in Tehran. Outside a large window, you can see the walls of Evin running along a craggy hillside. Inside are many houseplants. “This is my home,” he says. “I have a lot of plants. I really miss my plants. I have a neighbor who takes care of them for me. I actually have a fig tree at home.” Jake Coyle, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News Q&A: Binoche and Fiennes on reuniting for ‘The Return' and fighting for meaningful movies Dec 5, 2024 1:23 PM Trump is set to receive the 'Patriot of the Year' award at Fox Nation event Dec 5, 2024 12:34 PM Historic images of Native Americans by a Swiss artist find their way back to North Dakota Dec 5, 2024 12:31 PM Featured Flyer
TGM MOURNS DEATH OF CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING PRINCIPAL STEVEN C. MACYShare Tweet Share Share Email Is the crypto world buzzing with excitement over new opportunities, or are we stuck navigating the same old challenges? From liquidity woes to transparency hurdles, the industry is ripe for disruption. Projects like Algorand are championing green blockchain initiatives, and Arbitrum is smashing records with $20 billion in transactions on Uniswap. But where does Qubetics fit into this rapidly evolving landscape? The answer is simple: it’s aiming to revolutionise the marketplace through tokenisation, and its ongoing presale success has caught everyone’s attention. Qubetics ($TICS) doesn’t just promise innovation; it delivers solutions to real-world issues plaguing the market. By introducing a tokenised marketplace, Qubetics seeks to combat illiquidity, boost transparency, and unlock high-value investment opportunities for everyday investors. With over 270 million $TICS tokens sold at just $0.0282 each and predictions forecasting a $10-$15 valuation post-mainnet launch, this is one presale that could redefine the game. Let’s dive into why Qubetics, Algorand, and Arbitrum are among the best altcoins to buy this month . Qubetics: Tokenising the Marketplace and Solving Persistent Issues Qubetics isn’t just raising the bar; it’s reshaping the rules. The platform’s tokenised marketplace is designed to tackle some of the biggest pain points in traditional and digital asset markets. Illiquidity, for instance, often forces investors to hold assets longer than intended, limiting their financial flexibility. Qubetics flips the script by providing a liquid marketplace where tokenised assets can be traded seamlessly. Transparency is another core focus. Traditional markets have long struggled with opaque practices, leaving investors in the dark. By leveraging blockchain’s decentralised nature, Qubetics ensures that every transaction is traceable, immutable, and above all, transparent. Imagine knowing exactly where your money goes without second-guessing hidden fees or shady intermediaries. High-value investments, typically reserved for institutional players, are now within reach for individual investors. Qubetics’ tokenised model democratises access to opportunities that were once out of bounds. Regulatory compliance? It’s baked into their smart contracts, ensuring both safety and legitimacy. With over $4.4 million raised in its presale and a growing community of over 6,500 holders, Qubetics is proving its worth. Analysts are already projecting a $10-$15 valuation for $TICS post-mainnet launch. That kind of potential isn’t just rare; it’s a once-in-a-cycle opportunity. For those hunting the best altcoins to buy this month, Qubetics should be at the top of the list. For more information, watch this video . Algorand: Pioneering Sustainability in Blockchain If you’re wondering whether blockchain can truly go green, Algorand has the answer. Positioned as one of the most eco-friendly blockchains, it’s leading the charge in sustainability. With a pure proof-of-stake mechanism, Algorand not only reduces energy consumption but also delivers lightning-fast transactions and minimal fees. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Projects that can align blockchain technology with environmental goals are likely to gain both adoption and trust. Algorand’s innovative approach has already captured the attention of developers and investors alike. Its focus on creating a carbon-negative blockchain ecosystem sets it apart in a crowded field of competitors. But it’s not all about the environment. Algorand is also a powerhouse for decentralised applications (dApps) and DeFi solutions. From stablecoins to NFT marketplaces, it’s enabling a wide array of use cases that keep it relevant and robust. If you’re scouting for the best altcoins to buy this month, Algorand’s blend of innovation and responsibility makes it a compelling choice. Arbitrum: Redefining Layer 2 with Record-Breaking Momentum Layer 2 solutions have become the backbone of Ethereum scalability, and Arbitrum is taking the lead. Recently, it became the first Layer 2 to hit $20 billion in trading volume on Uniswap, setting a benchmark for what’s possible in the world of decentralised finance. What makes Arbitrum stand out? Speed and cost-efficiency. While Ethereum’s mainnet can be bogged down by high fees and slow transaction times, Arbitrum leverages rollup technology to offer a seamless user experience. For traders and developers, this means faster transactions and lower costs—a win-win scenario. The buzz around Arbitrum isn’t just hype. Its adoption rate among dApps and DeFi protocols highlights its practical utility. Whether you’re an investor looking for the next big thing or a developer searching for scalability solutions, Arbitrum delivers on all fronts. It’s no wonder this Layer 2 solution is a frontrunner among the best altcoins to buy this month. The Key Takeaway When it comes to crypto investments, timing and choice are everything. Qubetics’ tokenised marketplace is solving real-world problems while smashing presale records. Algorand’s eco-friendly blockchain proves that innovation can align with sustainability, making it a must-watch project. And Arbitrum’s record-breaking achievements showcase the potential of Layer 2 solutions to revolutionise DeFi. Don’t let these opportunities slip by. Qubetics’ presale is still open, offering $TICS tokens at a bargain price of $0.0282. With predictions pointing to a $10-$15 valuation post-mainnet, the upside is enormous. Join the wave of over 6,500 holders who’ve already secured their stake in the future of tokenised markets. Visit Qubetics now and make your move before it’s too late. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetics Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Best Meme Coins to Buy Today: BTFD Coin’s Presale Hits $1M in Sales, Pepe Coin Surges 7%, and Non-Playable Coin Keeps Growing Best Cryptos to Buy in December 2024: Qubetics Presale Hits $4.4M as Arbitrum Scales New Highs and Ripple’s XRP Seeks Rebound Best Meme Coins to Buy Now: BTFD Coin’s Viral Presale, Shiba Inu’s Steady Rise, and Simon’s Cat’s Trending Token Comments
