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Belfast has enjoyed an incredible transformation in recent decades: from strife-torn city to one of Europe’s coolest new destinations, and its tourism boom is anchored around three “Ts”: Titanic, Thrones and Troubles. There’s Titanic Belfast, a brilliant immersive attraction in the very shipyard where the vessel was built; numerous filming locations for Game of Thrones fans; and the sobering tales and former hotspots of the Troubles, the sectarian conflict that beset Belfast between the late 1960s and 1998. Dolores Vischer leads the Belfast Music Walking Tour. Northern Ireland’s capital also increasingly strikes a chord with folk seeking culture, festivals and gigs. Home to more than 100 live venues – from opulent theatres and futuristic auditoriums to craic-fuelled pubs and the sportsfield where Bruce Springsteen played to a 40,000-strong crowd in May 2024 – Belfast was made a UNESCO City of Music in 2021, with the award providing impetus for up-and-coming local musicians and sparking a late career change for one resident in her 60s. “Music was always my passion – writing songs, playing drums, singing in a choir, so this was the perfect opportunity to follow that passion,” says Dolores Vischer, who swapped roles in publishing and communications to become a qualified guide to Belfast’s vibrant arts scene and musical heritage. We join her popular Belfast Music Walking tour, a leisurely music-themed stroll accompanied by a soundtrack, starting at the Ulster Hall, an elegant Victorian concert hall that has staged everyone from the Rolling Stones and AC/DC to Johnny Cash and Belfast’s own Van Morrison. “Led Zeppelin played Stairway to Heaven here for the very first time in 1971,” says Vischer, who points out Ulster Hall’s 1860s pipe organ and plaques honouring musicians. One is Ruby Murray, “Belfast’s first pop princess”. Explaining that her name was adopted for “curry” in Cockney rhyming slang, Dolores plays us Murray’s Softly Softly , No.1 in the UK singles charts in 1955. Tracks from other Northern Irish legends, plus emerging stars like Dani Larkin and Problem Patterns, float from Vischer’s portable speakers as we shuffle through Belfast, pausing at points of sonic interest, sometimes with our hips swaying and toes tapping. Ulster Hall is a lauded venue for live bands. We see teenagers taking turns to play the grand piano at 2 Royal Avenue, a new creative and community space in a domed former bank that was most recently a supermarket. “Gary Lightbody, frontman of Snow Patrol, said music is in Belfast’s DNA and I’d say we probably have more people who sing or play something than in most cities of this size,” says Vischer, before we jig by Kelly’s Cellars, a 300-year-old watering hole that hosts traditional Irish music. Around the corner, we take a pew in the First Church Belfast, founded by 17th-century Presbyterians and renowned for its spine-tingling concerts and acoustics. The Northern Ireland Opera, led by Australian-born director Cameron Menzies, previously of the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, occasionally performs here. We traverse the cobbled lanes of the Cathedral Quarter, an enclave of bars, hip cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants. Vischer shows us a black-and-white photograph of the area, looking distinctly more derelict, during the Troubles, and describes how Belfast’s music scene was kept alive in the 1970s and ’80s by punk bands such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones and Terri Hooley, founder of the Good Vibrations music shop and record label (he was portrayed by Game of Thrones’ Richard Dormer in 2013 film Good Vibrations ). Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Cathedral Quarter’s newest boutique hotel The Foundry is on the site of the Harp Bar, where punk bands played. It’s located next to arts hub The Black Box and is a saxophone’s throw from Berts Jazz Bar, Belfast’s only dedicated jazz bar-restaurant, inside the plush Merchant Hotel. After The Undertones’ rollicking Teenage Kicks , Vischer plays us Oh Yeah by Ash, a power-pop three-piece from Downpatrick, south of Belfast. Ash were just out of their teens, and already UK chart-toppers, when they played alongside U2 at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall in May 1998 to promote the Yes vote in the referendum for the Good Friday Agreement, a deal designed to end the Troubles and bring peace to the province. Later, we watch the Ulster Orchestra perform Star Wars scores at the Waterfront Hall, but first we hit the Oh Yeah Music Centre, a cherished grassroots music hub in a converted whisky warehouse. It’s home to recording studios, a vinyl store and an exhibition jammed with instruments, outfits and snaps of influential Northern Irish musicians, including Van Morrison, Them and Gary Moore. The centre also hosts intimate gigs. Ash launched their latest album, Race the Night, here last year. To round off the tour, we enjoy locally-brewed craft ales and an acoustic show by Aqua Tofana, a young Belfast-based singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer. The Oh Yeah Music Centre features exhibitions about Belfast’s musical history. You don’t have to walk far to catch a live act in Belfast – browse the listings or just follow your ears – but I’d recommend coming in early May when the city has a spring in its step and feels a bit like a mini-Edinburgh with several of its annual festivals running concurrently. These include the Festival of Fools (street theatre and acrobats), Hit The North (a street art festival) and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival where, across multiple locations, you can catch musicians, comedians, poets, magicians, film screenings and book readings. Venues range from a riverside marquee to friendly backstreet boozers like The Sunflower, which sports a striking green security cage by its entrance, a relic of the Troubles, when patrons would have to be scrutinised by staff before they entered the bar. It’s purely ornamental now, a nod to the bad old days and a symbol of just how far buoyant Belfast has come. Five more things to do in and around Belfast Stormont Estate Stormont Estate, the site of Northern Ireland’s main Parliament Buildings. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto See where the politicians of Northern Ireland’s devolved government face off (and admire the decadent interior design) on a free tour of the neoclassical parliament building set amid parkland east of the city. See niassembly.gov.uk Mcconnell’s Distillery Reviving a whisky brand established in Belfast in 1776, this brand-new distillery offers tours and tastings in a converted wing of Crumlin Road Gaol, a once-notorious prison that has self-guided tours. See mcconnellsirishwhisky.com ; crumlinroadgaol.com Strangford Lough Edged by National Trust mansions, rolling hills and storybook villages, this island-speckled sea inlet south of Belfast was the backdrop for Bloodlands , a television drama starring James Nesbitt. It’s good for boat trips, kayaking and birding. See strangfordloughactivitycentre.com Hillsborough Castle Also south of Belfast is the royal family’s residence in Northern Ireland. Wander the manicured gardens and tour the Georgian property’s lavishly-furnished rooms, hung with paintings by artists including Anthony van Dyck, Joshua Reynolds and King Charles III. See hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle Antrim Coast From quaint fishing harbours to the hulking basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway, plus various Game of Thrones filming locations, the seaside north of Belfast is a delight. Follow the coast round to Londonderry, another once-troubled city reborn. See visitcausewaycoastandglens.com The details Fly Qantas flies to Belfast from Sydney and Melbourne via Perth or Singapore and London Heathrow. Alternatively, fly to Dublin with Emirates via Dubai and take an airport express coach (about two hours) to Belfast. If visiting Britain first, most city airports, including London, Manchester and Birmingham, have regular flights to Belfast. See qantas.com.au ; emirates.com/au Tour The Belfast Music Walking Tour is held fortnightly on Saturdays and costs £20 ($39). See creativetoursbelfast.com ; deetoursireland.com Stay The Merchant Hotel has rooms from around £239 ($469) a night. The centrally located Belfast Hometel has studios with kitchens from around £146 a night. See themerchanthotel.com ; room2.com/belfast Eat Run by celebrity chef Danny Millar, Stock has enticing seasonal menus and daily fish, meat and vegetarian specials. It overlooks St George’s Market, which sells fresh produce, cakes and arts and crafts, Friday to Sunday. At Home, a cosy restaurant behind Belfast City Hall, expect dishes such as rump of local Mourne lamb and roast monkfish with crab bouillabaisse. See stockbelfast.com ; homebelfast.co.uk More visitbelfast.com ; discovernorthernireland.com ; ireland.com The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.Special teams bungles dominate NFL, with Commanders and Cowboys leading the wayslot machine keychain 。

CARACAS, Venezuela — The doll’s golden curls are intact and soon her head is, too. One by one, the toys that show the wear and tear of love are restored for the holidays: sewed and combed, stuffed and dressed. From Barbie dolls to a Kung Fu Panda with a paw raised in triumph, the toys that have been left behind by children are made ready to be gifted once more. This is the work of the Hospital for Soft Toys, a project in Venezuela's capital. Its volunteers pick up the pace this time of year. It began with a mother's question: What to do with all the toys once children outgrow them? Mirady Acosta, a 63-year-old architect who represents the Hospital for Soft Toys, said the idea came from Lilian Gluck, a teacher who in 2017 considered what to do as some of her children left the country. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Throw toys out? Let them fall apart? Neither were good options. She decided to wash them, fix them up and donate them to pediatric patients of the University Hospital of Caracas. Months later, encouraged by the response, she opened the Hospital for Soft Toys at her home as a nonprofit foundation that also collects and restores other toys and educational games. Volunteers recycle and restore used toys to donate them to vulnerable children as Christmas presents at the non-profit foundation Hospital de los Peluches, or Hospital of Stuffed Animals, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Credit: AP/Ariana Cubillos About 60 volunteers now meet at least twice a week. The project estimates it has recycled about 70,000 toys in the past seven years. The foundation also receives donations from abroad that can include school supplies, diapers, shoes, food and candy. All have been welcome in a country that has seen years of economic crisis and renewed political anxiety after July's election. Restoring a soft toy's nubby fur or untangling a doll's hair for another round of affection is also helpful for the volunteers. Restored Barbie dolls are collected in a basket at the non-profit foundation Hospital de los Peluches, or Hospital of Stuffed Animals, where recycled toys are restored to be donated to vulnerable children as Christmas presents, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Credit: AP/Ariana Cubillos “By doing this, all of us who come here are in therapy, a therapy of support for one another,” said Silvia Heiber, 72, who has volunteered for almost three years. Mirna Morales, a 76-year-old teacher and another volunteer, called it “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.” María Poleo, 84, was mending a giant stuffed animal. The work is not complicated, she said, as they all have been “seamstresses and menders at one time or another.” On some days it seems the number of toys to repair runs low, but then the doorbell rings. And more boxes and bags have arrived. The toys are delivered to hospitals and schools in poor neighborhoods, but also to homes for older people — anyone “who needs a little bit of affection,” Heiber said. Each restored toy comes with a message encouraging its new owner to embrace the value of recycling. “Hello, I am your new friend," it says. "I am a doll with experience because I played with another girl. Love me and take care of me and I will do the same with you. When you grow up give me to another girl who will love me and play with me like you.” ____ Andry Rincón contributed to this report in Caracas. _And single people are more likely to use mobility tools compared to those who are married, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Researchers looked at information from a group of more than 12,000 adults in England aged 50 to 89 who were tracked over a 13-year period. At the start of the study, 8,225 adults had no mobility difficulty and did not use mobility assistive products (MAPs). Some 2,480 were deemed to have “unmet need” and 1,375 were using mobility aids. During the follow-up period, there were 2,313 “transitions” where people went from having no mobility issues to needing some help with getting around. And 1,274 people started to use mobility aids. Compared with men, women were 49% more likely to transition from not needing mobility aids to needing to use them, according to the study which has been published in The Lancet Public Health. But were 21% less likely to go on to use mobility aids when they needed them. The authors said their study showed “barriers to access” for women. For both men and women, with every year that passed during the study period the need for mobility aids increased. People who were older, less educated, less wealthy or reported being disabled were more likely to “transition from no need to unmet need, and from unmet need to use”, the authors said, with this indicating a “higher prevalence of mobility limitations and MAP need overall among these groups”. They added: “Finally, marital or partnership status was not associated with transitioning to unmet need; however, single people were more likely to transition from unmet need to use compared with married or partnered people.” Jamie Danemayer, first author of the study from UCL Computer Science and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub, said: “Our analysis suggests that there is a clear gender gap in access to mobility aids. “Though our data didn’t ascertain the reason why participants weren’t using mobility aids, other research tells us that women are often more likely than men to face obstacles such as cost barriers as a result of well-documented income disparities between genders. “Many mobility aids are designed for men rather than women, which we think may be a factor. “Using mobility aids can also make a disability visible, which can impact the safety and stigma experienced by women, in particular. “There’s a critical need for further research to identify and break down the barriers preventing women from accessing mobility aids that would improve their quality of life.” Professor Cathy Holloway, also from UCL, added: “Not having access to mobility aids when a person needs one can have a big impact on their independence, well-being and quality of life. “Our analysis suggests that women, in particular, regardless of other factors such as education and employment status, are not getting the support that they need.” Professor Shereen Hussein, senior author of the study and lead of the social care group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The research provides compelling evidence of gender disparities in accessing assistive technology, suggesting that cost, design bias, and social stigma are likely to disproportionally affect women. “This underscores the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the design, production and inclusivity of assistive technologies.”Purdy, Bosa out for 49ers vs. Packers; Allen in as QB1CARSON, Calif. — Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. After striking twice in the first 13 minutes of the final with goals from their star forwards, the Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league's biggest trophy for the first time since 2014. MLS' most successful franchise struggled through most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26th in the 29-team league last year. But the Galaxy turned everything around this season with a high-scoring new lineup that finished second in the Western Conference and then streaked through the playoffs with a whopping 18 goals in five games to win another crown. Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable charge through the playoffs ended one win shy of its first Cup championship. With the league's youngest roster, New York fell just short of becoming the lowest-seeded team to win MLS' playoff tournament under first-year German coach Sandro Schwarz. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was the MVP of the 2022 MLS Cup Final for the Galaxy's crosstown rival, Los Angeles FC. The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Riqui Puig, the playmaking midfielder from Barcelona who ran their offense impressively all season long, tore a ligament in his knee last week in the Western Conference final. Puig watched the game in a suit, but his teammates hadn't forgotten him: After his replacement, Gastón Brugman, set up LA's opening goal with a superb pass, Paintsil held up Puig's jersey to their fans during the celebration. Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead in the ninth minute when he ran onto that sublime pass from Brugman and pounded home his 14th MLS goal — including four in the playoffs — in the Ghanaian forward's outstanding first season. Just four minutes later, Joveljic sprinted past four New York defenders and chipped home the 21st goal of his outstanding year as the Galaxy's striker. Nealis got New York on the scoreboard in the 28th minute when he volleyed home a ball that got loose in LA's penalty area after a corner. The Galaxy's usually shaky defense gave up another handful of good chances before reaching halftime with a tenuous lead. The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hit the outside of the post in the 72nd minute, while Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few moments later. The ball got loose again in the Galaxy's penalty area in the third minute of extra time, but two Red Bulls couldn't finish. The Galaxy bench rushed onto the field and prematurely celebrated a victory in the seventh minute of injury time, only to be herded back off for another 30 seconds of play. The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of traveling Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club's breakthrough on MLS' biggest stage. The Galaxy's Greg Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto in 2017. The club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández rebuilt itself this season with lesser-known young talents from around the world. The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and the Ghanaian Paintsil out of Belgium, and the duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent. But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of MLS' best players. Puig stayed in last week's game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game's only goal. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Makenzie McGill II ran for 155 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns and North Texas ended a five-game losing streak beating Temple 24-17 on Saturday in a regular-season ender for both teams. The win helped North Texas (6-6, 3-5 American Athletic Conference) reach bowl eligibility. Prior to Saturday, the Mean Green hadn't won since Oct. 12 when they beat Florida Atlantic 41-37. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Sharks update: Mukhamadullin to play; should ‘heart and soul’ forward be re-signed?South Korean prosecutors question ex-defence minister over botched martial law - Yonhap News

Bangladesh on Friday, November 29 claimed that India is hypocritical when it comes to the safety of the minorities especially with tensions soaring high after Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das’ arrest on charges of sedition. These sentiments were voiced by Asif Nazrul, the Law Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government in a Facebook post where he accused India of “double standards”, criticizing India’s perceived hypocrisy in addressing minority rights. Nazrul listed some incidents of violence against minority groups in India, especially targeted attacks on the Muslim community, stating that “there is no regret” from the Indian political leaders and authorities for these discriminative actions which he described as “shameful” and “condemnable”. “In India, numerous incidents of brutality on minority Muslim community is going on. But they don’t have any remorse or embarrassment (over those incidents). This double standard of India is condemnable and objectionable,” Nazrul wrote. His statement was also endorsed by a Voice of America Bangla poll wherein respondents revealed that 64.1 per cent of Bangladeshi minorities feel that the current interim government offers a greater security guarantee than what the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government provided. Citing a survey by Voice of America Bangla, Nazrul wrote: “The majority of Bangladeshis (64.1%) believe that the interim government has been able to provide better security to the country’s minority communities compared to the previous Awami League government.” However, this poll sharply contrasts with India’s narrative conceding minority safety in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladesh interim government of Muhammad Yunus urged the country’s journalists to counter “misinformation” in Indian media with “truth”. Chief Adviser Yunus’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “We must tell our stories our way else they (Indian media) will set our narrative according to their liking.” Alam, a former journalist, said in a Facebook post that several Bangladeshi journalists now realised it was time to confront an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” coming from some Indian media outlets and their social media platforms. His comments came as a group of students staged a demonstration at the Dhaka University campus calling for resisting India’s alleged interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. They also demanded the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who had fled to India in August amid massive student-led protests, and a ban on International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh. The students accused India of “border killings”, religious persecution and attempts to instigate communal strife in Bangladesh. They also accused the Indian government of inciting communal tensions in Bangladesh and exploiting religious differences to destabilise the country. “India is killing people on our border every week. Minorities in their own country are being persecuted daily. Recently, several Muslims were killed in an incident centred around a mosque,” president of the Student Rights Council, Bin Yamin Molla, alleged. The background to this diplomatic tension is rising concerns about the rights of ethnic communities in both nations. India has expressed serious concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh following the arrest of Das who is accused of raising a saffron flag while disrespecting Bangalesh’s national flag. On October 30, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Das, at Chattogram’s Kotwali Police Station, accusing them of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally of the Hindu community. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday for alleged sedition. He was denied bail and sent to jail by a Chattogram court on Tuesday, triggering protests by his supporters. He has also been accused of making provocative speeches and influencing the public against the country’s government. He was finally arrested on November 25 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while intending to travel to Chattogram. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that Bangladesh should do everything possible to protect all citizens, including the rights of minorities. He stated Hindus are being subjected to violence and extremist rhetoric in Bangladesh and urged Dhaka to take immediate action. (With PTI inputs)TONY HETHERINGTON: 'Gold guru' who does NOT have the golden touch By TONY HETHERINGTON, FINANCIAL MAIL ON SUNDAY Updated: 21:50 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. WE'RE WATCHING YOU Gold has always been seen as a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty, political turmoil and international conflict. But how much reliance can anyone place on an adviser who says that putting your savings into gold is something you should do right now, because of the supposedly imminent threat of World War III, and who has been barred from the entire financial services industry? The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has just banned an advert by Solomon Global Limited, which promotes investment in the metal. The company said investors could 'earn 10 to 12 per cent per annum', adding that 'gold has averaged 11.5 per cent per annum for the last 20 years.' The ASA ruled that this claim was misleading, as it failed to illustrate the risks and did not make clear that past performance was no guarantee of future value. The watchdog ordered that the ad should not appear again. But this close look at Solomon Global has turned the spotlight on its head consultant (or top salesman). He is Clive Lindsay, though this is just one of his wide range of names, which include Clive Harris, John Harris and his original title, Clive Mongelard. A decade ago, I described him in The Mail on Sunday as 'a living, breathing example of what is wrong with investor protection in Britain'. I first warned against him in 2014. Then, he had set up TM Harris Associates, selling investments in rare earth metals. In fact, these metals are not rare. The name simply means they are not found in large quantities in one place. They are commonplace in batteries and similar products, but there is no two-way market which would have allowed Mongelard's victims to turn their investment back into cash. Barred: Clive Lindsay, aka John Harris and Clive Mongelard Mongelard falsely claimed to be one of Britain's most respected stockbrokers. True, he was on the public register of the Financial Conduct Authority, confirming that he had worked for several broking firms. But each one had collapsed in the face of complaints about the mis-selling of high-risk shares to low-risk clients. Using the name Harris, Mongelard had also been a salesman for Green Planet Investment, which scammed investors out of more than £14 million that was supposed to be used to buy land and develop a resort in Brazil. The dodgy dealer went on to sell shares in Our Price Records with false claims and no authorisation from the City regulator. This was a step too far for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In 2020, it won a High Court case against Mongelard and three others after finding that the salesmen pocketed half the money investors handed over. They were ordered to repay victims, with Mongelard himself told to hand back £1.2 million. He failed to pay a penny and was declared bankrupt in 2021. In July, the FCA finally banned Mongelard from any finance job that needs its authorisation, ruling that he was not 'a fit and proper person' and showed a 'serious lack of integrity'. Mongelard now sells gold, which is outside the FCA's jurisdiction. A significant part of his sales pitch is aimed at ethnic minorities. In a podcast he says: 'It's a great way for us – particularly within the black community because we don't pass a lot of our wealth down, it has been a majority of debt – to create a legacy.' He explained: 'It's as simple as this... We get your money out of the banks, which are possibly going to collapse soon, you buy gold from me, I send the gold to them, they put it under their mattress, they wait for it to go up and then they sell it.' It seems even a global disaster would have an upside. Mongelard has just reposted an article on X (formerly Twitter) announcing: 'The rising threat of World War III could see gold hit $2,800 (£2,200) by Christmas.' For him, apparently, every mushroom cloud has a golden lining. Describing himself as the 'Gold Guru', Mongelard says: 'Ever since I discovered the power of precious metals, I knew that helping others achieve financial security was my calling.' I am sure this statement will comfort all those who lost their savings after trusting his earlier sales pitches. Both Clive Mongelard and Solomon Global were invited to comment. Neither did so. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next TONY HETHERINGTON: I was promised big returns from buying... TONY HETHERINGTON: Sorry, your £25,000 land investment fell... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP What you need to know about money every week: This is Money podcast £13,000 bond paid to wrong person M.R. writes: My wife and I invested in a bond with Clerical Medical, and recently decided to cash it in. For a number of years, annual statements have shown my wife's name incorrectly as Mrs Bray, whereas other correspondence has shown both our names correctly. When the bond was cashed in, Clerical Medical wrote saying that £13,485 had been paid into Mrs Bray's bank account. I wrote to them about this, but received no response. Tony Hetherington replies: This has been a bizarre investigation. You and your wife have no connection to Mrs Bray, and no idea who she might be. However, Clerical Medical's letter about the payment of the bond proceeds showed Mrs Bray's address. I made enquiries, including into where she had lived earlier, and found that at her previous address she was registered under your wife's name. I can think of no obvious reason for this, or for how she ended up being regarded by Clerical Medical as your wife, even though you live hundreds of miles apart. It appears the company's client records were mixed up through human error. A spokesman told me: 'We are sorry for the poor service we provided to Mr and Mrs R. We have paid the full bond value into their account, together with a payment for the inconvenience caused and any lost interest as a result of our error.' You now have the full £13,485, plus £72 interest and an extra £500 as an apology. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. This is Money podcast What next for house prices and is it harder to buy a home now vs 1974? Are interest rate cuts about to stall - and what does it mean for you? Why have crypto prices soared - and should you be wary of a tax sting? What Trump means for your money - and a 10th birthday Will the Budget cost you money - and will Rachel Reeves' plan work? Public vs private sector pensions - how to avoid a race to the bottom More This is Money podcasts Share or comment on this article: TONY HETHERINGTON: 'Gold guru' who does NOT have the golden touch e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.

OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT for iPhone in landmark AI integration with AppleBY SAMANTHA CHRISTMANN Dec. 11, 2024 The Chick-fil-A location on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga won't get a sister location in Clarence after the company decided not to demolish a former Applebee's and build on the lot. Chick-fil-A drops plans for Clarence Chick-fil-A has scrapped plans it floated two years ago for a restaurant in the Eastgate Plaza in Clarence after the town voiced traffic and congestion concerns for the project. The Georgia-based chicken sandwich chain with a rabid following will no longer open a location at 5017 Transit Road. It had planned to demolish a former Applebee's restaurant there and build a 5,000-square-foot Chick-fil-A restaurant with a drive-thru. It would have been the Northtowns' first Chick-fil-A restaurant. It's the second time Chick-fil-A has pulled out of a project after facing pushback from an Erie County municipality. Plans for a store in Delaware Consumer Square in North Buffalo also were scrapped after neighbors complained and the company faced issues with an easement on the property. The company is still moving ahead with plans for a store at 6610 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls. It has locations in Hamburg, Cheektowaga and Depew. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . Tops finishes $3 million renovation of Depew store Tops Markets has invested nearly $3 million in the renovation of its store at 5175 Broadway in Depew. The store is one of five formerly franchised locations it acquired from Phil Perna-led group Supermarket Management in April . The 77,000-square-foot store is the 45th renovation Tops has completed in the last five years. The nearly 30-year-old store is managed by Chris Hoffman. “This considerable investment will offer customers a renewed shopping experience starting with associates that the community knows and trusts, expanded amenities and a wide variety of high-quality local, national and own brands all at a great value," said Ron Ferri, president, Tops Markets. The renovation brought a new storefront, new paint and LED lighting inside and out, new awnings and landscaping, energy-efficient equipment, new shopping carts and cart corrals, expanded self-checkouts, renovated restrooms and updated decor. The fresh offerings in the perimeter of the store also have been expanded, including more antibiotic-free meat, sustainable seafood, plant-based options, organic groceries, fresh produce, bakery assortment and gluten-free items. The store also has a new full-service Starbucks Cafe and a new private waiting area in its pharmacy. “At Tops, we constantly evaluate the best ways to serve our customers and reinvest into our communities. These latest enhancements will help make life a little easier for shoppers by focusing on a strong combination of convenience, selection, quality and low prices every day,” said Mark Dudziak, a Tops district manager. Go! Toys and Games here to stay If you have been to a mall during the holiday shopping season, you've seen Go! They're a retail chain of pop-up toy stores and calendar kiosks that temporarily open in shopping malls to capitalize on holiday traffic. Very rarely, a Go! Toys and Games store will set up shop with hopes of staying permanently. That's what the location at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA has done. Go! Toys and Games has opened at that mall in the former Against All Odds store, across from Loft and Calvin Klein and next to Kay Jewelers. The mall also has a temporary Go! Calendars and Games kiosk that will be at the mall until January, along with other Go! calendar kiosks at Walden Galleria and McKinley Mall. Chuck E. Cheese opens in North Buffalo Chuck E. Cheese has opened a new location at 2638 Delaware Ave. In addition to its traditional arcade, the $1.55 million buildout includes one of the franchise's first Ninja Run obstacle courses and Trampoline Zones in New York. Along with its live show featuring animatronic performers, the new location has an interactive dance floor. Chuck E. Cheese has another location at 4408 Milestrip Road in Hamburg. Kulture Khazana enters 11 Macy's stores Kulture Khazana, an Amherst business that makes cultural toys and puzzles celebrating South Asian heritage , is now selling its products in 11 Macy's stores. "These products are more than just toys - they’re a way to celebrate diversity and connect with cultural stories through play," said Akruti Babaria, the company's founder. Babaria created Kulture Khazana as a way to connect her son, Ayaan, with his Indian heritage. Babaria came to Amherst from Gujarat, West India, with her college professor father and school principal mother when she was 16 years old. Products are available at select Macy's stores in Oregon, California, New Jersey, New Hampshire and in the New York City area. Kulture Khazana's products have been featured on "Good Morning America," and are also sold at Nordstrom and Target.com . More pot dispensaries open in WNY Several new state-licensed recreational cannabis dispensaries have opened in Erie and Niagara counties. The new shops include: That brings the total number of licensed recreational cannabis dispensaries in the Western New York region to 25. The state, which has been criticized for its slow rollout of the retail market, has been opening dispensaries locally at a rate of about eight per year. There are 263 adult-use dispensaries throughout the state. THE LATEST Residents are asking the Bills to use CBA funds to help revitalize the neighborhood where it once played . The Hamburg IDA went on record against a proposed moratorium on new apartments. Wells Enterprises is getting cheap hydropower from the New York Power Authority for its expansion in Dunkirk. Micron has