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Article content The hardest movie ticket to get this weekend was for a film audiences have been able to watch at home for years: Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.” The science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway earned $4.5 million from only 166 screens in the U.S. and Canada. Its 70mm IMAX film presentations sold out in minutes, leaving theatres scrambling to add more and people paying up to $300 on the re-sale market. Those 10 film screens alone had a staggering $70,000 per theatre average, one of the highest of the year and usually the bragging rights of acclaimed arthouse movies playing on only four screens. Ten years after “Interstellar” was given a film release as a special exception at time when its studio, Paramount, was committing to a digital future, film is not only back but driving audiences to theatres. “I was just so gratified by the response,” Nolan said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “It’s really thrilling when people respond to your work at any point. But 10 years later, to have new audiences coming and experiencing it in the way that we’d originally intended it on the big IMAX screens and in particular on those IMAX film prints? It’s really rewarding to see that it continues to have a life.” How Nolan fought for film and the re-release “Interstellar” had been a labor of love, with Nolan fighting against the tides of a changing industry to use film, certain of its value. Like McConaughey’s Cooper, an astronaut clinging to skills that were all but obsolete in his dust bowl reality, “Interstellar” was made by a celluloid-loving filmmaker when the format was least valued. “Celluloid film was very threatened. Digital was taking over everything,” Nolan said. “We put an enormous amount of work and effort into the IMAX 70mm film format release at the time feeling like we didn’t know how much longer we’d be able to do that.” During its time, “Interstellar” was received warmly and an unambiguous success, but it also had its detractors. Its five Oscar nominations and win were all for crafts. And yet in the decade since, “Interstellar” has become beloved, a true classic. Nolan observed that it was the film that people kept wanting to talk about, telling him what it meant to them and asking if it was ever going to be re-released. Those grand emotions and sentimental themes of love, family and exploration that were a liability with some are now its most cherished qualities. “A lot of these people were younger people who, it was clear to me, had seen the film in the home and hadn’t had the chance to see it on the big screen,” Nolan said. While there have been “Interstellar” rereleases internationally, in China and at the Science Museum in London, Nolan saw an opportunity and spoke to IMAX and Paramount, now under a new regime, about a proper North American re-release for its 10th anniversary. The prints, Nolan said, hadn’t aged a day. IMAX hardly needed convincing: They’ve had the anniversary date circled on the calendar. For years, “Interstellar” was by far the biggest request on their social channels. “We saw this coming from the beginning,” IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said. “It reminded us in a small way of the frenzy around ‘Oppenheimer.’ But the result is far beyond our expectations.” “Interstellar” is now the ninth highest-grossing IMAX release of all time and is closing in on eight (currently occupied by “The Last Jedi.”) The company is currently exploring options for re-releases in different territories. What should Hollywood learn from the weekend? The “Oppenheimer” effect was real in redeeming film’s value for the business. IMAX screens accounted for some 20% of the nearly $1 billion this year’s Oscar best picture winner made globally (it ranks at No. 5 for IMAX). While filmmakers have long cherished film stock, “Oppenheimer” had studios, distributors and theatres taking note of the demand. Earlier this year the film showings of “Dune: Part Two” were sold out for four weeks. And there’s more to come: Ryan Coogler’s new film “Sinners,” opening in March 2025, was shot with IMAX cameras. The “Interstellar” release was fairly “low key” when it came to promotion, but it also didn’t need much — fans made sure of that. Before IMAX had even announced that tickets were on sale, some noticed that AMC had made them available. News spread on socials and overnight every 70mm IMAX showing at the Lincoln Square location in New York had sold out. It wasn’t just the “primetime” slots either: The 1 AM showtimes were at capacity too. After the weekend’s turnout surpassed expectations, they added more 70mm IMAX screenings through the week which also filled up quickly. While Nolan is in some ways an anomaly, as the rare filmmaker whose name alone can draw crowds for original fare, there are lessons to be learned from the weekend. “It just shows our industry once again that audiences truly understand the difference between a communal, big screen theatrical experience that they crave even on films that they’ve had the opportunities to see in the home,” Nolan said. “That theatrical experience that we all know and love is so powerful and so exciting. It’s a very clear demonstration of it, especially coming amidst all the great successes right now, “Wicked,””Gladiator II,””Moana 2.” “Audiences are coming out in droves for that experience that we all love so much.” Dreaming big for the future and appreciating the past Before the weekend, Nolan was able to see the film again on the big screen for the first time since the original release, accompanied by his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. “Interstellar” was their first collaboration and Hoytema’s introduction to IMAX cameras (where he proved that they could be handheld if you tried hard enough). “It was really, really fun,” Nolan said. He also approved the new 4K UHD “Interstellar” set that’s now available. Since “Oppenheimer’s” big night at the Oscars and Nolan’s best director win, there’s been much speculation about his next film with near daily rumors circulating about casting and genre, none of which have been officially confirmed. It’s not something he’s speaking publicly about yet. One thing he will say, however, is that he’s in the throes of intensive testing for a new film technology with IMAX to use in the next production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” And he’s still making time to go to the movies Over the weekend, Nolan went to see “Wicked” at a theatre in Burbank where he also peeked into one of the IMAX presentations of his film. “It was pretty magical to see a full house on that film,” he said. “It was a very special thing to see, 10 years later.”
Smartwatches have become an essential part of our daily lives and they integrate some advanced technology into our routines. They serve a multitude of functions from tracking fitness metrics to managing notifications and if you’re looking for the best of the best, the Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a top contender alongside the Apple Watch Ultra . This great device does more than just count steps, it acts as a smartphone on your wrist. This Black Friday offers an unique opportunity to get the Galaxy Watch Ultra at an all-time record low price . Originally retailing for $649, it is now available for just $189, thanks to an instant discount combined with a trade-in offer . You can get an instant savings of $160 off, and if you trade in an old smartphone or smartwatch, you can save an additional $300. This deal applies across all color options and band types, you can fully customize the watch on Samsung’s website. See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.com More Than Just a Watch The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with advanced technology that caters to both fitness enthusiasts and casual. It features a robust 47mm titanium frame that ensures durability but also houses a fabulous 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (very easy to read in any lighting condition). The watch is equipped with an advanced BioActive Sensor that tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels and even body composition. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Samsung watch includes dual-frequency GPS for accurate location tracking and its 10 ATM water resistance rating allows you to swim or dive without worry. The Galaxy Watch Ultra supports various sports modes including running, cycling, swimming and even multisport tracking for triathletes. One of the much appreciated features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its ability to monitor your sleep patterns and detect potential sleep apnea risks: Samsung’s AI-driven health tips also offer personalized wellness recommendations based on your activity levels and sleep quality . The watch also includes a Quick Button, which allows you to start workouts or activate features like the emergency siren with just a press. Beyond its impressive specifications, this Samsung smartwatch is designed for ease of use. The watch runs on Google’s Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI 6 interface and provides a smooth user experience (even for newcomers) with customizable options for notifications and apps. You can easily navigate through your favorite apps or respond to messages directly from your wrist without needing to reach for your phone. The watch also supports gesture controls so that you can answer calls or control music playback with simple hand movements . The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s pricing this Black Friday is truly exceptional; such deep discounts have never been seen even on previous Samsung models. Make sure you grab yours before it runs out of stock. This is one of our favorite deals for this Black Friday . See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.comNoneVirtual Reality Startups Redefine Gaming World. Is the Future Already Here?
South Korea's political landscape is in turmoil as parliament has set in motion a bid to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The dramatic move follows Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law, which stoked chaos and division within his ruling party and the nation. The declaration, made late on Tuesday, aimed to curb political activities and censor media, but it quickly unraveled, leaving political figures and military forces at odds. Despite the People's Power Party's vow to oppose the impeachment motion, the opposition Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority. If the bill gets a two-thirds majority, the Constitutional Court will adjudicate the motion within 180 days. As financial markets react to the instability, the international community watches closely, highlighting concerns about democratic governance and political stability in the region. (With inputs from agencies.)Stellar Bancorp stock soars to 52-week high of $30.94When poverty and pet ownership intersect, what's the most humane thing to do? Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.
Happy Birthday for Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024: You spirited, versatile and intelligent. Your sense of adventure takes you to new places. You’re also down to earth. This is a year of learning and teaching. It’s also time to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs. Explore meditation, yoga or philosophies that help you get a better self-awareness. The stars show the kind of day you’ll have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19)  Today you have a wonderful, positive outlook on life! Furthermore, you’re finding it easy to see the big picture. Meanwhile, this is a good day to focus on gratitude. It’s also a wonderful day to focus on future success! Share your joy with others. Live it up! Tonight: Learn! TAURUS (April 20-May 20)  You are the financial wizard of the zodiac, and today the moon is in your Money House lined up with lucky, moneybags Jupiter. This is good news! By all means, look for ways to boost your income. Gifts, goodies and favors from others might come your way. Tonight: Check your finances. GEMINI (May 21-June 20)  Today the moon is in your sign lined up with Jupiter. This is favorable! This is why you feel warm and openhearted to others. In particular, you will enjoy practicing kindness and being generous to others. It makes you feel good. Plus, what goes around, comes around. Tonight: Partnerships. CANCER (June 21-July 22)  Today it’s easy for you to feel fortunate and appreciative. You’re happy to be in your own skin. These positive feelings might encourage you to explore mystical ideas or information about spirituality or religion. You want to connect with your higher aspirations. Tonight: Boost your health. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)  This is a fabulous day to schmooze with friends and to interact with clubs, groups and organizations, because you’re enthusiastic and positive-minded! Your energy will attract others to you, which will make you feel successful. In fact, this is a great day to set some goals. Tonight: Socialize! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)  You look fabulous in the eyes of others today! People see you as successful, generous, broad-minded and wise. (Go with the flow and don’t do anything to ruin this great press.) People might ask for your approval or advice. Tonight: Home and family. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)  This is a wonderful day to travel or do something to get a change of scenery. If you can’t travel, then be a tourist in your own neighborhood. You will also love to learn something new. You might like to study. You might talk to people from different backgrounds and other cultures. It’s a good day for legal and medical matters. Tonight: Conversations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)  Keep your pockets open, because the universe will favor you today. You’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. However, this is also a good day to be generous to others. You will feel a sense of warm satisfaction and increased self-respect. Tonight: Money ideas. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)  Relations with partners, spouses and even members of the general public will be warm and friendly today, which is why you will enjoy socializing with others, including group activities. Very likely, someone will inspire or uplift you. Tonight: You shine. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)  Work-related travel will be on the books for some of you today. You’ll be pleased to do anything that widens your world and expands your knowledge. Work with groups today to be the most productive! Tonight: Privacy. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)  Accept all invitations to socialize today. You’ll have fun! It’s a great day for sports events, the theater, anything to do with the hospitality industry, plus playful activities with children. You will find it rewarding to spread joy to others. Tonight: Old friends. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)  This is a great day to entertain at home. Invite the gang over for good food and drink. Any gathering at your home will be a successful, upbeat event! By extension, this can also be a profitable and favorable day for real estate. Tonight: You’re admired. — King Features SyndicateOak Valley Bancorp Stock Hits All-Time High at $30.81
Women are more likely to need walking sticks, wheelchairs and other mobility aids compared to men, but they are less likely to use them, according to a study. 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). 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. 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.”
With a downtick in the number of graft cases registered this year as compared to 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) 2024 report card has worried the activists, who feel that the agency is not doing enough to weed out the all-pervasive ill. The decline is apparently a matter of concern for Mumbai from where the lowest number of bribe takers (53) were caught this year. With 231 'tainted' officials, Nashik earned the infamy of having the highest number of bribe takers. Between January and December 26, 2024, the ACB registered 707 cases, compared to 812 cases last year. This has also impacted the number of alleged bribe-takers, which has dropped from 1,186 in 2023 to 1,063 in 2024. According to the official data for this year, the ACB laid 670 traps compared to 795 traps in 2023. Notably, the figure on other counts – misappropriation and other corruption cases – saw a rise in 2024. The former category saw registration of 30 cases compared to 12 last year, while seven offences were filed in the latter category, which saw five cases in 2023. In Mumbai, the ACB arrested 53 accused this year, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and two for other forms of corruption. However, the 2023 figure of those arrested stood at 57, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and three for corruption. The ACB operates through eight divisions: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nanded. The number of those arrested in other districts are as follows: 114 in Thane, 217 in Pune, 93 in Nagpur, 99 in Amravati, 180 in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and 88 in Nanded. Most cases (177) were registered against the revenue department officials, involving Rs34.44 lakh bribe money. It was trailed by the police department (133 cases, Rs53.4 lakh) followed by the regional transport offices (nine cases, Rs50.1 lakh), social welfare department (nine cases, Rs42.17 lakh). Surprisingly, not a single case was registered against any staff of the BMC, BEST or the prison department. Activist Kamalakar Shenoy said, “The ACB is playing mischief with taxpayers. The bribe amount hints that action was just taken against lower cadres. The higher-ups, including ministers and bureaucrats, are saints.” Accusing the agency of illegally forwarding the complaints to the other departments, Shenoy said, “The ACB prepares incorrect closure reports. The frauds of thousands of crores are simply being brushed under the carpet.” Sanjay Parande, former additional superintendent of police, ACB Mumbai, said, “The number of traps cannot be a yardstick for gauging the level of corruption in any particular department. There are more complaints against those in the police or revenue because they interact with the citizens on a daily basis.”
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of peopleSINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has been re-elected in Dublin Central. She was elected on the third count at the RDS this evening. Speaking ahead of her re-election this evening, McDonald told reporters that the maths for any government formation talks are going to be complicated. “Nobody has just a home run into government. It’s going to be challenging for everyone concerned and there’s nothing that will frustrate my efforts to do everything I possibly can to deliver the change that we talked about and for which we received a very substantial mandate in the course of this election,” McDonald said. Earlier today, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said his party has a clear pathway into government. Off the back of this, McDonald was asked if she has a message for the leaders of Social Democrats or Labour, one of whom is likely to form a crucial part in any formation plan including Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. “Anything that I have to say to people I’ll have the courtesy to say to them directly,” the Sinn Féin leader said, adding that she is committed to bringing change about for voters. “I think we have to now reflect, talk to each and I believe collaborate to see how we make that change real.” McDonald said she plans to “review” the election results in the morning and will then reach out to other political parties.
krblokhin Here, I revisit the homebuilders to assess whether PulteGroup (NYSE: PHM ), a Quant “Buy” since April 2024, remains my top industry choice for 2025. PHM is up over 12% since my previous coverage , trailing the total return Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of PHM either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
NOV Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
MFOI Award Instill Faith in People to Take Up Agriculture as a Profitable Business, Says Prof. Ramesh Chand
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Their reactions come amid the government’s proposed pension reforms that are due to take effect in January 2025. They include increasing monthly pension contributions from the current 6 per cent of an employee’s monthly basic salary to 12 per cent of their monthly gross salary. ALSO READ: Mandatory pension contributions to double in January Also, the pension contribution rate is expected to gradually increase further to 20 per cent of the employee’s gross salary by the year 2030, and will be split equally between the employer and employee, as Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) – the administrator of the mandatory pension scheme – indicated in a statement on November 28. According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the reforms are expected to ensure long-term sustainability of the pension fund, improve the living conditions of the existing retirees and ensure social security for future generations. Labour unions expressed concern over a lack of consultation with workers’ representatives so that they provide inputs to proposed changes, instead of imposing them on employees – for which the pension scheme ideally exists – as contributors and ultimately beneficiaries. ALSO READ: Labour union appeals for pay rise amid high cost of living Africain Biraboneye, the General Secretary of Rwanda Workers’ Trade Union Confederation (CESTRAR) said that normally, increasing pension contribution rate per se is okay, as long as the employee is guaranteed more retirement benefits. “However, it comes when we have been indicating that there is a need for reforms for salaries to match prices on the market. Increasing [pension] contribution rate will result in the reduction of the even small pay an employee has been receiving, which will affect living conditions,” he said. “We think that it should be carefully considered with the participation of all stakeholders as it is done for labour law [review] whereby representatives of employers and employees are consulted and provide their inputs on their behalf,” he observed. ALSO READ: Should RSSB increase pension contributions? Eric Nzabandora, president of Labour Congress and Workers’ Brotherhood in Rwanda (COTRAF Rwanda) said that they have been advocating for setting up a minimum wage that responds to the current market realities but this has not yet been done. He added that while they have been pushing for increasing workers’ salaries to deal with the rise in the cost of living, no solution has been provided to that end. For Nzabandora, increasing pension contributions to come from the small remunerations an employee has been getting, should not be a priority, but rather, it should follow the raise in workers’ pay and their ability to meet their basic needs amid the current high cost of living. He held that it is an employee’s salary that is mainly factored in while determining the pension benefits they will get during retirement, rather than contribution rate. “When an employee’s salary is small, they will not get significant retirement benefits,” he said. As RSSB made many investments using employees’ contributions (savings), and therefore, Nzabandora said, it should show how they are managed and contribute to social security. He added that they want to understand how RSSB arrived at the proposed pension contribution rates. Labour unions concurred that there should be consultations with employees or their representatives for evidence-based decisions that consider a common ground. Employees should be involved in pension-related decisions Nzabandora decried the fact that workers’ representatives were not consulted regarding the proposed pension reforms yet they concern them as the contributors to the social security scheme. Again, he said, employees are not represented in terms of how RSSB makes investment decisions, despite paying contributions to the scheme. As employees contribute to the social security body, they should also have a say in the decisions regarding contributions – such as through their representatives – so that they provide their ideas before proposed changes are presented to Cabinet [for approval], Nzabandora suggested. While briefing journalists on new reforms on December 2, RSSB Chief Executive Officer Regis Rugemanshuro said that the social security fund (which is pension scheme dominated) currently has about Rwf2.6 trillion in assets. The social security fund is healthy, Rugemanshuro observed, indicating that from 2019/20 to 2023/24, RSSB’s net assets increased by 15 per cent compounded annual growth rate. He added that it registered more than Rwf418 billion in net income (profit) in 2023/24, of which he said Rwf240 billion came from its return on investment which he said was at 11 per cent. ALSO READ: Pension body looks to triple profit by 2025 According to Rugemanshuro, only nine per cent of public and private sector workers in Rwanda are covered by the mandatory pension scheme. This implies that about 90 per cent of Rwanda’s working population is employed in the informal sector and is therefore outside the scheme coverage.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emmanuel Ntirenganya" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }No. 7 Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 23
Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it’s here to stayTSA Unleashes its 2025 Canine Calendar: Download Now!Jalon Moore led No. 12 Oklahoma with 22 points in an 89-67 home win against pesky Prairie View A&M in Norman on Sunday. Jeremiah Fears scored 19 points and Duke Miles added 17 for the Sooners, who are 13-0 for the fourth time in program history and the first time since the 1987-88 season. Tanahj Pettway led PVAMU with 22 points while Marcel Bryant added 14. Braelon Bush and Jordan Tillmon each chipped in 11 points for PVAMU (1-13) which played without leading scorer Nick Anderson (18.9 points per game). The Sooners finally pulled away from the determined Panthers with 5:20 left on a 10-3 run that started when Sam Goodwin tipped in a rebound and was capped by a Glenn Taylor Jr. rebound for an 80-63 lead. A Kobe Elvis 3-pointer capped a game-closing 9-0 Sooners run. Pettway connected on a 3-pointer from the wing that gave the Panthers a 5-2 lead. PVAMU hung tight on a Bryant jumper that tied the game at 7. Even though they were short-handed, the Panthers' largest first-half deficit was only 11. A Pettway layup and his steal in the full-court press that led to Bryant's turnaround jumper in the lane as the Panthers closed within 34-30. PVAMU's rally prompted an Oklahoma timeout after which Miles drilled a 3-pointer to kick off a half-closing 9-2 spurt for a 43-32 halftime lead. Braelon Bush's 3-pointer pulled the Panthers within 58-50 with 11:17 left in the game. It was the Panthers' 12th straight nonconference road game. PVAMU returns to its home court Saturday against Grambling. Oklahoma kicks off its first season in the SEC at No. 5 Alabama on Saturday. --Field Level Media
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections , the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle , Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle. If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. What is Connections Sports Edition? The NYT 's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic , the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common. Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends. Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media. Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try: Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories: Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle. Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions. Drumroll, please! The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #97 is... What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands . If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Article content The hardest movie ticket to get this weekend was for a film audiences have been able to watch at home for years: Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.” The science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway earned $4.5 million from only 166 screens in the U.S. and Canada. Its 70mm IMAX film presentations sold out in minutes, leaving theatres scrambling to add more and people paying up to $300 on the re-sale market. Those 10 film screens alone had a staggering $70,000 per theatre average, one of the highest of the year and usually the bragging rights of acclaimed arthouse movies playing on only four screens. Ten years after “Interstellar” was given a film release as a special exception at time when its studio, Paramount, was committing to a digital future, film is not only back but driving audiences to theatres. “I was just so gratified by the response,” Nolan said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “It’s really thrilling when people respond to your work at any point. But 10 years later, to have new audiences coming and experiencing it in the way that we’d originally intended it on the big IMAX screens and in particular on those IMAX film prints? It’s really rewarding to see that it continues to have a life.” How Nolan fought for film and the re-release “Interstellar” had been a labor of love, with Nolan fighting against the tides of a changing industry to use film, certain of its value. Like McConaughey’s Cooper, an astronaut clinging to skills that were all but obsolete in his dust bowl reality, “Interstellar” was made by a celluloid-loving filmmaker when the format was least valued. “Celluloid film was very threatened. Digital was taking over everything,” Nolan said. “We put an enormous amount of work and effort into the IMAX 70mm film format release at the time feeling like we didn’t know how much longer we’d be able to do that.” During its time, “Interstellar” was received warmly and an unambiguous success, but it also had its detractors. Its five Oscar nominations and win were all for crafts. And yet in the decade since, “Interstellar” has become beloved, a true classic. Nolan observed that it was the film that people kept wanting to talk about, telling him what it meant to them and asking if it was ever going to be re-released. Those grand emotions and sentimental themes of love, family and exploration that were a liability with some are now its most cherished qualities. “A lot of these people were younger people who, it was clear to me, had seen the film in the home and hadn’t had the chance to see it on the big screen,” Nolan said. While there have been “Interstellar” rereleases internationally, in China and at the Science Museum in London, Nolan saw an opportunity and spoke to IMAX and Paramount, now under a new regime, about a proper North American re-release for its 10th anniversary. The prints, Nolan said, hadn’t aged a day. IMAX hardly needed convincing: They’ve had the anniversary date circled on the calendar. For years, “Interstellar” was by far the biggest request on their social channels. “We saw this coming from the beginning,” IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said. “It reminded us in a small way of the frenzy around ‘Oppenheimer.’ But the result is far beyond our expectations.” “Interstellar” is now the ninth highest-grossing IMAX release of all time and is closing in on eight (currently occupied by “The Last Jedi.”) The company is currently exploring options for re-releases in different territories. What should Hollywood learn from the weekend? The “Oppenheimer” effect was real in redeeming film’s value for the business. IMAX screens accounted for some 20% of the nearly $1 billion this year’s Oscar best picture winner made globally (it ranks at No. 5 for IMAX). While filmmakers have long cherished film stock, “Oppenheimer” had studios, distributors and theatres taking note of the demand. Earlier this year the film showings of “Dune: Part Two” were sold out for four weeks. And there’s more to come: Ryan Coogler’s new film “Sinners,” opening in March 2025, was shot with IMAX cameras. The “Interstellar” release was fairly “low key” when it came to promotion, but it also didn’t need much — fans made sure of that. Before IMAX had even announced that tickets were on sale, some noticed that AMC had made them available. News spread on socials and overnight every 70mm IMAX showing at the Lincoln Square location in New York had sold out. It wasn’t just the “primetime” slots either: The 1 AM showtimes were at capacity too. After the weekend’s turnout surpassed expectations, they added more 70mm IMAX screenings through the week which also filled up quickly. While Nolan is in some ways an anomaly, as the rare filmmaker whose name alone can draw crowds for original fare, there are lessons to be learned from the weekend. “It just shows our industry once again that audiences truly understand the difference between a communal, big screen theatrical experience that they crave even on films that they’ve had the opportunities to see in the home,” Nolan said. “That theatrical experience that we all know and love is so powerful and so exciting. It’s a very clear demonstration of it, especially coming amidst all the great successes right now, “Wicked,””Gladiator II,””Moana 2.” “Audiences are coming out in droves for that experience that we all love so much.” Dreaming big for the future and appreciating the past Before the weekend, Nolan was able to see the film again on the big screen for the first time since the original release, accompanied by his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. “Interstellar” was their first collaboration and Hoytema’s introduction to IMAX cameras (where he proved that they could be handheld if you tried hard enough). “It was really, really fun,” Nolan said. He also approved the new 4K UHD “Interstellar” set that’s now available. Since “Oppenheimer’s” big night at the Oscars and Nolan’s best director win, there’s been much speculation about his next film with near daily rumors circulating about casting and genre, none of which have been officially confirmed. It’s not something he’s speaking publicly about yet. One thing he will say, however, is that he’s in the throes of intensive testing for a new film technology with IMAX to use in the next production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” And he’s still making time to go to the movies Over the weekend, Nolan went to see “Wicked” at a theatre in Burbank where he also peeked into one of the IMAX presentations of his film. “It was pretty magical to see a full house on that film,” he said. “It was a very special thing to see, 10 years later.”
Smartwatches have become an essential part of our daily lives and they integrate some advanced technology into our routines. They serve a multitude of functions from tracking fitness metrics to managing notifications and if you’re looking for the best of the best, the Galaxy Watch Ultra stands out as a top contender alongside the Apple Watch Ultra . This great device does more than just count steps, it acts as a smartphone on your wrist. This Black Friday offers an unique opportunity to get the Galaxy Watch Ultra at an all-time record low price . Originally retailing for $649, it is now available for just $189, thanks to an instant discount combined with a trade-in offer . You can get an instant savings of $160 off, and if you trade in an old smartphone or smartwatch, you can save an additional $300. This deal applies across all color options and band types, you can fully customize the watch on Samsung’s website. See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.com More Than Just a Watch The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with advanced technology that caters to both fitness enthusiasts and casual. It features a robust 47mm titanium frame that ensures durability but also houses a fabulous 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits (very easy to read in any lighting condition). The watch is equipped with an advanced BioActive Sensor that tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels and even body composition. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Samsung watch includes dual-frequency GPS for accurate location tracking and its 10 ATM water resistance rating allows you to swim or dive without worry. The Galaxy Watch Ultra supports various sports modes including running, cycling, swimming and even multisport tracking for triathletes. One of the much appreciated features of the Galaxy Watch Ultra is its ability to monitor your sleep patterns and detect potential sleep apnea risks: Samsung’s AI-driven health tips also offer personalized wellness recommendations based on your activity levels and sleep quality . The watch also includes a Quick Button, which allows you to start workouts or activate features like the emergency siren with just a press. Beyond its impressive specifications, this Samsung smartwatch is designed for ease of use. The watch runs on Google’s Wear OS 5 with Samsung’s One UI 6 interface and provides a smooth user experience (even for newcomers) with customizable options for notifications and apps. You can easily navigate through your favorite apps or respond to messages directly from your wrist without needing to reach for your phone. The watch also supports gesture controls so that you can answer calls or control music playback with simple hand movements . The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s pricing this Black Friday is truly exceptional; such deep discounts have never been seen even on previous Samsung models. Make sure you grab yours before it runs out of stock. This is one of our favorite deals for this Black Friday . See Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE at Samsung.comNoneVirtual Reality Startups Redefine Gaming World. Is the Future Already Here?
South Korea's political landscape is in turmoil as parliament has set in motion a bid to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The dramatic move follows Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law, which stoked chaos and division within his ruling party and the nation. The declaration, made late on Tuesday, aimed to curb political activities and censor media, but it quickly unraveled, leaving political figures and military forces at odds. Despite the People's Power Party's vow to oppose the impeachment motion, the opposition Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority. If the bill gets a two-thirds majority, the Constitutional Court will adjudicate the motion within 180 days. As financial markets react to the instability, the international community watches closely, highlighting concerns about democratic governance and political stability in the region. (With inputs from agencies.)Stellar Bancorp stock soars to 52-week high of $30.94When poverty and pet ownership intersect, what's the most humane thing to do? Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.
Happy Birthday for Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024: You spirited, versatile and intelligent. Your sense of adventure takes you to new places. You’re also down to earth. This is a year of learning and teaching. It’s also time to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs. Explore meditation, yoga or philosophies that help you get a better self-awareness. The stars show the kind of day you’ll have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult ARIES (March 21-April 19)  Today you have a wonderful, positive outlook on life! Furthermore, you’re finding it easy to see the big picture. Meanwhile, this is a good day to focus on gratitude. It’s also a wonderful day to focus on future success! Share your joy with others. Live it up! Tonight: Learn! TAURUS (April 20-May 20)  You are the financial wizard of the zodiac, and today the moon is in your Money House lined up with lucky, moneybags Jupiter. This is good news! By all means, look for ways to boost your income. Gifts, goodies and favors from others might come your way. Tonight: Check your finances. GEMINI (May 21-June 20)  Today the moon is in your sign lined up with Jupiter. This is favorable! This is why you feel warm and openhearted to others. In particular, you will enjoy practicing kindness and being generous to others. It makes you feel good. Plus, what goes around, comes around. Tonight: Partnerships. CANCER (June 21-July 22)  Today it’s easy for you to feel fortunate and appreciative. You’re happy to be in your own skin. These positive feelings might encourage you to explore mystical ideas or information about spirituality or religion. You want to connect with your higher aspirations. Tonight: Boost your health. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)  This is a fabulous day to schmooze with friends and to interact with clubs, groups and organizations, because you’re enthusiastic and positive-minded! Your energy will attract others to you, which will make you feel successful. In fact, this is a great day to set some goals. Tonight: Socialize! VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)  You look fabulous in the eyes of others today! People see you as successful, generous, broad-minded and wise. (Go with the flow and don’t do anything to ruin this great press.) People might ask for your approval or advice. Tonight: Home and family. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)  This is a wonderful day to travel or do something to get a change of scenery. If you can’t travel, then be a tourist in your own neighborhood. You will also love to learn something new. You might like to study. You might talk to people from different backgrounds and other cultures. It’s a good day for legal and medical matters. Tonight: Conversations. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)  Keep your pockets open, because the universe will favor you today. You’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. However, this is also a good day to be generous to others. You will feel a sense of warm satisfaction and increased self-respect. Tonight: Money ideas. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)  Relations with partners, spouses and even members of the general public will be warm and friendly today, which is why you will enjoy socializing with others, including group activities. Very likely, someone will inspire or uplift you. Tonight: You shine. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)  Work-related travel will be on the books for some of you today. You’ll be pleased to do anything that widens your world and expands your knowledge. Work with groups today to be the most productive! Tonight: Privacy. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)  Accept all invitations to socialize today. You’ll have fun! It’s a great day for sports events, the theater, anything to do with the hospitality industry, plus playful activities with children. You will find it rewarding to spread joy to others. Tonight: Old friends. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)  This is a great day to entertain at home. Invite the gang over for good food and drink. Any gathering at your home will be a successful, upbeat event! By extension, this can also be a profitable and favorable day for real estate. Tonight: You’re admired. — King Features SyndicateOak Valley Bancorp Stock Hits All-Time High at $30.81
Women are more likely to need walking sticks, wheelchairs and other mobility aids compared to men, but they are less likely to use them, according to a study. 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). 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. 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.”
With a downtick in the number of graft cases registered this year as compared to 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) 2024 report card has worried the activists, who feel that the agency is not doing enough to weed out the all-pervasive ill. The decline is apparently a matter of concern for Mumbai from where the lowest number of bribe takers (53) were caught this year. With 231 'tainted' officials, Nashik earned the infamy of having the highest number of bribe takers. Between January and December 26, 2024, the ACB registered 707 cases, compared to 812 cases last year. This has also impacted the number of alleged bribe-takers, which has dropped from 1,186 in 2023 to 1,063 in 2024. According to the official data for this year, the ACB laid 670 traps compared to 795 traps in 2023. Notably, the figure on other counts – misappropriation and other corruption cases – saw a rise in 2024. The former category saw registration of 30 cases compared to 12 last year, while seven offences were filed in the latter category, which saw five cases in 2023. In Mumbai, the ACB arrested 53 accused this year, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and two for other forms of corruption. However, the 2023 figure of those arrested stood at 57, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and three for corruption. The ACB operates through eight divisions: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nanded. The number of those arrested in other districts are as follows: 114 in Thane, 217 in Pune, 93 in Nagpur, 99 in Amravati, 180 in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and 88 in Nanded. Most cases (177) were registered against the revenue department officials, involving Rs34.44 lakh bribe money. It was trailed by the police department (133 cases, Rs53.4 lakh) followed by the regional transport offices (nine cases, Rs50.1 lakh), social welfare department (nine cases, Rs42.17 lakh). Surprisingly, not a single case was registered against any staff of the BMC, BEST or the prison department. Activist Kamalakar Shenoy said, “The ACB is playing mischief with taxpayers. The bribe amount hints that action was just taken against lower cadres. The higher-ups, including ministers and bureaucrats, are saints.” Accusing the agency of illegally forwarding the complaints to the other departments, Shenoy said, “The ACB prepares incorrect closure reports. The frauds of thousands of crores are simply being brushed under the carpet.” Sanjay Parande, former additional superintendent of police, ACB Mumbai, said, “The number of traps cannot be a yardstick for gauging the level of corruption in any particular department. There are more complaints against those in the police or revenue because they interact with the citizens on a daily basis.”
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of peopleSINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has been re-elected in Dublin Central. She was elected on the third count at the RDS this evening. Speaking ahead of her re-election this evening, McDonald told reporters that the maths for any government formation talks are going to be complicated. “Nobody has just a home run into government. It’s going to be challenging for everyone concerned and there’s nothing that will frustrate my efforts to do everything I possibly can to deliver the change that we talked about and for which we received a very substantial mandate in the course of this election,” McDonald said. Earlier today, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said his party has a clear pathway into government. Off the back of this, McDonald was asked if she has a message for the leaders of Social Democrats or Labour, one of whom is likely to form a crucial part in any formation plan including Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. “Anything that I have to say to people I’ll have the courtesy to say to them directly,” the Sinn Féin leader said, adding that she is committed to bringing change about for voters. “I think we have to now reflect, talk to each and I believe collaborate to see how we make that change real.” McDonald said she plans to “review” the election results in the morning and will then reach out to other political parties.
krblokhin Here, I revisit the homebuilders to assess whether PulteGroup (NYSE: PHM ), a Quant “Buy” since April 2024, remains my top industry choice for 2025. PHM is up over 12% since my previous coverage , trailing the total return Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of PHM either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
NOV Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains
MFOI Award Instill Faith in People to Take Up Agriculture as a Profitable Business, Says Prof. Ramesh Chand
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Their reactions come amid the government’s proposed pension reforms that are due to take effect in January 2025. They include increasing monthly pension contributions from the current 6 per cent of an employee’s monthly basic salary to 12 per cent of their monthly gross salary. ALSO READ: Mandatory pension contributions to double in January Also, the pension contribution rate is expected to gradually increase further to 20 per cent of the employee’s gross salary by the year 2030, and will be split equally between the employer and employee, as Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) – the administrator of the mandatory pension scheme – indicated in a statement on November 28. According to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the reforms are expected to ensure long-term sustainability of the pension fund, improve the living conditions of the existing retirees and ensure social security for future generations. Labour unions expressed concern over a lack of consultation with workers’ representatives so that they provide inputs to proposed changes, instead of imposing them on employees – for which the pension scheme ideally exists – as contributors and ultimately beneficiaries. ALSO READ: Labour union appeals for pay rise amid high cost of living Africain Biraboneye, the General Secretary of Rwanda Workers’ Trade Union Confederation (CESTRAR) said that normally, increasing pension contribution rate per se is okay, as long as the employee is guaranteed more retirement benefits. “However, it comes when we have been indicating that there is a need for reforms for salaries to match prices on the market. Increasing [pension] contribution rate will result in the reduction of the even small pay an employee has been receiving, which will affect living conditions,” he said. “We think that it should be carefully considered with the participation of all stakeholders as it is done for labour law [review] whereby representatives of employers and employees are consulted and provide their inputs on their behalf,” he observed. ALSO READ: Should RSSB increase pension contributions? Eric Nzabandora, president of Labour Congress and Workers’ Brotherhood in Rwanda (COTRAF Rwanda) said that they have been advocating for setting up a minimum wage that responds to the current market realities but this has not yet been done. He added that while they have been pushing for increasing workers’ salaries to deal with the rise in the cost of living, no solution has been provided to that end. For Nzabandora, increasing pension contributions to come from the small remunerations an employee has been getting, should not be a priority, but rather, it should follow the raise in workers’ pay and their ability to meet their basic needs amid the current high cost of living. He held that it is an employee’s salary that is mainly factored in while determining the pension benefits they will get during retirement, rather than contribution rate. “When an employee’s salary is small, they will not get significant retirement benefits,” he said. As RSSB made many investments using employees’ contributions (savings), and therefore, Nzabandora said, it should show how they are managed and contribute to social security. He added that they want to understand how RSSB arrived at the proposed pension contribution rates. Labour unions concurred that there should be consultations with employees or their representatives for evidence-based decisions that consider a common ground. Employees should be involved in pension-related decisions Nzabandora decried the fact that workers’ representatives were not consulted regarding the proposed pension reforms yet they concern them as the contributors to the social security scheme. Again, he said, employees are not represented in terms of how RSSB makes investment decisions, despite paying contributions to the scheme. As employees contribute to the social security body, they should also have a say in the decisions regarding contributions – such as through their representatives – so that they provide their ideas before proposed changes are presented to Cabinet [for approval], Nzabandora suggested. While briefing journalists on new reforms on December 2, RSSB Chief Executive Officer Regis Rugemanshuro said that the social security fund (which is pension scheme dominated) currently has about Rwf2.6 trillion in assets. The social security fund is healthy, Rugemanshuro observed, indicating that from 2019/20 to 2023/24, RSSB’s net assets increased by 15 per cent compounded annual growth rate. He added that it registered more than Rwf418 billion in net income (profit) in 2023/24, of which he said Rwf240 billion came from its return on investment which he said was at 11 per cent. ALSO READ: Pension body looks to triple profit by 2025 According to Rugemanshuro, only nine per cent of public and private sector workers in Rwanda are covered by the mandatory pension scheme. This implies that about 90 per cent of Rwanda’s working population is employed in the informal sector and is therefore outside the scheme coverage.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emmanuel Ntirenganya" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }No. 7 Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 23
Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it’s here to stayTSA Unleashes its 2025 Canine Calendar: Download Now!Jalon Moore led No. 12 Oklahoma with 22 points in an 89-67 home win against pesky Prairie View A&M in Norman on Sunday. Jeremiah Fears scored 19 points and Duke Miles added 17 for the Sooners, who are 13-0 for the fourth time in program history and the first time since the 1987-88 season. Tanahj Pettway led PVAMU with 22 points while Marcel Bryant added 14. Braelon Bush and Jordan Tillmon each chipped in 11 points for PVAMU (1-13) which played without leading scorer Nick Anderson (18.9 points per game). The Sooners finally pulled away from the determined Panthers with 5:20 left on a 10-3 run that started when Sam Goodwin tipped in a rebound and was capped by a Glenn Taylor Jr. rebound for an 80-63 lead. A Kobe Elvis 3-pointer capped a game-closing 9-0 Sooners run. Pettway connected on a 3-pointer from the wing that gave the Panthers a 5-2 lead. PVAMU hung tight on a Bryant jumper that tied the game at 7. Even though they were short-handed, the Panthers' largest first-half deficit was only 11. A Pettway layup and his steal in the full-court press that led to Bryant's turnaround jumper in the lane as the Panthers closed within 34-30. PVAMU's rally prompted an Oklahoma timeout after which Miles drilled a 3-pointer to kick off a half-closing 9-2 spurt for a 43-32 halftime lead. Braelon Bush's 3-pointer pulled the Panthers within 58-50 with 11:17 left in the game. It was the Panthers' 12th straight nonconference road game. PVAMU returns to its home court Saturday against Grambling. Oklahoma kicks off its first season in the SEC at No. 5 Alabama on Saturday. --Field Level Media
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections , the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle , Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle. If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. What is Connections Sports Edition? The NYT 's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic , the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common. Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends. Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media. Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try: Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories: Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle. Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions. Drumroll, please! The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #97 is... What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands . If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.