- slot casino sites
- Published: 2025-01-08Source: slot casino sites
Summary Tips: slot casino sites is referred to as China News Service Guangxi Channel and China News Service Guangxi Network, which is the first news website established by the central media in Guangxi. 888 casino slots review Overall positioning: a comprehensive news website with external propaganda characteristics, the largest external communication platform in Guangxi. casino slot jackpot youtube Provide services for industry enterprises, welcome to visit slot casino sites !
slot casino sites
UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC job
Judge grants dismissal of election subversion case against Trump
ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry on Thursday penned a letter to the KP chief secretary, asking him to ensure that state machinery, equipment or finances are not used for PTI’s power show. The interior ministry’s letter addressed to KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, stating “Protest call on November 24” as its subject, specifying the PTI as the organiser later. It asked Chaudhry to ensure that the KP government “does not utilise state machinery, equipment, officials or finances for political protest by the political party”. The interior ministry’s directives come a day after the government approved the deployment of both Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel in Islamabad from November 22 onwards to “handle” the law and order situation, ahead of the planned power show. The notification said the exact number of personnel and the date and area of their deployment would be “worked out in consultation with concerned stakeholders”. Similarly, the date of de-requisitioning would be decided after mutually consulting all relevant stakeholders. Separately, PTV posted a circular from the Peshawar police on its X account that said that any KP police officers posted for security duties along with political representatives would not participate in any procession. “The policemen who are posted with the political representatives as gunners and are performing duties with them should be warned that they will not participate in any procession or political gathering outside Peshawar and neither will they go with the representatives. In case of violation, strict departmental action will be taken against the concerned officials,” the circular warned. The federal and Punjab governments have decided to take strict measures to deal with the PTI’s call. The police have been placed on “high alert” throughout Punjab while Section 144 has been extended in the federal capital for two more months, in addition to heavy security arrangements. The government’s concerns about the usage of state machinery emerged when last month, around two dozen KP cops were among 1,000 PTI supporters arrested by the Rawalpindi and Islamabad police during the PTI’s October 5 D-Chowk protest. Following a simultaneous protest in Punjab, the Attock police had also arrested as many as 11 KP policemen who were participating in the PTI’s march. Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi till Nov 26 Separately, it emerged today that Section 144 has been imposed in Rawalpindi till Nov 26 due to “the fear of terrorism”, according to a notification issued by the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner’s (DC) office, dated Wednesday. Section 144 is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. The notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, cites “specific intelligence suggesting that certain groups and elements are actively mobilising with intentions to disturb the and order situation through large gatherings, protests and disruptive assemblies”. An emergency meeting of the District Intelligence Committee chaired by Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema was held on Wednesday, according to the notification, adding that the meeting held that there was “an imminent threat” within the limits of Rawalpindi district, particularly surrounding sensitive installations, including Adiala Jail, that could pose a threat to human life, public property and overall peace and order. The notification banned all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, processions, demonstrations, protests and other such activities, excluding religious gatherings. The carrying of weapons, spikes, laden batons, ball bearings, petrol bombs, improvised explosives or any other instrument that could potentially be used for violence was also banned. It also prohibited any attempt to remove any restriction imposed by a police office to regulate the assembly of persons or movement of traffic. The notification said the order would remain in place for seven days from Nov 20- 26. Law enforcement agencies have planned to “lay a virtual siege” to the garrison city by sealing it from 50 points to prevent PTI workers from entering the federal capital territory on November 24. Rangers requested in three districts of Punjab Separately, the Punjab Home Department requested the deployment of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) personnel in Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum districts, according to a notification issued today. The department requested one to two wings of Rangers in Rawalpindi and Attock from Friday till the date of de-requisition and one company deployed to Jhelum from Friday to Wednesday. The Punjab Home Department’s spokesperson said the decision was taken on the recommendation of the district administration. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );NoneBotafogo won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history with a 3-1 victory over fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. Botafogo played almost the entire match with ten men after Gregore was sent off in the first minute but they showed impressive spirit and resilience to secure victory at River Plate's Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Midfielder Gregore was shown a red card after a wild, high challenge on Fauto Vera, forcing Botafogo to adjust their game plan, but Atletico failed to press home their numerical advantage. Veteran forward Hulk had an effort from outside the box saved by John but the team from Belo Horizonte created little pressure. Sensing the game might not be the rearguard action they might have expected, Botafogo began to show more attacking intent and they were rewarded in the 35th minute. Marlon Freitas's shot from the edge of the box ricocheted around a crowded box before the ball fell to Luiz Henrique, who fired home from close range. To their credit, Botafogo didn't retreat to defend their slim advantage and they were able to double their lead in the 44th minute. Atletico defender Guilherme Arana attempted to shepherd the ball back to goalkeeper Everson but Luiz Henrique snuck between the pair and went down under challenge from the keeper. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded and Alex Telles confidently smashed home the spot kick to give Botafogo an unlikely 2-0 lead at the break. Atletico, who won the Libertadores in 2013, made a triple substitution at the interval and it paid off swiftly with Eduardo Vargas heading in from a corner. Inevitably, there was late pressure from Atletico, but Botafogo made sure of the victory when Junior Santos finished off a counter-attack deep in stoppage time. With the win, Botafogo earns the final of 32 places in next year's FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the United States. sev/js
Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.‘We didn’t have a good day’: Greens set to suffer significant election lossesBusiness case for wind propulsion improves as decarbonisation rules kick in
‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?
NEW YORK — A shoplifting ring that stole nearly $2 million in clothes and beauty products from Macy’s and other well-known stores in the U.S. and then resold them in New York City and the Dominican Republic has been busted, law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. Five New Yorkers have been charged with felony possession of stolen property, conspiracy and other related crimes, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. The bust served as a reminder to shoppers as the holiday shopping season kicks off in earnest with Black Friday this week to make sure they are supporting legitimate establishments, she said. “When a deal seems too good to be true, I guarantee you, it’s too good to be true,” Katz said. Nationally, businesses lose roughly $100 billion and the average family pays $500 more a year because of the impact of organized retail theft, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who joined the district attorney and other law enforcement officials in Queens. The Democrat said the arrests also marked the first time anyone has been charged under a new criminal statute of fostering the sale of stolen goods that she recently signed into law to help crack down on retail theft. “This is real simple. We’ve had enough with criminals preying on our citizens,” Hochul said. “We are sick and tired of our citizens feeling they’re vulnerable to random crimes on the streets or these sophisticated organized crime rings. And we are coming after you.” Katz, the district attorney, said the group stole high-end makeup, perfume, beauty products, designer clothing and accessories from stores ranging from Macy’s to Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Sephora and Ulta Beauty over a roughly two-year period. The group’s leaders, married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, directed shoplifting crews to steal specific merchandise as they hit multiple stores in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and elsewhere along the East Coast, she said. They also paid truck drivers to divert products bound for retailers from manufacturer warehouses directly to locations under their control. The group, operating out of a home in Queens, then resold the merchandise online as well as at a brick-and-mortar boutique called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, a city in the Dominican Republic. Vince Scala, a lawyer for the couple and two of the other defendants, said his clients pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Saturday. They were released pending their next court date in January. “The charges are only a couple of days old, and I have not seen a single piece of evidence, discovery or police reports,” he said. “I look forward to reviewing the case at the appropriate time.” Tuesday’s announcement is part of a broader push from Hochul to counter Republican criticisms that Democrats in New York are soft on public safety issues, an issue that hurt her party in the 2022 midterm elections and has remained a consistent talking point for the GOP. Earlier this year, Hochul signed off on a handful of policies aimed at cracking down on retail theft, including increased criminal penalties for assaulting retail workers, new funding