finalized the financing of its massive $6 billion chip plant in Syracuse – and that's good news for the Buffalo Niagara region's hope to build its tech sector . An Orchard Park medical device maker is cutting 80 jobs – a quarter of its local staff. As the state ramps up its glacially slow pace of granting legal cannabis licenses, one industry group now worries the process will go too fast – and create too much competition. A Buffalo law firm is forming a strategic partnership with a local political lobbying firm. A panel monitoring the Buffalo Bills Community Benefits Agreement wants more details on who's getting construction contracts – and the Bills are balking at providing it. With demise of Braymiller , will downtown Buffalo ever get another grocery store? The snowstorms of the past week have been exactly what local ski areas have been hoping for . Buffalo officials are seeking a $2 million Restore NY grant to repair the downtown hostel buildings . A Buffalo housing court judge is losing patience with the owner of the Buffalo Grand Hotel and Wonder Bread building. Sumitomo Rubber USA reached an agreement with its unionized former workers on a severance package. A Clarence plaza is getting a major makeover that will add apartments and townhouses, along with more commercial space. Ingram Micro is cutting 850 jobs across its operations , but isn't specifying the impact on its Western New York workforce. Federal regulators have lifted the consent order that Lake Shore Savings Bank operated under for nearly two years. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Buffalo Niagara Partnership sees new home as a 'hub' . Business group preparing to move to Cobblestone District. 2. Report notes pay gap between men and women has significant economic effects in NY. Women's Foundation of WNY says gap impacts women into retirement. 3. Sumitomo, union reach separation agreement. The deal covers about 1,200 Steelworkers who lost their jobs when the plant closed. 4. Lake Shore Bank freed from order that found 'unsafe and unsound business practices'. Federal regulators announced the consent order nearly two years ago. 5. Ingram Micro not specifying Western New York cuts. The technology company has 1,250 employees in Amherst. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Women more likely to need walking aids but less likely to use them – study

Women more likely to need walking aids but less likely to use them – study

In executive leadership, managing high-stakes decisions while maintaining personal well-being can be challenging. However, physical fitness plays a crucial role in enhancing executive performance, offering benefits that directly impact leadership abilities and overall work effectiveness. Regular exercise not only improves cognitive function and energy levels but also helps executives manage stress and regulate emotions, all of which contribute to better decision-making and productivity. Here’s a closer look at how physical fitness impacts executive performance and some practical tips for integrating exercise into a busy schedule. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Cognitive Function Executives are required to think critically, make decisions under pressure, and solve complex problems daily. Regular physical exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making skills. Cardiovascular activities like running or cycling, as well as strength training, can increase blood flow to the brain, supporting improved focus and mental clarity. This cognitive boost allows leaders to process information more efficiently, approach tasks strategically, and make clearer decisions—key factors in excelling at executive responsibilities. Stress Management Stress is an inevitable part of executive roles, but its negative effects can be mitigated through consistent physical activity. Exercise acts as a natural stress reliever by reducing levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. For executives, maintaining a regular exercise routine helps manage the pressure and anxiety associated with demanding work environments. By engaging in physical activity, leaders can maintain composure, reduce mental fatigue, and approach challenges with a clearer mind and renewed energy. This ability to stay calm under pressure can significantly enhance both personal and organizational performance. Energy and Productivity One of the most noticeable benefits of regular exercise is an increase in energy levels. It’s easy to think that exercise requires more energy, but in fact, it stimulates the release of endorphins and improves overall stamina. Executives who stay physically fit are likely to feel more energized throughout the day, leading to better time management and higher productivity. Physical fitness can also improve sleep quality, allowing leaders to rest more fully and be more focused when they’re awake, thus enhancing their ability to manage both their personal and professional lives more effectively. Mood and Emotional Regulation Leadership requires emotional resilience and the ability to stay grounded, especially in challenging or high-stakes situations. Exercise contributes significantly to mood regulation by releasing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for feelings of happiness and contentment. A positive outlook not only improves an executive’s emotional state but also enhances their ability to lead teams, handle conflicts, and maintain productive relationships in the workplace. By fostering emotional stability, fitness can help executives build stronger, more cohesive teams and navigate workplace dynamics with greater ease. Integrating Exercise into a Demanding Work Schedule With the many demands on an executive’s time, it may seem difficult to prioritize fitness. However, by incorporating exercise into a daily routine, executives