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nn777 login philippines app This summer, the New Orleans Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray , hoping he would be the final piece for contention. Yet, a month into the season, they find themselves at the last spot of the Western Conference. They are in a familiar spot as the Memphis Grizzlies were in last year. Should they continue to fight, or just throw in the towel on the season? New Orleans Pelicans Have a Grizzlies-Type Decision to Make After 17 games, the New Pelicans are 4-13, last in the Western Conference. They are the Philadelphia 76ers of the West, a team hoping to contend late in May/June before the season, but now stuck at the bottom of the standings. Last season, the Grizzlies had a similar decision to make. Before the 2023-24 season, the Memphis Grizzlies traded for Marcus Smart , a player they hoped will improve their chances for contention. Yet, similar as the Pelicans this year, the injury-bug hit them hard, and they were never able to recover. On the last episode of the Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst was among the last people to suggest the Pelicans should consider this a lost season and hope for better health next season. He said, “They are free falling in the West, I think they’re four and 13. That is the problem in the Western Conference, you know if you are 4-13. Even if get these guys back, you can play .600 basketball and maybe not be able to get to 10th at this point. So that’s the reality that they have. They’re still playing very hard you know.” Is it Worth Sacrificing the Season? For the Memphis Grizzlies last year, the big reward was the ninth pick of the draft, Zach Edey . The Grizzlies were able to find a player they desperately needed in what was considered a weak draft. The good news for the Grizzlies is they have their core of three star-level players in Ja Morant , Desmond Bane , and Jaren Jackson Jr . They needed a role player that will fit with them, and Edey has worked like a charm so far. The problem with the Pelicans is they do not have a set core. Is that Zion Williamson ? Brandon Ingram ? Who is part of their core going forward? The Grizzlies sacrificed the season, but they allowed Jackson to develop his offensive skills. If the Pelicans do decide to not push for the playoffs, that player should be Trey Murphy III , their young and talented wing. Can They Get a Lottery Pick? The Pelicans have their own pick in 2025, and they also hold the rights to the Milwaukee Bucks’ pick if it falls between 1-4. Two weeks ago, it seemed like the Bucks were destined for the lottery and might be looking into some Giannis Antetokounmpo trades . Yet, with their recent play, the Bucks have shut down those rumors. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are in a difficult position. Even if they are on a 48 win pace for the rest of the season, they will end up with 42 wins. Last year, the Houston Rockets finished with a .500 record, 41 wins and 41 loses, and ended up in the 11th spot. The Warriors were in 10th in the West with 46 wins. The fun part is the Pelicans are the last team to make a miraculous comeback in 2021-22. They started the season 1-12, and then made it into the playoffs without Zion. The prize pool of young talent next year is huge. But even with a high lottery pick, things are not guaranteed. Just look at the Golden State Warriors of the 2019-20 season. Due to injuries, they shut it down, and won only 15 games. Their prize was the 2nd pick in the 2020 draft. They drafted James Wiseman , a player they hoped would take over the reins after Steph Curry . But that didn’t happen. What to do with Brandon Ingram? The Pelicans tried to trade Ingram during the summer and failed to do so. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, making him less attractive for a trade during the season. The Pelicans are not certain they want to give him the max contract he desires, even more now that they have signed Murphy III to a long-term contract . Ingram is set to hit free agency in 2025. There might not be that many teams with cap space in the summer of 2025, but that doesn’t mean the Pelicans will have an easier time re-signing him. The biggest problem with the Pelicans right now might be they do not have a clear and defined core going forward. And Ingram is the victim of that. What Can They do With Zion? On the same episode of the Hoop Collective, Windhorst mentioned that the Pelicans might consider getting out of the Zion business. There are two options for that, one is to trade him, and the other is to cut him loose. When the Pelicans signed Zion to a new contract a few years ago, they added clauses that would made it easier for them to cut him loose. For example, he has to meet a weight criteria for the season. Here is what Brian mentioned, “The preferable scenario is to trade him and get value. I think that’s going to be extremely difficult to do given his injury history and the fact that he looked far less explosive than he had been in the past and the little bit that he played this year.” As for them cutting loose, the protections are 20% if he satisfies the weigh-in criteria during the 2024-25 season. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.The military's tradition of tracking Santa Claus on his gravity-defying sweep across the globe will carry on this Christmas Eve, even if the U.S. government shuts down, officials said Friday. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online. “We fully expect for Santa to take flight on Dec. 24 and NORAD will track him," the U.S.-Canadian agency said in a statement. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats, such as last year's Chinese spy balloon. But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” The endeavor is supported by local and corporate sponsors, who also help shield the tradition from Washington dysfunction. Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer, told The Associated Press that there are "screams and giggles and laughter” when families call in, usually on speakerphone. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, "Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early." NORAD's annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War, predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics. Here's how it began and why the phones keep ringing. The origin story is Hollywood-esque It started with a child's accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy's mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80-foot (18-by-24-meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from "those who do not believe in Christmas.” Is the origin story humbug? Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup's story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy's call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child's call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. "When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,'" Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. "People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” A rare addition to Santa's story NORAD's tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa's story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada — known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That's when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org, that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.By ALEXANDRA OLSON and CATHY BUSSEWITZ NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump’s incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches — the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President — are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI,” Glasgow said. “The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America’s top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart’s announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart’s need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer’s ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart.” Related Articles National News | Ex-FBI informant accused of lying about the Bidens is indicted on federal tax charges National News | Bird flu virus was found in raw milk. What to know about the risks National News | Ransomware attack on software supplier disrupts operations for Starbucks and other retailers National News | Man found guilty of holding down teen while he was raped at a youth center in 1998 National News | What Black Friday’s history tells us about holiday shopping in 2024 Walmart’s announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.