for law enforcement teams dedicated to retail theft and tax credits for businesses to install security cameras. She also approved policies that allow prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges and made it easier to criminally charge third-party sellers of stolen goods. Retail theft has also been a concern elsewhere. Videos of brazen shoplifting crews rampaging through stores have been widely shared on social media, fueling widespread frustration that retail crime is rampant and unpunished. Earlier this month, California voters overwhelmingly passed a tough-on-crime ballot measure that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again. The measure partly rolled back a progressive law passed by voters a decade ago downgrading several nonviolent crimes to misdemeanors, including theft under $950 in value.Notre Dame reopens five years after blazePHILADELPHIA , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia intellectual property law firm of Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that partner Jeffrey W. Gluck , Ph.D. again has been named among IAM's Strategy 300 Global Leaders 2025, an honor recognizing the world's leading intellectual property strategists. IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders showcases the top experts in the IP world, acknowledging leaders from across in-house, private practice, and service provider roles. These specialists work in major IP markets around the world, and their approach to intellectual property is regarded by peers as truly strategic in nature. With careers as an engineering researcher and as an intellectual property attorney, Gluck brings both perspectives to the table when serving clients. His legal practice spans a broad range of areas, including patent application and prosecution, IP counseling, providing legal opinions, serving on litigation teams, and appellate litigation. He also advises clients on matters relating to software copyright/licensing issues, including open-source licenses. With a technical background in the electrical and computer areas, Gluck specializes in sophisticated electrical and computer-related technologies, including telecommunication systems, signal processing, control systems, solar energy technology, semiconductor devices, and high-performance computing. Gluck earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland , his master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts , and his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University . IAM provides worldwide news, analysis, and data on the management of intellectual property as a key business asset. It serves an in-house counsel audience, featuring current updates and commentary on the most pressing global issues and strategies in the IP space. Read the full list of IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders. About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP – Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia , Wilmington, Delaware , and Alexandria, Virginia . The firm's IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling services relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firm's long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection. Contact: Sarah Larson [email protected] / 215.340.0480 SOURCE Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP
No. 8 Kentucky flying high ahead of Western Kentucky meetingCarrier Global Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsNew yellow weather warning issued for Surrey amid Storm Darragh chaos
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes paced up and down the Chiefs’ sideline, yelling toward everyone yet no one in particular. His first-half pep talk, a waste. His body, bruised. His frustration, public for all to see. If you didn’t know any better — if you didn’t check the date on this column — you might have guessed I ripped the scene from Christmas Day a year earlier. Except for just one tiny detail. The Chiefs won. They beat the Las Vegas Raiders 19-17 on Friday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and for all of the close, funky conclusions that have defined this season, we have a masterpiece: a botched snap. A year after the Raiders robbed the Chiefs of a Christmas Day celebration, they gifted them a victory when center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball before quarterback Aidan O’Connell expected it. Nick Bolton pounced on it. That’s how the Chiefs just beat the worst team in football. Look, the Chiefs are still a very good team, but with the record of a very great team requesting to be judged on the curve of the very best teams the league has to offer. That’s not some unfair grading system we invented for them — it’s how they judge themselves. Been that way for a while now. And about the only positive thing I can offer from Friday’s game — other than, you know, the win — is to wonder if perhaps the outcome will convince Raiders owner Mark Davis that head coach Antonio Pierce is a good fit for the job. The Chiefs’ offense gained just 4.9 yards per play, the third-worst mark among the 12 teams to play the Raiders this season. The Chiefs defense allowed 6.9 yards per play, 1.3 more yards per play than anyone had allowed the Raiders this year. Chiefs coach Andy Reid botched a fourth-down decision in which he elected to put the end of the game in the hands of that defense, rather than his quarterback. Everyone shared some blame. But for all of that, there are no bigger concerns than the root