can experience the benefits without sacrificing work responsibilities. Here are some tips for integrating physical fitness into a demanding schedule: By prioritizing physical fitness, executives can experience improved cognitive function, reduced stress, higher energy levels, and better emotional regulation—factors that are all essential to effective leadership and overall performance. Incorporating exercise into a demanding work schedule may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can become an integral part of a successful and balanced executive lifestyle. Rather than viewing exercise as an extra task, consider it an essential component of both professional achievement and personal well-being. The result is not only better performance at work but a more fulfilling and productive life overall. For more information, visit A Personal Physician's social media:2024 App Store Awards - All Finalists - GameSpot

Juventus deal Man City huge Champions League blow with 2-0 victory

World Football governing body, FIFA has officially announced that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 men’s World Cup. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa and Saudi Arabia’s minister of sports and youth Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal celebrated the announcement. Meanwhile, of the 15 stadiums identified to hold matches at the 2034 World Cup, four have been built so far. Fifa also confirmed that Spain, Portugal and Morocco will be joint hosts for the 2030 tournament. Three matches in the 2030 tournament will also be held in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark 100 years of the competition. Read Also: UCL: Juve pile pressure on Man City as Arsenal cruise to victory The hosts for both World Cups were confirmed at Wednesday’s Extraordinary Fifa Congress meeting following a vote involving the 211 member nations represented at the meeting over a video link. Nations gave their votes by ‘acclamation’ – clapping in front of their cameras via their video links. Fifa president Gianni Infantino responded to criticism the organisation has received over the decisions. “We are aware of critics and fears and I fully trust our hosts to address all open points,” he said. “We have a transparency that will shape real and lasting change. That is what we expect and what we look forward to – social improvements and positive human rights impacts. “That is one of the responsibilities of hosting a World Cup, and the world will of course be watching.” Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowThe Trump Cabinet Could Include Multiple Alleged Sexual Predators

WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year as well as inquiries into Biden and his son. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, whom he appointed during his first term. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director well before his term was up and Wray resigning to avert a collision with the incoming administration. “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me," Wray said. “I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorized to discuss the private gathering by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice" and saying that Patel's confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again.” If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI's Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators," raising alarms that he might seek to wield the FBI's significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Trump's perceived enemies. Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to "a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one.” It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions throughout the years, including as recently as the past week. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Trump said, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed by the Justice Department special counsel that brought them in light of Trump's November victory. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association, said in a statement that Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, the self-professed "low-key, understated" Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. He also sought to avoid public conflict when possible with the Trump White House, distancing himself and his leadership team from the FBI's Russia investigation over errors that took place before he took office and announcing dozens of corrective actions meant to prevent the recurrence of the surveillance abuses that plagued the inquiry. But there were other instances when he memorably broke from Trump — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt." He made known his displeasure when the White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide and contradicted a Trump talking point by stating that Ukraine had not interfered in the 2016 election. He repeatedly sought to keep the focus on the FBI's day-to-day work, using the bulk of his resignation announcement to praise the bureau's efforts in countering everything from violent crime and cyberattacks to Chinese espionage and terrorism. Yet as he leaves office at a time of heightened threats , much of the public focus has been on the politically sensitive investigations of his tenure. Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father last week. A particular flashpoint came in August 2022, when FBI agents searched Mar-a-Lago — an action officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that search and has kept up his criticism ever since. Trump was angered by Wray's comment at a congressional hearing that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the “Bridgegate” scandal. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.Cutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports