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The spirit of Christmas is being upheld by the rail union and a state government after they decided to put their bickering aside and not spoil Sydney's holiday festivities. or signup to continue reading Revellers had been worried about the threatened cancellation of Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks due to an ongoing wage battle between the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the NSW government. An 11th-hour Christmas Eve hearing fizzled out on Tuesday morning, with the Fair Work Commission agreeing the union had dropped enough action for there to be a negligible risk to the New Year's celebrations. Despite threatening action throughout the holiday period, the NSW branch of the union dropped eight major work bans late on Monday. A lawyer for Sydney Trains requested a half-hour private meeting with the parties at the hearing before the industrial umpire on Monday, saying there had been "encouraging discussions" overnight. The media and member of the public were removed while the parties deliberated. The commission returned at 10am, with the matter seemingly resolved without much interference from Fair Work Commission Deputy President Bryce Cross. The union agreed to drop a solidarity action and one other by the Electrical Trades Union to ensure public safety over the holidays. The union had cast the last-minute changes as necessary to help ward off actions to "effectively crush" its bargaining strategy. It means New Year's Eve revellers and the businesses reliant on them no longer need to eagerly await the industrial umpire's call on potentially crippling train delays and cancellations. Pub and bar operators, a casino and the NSW Labor government had planned to argue on Tuesday that train driver work bans planned for New Year's would cause significant harm to third parties and potentially endanger life. The hearing at the commission cames after NSW Police warned of "grave concerns" for safety if one million people expected to line Sydney Harbour on New year's Even struggled to leave after the midnight fireworks. Organisers say the fireworks are watched by another 400 million people globally. The event delivers an economic benefit of about $280 million for the city. New Year's Eve also doubles as the busiest day on Australia's largest rail network with rare all-night running shuttling people across the state. Some 3200 services run about every five minutes throughout the day, with crunch time coming in the hour after midnight as the masses try to leave together. The union and government have been poles apart after seven months of pay negotiations. Workers continue to demand four annual wage increases of eight per cent but Premier Chris Minns has said that's unaffordable and can't happen while he is denying nurses a similarly costly claim. The state government has offered 11 per cent across three years, including superannuation increases. The saga could drag on for several more months. The Fair Work Commission cannot be asked to settle the substantive dispute - pay and conditions - until February. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
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Rams don't dominate, but they're rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams keep doing just enough to win, and a team that appeared to be rebuilding this season has climbed all the way to the brink of another playoff berth. Greg Beacham, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 3:52 PM Dec 23, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard, left, is tackled by Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams keep doing just enough to win, and a team that appeared to be rebuilding this season has climbed all the way to the brink of another playoff berth. The Rams improved to 9-6 and took control of the NFC West on Sunday with their fourth straight victory since Thanksgiving. Their 19-9 win over the New York Jets in sub-freezing temperatures was not dominant — they trailed 9-6 entering the fourth quarter, and they were outgained by nearly 100 yards — but Los Angeles still matched its largest margin of victory this season and continued to look like a looming nightmare for any postseason opponent. The Rams have now won eight of 10 since their bye week, when they were 1-4 and the NFL world wondered whether they would trade Super Bowl MVP receiver Cooper Kupp or even quarterback Matthew Stafford to spur their roster reboot. Los Angeles decided not to punt its season, and Sean McVay's team has driven from last to first. “You don’t want to ride the emotional roller coaster that these games can take you on,” McVay said Monday. “You do have the ability to stay steady, to stay the course and try to right the ship. Certainly that’s not complete by any stretch, but our guys have done an excellent job of not allowing the way that we started, especially in those first five games, to affect what we did coming off that bye.” The Rams also have clinched their seventh winning record in eight regular seasons under McVay — an achievement that shouldn’t get lost in the recent successes of a franchise that had 13 consecutive non-winning seasons before it rolled the dice and hired a 30-year-old head coach back in 2017. After winning it all in February 2022 and then having the worst season by a defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history, the