The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.SINGAPORE: She has ridden her electric scooter to and from work since 2009, and hardly takes the bus or train. When Singapore banned such motorised personal mobility device (PMDs) from footpaths at the end of 2019, Sarah (not her real name) did not despair. She simply continued with her preferred mode of transport - be it legally on cycling paths and park connectors; or illegally over pedestrian walkways and short stretches of roads. According to the 50-year-old, it's impossible to be fully law-abiding during her 20-minute work commute, as the cycling paths are not seamless and often interrupted by pavements. “They say that with a PMD, we have to ride on paths with the red-coloured dotted line (indicating a shared path), but near my house, there aren't any. So what can I do?” Sarah was even caught last year by enforcement officers , who confiscated her PMD worth S$1,500 (US$1,110) and fined her S$500. She promptly bought another and resumed riding. “The officers can stop me ... but I’m going to buy some more. I won’t stop.” And in the face of such brazen acts of defiance, it is pedestrians who suffer, said those living in active mobility hotspots as identified by authorities. “The pavement has been robbed away from us,” said a Toa Payoh resident who only wanted to be known as Mark. The 62-year-old, who works in logistics, said that in the five years since the ban, he hasn't sensed any improvement in his safety while walking around his estate. Auxiliary police officers have been deployed to deal with errant riders "but it only works when they are there", said Mark. He recounted an incident about two years ago when a young boy illegally riding a PMD was "going super fast" and nearly hit him and his wife as they were taking a walk. Amid continued palpable tension between active mobility users and pedestrians, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) told CNA the number of accidents involving PMDs fell significantly in the years since the ban . There were 144 accidents involving motorised PMDs on footpaths in 2019; 30 in 2020; and six in the first half of 2024. The data alone implies that the ban has been a success, said Assistant Professor Terence Fan from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at the Singapore Management University. The population of e-scooters - the most common PMD, according to LTA - also dropped from more than 73,000 in 2019 to just over 5,200 in 2024. With fewer PMDs on the streets, what are the implications for Singapore's active mobility aspirations , which include a stated goal to build over 1,000km of cycling paths by the end of the decade? Many commuters clearly consider active mobility devices to be superior to other travelling modes, given their popularity, said Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) transport economist Walter Theseira. “The question is whether with more connectivity through legal paths, we can strike a balance between the possibilities new transport technologies offer us, and the risks to other path users." WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY According to LTA data, it's not just the number of accidents involving PMDs that's gone down - the same goes for other devices. These include bicycles, personal mobility aids (PMAs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs). The total number of mishaps involving all active mobility options fell from 189 in 2019 to 83 in 2020 and 18 in the first half of 2024. For PMAs in particular, which have been the scourge of many residents in active mobility hotspots, accidents involving them dipped from six in 2019 to two in 2020 and none in the first half of 2024. At the same time, the number of offences involving PMDs has also declined in the past few years. For instance, there were 2,133 instances in 2020 of riders caught using motorised PMDs on footpaths; this dropped to 65 in the first half of 2024. LTA said it “remains committed to ensure path safety for all path users through regular enforcement and public education to encourage safe path-sharing practices”. Its team of active mobility enforcement officers patrol public paths daily and operations are conducted regularly to enforce against errant users, the authority said. “We have also stepped up enforcement and leveraged technology such as mobile CCTVs, and used feedback from the public as well as social media to complement our enforcement efforts.” HOW PEDESTRIANS FEEL With LTA ramping up enforcement efforts and reporting lower instances of active mobility accidents and errant PMD users, do residents feel safer? Prior to the 2019 footpath ban, Yishun resident Rosalind Yap was once hit by a man on a PMD, causing her to drop her phone. “After the ban, there has been an improvement," said the 61-year-old, who works in customer service. "Now there seems to be some separation along footpaths, where this path is for those on wheels, and another path is for those who are walking, so that is good.” A Tampines resident who only wanted to be known as Madam Kua said that before 2019, she didn't dare to use a side exit at her condominium, for fear of PMDs riding past at high speeds. “Now, there aren’t PMDs anymore, so I’m very happy,” said the 74-year-old retiree. But other residents at active mobility hotspots said they've observed a rise in the use of alternatives such as PMAs and PABs. No official statistics exist for PMAs - which include motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters - as they don't need to be registered with LTA. To Yishun resident Ken Wong, however, PMAs have become more abundant now, and he still feels the need to look over his shoulder when walking on footpaths. “Most of the time I see PMA more than PMD to be honest ... (but) if you ask me to really go and differentiate, I can’t,” said the 40-year-old, who works in IT. “I’m pretty sure not all of them are medically required (to use a PMA).” In March, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) accepted