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When VHS tapes hit the scene in the ‘80s, people thought cinemas would die a natural death in a matter of a decade. But what happened was just the opposite; VHS faced a natural death and CDs took over by the 2000s to be quickly replaced by the DVDs and Blu-ray. Then the internet gave us Netflix and the rest is history. Forty years later, theatres are still relevant. IMAX and 3D have broadened cinematic possibilities thanks in part to innovative technology, big studio budgets and all-star casts. But this is not about commercialised cinema. Instead, we went in search of two cinema halls well past their glory days that have survived (in some form) to the present day. Although the stories are different, they lend a unique perspective to Sri Lanka’s shifting socio-political narrative down the years. Welcome to the Ritz and the Rio – a tale of two cinemas. Ritz cinema transformed The Ritz is in the heart of Borella. Covered in billboards, the theatre stays relevant showing Sinhala and Kollywood releases. The Gallery downstairs has been converted to a pub, while the balcony has been converted into one entire floor for screenings. The lobby of the Ritz cinema is decorated with posters of silver screen classics like Sweep Ticket and Maruwa Samaga Wasey. Between the theatre’s ‘vomitories’ stood a defunct 35mm projector; a reminder of the cumbersome analogue era. Rakith Sugathadasa is the current proprietor of the Ritz cinema which has been in his family for three generations. As a millennial, he is well aware of the challenges to small independent theatres. One issue, he says, is parking. Decades ago, not many people owned cars and so building parking lots were not given much attention when designing commercial buildings. Rakith’s grandfather opened the Ritz in 1959 but passed away two years later and the cinema was rented out till 1980 after which Rakith’s father managed it until 2007. In its heyday, the Ritz was a massive theatre with a seating capacity of 700. “After the popularity of multiplexes, I decided to make it into a 116-seater. That’s why the Ritz survived and the Lido cinema didn’t,” Rakith said. One of the main Sinhala movie centres since the ‘80s, the Ritz cinema is an independent cinema and is part of the Lanka Film Distributors (LFD). Only five film circuits have the authority to release local and foreign films in Sri Lanka – They are the MPI, EAP, CEL, LFD which are owned by the private sector, and the Rithma Film Circuit owned by the Government under the National Film Corporation. In a world of multiplexes the Ritz keeps running due to its budget rates, according to Rakith. “We also have a bar and restaurant downstairs, so that is also one reason we are still surviving”. The Ritz upgraded to digital in 2016 to keep up with the times because analogue is just not feasible to operate. “35mm film costs Rs. 300,000 per single cinema, but a circuit can distribute to every cinema digitally for under Rs. 500,000. Moreover, film rolls are a hassle to operate”. Rakith said he hopes to upgrade the theatre and is still managing the Ritz cinema since it’s a family heirloom. “I grew up here. The Ritz is just a hobby. I have other businesses,” he said with a smile. “At the end of the day, the cinema is not marketable by itself. Films are what drive the market. We have a consistent crowd and sometimes get houseful in the weekends or during holidays”, he added. Rio theatre: flawed beauty In downtown Slave Island stands a decaying building—a flawed beauty and a tragedy of Sri Lanka’s dark past. The Rio theatre and hotel opened its doors in 1965 and featured Sri Lanka’s first 70mm Todd-AO projector. The Todd-AO 70 mm widescreen film format was developed by Mike Todd and the Naify brothers. The Todd AO also marked the beginning of what later became ‘Surround Sound’. The Rio’s first screened the musical South Pacific which was attended by the then Governor General William Goppalawa and a 20-year-old Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. During its heyday the Rio screened 70mm hits such as Can Can, Alamo, Sound of Music, Cleopatra and West Side Story. In the 60s, the Rio cinema became a popular entertainment hub for Colombo families as it featured amenities such as restaurants and ice cream shops. “But the good times came to an end quickly when the Film Corporation took over all distribution and importation of films and then the quality of movies began its decline from then,” Rathnarajah ‘Thambi’ Navarathnam, proprietor and manager of the Rio cinema, said. “Hollywood didn’t want to deal with a monopoly; they were big enough to ignore Sri Lanka and the 360 cinemas islandwide dropped to a mere 140 in the following years. However, to save the industry, a few private entities were once again allowed to import films. Torched The Rio was torched during the communal riots of 1983 just as many other Tamil-owned businesses. The cinema was rebuilt but the once-magnificent 70mm Todd-AO was replaced by the basic 35mm projectors, marking the end of an era. Rio earned a bad reputation after its fall from grace. The fact that the old cinema is being used as a ‘cruising’ spot is an open secret. The 35mm projectors are handled by an old-time technician who splices martial arts films, exploitation movies and R-rated shows into one continuous roll which are screened thrice a day. The Rio in recent years has also become the haunt for artistes, anarchists and bohemian-types. Several large murals have taken up the walls and the hotel section has been rented out to raves, parties, rock concerts and galleries. The Goethe Institut and Techno Worlds undertook minor restoration efforts and closed off much of the unsafe parts of the building. Contrasting fates The stories of the Rio and Ritz are part of our continuous internal struggle as a nation. The contrasting fates summarise the duality of Sri Lanka’s journey—adaptation and decline, resilience and abandonment. While the Ritz thrives through modernisation and community relevance, the Rio stands as a haunting reminder of missed opportunities and the scars of history. Together, they challenge us to confront the choices that have shaped not only our cultural institutions but also our collective identity. In cinema, as in life, transformation often requires vision and effort, while ruin comes easily, borne of neglect or misguided decisions. The Ritz and the Rio are not just cinemas; they are reflections of who we are, where we have been and the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether we learn from their stories or repeat the patterns they represent, remains to be seen.Hometown kid Nick Malone reflects on WVU career