TEHRAN- Iranian film “Ahmad,” directed by Amir Abbas Rabiei, has been removed from screening at the 5th Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) in Toronto, Canada. The film recounts the untold story of the first 18 hours following the devastating 2003 Bam earthquake in Kerman province, highlighting a heroic action by the late Army Brigadier General Ahmad Kazemi. It was scheduled to be screened on Saturday. This decision came after interference from opposition media and a protest by Canadian MP Kevin Vuong, who described the showcasing of a film honoring an IRGC commander as "abhorrent." Due to this pressure, the festival organizers quickly excluded the film from their lineup. The Canadian government designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity in July. This classification allows law enforcement to charge anyone who provides financial or material support to the IRGC, and banks are authorized to freeze its assets. In addition to “Ahmad,” six other short Iranian films are being screened in various sections of the festival, which will run until December 3. One of the most notable soldiers in the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, Ahmad Kazemi (1958-2006) mobilized the IRGC AF fleet to rescue the Bam earthquake victims by preparing the Bam Airport in such a way that, a plane and a helicopter flew in every 13 minutes and a total of 30,000 wounded were moved by the IRGC AF fleet. As the Iran–Iraq war began, Kazemi joined the war with a 50-member group in Abadan fronts and began fighting with Iraq. Direct presence at the front-line led to injuries to his leg, hands, and back. After the end of the war, he attended the university and got a BA in geography and a master's degree in management and defense spending. He made his doctoral studies in the field of national defense. Kazemi was appointed to the Air Forces of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC AF) Commander in 2000. He was appointed as Commander of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2005 by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During his tenure in the IRGC Air Force, Kazemi took effective measures to improve the quality of the air force in terms of organization and structure, and for the first time equipped the IRGC AF with close air support Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft, and equipped the IRGC AF helicopter organization with purchased Mil Mi-17 helicopters. He was killed when the Dassault Falcon 20 plane that was carrying him, alongside 10 other occupants, crashed near Urmia. The plane crash-landed in a field in poor weather conditions. Reports indicate that the crew did not get three greens after selecting the gear down while on approach to Urmia Airport. A fly-past was done so the control tower could observe the status of the landing gear. While circling the airplane suffered a double engine flame-out, reportedly as a result of engine icing. An emergency landing was attempted in a field, but the plane crashed. SAB/
Buccaneers rule out Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, elevate QB Michael Pratt
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Three-game skid over, NC State faces winless Coppin State
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender people under age 18. At least 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning such care for minors, and most of those states face lawsuits. The nation's top court will be weighing whether Tennessee's law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, requiring that people in similar circumstances be treated the same under the law. Both sides in the case claim they are acting to protect minors from harm. Gender-affirming care is supported by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups. Here's a look at what's typically involved: Young people who persistently identify as a gender that differs from their sex assigned at birth are often referred to clinics where teams from various medical specialties provide gender-affirming care. Such care begins with an evaluation, which can include a pediatrician and a mental health specialist who assess the degree of distress, if any, the young person is experiencing. Those who meet defined criteria may be diagnosed with what's called gender dysphoria if their distress is continuous and significant. Some young people and their families may decide to try a social transition involving a new hairstyle, clothing, name or pronouns. Experts agree that allowing children to express their gender in a way that matches their identity is beneficial. Chazzie Grosshandler, 18, of Chicago, said she was 9 years old when she told her parents she was a girl and "not just a boy who likes girly things." She started receiving care two years later. "The first-ever step of gender-affirming care for me was when I told my parents that I was a girl and that I had felt this way for a long time and that they accepted me," she said. "I think people get really confused when they hear the word 'care' that it has to be something medical. But the truth is that it's more than just medical. It's love and acceptance." A subset of young people may be offered additional interventions such as puberty blockers to ease distress and give them time to explore their gender identity. The drugs, known as GnRH agonists, block the release of key hormones involved in sexual maturation. They've been used for decades to treat precocious puberty, an uncommon medical condition that causes puberty to begin abnormally early. The medication