of Mahomes’ outburst. Left tackle. For the third time this year, Reid benched his left tackle in-game, enacting a full-on state of emergency that sent Joe Thuney, an All-Pro guard, to protect Mahomes’ blindside. To hell with it, Reid apparently said, and who could blame him? Starting left tackle Wanya Morris, who doubles as the replacement for the first guy KC benched this season, allowed 11 pressures and a career day not from Maxx Crosby, but from K’Lavon Chaisson — who had eight pressures, per Next Gen Stats. A ticket-taker slows traffic more efficiently than Morris slowed the Raiders’ navigation to his quarterback. On three occasions, Chaisson reached Mahomes is less than 2 1/2 seconds. Those plays were over before they started. “He’s playing against a couple of good players,” Reid said of Morris. “But you gotta do better than what we did there.” At one point, visibly frustrated, Mahomes stretched out both arms from his sides and turned his palms skyward, as if to ask the very question that will hover over the rest of the Chiefs’ quest for the NFL’s first three-peat: What now? Well, it sure seems like one of the most important players to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl hopes just became someone who hasn’t put on a football uniform in more than 11 months — someone who has never put on a Chiefs uniform. D.J. Humphries, you’re up. After spending the past 11 months out of football — not even a practice since his ACL injury with the Arizona Cardinals last December — the Chiefs have little choice but to ask Humphries to step into one of the most important jobs in the sport. A risky solution. I’ll listen for others. The Chiefs have survived subpar left tackle play in this era. They’re almost stuck with it, given the constraints of their salary cap paired with their draft position falling at the end of every round. Donovan Smith was below average a year ago, even if time has elevated that memory. Heck, Cam Erving protected Mahomes at one point. They’ve managed. This is different. They aren’t even giving Mahomes a chance. Before the season, I could not offer you a single example of a left tackle flat-out whiffing on an edge rusher. I’m sure it’s happened. I don’t remember it. Today, if asked for that example, I would reply with a question: Which one? Morris continually elected to just try to punch at Chaisson. He came about as close as a 58-year-old boxer on Netflix. To Morris’ credit, and this will be dismissed more quickly than it should, he remained by his locker as media entered the room after the game. He took every last question he was asked. “There’s no better time to learn than when you get your (rear-end) beat,” Morris told me, and he did not say rear-end. “It sucks to get your (rear-end) beat, but when you get your (rear-end) beat, you can have two responses: You can lay down, or you can get back up and try something new. I’m going to get back up and try something new.” What’s becoming obvious: The Chiefs cannot afford him that chance. They cannot afford their second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, that chance, either. A year ago, the Raiders supplied the Chiefs a wake-up call: They’d better take the rest of the season seriously if they intended to make another Super Bowl run. This year, the wake-up call is how drastically one position can derail their plans. On a first-half drive Friday, Mahomes completed a no-look pass to tight end Noah Gray for 26 yards. A few plays later, tight end Travis Kelce lateraled a ball to running back Samaje Perine for a first down. Three more plays later, Mahomes absorbed a shot to the chest but managed to somehow flick a pass to receiver Justin Watson, who made a contested catch for a touchdown. A no-look. A lateral. A contested catch, which this team almost never makes. That once comprised the look of a team showing off. On Friday, it comprised the requirements for scoring. It was the recipe for the only time the Chiefs reached the end zone. Those plays I glossed over? They were interrupted by the constant pressure. Even the touchdown should have been interrupted by the pressure. A miraculous throw, really. But the Raiders — and that outburst — illuminated something in the process. Even a franchise savior has a limit. ©2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.No. 8 Kentucky flying high ahead of Western Kentucky meetingZelenskyy says NATO offer for Ukraine-controlled territory could end 'hot stage' of warKing Charles' former butler, Grant Harrold, has shared some wise advice on selecting presents for someone who seems to have everything. He recommended opting for something "practical, fun, and most importantly, affordable." Revealing King Charles' preference for understated gifts, Harrold disclosed, "The King hates being given anything extravagant and expensive. He'd be embarrassed if you spent a fortune on him. He'd say, 'That's lovely but you really shouldn't have.' So, at Christmas , I used to give him books on Victorian gardening or honey-based products because I know how much he loves honey." Despite their Royal status, it appears that the Royals might share common ground with the general public when it comes to shopping for the festive season. Grant Harrold notes, "Everyone assumes the royals only shop in the poshest stores. But they go to the same shops that we do. I'm not saying they never go to Harrods – it's said the late Queen did some Christmas shopping there with her cousin (the Duchess of Kent) in the 1950s but she would often nip to her local shops in Ballater village, near Balmoral. The royals enjoy a bargain." READ NEXT: Storm Darragh live as Birmingham faces major travel disruption amid Met Office warnings Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join Notably, the Princess of Wales is also known to appreciate a good deal, having been seen picking up last-minute bargains at The Range in King's Lynn. Moreover, alongside Prince William , Kate has made visits to Bakers and Larners of Holt, a beloved department store renowned for its delightful hampers and traditional offerings, reports the Mirror . Queen Camilla has been spotted getting ahead with her festive presents. During an official journey to Nairobi last year, she returned with a "rather large haul" from a market, snapping up items like cosy blankets, handcrafted jewellery, and intriguingly, a jar of cashew butter - which she claimed was "one up on peanut butter." as per insights from Harrold. Contrastingly, Queen Elizabeth II indulged in a very different approach to Christmas shopping, former footman Paul Burrell spilled the details. A temporary 'shop' filled with wares from John Lewis would pop up in a Windsor Castle drawing room, offering the Queen a chance to select gifts, often opting for late night browsing post-dinner. Grant Harrold pointed out that despite having the option to send staff on gift-buying errands, seeing royals in high-street shops isn't unheard of. "Princess Beatrice attends the Glastonbury festival most summers! ", he shared excitedly, noting how they go unnoticed during public shopping trips. "In the past, stores would close for Princess Diana. That doesn't happen now," Grant elaborated. "The royals are very discreet. They always have a bodyguard for protection, but people don't recognise them because you don't expect to see a King or a future Queen browsing in your local store." The royals, it seems, are not immune to the allure of Amazon's convenience. "The younger ones, especially, are very savvy with online shopping, making Christmas shopping easier," Grant reveals. But don't expect to catch a glimpse of the monarch wrestling with wrapping paper. "I can easily see Kate, William and even Anne taking on the task of wrapping their own gifts, but not the King. He'll have someone do that for him," he adds. The Royal family upholds the tradition of gathering at 6pm on Christmas Eve at Sandringham to exchange presents, a nod to the German custom of Heiligabend Bescherung, which translates to 'Christmas Eve time for exchanging gifts'. Gifts are meticulously arranged on a table cloaked in white linen, each person's share demarcated by name cards. The only illumination comes from the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights. Prince Harry recounts the festive frenzy in his memoir 'Spare': "By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place [and] stood before our mound of presents. Then suddenly, everyone began opening at the same time. A free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper." There is, however, one steadfast rule: the gifts must be inexpensive yet jolly. Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe notes, "They don't spend much money on gifts," but they do invest considerable thought into them, aiming for the more humorous and unusual, the better. Among the memorable gifts, Harry once received a pen adorned with a rubber fish from his great-aunt Princess Margaret. Rumour has it that he once presented the late Queen with a plastic singing sea bass and a shower cap bearing the slogan, Ain't life a b***h!, while his brother gifted their grandmother slippers adorned with her face. King Charles is said to have received a white leather toilet seat from his sister, while Harry was given a 'Grow your own Girlfriend' kit by Kate. Princess Diana initially missed the memo on 'silly gifts', choosing to gift cashmere sweaters to the family. However, she nailed it the following year, opting for a leopard print bath mat for Sarah, Duchess of York. "There are serious gifts given, too," Grant reveals. "You'll see the Royal ladies sporting a new necklace and you'll just know it was a Christmas present. And, of course, Santa still visits Sandringham. I like to think that on Christmas Day morning the children will have lots of presents in their stockings or under the tree." The Wales children are encouraged to send letters to Lapland and, when George was four, William personally handed over his son's list to Santa Claus at a festive market in Helsinki, Finland. George's wish? A police car. "Money isn't an object for William and Kate, but they're not indulgent," Duncan comments. "So the younger royals won't be showered with very, very expensive gifts." While one might assume that's due to the influence of Kate's parents, former Royal security chief Ken Wharfe notes that William and Harry were never spoilt as children. "Diana was very careful to ensure that they weren't flooded with gifts," he explains. "Gifts did appear from unknown sources but they were often returned or given to charity because they didn't need them." Her late Majesty cherished the essence of Santa's magic. When once asked by a youngster, "Do you believe in Father Christmas? " she gracefully replied: "I like to believe in Father Christmas, yes." It seems her son is taking after her. During a visit to a shopping centre in West London, the King was visibly delighted to meet Santa Claus. Santa revealed afterwards that he reassured the King that he was indeed on Santa's 'very good boy' list". Spot on!