New Delhi: The revised gross domestic product (GDP) series, scheduled for release in 2026, will incorporate new and real-time data sources like E-Vahan and eGram Swaraj , according to sources. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation ( MoSPI ) is reaching out to various ministries to enable the use of alternative datasets, they added. eGram Swaraj, a portal by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, includes panchayat profile, budget monitoring, and the progress on utilisation of central/state schemes. The road transport and highways ministry's E-Vahan dashboard provides comprehensive data on vehicle registrations, categorised by fuel type and states. Currently, MoSPI relies on data from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for vehicle sales. Additionally, the revised GDP series will source data from Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Public Finance Management System (PFMS), the person said. This series is set to be released in February 2026 when the first revised estimate of 2024-25 will be published. The Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics (ACNAS) has decided 2022-23 as the new base year. 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It has written to various ministries and departments to source data. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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Spyre Therapeutics to Participate in the 7th Annual Evercore ISI HealthCONx ConferenceHome Franchise Concepts' Leading Window Covering Brand Promotes and Expands Roles for Veteran Team Members to Drive Collaboration, Growth and Innovation IRVINE, Calif. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Budget Blinds, a leader in window coverings, today announced significant changes to its executive leadership team, positioning the company for continued success and industry disruption. Effective immediately, the brand has promoted Tracy Christman to Chief Operating Officer; and expanded roles for Amy Campbell to Vice President of Marketing, Product Design & Strategy; and Nicholas (Nick) Petropoulos as Director of Information Technologies. As part of Home Franchise Concepts' family of brands, these executive changes reflect the leading franchise platform's commitment to setting industry standards and laying the groundwork for building exponential future growth opportunities. Home Franchise Concepts, a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, places an emphasis on strategic leadership development to continue positioning its brands as industry front-runners. Budget Blinds' restructuring aligns with its strategic vision to become the most revered brand in the window coverings industry, while pursuing its primary objectives of operational excellence and innovative customer experience. "We're on the verge of transformational changes that will redefine Budget Blinds' presence in the industry," said Heather Nykolaychuk , President of Budget Blinds. "Earlier this year, we introduced a new business model for our franchisees to enhance brand reinvestment and elevated our strategic planning process to incorporate input from key stakeholders, including our franchisees, fostering greater buy-in and alignment to our long-range plan. As such, with their combined experience and expertise, we are confident that as Tracy, Amy and Nick take on their new or expanding roles, they will ignite our bold new direction, benefiting our associates, franchisees, vendor partners and customers." Additional details on Budget Blinds' leaders and their expanded roles are outlined below: These organizational changes, coupled with the brand's proactive engagement of key stakeholders, position Budget Blinds for improved performance and sustainable growth. The brand is confident that this new structure will foster collaboration and drive innovation, ensuring Budget Blinds remains the leader in window coverings while Home Franchise Concepts continues to reinvest in the brand for future growth. Budget Blinds looks forward to providing enhanced franchisee support, more efficient operations and the development of products and services that truly resonate with our consumers. "We strive to be regarded with deep respect and admiration by all who work and partner with us, through championing high-standards of child-safety, product quality and exceptional experiences rooted in trust and brand reputation," continued Nykolaychuk. "We're excited for the bright future we have ahead, and look forward to the lasting impact Tracy, Amy and Nick will bestow on the Budget Blinds legacy." With Budget Blinds contributing to the success of Home Franchise Concepts, the parent company plans to execute even more innovative strategies and remain ambitious in implementing new tactics to generate additional awareness and support for its family of brands. With new shifts in leadership, Home Franchise Concepts is focused on ongoing operational and technology improvements and is dedicated to enhancing the support for its family of brands. To learn more about Home Franchise Concepts and franchise development opportunities, visit homefranchiseconcepts.com . For more information specific to Budget Blinds, please visit budgetblinds.com . About Budget Blinds Budget Blinds ® is the largest window covering franchise in North America, offering custom blinds, shutters, shades, drapery, and more for residential and commercial consumers in more