Rams have made the most of their time in between true powerhouse status and a major rebuild. They also started slowly last year, entering their bye at 3-6 before a 7-1 finish. The Rams can become the first team in NFL history to make back-to-back postseason appearances after being three games under .500 each year. These Rams don't stand out on either side of the ball, although their talent level appears to be higher on offense than defense. Instead, they've mastered a delicate balance of complementary football — the offense and defense covering each other's weaknesses and setting up their teammates for success. The Rams have scored more than 30 points just once all season, and they managed only 31 points in their last two games combined. Their defense has allowed only one touchdown in the past two games — but right before that, Josh Allen and the Bills racked up 42 points and 445 yards in the most recent of a few defensive stinkers from LA this season. The Rams keep winning anyway, and now they can clinch McVay's fourth NFC West title by beating Seattle in two weeks. “Fortunately, we’re in a position where you don’t necessarily have to rely on other things to happen if you just handle your business,” McVay said. What's working Kyren Williams and the offensive line are driving the Rams' offense. After a slow start caused partly by McVay being forced to abandon the running game when the Rams repeatedly fell behind early, the 2023 Pro Bowler has surged to career highs of 1,243 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns with his 122-yard performance in New York. What needs help Stafford's 110 yards passing were his fewest with the Rams and the second-fewest in his 16-year career from a full game. Sunday's weather was a major factor, but the Rams must throw the ball effectively to somebody other than Puka Nacua. Kupp has just 193 yards receiving in his past five games combined. Stock up Defensive back Jaylen McCollough made a career-high nine tackles in only 31 snaps. The undrafted rookie continues to be a remarkable find, earning playing time alongside veteran safeties Quentin Lake and Kam Curl and fellow rookie Kam Kinchens. Stock down CB Cobie Durant didn't play for the second straight week despite being cleared to return from his bruised lung. Veteran Ahkello Witherspoon got every snap in place of Durant, who started LA's first 13 games. McVay praised Witherspoon's recent play when asked why Durant didn't get on the field in New Jersey. Injuries The Rams' improved health, particularly on both lines, is the key to their surge. McVay reported no new injuries out of the road trip following Tyler Higbee's successful season debut. Key number 12-1 — The Rams’ record in December with Stafford as their starter over his four years in LA. Next steps The Rams need to win at least one of their final two games to wrap up their first NFC West crown since 2021. They host eliminated Arizona on Saturday night, but can't clinch the division unless the Seahawks lose to moribund Chicago. The Rams are currently the NFC's third seed, but that doesn't matter a whole lot because both the third and fourth seeds will have to play one of the NFC North's two powerful wild-card teams in the opening round. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Aiming for top seed, Lions play 49ers on road before closing regular season at home against Vikings Dec 23, 2024 4:03 PM Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs Dec 23, 2024 3:55 PM NFL Inactive Report Dec 23, 2024 3:54 PM
One week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again DAMASCUS (AP) — A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Suddenly in charge, the rebels have been met with a mix of excitement, grief and hope. And so far the transition has been surprisingly smooth. Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence are minimal, looting and destruction has been quickly contained. But there are a million ways it could go wrong. Syria is broken and isolated after five decades of Assad family rule. Families have been torn apart by war, former prisoners are traumatized, and tens of thousands of detainees remain missing. The economy is wrecked, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high. Corruption seeps through daily life. Christians in Syria mark country's transformation with tears as UN envoy urges an end to sanctions DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In churches across long-stifled Syria, Christians have marked the first Sunday services since Bashar Assad’s ouster in an air of transformation. Some were in tears, others clasped their hands in prayer. The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling for a quick end to Western sanctions as the country’s new leaders and regional and global powers discuss the way forward. The Syrian government has been under sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled into civil war. US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy advanced drone-tracking technology following weeks of reported drone sightings in parts of New York and New Jersey that have stirred fear and bewilderment. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to use the technology to track drones back to their landing spots. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference or a public safety threat. But because they can’t say with certainty who's responsible for the drones, leaders of both parties are demanding better technology and powers to tackle the issue. The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's Republican secretary of state and attorney general sought to reassure voters before the November election that the state's elections were being vigorously protected against the possibility of immigrants voting illegally. That push coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. The officials' efforts in Ohio led to charges against just six noncitizens in a state with 8 million registered voters. That outcome and the stories of some of those now facing charges show the gap both in Ohio and across the United States between the rhetoric about noncitizen voting and the reality that it's rare and not part of a coordinated scheme to throw elections. Storms across US bring heavy snow, dangerous ice and a tornado in California OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Inclement weather has plagued areas of the U.S. in the first half of the weekend, with dangerous conditions including heavy snow, a major ice storm and unusual tornado activity. An ice storm beginning Friday created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska. More than 33 inches of snow was reported near Orchard Park, New York, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow. On Saturday, a tornado touched down in Scotts Valley, California, causing damage and several injuries. In San Francisco, a storm damaged trees and roofs and prompted a tornado warning, which was a first for a city that has not experienced a tornado since 2005. After a 15-year pause in executions, Indiana prepares to put to death a man who killed 4 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state’s first death row inmate in 15 years. Joseph Corcoran was convicted in 1999 in the fatal shootings of his brother and three other men, including his sister’s fiancé. If Corcoran is put to death as scheduled Wednesday it will be the state’s first execution since 2009. Corcoran's attorneys have asked a federal court to stay his execution, arguing it would be unconstitutional because he has a serious mental illness. Indiana officials have refused to discuss how they obtained the sedative used for lethal injection. No media witnesses will be permitted under state law. Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000 DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorate over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials say new Israeli airstrikes have killed over 46 people including children. Israel's decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel’s foreign minister has described as Ireland's “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Ireland earlier announced that it would recognize a Palestinian state. And the Irish cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll in the war is approaching 45,000. South Korean leaders seek calm after Yoon is impeached SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s opposition leader has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon’s impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament. Yoon’s powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Small businesses say cautious shoppers are seeking 'cozy' and 'festive' this holiday season With a late Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is five days shorter than last year, and owners of small retail shops say that people have been quick to snap up holiday décor early, along with gifts for others and themselves. Cozy items like sweaters are popular so far. Businesses are also holding special events to get shoppers in the door. But there’s little sense of the freewheeling spending that occurred during the pandemic. Overall, The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Pope Francis makes 1st papal visit to France's Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society. The one-day visit to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, on Sunday is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It is the first papal visit ever to the island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768 and is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.Subscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . From sexy frescoes emerging from the ashes to hidden cities surfacing due to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans, archaeologists continue to make discoveries that transform our understanding of the past and how best to preserve it for the future. This year especially, archaeologists stood by their work and spoke out about threats to Lebanon’s cultural heritage and a video of Israeli soldiers handling antiquities in Gaza, to name a few instances of researchers refusing to stay complacent in the face of repressive regimes. Just as we have covered everything from ancient dye to the earliest evidence of tea in the past, we present a few of the archaeological stories and ancient finds that came to light in a rather dark year. Oldest Known Church in Armenia Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities In October, Rhea Nayyar reported on a team of German and Armenian archaeological researchers that excavated the remains of “what’s said to be the oldest known Christian church in Armenia” found in the ancient city of Artaxata , dated to the 4th century CE by the project leads. The co-director, Achim Lichtenberger, called it “sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia.” Between this and the newly scanned early Christian silver amulet found in Germany, our understanding of early Christian religion within the late Roman Empire and beyond is still evolving. The Artaxata church was also uncovered in the wake of reports of the Azerbaijani military’s destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). 8,600-Year-Old Bread in Turkey In March, Stephanie Wong and I covered the curious claim that the earliest bread had been discovered at the ancient Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in southern Turkey, which, naturally gave rise to a wealth of bread puns. The remains of unbaked, leavened bread dating to around 6600 BCE were published, but we upset Turkish archaeologists and bakers by questioning the Turkish state’s assertion that the remnants constituted “the world’s oldest bread.” As we wrote, “researchers working in Jordan found that the invention of bread likely predated agriculture by about 4,000 years” in 2018. This was due to the discovery of flatbread (unleavened bread made from wild grains) at the Natufian hunter-gatherer site of Shubayqa in the Black Desert. The Jordanian finds call into question Çatalhöyük’s unfounded first-place bread title. We also learned something about the nature of these discoveries themselves: When government-sponsored press releases note an archaeological finding as “the first” or “the oldest,” there is often a slice of nationalism on the side. Cats for the Win Museums and archaeologists finally learned that cats are where it’s at in 2024 — and we hope this trend extends into 2025. In July, Maya Pontone reported that China’s Shanghai Museum in the People’s Square announced that owners could bring their cats to a series of events organized around a new Egyptian antiquities exhibition. Then, the Cats: Predators to Pets show opened at the Field Museum in Chicago in November. Mental Floss also published an incredible essay on “a feral cat colony numbering in the dozens [that] wreaked havoc on the British Museum following World War II.” This cat-astrophe lives rent-free in the litter box of my mind. The “Lion of Venice” Has Roots in China In another feline story published in September, I discussed a study addressing whether the famed “lion of Venice” actually came from China. The new research, led by scholars from the University of Padua and the International Association of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies, found that the winged leonine artwork’s lead isotopes revealed that a major part of the statue was made of bronze from 8th-century China. The findings point to the global nature of trade during the Middle Ages and the impressive reach of arts from China’s Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). But they also revealed the increasing importance of isotopic analysis within art history and archaeology. Giza Restoration Canceled First, there was the news of an ill-conceived “restoration” project at Giza revealed in a January Facebook video posted by then-Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry. Elaine Velie covered this in early February . Before the month’s end, the outcry halted the project . Black Archaeologists Transform the Ocean I look forward to Lakshmi Rivera Amin ’s Required Reading column every week to keep on top of things, and loved her remark in August that “several Black artists, archaeologists, and divers are transforming the ocean by approaching it as a graveyard, a site of the Middle Passage, and a possible space for healing,” by linking to an amazing story on Black divers in Atmos by Omnia Saed. Repatriating and Protecting Cultural Heritage Archaeology as a field sprouted from violent regimes , which often deployed scholars as agents of colonialism and erasure. This year, small but important steps were taken in pressuring institutions to repatriate cultural heritage, including remains held in museums. In September, Rhea Nayyar reported that the “National Park Service awarded a little over $3 million in grants to 13 Native American tribes and 21 American institutions to facilitate the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural objects currently held in collections and archives across the country.” Maya Pontone also reported on the American Natural History Museum’s repatriation of the remains of 124 Native people in July. These returns are long overdue, as is the fact that the only UNESCO site in Ohio, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks , will reopen on January 1 for the first time in close to a century. In August, UNESCO also added a monastery in central Gaza to its World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger. Psychedelic Cocktail in Ancient Egypt Just this month, Rhea Nayyar covered “traces of psychotropic plant matter, human bodily fluids, honey, wheat, yeast, and licorice” that researchers found in a vessel bearing the likeness of Bes, the deity of childbirth and music. Ancient Egyptians appear to have enjoyed some mind-bending trips. And how could we forget that in February, Elaine Velie reported that archaeologists found evidence of a hallucinogenic poisonous plant in Ancient Rome? The more researchers begin to study the microscopic residue left on things like ceramics, the more we find out that people in the ancient world enjoyed a number of psychoactive drugs . Ancient Maya City in Mexico A number of previously unknown Maya cities were uncovered using airborne LiDAR technology originally undertaken as “part of a forest-monitoring survey measuring carbon emissions,” Maya Pontone reported in October. The research recovered 6,674 “completely unstudied structures in the state of Campeche” in southern Mexico. The advent of new archaeological technology has meant huge leaps in the field, both on the ground and from space . Pompeii Is Still Saucy We covered PBS’s new docuseries Pompeii: The New Dig , which addressed everything from a newfound fullery to the stunning Egyptian blue room. Archaeologists also found an Ancient Roman reed matmaker’s workshop covered over in the eruption of 79 CE. And while it’s no secret that Pompeians loved erotica and ran numerous brothels , the discovery of a satyr copulating with a nymph, as Isa Farfan wrote in October, did cause some pearl-clutching. Some things never change. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook
BOSTON — After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, elected officials are urging action to identify and stop the mysterious flights. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.” “'We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer,” he said. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference or a public safety threat. But because they can’t say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones over parts of New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the U.S. — or how they can be stopped — has led leaders of both political parties to demand better technology and powers to deal with the drones. Sen. Chuck Schumer called Sunday for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify the drones and their operators. “New Yorkers have tremendous questions about it,” Schumer, the Senate Majority leader, told reporters about the drone sightings. “We are going to get the answers for them.” The federal government did little to answer those questions in its own media briefings Sunday morning. “There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities.” Some of the drones reported above parts of New York and New Jersey have turned out to be “manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones,” Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter.” Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their remote identification, including the location of their operators. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is behind the drones plaguing locations over New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer wants the federal government to use a recently declassified radio wave technology in New York and New Jersey. The radio wave detector can be attached to a drone or airplane and can determine whether another flying object is a bird or a drone, read its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. Schumer said state and local authorities do not have the authority to track drones. On Sunday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over parts of New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Drones are now being reported all along the northern East Coast, with suspicious sightings in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to news reports. Some U.S. political leaders, including Trump, have called for stronger action against these drones, including shooting them down. Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, Mayorkas said Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said. A bill before the U.S. Senate would enhance some federal agencies’ authority and give new abilities to local and state agencies to track drones. It would also start a pilot program allowing states and local authorities to disrupt, disable or seize a drone without prior consent of the operator. “What the drone issue points out are gaps in our agencies, gaps in our authorities between the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement, the Defense Department.," said Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., Trump’s pick to be his national security adviser, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday. "Americans are finding it hard to believe we can’t figure out where these are coming from.’’Solan (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 15 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday stated that the current state government is committed to providing quality facilities across all sectors, including education, health, and infrastructure. He also announced the opening of a sub-tehsil in Loharghat, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the local residents, according to a press release. Addressing a public meeting at Loharghat in the remote Gram Panchayat Kyar Kaneta of the Arki Assembly constituency in Solan district, the Chief Minister highlighted the state government's focus on infrastructural and sectoral improvements. He emphasised efforts to ensure that all schools in the state are equipped with necessary and basic facilities. He announced an allocation of Rs600 crore for the construction of school buildings over the next three years. In the health sector, he said that infrastructure at medical colleges and district hospitals would be strengthened, and modern technology would be incorporated to enhance services. Also Read | Kerala State Coordinator of Hindus of America and RSS Leader P Sreekumar Presents Rig Veda to Pope Francis at Vatican in Rome. The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government's objective of "Vyavastha Parivartan" aims to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant and ensure dignified living opportunities for all citizens. To achieve these goals, the government is introducing new schemes and periodically improving existing ones. He also underlined the government's commitment to reaching remote areas and ensuring that the benefits of its programmes and schemes extend to every section of society. Sukhu further shared initiatives to promote natural farming, including purchasing naturally grown maize at Rs30 per kg and wheat at Rs40 per kg. He revealed that 398 metric tonnes of maize have been procured so far and encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming and register to sell their produce. The Chief Minister noted that the government has made a historic increase in milk procurement prices. A state-of-the-art milk processing plant with a capacity of 50,000 litres per day has been inaugurated in Dattanagar, benefiting over 20,000 dairy farmers. Additionally, a fully automated milk and milk product processing plant is being established in Dhagwar, Kangra district, with similar facilities being set up in other parts of the state. Also Read | Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: BJP's Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Nitesh Rane, Shiv Sena's Uday Samant and Others Take Oath As Ministers in Devendra Fadnavis-Led MahaYuti Govt (Watch Videos). Highlighting the government's commitment to public welfare, Sukhu said that various guarantees, including the restoration of the old pension scheme, have been fulfilled to secure the future of eligible employees. Despite financial challenges posed by last year's calamities, the government has provided a special Rs4,500 crore relief package from its own resources to assist affected families. He also mentioned that disaster relief aid has been enhanced to 25 times the previous levels to support those impacted, according to the press release. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sydney is a stuffed stocking of imminent Christmas shows, concerts and events. From and to Rockettes-inspired dance and magic spectaculars, immersive North Pole worlds, Christmas cabarets, yuletide movies with live orchestras and buses and streets decorated with tinsel, baubles and millions of lights. Ring in the season with these bell-jingling festivities. The traditional festive tale of Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King and the Nutcracker Prince twirls through the Kingdom of Sweets in two shows. of Sir Peter Wright’s classic production is led by soloist Mia Heathcote amid swirling snowflakes, toy soldiers and a Christmas tree growing to the ceiling (until December 18, Sydney Opera House). (December 13-22, Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay) features ballet and live classical music in collaboration with David McAllister, former artistic director of the Australian Ballet. A livestream of the Australian Ballet production runs December 12-26. , an all-ages, all-twinkling, old-fashioned Christmas concert with a choreographed battalion of 40 dancers, live orchestra and choir trilling carols and Christmas songs will fill the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall (December 1). (December 20-22, State Theatre) is a sequinned carousel of magic tricks, circus skills, high-kicking chorus dancers and -inspired choreography. Led by Prinnie Stevens, it also features conjurer Michael Boy. The (December 12-26, Blacktown Showgrounds) has a double-decker carousel, bumper cars, circus shows, jumping castles, toboggan snow slides, a Santa train, a petting zoo and a walk-through enchanted forest with falling “snow”. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey, presents , a live performance of John Williams’ score with a screening of the 1990 Christmas film classic starring Macaulay Culkin (December 5-8, Sydney Opera House). , a stage adaptation of the beloved 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas movie about a human raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole searching for his father in New York, features ( , ) as Buddy and ( , ) as Walter Hobbs, the father who knows nothing of his son (December 19-29, Sydney Opera House). Hayes Theatre’s (until December 22), based on the 1942 film and directed by Sally Dashwood, follows crooner Jim Hardy’s new life in Connecticut, with classic tunes , and . You can also revisit Nancy Meyers’ romance , starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, with its Hans Zimmer score played live-to-film by Southern Cross Symphony (December 14, Darling Harbour Theatre, International Convention Centre), and then Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas film , with the soundtrack played live by Sydney Lyric Orchestra and conducted by Guy Noble (Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC, December 21) as well as its hits (Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and more) sung live in at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill (December 21). Created over 12 months by artists, designers, engineers and sculptors at MacGyver Models in Marrickville, the feature more than 50 motorised puppets in scenes based on , illustrated by Lachlan Creagh. Elizabeth Street, Sydney CBD. Dress as Wednesday, Beetlejuice, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington or any character from Burton’s oeuvre ( seems a ripe choice) at this gathering of festive gloom, emo music and makeovers, with prizes for best costume (December 14, Oxford Art Factory). Raising money for the Wayside Chapel, the Hayes Theatre’s returns for its 11th year with an evening of tunes sung by musical theatre and cabaret performers, plus Christmas cocktails (December 9, Hayes Theatre). A mix of CGI animations, festooned Christmas trees, a North Pole post office and Mrs Claus baking in her kitchen, is a walk-through experience with elves, a gigantic advent calendar, a wishing well and a visit from Santa (until December 24, Wundr Store, 31 Market Street, Sydney CBD). Have a picnic with harbour views, Christmas choir carols, dancing elves and festive disco action at (December 14, Taronga Zoo concert lawns). (December 21) features performances from the Wiggles, Samantha Jade and Rhonda Burchmore, plus dancers, a youth orchestra and two choirs. Santa is also expected. (December 17) features carols, choirs, harp-playing, the NSW Police Band and music from the 134-year-old grand organ. The Brandenburg’s annual Christmas concert, a collection of traditional chamber music, chorales and festive music performed with the Brandenburg Choir, has swelled to include extra performances in various Sydney churches. The programs, which range from and to excerpts from Vivaldi’s and Monteverdi’s , is at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Paddington (December 10); Parish of Holy Name Church, Wahroonga (December 11); City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney CBD (December 12,14); and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta (December 17). Catch via steam tram, steam train or electric train with the bearded one onboard. Routes include Blue Mountains departures (December 7-8, 14-15), Central to Rhodes (December 7-8) and Thirlmere to Buxton (December 7-8). Santa is also flying in for train rides at the in Clarence (December 7-8). The annual , with city buses decked inside and out with tinsel, baubles, twinkling coloured lights and Santa hat-wearing drivers, is also expected to return. Festive markets festoon the city in November and December. Grab hams, fresh-cut Christmas trees, fruit puddings, mince pies, Christmas tree-shaped crumpets, farm produce and chats with Santa on a velvet throne in full sunshine. are at Centenary Square, Parramatta (November 28); Steyne Park, Double Bay (November 30); Royal Randwick Racecourse (December 6); Burwood Park (December 14); and Green Square Plaza (December 21). Swing between (running between November 28 and December 21), and the wooden chalets, wine bars and melted cheese stations of French-themed in Belmore Park, Haymarket (December 13-22) and (December 12). The (December 7) at Carriageworks offers fresh produce, cut and potted Christmas trees and cooking demonstrations from Nadine Ingram of Flour and Stone bakery. Gather meat, vegetables, baked goods, jams, pickles and preserves at the (December 21), also featuring handmade ceramics and a Christmas DJ. Then gird yourself for the (December 23-24) at Pyrmont. The annual , the tallest Christmas tree in NSW, lights up with Santa’s arrival on a sleigh on November 28 (until January 3) with more than 110,000 LED lights, 330 baubles, a 3.4-metre colour-changing star and 15,000 decorations comprising waratah, bottlebrush, wattle, eucalyptus gum flower, kangaroo paw, flannel flower, pink wax flower and white wax flower. Choirs sing each day at 6pm, December 1-24. There is also a , with 80,000 suspended lights, across Pitt Street Mall (November 28-January 1), the Queen Victoria Building’s with artwork created with First Nations artists from Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, and the lighting of a 16-metre-high tree at Parramatta Square (November 28) with carols and live music. returns (with live DJs on December 7, 14 and 21). is running its light shows and projections, along with trees, stalls and live entertainment (December 12-25). An army of tinsel-loving residents, bravely casting aside thoughts of their electricity bills, decorate their homes with millions of flashing bulbs across hundreds of Sydney streets each year. Visit the biggest and most creative displays on Cumberland Road, Whalans Road and Vernon Street in Greystanes, Benaud Street in St Clair, O’Neill Street in Guildford and Lochview Crescent, The Rapids and Caley Way in Mount Annan. There are also South Street in Tempe, Alice Street in Rooty Hill, Avoca Street in North Bondi, Magic Grove in Mosman, Dunmore Street in Bexley North, Sydney Road in Hornsby, and First, Second, Third and Fourth avenues in Willoughby. Payten Avenue in Roselands goes all-out. Check for a map of streets with Christmas displays. Call Father Christmas at his North Pole workshop for free from any Telstra Payphone (dial #HO HO HO or #46 46 46). For written messages, visit any Australia Post Office before December 24 to hand-deliver letters, wish-lists or drawings, and you’ll receive Santa’s reply on the spot. People can donate money, volunteer their time and buy products to help charity organisations across Sydney to help others at Christmas. Check out Two Good Co, which supports women escaping violence and abuse; Variety Australia, which fundraises for sick, disadvantaged and disabled children; Share the Dignity, for providing access to sanitary products; Orange Sky, which offers laundry services to homeless people; Wayside Chapel, which provides year-round assistance and a free Christmas lunch for people affected by homelessness or social isolation; and OzHarvest, which provides food and meals to people in need.ARLINGTON, Virginia , 23. Dezember 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Die Consumer Technology Association (CTA) ® begrüßt Linda Yaccarino , CEO von X Corp, der weltweit größten Online-Nachrichten- und Social-Networking-Website, als Hauptrednerin auf der CES ® 2025 . Yaccarino wird am Dienstag, dem 7 . Januar, um 13.30 Uhr im Palazzo Ballroom im Venetian mit der mit einem Emmy ausgezeichneten Enthüllungsjournalistin Catherine Herridge in einer Keynote-Diskussion zusammentreffen. Als transformative Führungspersönlichkeit und Visionärin sorgt Yaccarino als CEO von X Corp. für Aufsehen, wo sie an vorderster Front die Zukunft der digitalen Kommunikation mitgestaltet. Unter ihrer Leitung entwickelte sich X zu einer dynamischen Plattform, die globale Gespräche und innovative Lösungen für Marken, Kreative und Gemeinschaften gleichermaßen fördert. „X ist die globale Nachrichtenredaktion, zu der man immer und überall Zutritt hat. Es ist der einzige wirkliche Ort für einen freien Dialog zwischen allen – der Öffentlichkeit und den Mächtigen der Welt", sagte Yaccarino. „Die CES ist der perfekte Ort, um zu zeigen, wie wir das gesamte Ökosystem komplett umgestalten." „Die Karriere von Linda Yaccarino ist ein Beispiel für den Geist der CES – Innovation, Resilienz und Vision", sagte Gary Shapiro , CEO der CTA. „Ihre Führungsqualitäten und ihre Beiträge zur Medien- und Tech-Welt machen sie zur idealen Partnerin, um unser Publikum zu inspirieren und herauszufordern, mutig über die Zukunft nachzudenken." „Linda Yaccarino ist eine Pionierin, und ihre Keynote auf der CES 2025 wird zweifellos wichtige Gespräche über die sich entwickelnde Landschaft der Content-Erstellung, über soziale Plattformen und darüber anregen, wie Technologie Urhebern und Gemeinschaften zum Erfolg verhilft", sagte Kinsey Fabrizio, President der CTA. Catherine Herridge wird Yaccarino interviewen. Herridge, ehemals bei CBS News, ist eine unabhängige Journalistin mit einem wachsenden Publikum von mehr als 850.000 Followern auf X. Sie ist eine starke Verfechterin des ersten Verfassungszusatzes der USA und einer freien Presse. Die Keynote wird auf Live.CES.Tech, X , Facebook , YouTube , und LinkedIn gestreamt. Neben X Corp werden auch Panasonic Holdings , NVIDIA , Accenture , Volvo Group , Delta, und Waymo auf der CES 2025 Keynotes halten . Registrieren Sie sich jetzt für die CES 2025. Einzelheiten und das Programm finden Sie unter CES.tech . Informationen zur CES ® : Die CES ist das wichtigste Technologieereignis der Welt – der Prüfstand für bahnbrechende Technologien und globale Innovatoren. Hier schließen die größten Unternehmen der Welt Geschäfte ab und treffen neue Partner. Auf der Bühne haben die klügsten Innovatoren das Wort. Die CES, die von der Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® ausgerichtet und produziert wird, umfasst alle Aspekte des Technologiesektors. Die CES 2025 findet vom 7. bis 10. Januar 2025 in Las Vegas statt. Weitere Informationen finden Sie unter CES.tech ; folgen Sie der CES auch auf den Social Media -Kanälen. Über die Consumer Technology Association (CTA) ® : Als Nordamerikas größter Technologiehandelsverband ist die CTA der IT-Sektor. Zu unseren Mitgliedern gehören die weltweit führenden Innovatoren, von Startups bis hin zu globalen Marken, die allein in den USA mehr als 18 Millionen Arbeitsplätze unterstützen. Die CTA ist Eigentümerin und Produzentin der CES® – der wichtigsten IT-Veranstaltung der Welt. Sie finden uns unter CTA.tech . Folgen Sie uns @CTAtech . Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586888/Linda_Yaccarino_Headshot.jpg Foto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586889/Catherine_Herridge_Headshot.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520236/CESLogo_CLR_RGB_Logo.jpgThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) — Abdi Bashir Jr. had 27 points in Monmouth’s 88-74 victory against Fairfield on Saturday. Bashir shot 9 of 21 from the field, including 5 for 10 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 5 from the line for the Hawks (2-10). Jack Collins scored 13 points while going 5 of 8 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and added five assists. Madison Durr shot 4 of 6 from the field and 4 for 5 from the line to finish with 12 points. Prophet Johnson finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Stags (5-7, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Braden Sparks added 16 points and two steals for Fairfield. Deon Perry finished with 12 points, six assists and three steals. Monmouth took the lead with 16:32 left in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 43-33 at halftime, with Bashir racking up 11 points. Monmouth outscored Fairfield by four points in the second half, and Bashir scored a team-high 16 points in the second half to help their team secure the victory. Monmouth plays Auburn on the road on Monday, and Fairfield visits Columbia on Saturday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