NoneNo. 7 Mercer stages 4th-quarter comeback to top No. 10 Rhode Island 17-10, advances to FCS semifinalATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
TSX Nearly Breaks Even
It can happen when you’re crossing the road and you underestimate the height of the curb when stepping off. Or you could be pivoting or jumping during sports when your ankle contacts the ground awkwardly and twists to the side. No matter the scenario, you’ll be left limping and wincing in pain. Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries that doctors see. At National University Hospital (NUH), for instance, ankle sprains account for up to 70 per cent of all sports injuries related to the foot, according to Adjunct Assistant Professor Andrew Hong Choon Chiet, the head and consultant with NUH’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Over at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Nicholas Yeo sees three or four cases per week. “These account for 10 per cent of Accident & Emergency visits and up to 30 per cent of all sports-related injuries,” he said. But what’s the big deal, you say, as you sit there icing your foot. Everyone has had a sprained ankle before, whether you’re a weekend warrior or just love wearing high heels. And anyway, the swelling and pain will subside with time, right? For one, a previous sprain may predispose you to future ones if you don’t help it heal properly. Second, if you keep spraining the same ankle, it could lead to something serious such as end-stage arthritis. So, what can you do if your ankle keeps getting injured? What recourse is there for ankle arthritis? We find out from the experts. WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS TO THE ANKLE WHEN IT’S SPRAINED? The most common type of ankle sprain is the lateral ankle sprain when the joint rolls laterally inwards, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. According to Harvard Health Publishing , this inward-rolling action can damage the ligaments in the outer ankle that form part of the ankle ligament complex. Ligaments are bands of fibrous tissue that connect bone to bone. Depending on the severity of the damage (from Grade 1 to 3), the injured ligaments could end up over-stretched or torn. And like a worn-out rubber band, they can’t snap back into shape to provide stability to the ankle. But it’s not all doom and gloom the minute you have a sprain. The vast majority of individuals, who sprain their ankles for the first time, “recover well enough to return to their pre-injury activities”, said Dr Yeo. The issue comes when you have more than one sprain. “The ankle may become too lax and unstable. Strengthening the surrounding muscles can no longer compensate for the insufficiency of the ankle ligament complex and this predisposes one to future sprains,” said Dr Yeo. “A lateral ankle sprain can also cause injury to the proprioceptive receptors, resulting in altered neuromuscular activities such as delayed muscle response time, poor balancing and proprioceptive reflex,” said Adj Asst Prof Hong. WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE MORE PRONE TO ANKLE SPRAINS THAN OTHERS? High-arched feet can make you more prone to sprains, said Dr Yeo. “This type of foot shape causes the ankle and foot to curve inwards slightly, and makes it more likely to invert or ‘roll’ the ankles inwards,” he said. Having lax ligaments could be another cause, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. This means your joints are naturally very flexible and have a wider range of motion than most people – good for yoga perhaps, but not so good for minimising ankle sprains. Biomechanics aside, certain sports, too, can increase your risk, Dr Yeo added, including basketball, soccer, volleyball and racket sports. “Basically, any sports where you have to jump, land and pivot quickly would predispose you to ankle injuries.” And once you have an ankle sprain, you have a 12 per cent to 47 per cent risk of re-spraining that same ankle again and again, said Adj Asst Prof Hong, which could, in turn, give rise to a condition known as chronic lateral ankle instability. You’ll feel an instability in your ankle, like it’ll give way or collapse when you’re walking or standing. In fact, almost 74 per cent of 231 patients treated at NUH over a five-year period for recurrent sprains had chronic lateral ankle instability, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. HOW DO ANKLE SPRAINS LEAD TO ANKLE ARTHRITIS? “Ankle sprains contribute to up to 22 per cent of all cases of ankle arthritis,” said Dr Yeo. Adj Asst Prof Hong also acknowledged the link. At Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and NUH, up to 25 per cent of end-stage ankle arthritis patients seen over a 10-year period had histories of multiple ankle sprains, he said. Dr Yeo explained that “recurrent ankle sprains lead to ankle instability and this results in uneven weight distribution over the ankle joint”. “Over time, this can progress to ankle arthritis. In a proportion of ankle sprains, there is an associated injury to the cartilage. This, too, can progress with time to more generalised wearing of the joint surface and eventual arthritis.” Adj Asst Prof Hong added that “this is why we often advise patients with unstable ankles who still want to continue their active lifestyles to consider surgical stabilisation”. “We also often recommend patients who are averse to surgery to wear protective braces regularly during sporting or heavy-impact activities to prevent recurrent sprains,” he said. HOW DO WE HELP A SPRAINED ANKLE TO HEAL PROPERLY? You’ve heard of RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compress and elevate, when it comes to treating an ankle sprain. And you should carry out those steps immediately following a sprain, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. If adequate treatment is not instituted early, especially in more severe cases, trauma to the ankle’s surrounding structures such as cartilage, bone, tendons and other ligaments can result. And in the long run, you may end up with sustained pain, swelling, cartilage damage, loose bodies and impingement from bone spurs, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. Hence, “it’s crucial to apply ice to the injured area within 24 hours of the injury,” said Dr Yeo. “A firm compressive dressing should be applied to help reduce swelling. The foot should be elevated above the heart to reduce swelling and a course of anti-inflammatory medication will aid in this, too.” “After approximately two weeks, when the swelling has subsided, the key is to restore the ankle’s range of motion, strength and flexibility,” said Dr Yeo. “Working with a physiotherapist to guide you through this phase of recovery is helpful. After about eight to 10 weeks, a gradual return to exercise and sports is possible.” Oftentimes, according to Dr Yeo, that is enough for the injured ankle to heal on its own through scarring. But “in a proportion of patients, scar tissue can cause pain over the outside of the ankle joint. This is known as impingement. In certain cases, keyhole surgery is required to remove the scar tissue and alleviate the pain.” If you continue to experience ankle pain and instability three months after a sprain, surgery may be required to reconstruct the ankle ligaments, said Dr Yeo. WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR ARTHRITIC ANKLES? Motion isn’t good news when a joint’s protective cartilage has been worn down over the years and is now the source of joint pain and inflammation, or what is known as arthritis. The same applies to the ankle, especially one that is unstable from recurrent sprains to begin with and has created uneven wearing of the cartilage. In such an instance, the gold standard surgery is ankle fusion or arthrodesis, where the ankle joint is fused to eliminate motion, said Adj Asst Prof Hong. “This is a time-proven and effective surgery to relieve pain and improve function.” The ankle is surgically fixed in a neutral position. While you won’t be able to flex your ankle to point your foot up and down, you’ll still be able to move your heel from side to side, and the middle and front parts of your foot up and down. Also, “patients will have limitations in certain activities such as squatting, driving, climbing stairs and certain sports. But we have observed that they adapt to these limitations and do well,” said Adj Asst Prof Hong. The alternative is total ankle replacement surgery or arthroplasty, said Dr Yeo, who claims to be the earliest surgeon in Asia to perform it. Similar to a knee replacement surgery, it involves replacing the worn parts of the ankle with metal implants. The procedure “allows the patient to preserve the range of motion of the ankle joint. This allows for a more natural gait and movement”, he said. It is more acceptable to patients who don’t wish to lose their range of motion, said Dr Yeo. “Also, an ankle replacement procedure protects the adjacent joints around the ankle as opposed to a fusion procedure, which puts more stress on the surrounding joints.”Prince of Wales gets pat from Donald Trump at Notre-Dame reopening