than 10,000 communities in the U.S. and Canada. Budget Blinds' over 900 business owners, and 1,500 locations, have dressed more than 25 million windows since the brand's founding in 1992. Budget Blinds is part of the Home Franchise Concepts family of home improvement goods and services brands. About Home Franchise Concepts Home Franchise Concepts® , is one of the world's largest franchising systems in the home improvement goods and services space, among the world's largest franchise businesses and a recognized leader in franchisee-franchisor relationships. Home Franchise Concepts' brands including AdvantaClean® , Aussie Pet Mobile®, Bath Tune-Up® , Budget Blinds® , Concrete Craft® , Kitchen Tune-Up®, Lightspeed RestorationTM , PremierGarage® , The Tailored Closet®, and Two Maids® are supported by more than 2,600 franchise territories in the U.S., and Canada . For information on franchise opportunities, please visit http://homefranchiseconcepts.com/ . About JM Family Enterprises JM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with more than $20 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors , JM&A Group , World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance ), JM Lexus , Home Franchise Concepts ®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda . Interact with JM Family on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn . Contact: Margo Williams mwilliams@fish-consulting.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/budget-blinds-announces-strategic-changes-to-executive-leadership-team-302324283.html SOURCE Home Franchise Concepts
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Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes.
The government expressed confidence on Monday that the 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand signed by Thailand and Cambodia would not trigger mass protests. This was in response to former yellow-shirt movement leader and media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul's threat to hold regular activities next year, which some observers have warned could escalate into mass demonstrations against the Pheu Thai-led government. At a forum on Sunday at Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus, Mr Sondhi, the former leader of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), criticised Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her lack of knowledge and accused the government of disregarding the law. Mr Sondhi suggested now is the time to arm people with knowledge and suggested holding a monthly public forum starting next year. His remarks were seen as a threatening to move to oust the Paetongtarn government. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday brushed aside the prospect of street protests and said Mr Sondhi has the constitutional right to hold rallies. He said the government is ready to face scrutiny and pointed out that there are already channels in place to keep the government in check. Mr Phumtham, the defence minister and a Pheu Thai Party heavyweight, also urged the former PAD leader to consider the possible impacts that street protests could have on the economy. The prolonged street protests to oust previous governments, which prompted authorities to close some areas, caused extensive damage to the country, he argued, referring to PAD protests, which shut down the city's airports for more than a week. Asked about Mr Sondhi's planned weekly meetings, the deputy prime minister said he was not concerned despite Mr Sondhi having led the mass protests in 2006, culminating in a coup toppling the Thaksin administration. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul echoed Mr Phumtham's opinions, saying Mr Sondhi is free to lawfully exercise his constitutional right. However, Mr Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, denied any internal struggle between his party and the Pheu Thai Party in the wake of the Khao Kradong land controversy . He said the coalition parties are working in unity and operate under the prime minister's instructions. In a media interview, Mr Sondhi, 77, said that it is undecided if he would lead a street protest against the Paetongtarn government. He said he did not want to, but he would do it if necessary. However, he said that the current political situation is not intense enough to proceed with such a drastic measure, although it was nearing that point. Panthep Phuaphongphan, a former PAD leader, said the Nov 24 forum was a test of people's readiness and designed to energise the PAD supporters. He insisted that no gatherings are planned at this stage. Mr Panthep said the public did not believe Thaksin was ill during his detention at the Police General Hospital. They were also sceptical about the government's planned negotiations with Cambodia over the sharing of natural resources in the Gulf of Thailand under the 2001 MoU. He stressed that Mr Sondhi would submit a petition to Ms Paetongtarn next year. "But whether or not people will join him, it is kept as a surprise [by Mr Sondhi]," he added.House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report
Nigeria’s economy experienced a notable boost in financial inflows of 335 percent increase in the third quarter of 2024, reaching $6.44 billion compared to $1.48 billion in the preceding quarter. The increase, as highlighted in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) quarterly economic report, was attributed to a rise in Central Bank liabilities and government loan acquisitions. Breaking down the figures, the report noted that “other investment” liabilities recorded a net inflow of $4.06 billion, a sharp turnaround from the net reduction of $3.50 billion in the second quarter of 2024. The increase was driven by higher loan liabilities. Foreign direct investment liabilities also showed a modest rise to $0.56 billion, up from $0.52 billion in the previous quarter. However, portfolio investment liabilities witnessed a significant decline, dropping to $1.92 billion from $4.42 billion in the second quarter, largely due to a reduction in debt securities. Read also: Choking the economy: How CBN war on cash is hurting Nigerians The report further revealed an impressive surge in financial assets acquired by resident investors, which grew to $10.47 billion in Q3 2024, compared to $1.79 billion in the preceding quarter. This development stemmed from a notable increase in foreign currency and deposit holdings by residents, which rose to $5.49 billion from withdrawals of $0.83 billion in Q2 2024. Additionally, reserve assets saw an accretion of $4.21 billion, up from $2.47 billion in the previous quarter. Direct investment assets and “other investment” assets also increased significantly to $0.63 billion and $5.53 billion, respectively, contrasting with their lower levels in Q2 2024. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s external debt stock as of the end of June 2024 stood at USD 42.90 billion, representing 23.90 percent of the country’s GDP. Multilateral loans, which include those from the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, and African Development Bank Group, accounted for the largest share at $21.62 billion, or 50.41 percent of the total. Commercial loans, predominantly Eurobonds, followed with $15.12 billion (35.24 percent), while bilateral loans and syndicated loans stood at $5.89 billion (13.72 percent) and $0.27 billion (0.63 percent), respectively. Debt servicing payments during the same period amounted to $1.12 billion. This included 0.40 billion in interest payments (35.71 percent of the total) and $0.58 billion in principal repayments (51.79 percent). The remaining balance covered other payments. A closer analysis revealed that commercial borrowings accounted for the majority of interest payments at 74.72 percent (USD 0.30 billion), while multilateral institutions and bilateral loans accounted for 23.45 percent (USD 0.09 billion) and the balance, respectively. Read also: Access Holdings gets CBN, SEC approvals for recently closed rights issue On the international investment front, the report highlighted a decrease in Nigeria’s net financial liabilities, despite an increase in financial assets to $107.49 billion in Q3 2024 from $114.13 billion in Q2 2024. The growth in assets was primarily driven by increases in “other investment” assets and reserve assets, which rose by 11.69 percent and 13.02 percent, respectively, to $52.82 billion and $39.29 billion. Direct and portfolio investment assets also grew, reaching $17.33 billion and $4.58 billion, respectively. However, financial liabilities saw a rise, increasing to $174.29 billion in Q3 2024 from $167.88 billion in the preceding quarter. This was primarily due to a 4.64 percent increase in “other investment” liabilities, which climbed to $74.30 billion. Direct investment liabilities also rose to $68.66 billion, compared to $66.09 billion in Q2 2024, while portfolio investment liabilities increased slightly to $31.25 billion from $30.61 billion.The Vancouver Canucks will likely be represented on a variety of teams at this year’s World Juniors. The annual tournament is closely followed by many hockey fans and a great chance for tomorrow’s stars to introduce themselves on a huge stage. The Canucks have three prospects who will likely be playing for their country. Tom Willander is one of the best prospects in the Canucks organization and should play a huge role for Sweden this year. He’s already been named to the team and is expected to hold down a spot in the top four. The right-handed blueliner is enjoying a solid sophomore season at Boston University. He’s seen as a steady contributor who can play in all situations. With the Canucks having a need on the right side of their defence group, the hope is that Willander can make the NHL in the next few years and help fill that gap. Sawyer Mynio has risen up the Canucks organization’s depth chart this season. He at training camp and has gotten off to a strong start with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the AHL. Mynio has already been invited to Team Canada’s training camp but hasn’t made the final roster yet. Many projections have him making the final team including that and . While Mynio is over a point-per-game so far this season with the Thunderbirds, he’s seen as a stopper who is tough to play against. Those types of players are crucial for short tournaments like the World Juniors and thus it’s likely he gets a spot. Basile Sansonnens, 18, is the third Canucks prospect who will likely be playing for Switzerland. He’s currently in his first full season in North America and has picked up a few assists so far. At 6-foot-4, he has the size that NHL teams covet and he’s seen as a defensive defenceman. Switzerland has not yet released its World Juniors rosters, but most expect Sansonnens to make the team.Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 6 medics in Gaza
SMU had no problems handling the jump to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Now the No. 8 Mustangs (11-1, 8-0, No. 8 CFP) look to complete an unbeaten run through the ACC in their inaugural season when they face perennial conference power Clemson on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The 18th-ranked Tigers (9-3, 7-1, No. 17 CFP) will play in a record 10th ACC championship game in 16 seasons under coach Dabo Swinney. The Mustangs moved to the ACC after capturing the American Athletic Conference championship in 2023. They have won 17 straight regular-season conference games, going back to 2022. "We wanted to be at this level. We wanted to play on this stage," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "We want to be playing in the championship game. ... We have ultimate respect for Clemson, but this is a stage we want to be on." Clemson looked as if it might miss out on its second straight title game, but Syracuse stunned then-No. 6 Miami to give the Tigers a spot. They have been dominant once they get there, winning eight of their previous nine ACC title game appearances, the lone loss coming to Georgia Tech in 2009. "I'm proud of the consistency. Uncommon consistency," Swinney said. "I know we're supposedly a bad program now and we're doom and gloom. It's all downhill and everything's terrible. But I think we've been in this game two of the last three years." If the Mustangs win they'll likely wrap up a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Clemson, which comes in as a 2 1/2-point underdog according to BetMGM Sportsbook, needs a win to qualify for the playoff and likely assure the ACC gets two teams in. The ACC will receive $4 million for each team that makes the CFP and each team that advances to the playoff quarterfinals and $6 million for each team that advances to the playoff semifinal and championship game. In addition, each conference will receive $3 million to cover expenses from each round for a team participating in the CFP. No Hurricanes Swinney said if the Tigers win the national title he'll invite Syracuse coach Fran Brown to Clemson to ride with him in the championship parade. "If that happens, like let's dream big, hey, why not? Fran Brown, he's going to be riding in the car with me, convertible, through downtown Clemson," Swinney said. Jennings' journey SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings will be playing in his second straight conference championship game. Jennings was pressed into his first career start last year in the AAC after Preston Stone broke his leg in the regular-season finale. He responded by leading the Mustangs to a 26-14 win, accounting for 266 yards from scrimmage along with a touchdown pass. Jennings began this season behind Stone on the depth chart, but took over as the starter in Week 4 and has gone 9-0 since with the Mustangs averaging 40.8 points per game. Jennings has thrown for 2,746 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions and is the team's second-leading rusher with 344 yards and four TDs. "I'm a lot more confident now for sure," Jennings said. Clemson stumbles in Clemson enters the title game coming off a 17-14 loss to rival South Carolina last week. Linebacker Wade Woodaz said players have put that behind them. "We've got another opportunity and we've got to be grateful for that," Woodaz said. "Sitting here and dwelling on the loss to South Carolina isn't going to help us Saturday. Yes, we have to learn from it, got to look at our mistakes and where we messed up. But in the end, we have another shot and we've got to take full advantage of it." SMU's adjustments Brashard Smith, SMU's featured running back, was a receiver before transferring to SMU this season. He has 1,157 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing, and also has 29 catches for 269 yards and three more scores. In the regular-season finale against California, he had 134 total yards (68 rushing and 66 receiving) with two touchdowns. "He's a matchup problem. He's a good player and defensively you've got to account for him," Lashlee said of Smith. "He's an all-purpose player." SMU lost two of its top receivers to season-ending injuries midway through its conference schedule: tight end RJ Maryland — the son of former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Russell Maryland — and receiver Jake Bailey. Michigan transfer Matthew Hibner took over as the starting tight end and has 15 catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns the last five games after only two catches for 31 yards the first seven. When Bailey got hurt, the Mustangs moved Roderick Daniels Jr. back to receiver from running back, and he has caught 15 passes the last three games. Clemson's offense The Tigers were one of the country's most dynamic offenses for a six-game stretch — all victories — early September through October. Clemson averaged better than 48 points a game during that run. That average has dropped to less than 27 points a game in the last five contests.Bowser scores 16, Furman takes down South Carolina State 68-64
The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing . But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin , gold and other investments also drove higher. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. 1998 Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball’s Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year’s spurt of 24.2%. 57 The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. 3 The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. 1,508 That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world . The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. Related Articles Economy | Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices Economy | US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high Economy | A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Economy | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump Economy | How to avoid financial stress during the holiday season $100,000 The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It’s been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump’s election. He’s turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he’s named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. 26.7% Gold’s rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It’s also benefited from the Fed’s cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. $420 It’s a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it’s also a threshold that Tesla’s stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. $91.2 billion That’s how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial-intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia’s chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia’s worth to more than $3 trillion in total. 74% GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October . 1.6%, 3.0% and 3.1% That’s how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. 20.1% This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody’s. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. 3.73 million That’s the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024’s home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.