starts after a young person show early signs of puberty - enlargement of breasts or testicles. This typically occurs around age 8 to 13 for those assigned female at birth and a year or two later for those assigned male at birth. The drugs can be given as injections every few months or as arm implants lasting up to a year or two. Many of the effects are reversible - puberty and sexual development resume as soon as the drugs are stopped. Researchers are exploring the effects of puberty blockers on bone development, but no research has shown an increased risk for bone fractures. Young people can stay on puberty blockers for several years. After puberty blockers, trans adolescents go through puberty either with or without hormone treatment. Some may choose to take hormones to make their bodies more closely match their gender identity. They take manufactured versions of either estrogen or testosterone - hormones that prompt sexual development in puberty. Estrogen comes in skin patches and pills. Testosterone is available in injections, implants or gels. Guidelines recommend starting these when teens are mature enough to make informed medical decisions. Many transgender people take the hormones for life. If the medication is stopped, some physical changes remain. Testosterone generally leads to permanent voice-lowering, facial hair and development of the Adam's apple. Estrogen can lead to permanent breast development. Research on long-term hormone use in transgender adults has found potential health risks including a modest risk for blood clots with estrogen and negative cholesterol changes with testosterone. Gender-affirming surgery in transgender teens is far less common than hormone treatment. When it is done among transgender youth, it's almost always breast reduction surgery in older transgender males. Even so, that type of surgery is extremely rare. Perhaps surprisingly, breast reduction among minors is most frequently performed in males who are not transgender. This is for a condition called gynecomastia, which means having more breast tissue than usual. A study looking at millions of 2019 insurance claims found 151 breast reductions performed for U.S. minors. Nearly all - 97% - were not transgender. Research suggests that transgender youth are prone to stress, depression and suicidal thoughts. Some studies suggest treatment for gender dysphoria can improve young people's well-being, but some nuances remain unclear. In one study, researchers spent two years testing and tracking 315 transgender youth who received hormone therapy. Depression and anxiety symptoms eased and life satisfaction increased among those designated female at birth, but not among those designated male at birth. The researchers speculated that the youth designated male at birth might be more affected by stress from being different from most of their peers. In the same study, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, two participants died by suicide - one after six months and the other after a year. Longer term studies on treatment outcomes are underway.London Mayor Sadiq Khan is reportedly set to receive a knighthood in the New Year Honours list, according to Whitehall sources. The Labour politician , who has served as the capital's mayor since 2016, is expected to be recognised for his political and public service. Khan, who made history as the first Muslim mayor of London , was re-elected for a third term earlier this year. His career in frontline politics spans nearly two decades, including his time as a Labour MP before taking up the role of mayor. However, news of the potential honour has sparked backlash. Reform Assembly Member Alex Wilson questioned the decision, describing it as a "kick in the teeth" to Londoners. Wilson told GB News: "For many months, Sadiq Khan has been staunchly defending the indefensible Labour Government. Now, we learn that Keir Starmer intends to honour Sadiq with a knighthood. "Londoners will be asking themselves, what for? His abject failure on knife crime? His failure to build affordable homes? His failure to keep our streets safe? His failure to protect working people?" Khan’s knighthood is expected to be part of a broader list of honours, which includes recognition for several other political figures. Long-serving Labour MP Emily Thornberry and former Blair-era health secretary Patricia Hewitt are reportedly set to receive damehoods. On the Conservative side , former Birmingham Mayor Andy Street, who lost his seat in May after seven years in office, is said to be among those receiving a knighthood, according to the Financial Times. Other Tories anticipated to be honoured include Nick Gibb, a former schools minister with over 25 years of parliamentary service, along with former MPs Ranil Jayawardena and Marcus Jones, who lost their seats in July’s general election. The draft honours list also includes figures from outside politics. Former England footballer David Beckham is widely speculated to be in line for a knighthood following his recent appearance at a Buckingham Palace banquet. Before the honours are finalised, the list must be signed off by Sir Keir Starmer and the King .
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Japan next week, the Pentagon said Thursday, on a trip seen as part of efforts to confirm the robust bilateral alliance before the end of President Joe Biden's administration in January. Austin's visit to Japan comes amid political turmoil in South Korea, a key U.S. ally, triggered by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of emergency martial law. Although Austin had initially planned to visit South Korea after Japan, the second part of the trip is no longer on his schedule. Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder told a press briefing that Austin's multi-day visit to Tokyo will be his 13th trip to the Indo-Pacific since taking office in 2021. Ryder said the upcoming visit represents the Pentagon's "historic efforts to bolster our partnerships and alliances, and advance a shared vision of peace, security and prosperity in the region." Austin will leave office by Jan. 20, when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.Climate change and lifestyle: How polluted air is reshaping urban living