Govt may table Peca amendments next week to tighten control over digital content If finalized, they could be presented in parliament next week for approval THE federal government could table proposed amendments to the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in parliament as early as next week, officials revealed. Senior officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told The News that the amendments are currently being discussed with the government’s political allies. If finalized, they could be presented in parliament next week for approval. The proposed changes to Peca aim to establish two new authorities with sweeping powers to regulate online content, investigate violations, and prosecute offenders. According to a working draft of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, available with The News, the proposed changes include the introduction of new definitions, the creation of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information. New definitions The amendments introduce several definitions under which individuals can be prosecuted. “Aspersions,” for instance, is defined as “spreading false and harmful information that damages a person’s reputation.” A “complainant” is any person filing a complaint under the Act, including a victim or someone with “substantial reason” to believe an offense is occurring. While a “social media platform” refers to any website, app, or service that allows users to create public profiles and share content. Pakistan Digital Rights Protection Authority A significant proposal in the amendments is creation of the Pakistan Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), headquartered in Islamabad, with additional offices in provincial capitals as needed. DRPA would take on some of the responsibilities previously held by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). While DRPA’s broad mandate includes: • Regulating social media content; •Investigating and prosecuting complaints; • Issuing guidelines to stakeholders; • Ordering content removal, blocking, or temporary suspension. The Authority will be led by a chairperson and six members appointed by the federal government for a three-year term. The federal government will also have the power to issue binding policy directions to DRPA. Additionally, the Act provides legal immunity to government officials and members of DRPA acting “in good faith” under its provisions. Content blocking DRPA will have the authority to direct social media platforms to block or remove content deemed objectionable. Platforms will now be required to register with DRPA, pay a fee, and comply with the conditions set by it. The draft outlines categories of content that may be blocked, including material that: • Violates the “glory of Islam” or the “ideology of Pakistan”; • Incites violence, terror, or public disorder; • Is designed to frighten the general public to prevent them from coming out and carrying on their lawful trade or daily business; • Promotes hatred on religious, sectarian, or ethnic grounds; • Contains obscene or pornographic material; • Defames; • Violates copyrights or intellectual property rights; • Disseminates false or fake information; • Contains “aspersions” against constitutional institutions, including the judiciary, armed forces, or parliament or the provincial assemblies; • Encourages terrorism or other forms of violence; • Amounts to intimidation or blackmail. Content related to remarks expunged from parliamentary proceedings and statements from proscribed organizations will also be prohibited. In cases of violations, DRPA can recommend the federal government to block entire social media platforms. New tribunals and penalties The draft also calls for the establishment of Digital Rights Protection Tribunals. Each tribunal will comprise a chairperson qualified to be a High Court judge, a journalist registered with a press club, and a software engineer. Tribunals must resolve cases within 90 days, with appeals to the Supreme Court allowed within 60 days. Stricter penalties have also been proposed. Individuals who intentionally disseminate “fake or false information” through an information system face up to five years in prison. If the offense involves women or children, the sentence increases to seven years. While aggrieved individuals may file complaints with DRPA, which must issue orders for content removal or blocking within 24 hours. National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency The amendments propose transferring investigative and prosecutorial powers related to online content to a newly established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Government’s point of view The government officials who spoke to The News said the draft amendments were still under discussion with allied political parties and had not been finalized, but they argued the changes were necessary to address the “rise of online disinformation and misinformation.” One official said that the government wants social media platforms to establish offices in Pakistan and is already in talks with Meta. However, X, formerly known as Twitter, has refused to comply. It is worth noting that X has been officially blocked in Pakistan since February. When asked why the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was being replaced with the Pakistan Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), an official explained that PTA is overwhelmed with thousands of pending complaints, necessitating a new body to manage the workload regarding online complaints, while PTA will continue its work related to the telecom sector. However, when pressed on how the government intends to define “fake” or “false” news, or determine whether misinformation was spread deliberately, the officials were unable to provide a clear explanation. The minister of state for information technology did not respond to The News repeated requests for comments.