recommendations by an Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) on PMA regulations. They are set to kick in next year and include allowing only those certified with relevant medical needs to use such devices, as well as a reduction in speed limit from 10kmh to 6kmh. Another Yishun resident, Mdm Santhony N, was unconvinced that the situation would improve. “PMAs are the ones that are affecting us the most, they can carry a lot of people and they are very heavy,” said the 64-year-old salesperson. “I find that this has to be banned, because it is really so dangerous.” “In fact, I feel safer on the road than on the footpath ... Because it's just like crossing a road, every time I turn, I’ve got to look out.” In an informal, anonymous poll conducted by CNA on Telegram, 70 per cent of over 15,000 respondents said that since the PMD ban, they did not feel safer walking along footpaths and park connectors. On top of potentially being unaware of falling accident numbers, the public may not base their perception of safety on statistics anyway, said SUSS lecturer Che Maohao. “PMAs and bicycles are generally larger in size as compared to PMDs,” said Dr Che, who researches road safety engineering and non-motorised transportation. “When residents have to share the narrow footpaths - in many cases 1.5m wide - it is reasonable that they do not feel safer.” Assoc Prof Theseira agreed that devices like bicycles and PMAs on pathways pose what pedestrians may feel is an “ongoing risk”. “What doesn’t help is that some neighbourhoods have pathway designs where unfortunately there are choke points or areas where all types of users tend to intersect, which makes things worse,” he said. “So, it's also an issue of whether our journeys as pedestrians tend to naturally place us in conflict and whether redesign of pathways could help.” WHO STILL USES PMDS? When asked why she didn't opt for a PAB - which can at least be ridden on the roads - Sarah said she had bad knees and was unable to pedal for long durations. A food delivery rider, who declined to be named, said the PMD was his preferred device. Bicycles are too tiring and he doesn't have a license to ride a PAB, the 29-year-old told CNA. He said that while he could only deliver food for up to six hours on a bicycle before exhaustion kicked in; on a PMD he could easily keep going for 10 hours. He bought his PMD three years ago despite the ban on footpaths already having been in place. Acknowledging that he sometimes “bends the rules” as there are simply no approved paths to get to his destination, he said: “It’s a struggle ... (if) we must push the PMD so far to get to the HDB block, what is the point?” Then there are those who still use PMDs for the thrill of it. A 20-year-old CNA spoke to in the Pasir Ris-Punggol area admitted to illegally riding along roads and footpaths "when we have to". Though he also uses his device to deliver food, it serves as his main transport mode - and to take frequent joyrides around the island late at night. “Sometimes, once in a while, you’d also want to go on an adventure,” he said. “If you cycle around Singapore ... it’s a bit troublesome.” Major food delivery firms told CNA that PMDs were not approved for use by its riders, and that they work closely with authorities to take action against those who flout the rules. Grab said most of its riders abide by the regulations, and that the small percentage who once flouted laws generally do not reoffend. A spokesperson said, however, that the upcoming regulations on PMAs could affect the earnings of its riders who use the devices, as stricter speed limits would mean covering fewer orders. Some "genuine" PMA users may also find it difficult to obtain the required medical certification and thus be deterred from platform work, the spokesperson added. Deliveroo said it would remain open to riders using vehicles like PMAs to fulfil deliveries. A spokesperson said the company does not impose time limits on riders to complete deliveries, nor does it provide incentives for fast deliveries. Foodpanda, as well as Grab, said they have been engaging authorities on the impending PMA rules, with a view to implementation "that is fair to all stakeholders and protects the livelihoods of our delivery partners". FIRST AND LAST MILE ISSUES? LTA has said that it encourages active mobility use and will continue to expand active mobility infrastructure. Walking, cycling or riding on public transport remains key to building a car-lite society, where Singaporeans choose more active and sustainable modes of transport to get around, the authority said. “The expansion of the cycling network will facilitate the take-up of these modes by making active mobility safer and more convenient." Since 2019, LTA has grown Singapore's islandwide network of cycling paths from 440km to over 600km currently. It is targeting around 1,300km of cycling paths by 2030, and for the the network to reach all towns. Dr Che said this could pave the way for extensive access to most neighbourhoods in Singapore - and for PMDs to perhaps become a viable and reliable option for daily commutes. Assoc Prof Theseira, however, noted that most park connectors and cycling paths still do not reach deep into common destinations such as Housing Board estates. “There could be approved paths for much of the journey, but if many journeys require manually pushing the PMD on footpaths some distance, the user will either be tempted to illegally use the PMD on a footpath or will decide that the pushing cost outweighs the benefit,” he said, adding that non-approved paths could also interrupt journeys and discourage PMD use. “Without viable options for first or last mile connectivity to HDB blocks or (other) destinations via PMD-approved paths, I think PMDs will not be taken up again.” LTA has additionally announced that bicycles and non-motorised PMDs like kick scooters will be banned from footpaths adjacent to cycling lanes, starting from July next year. This will leave PMAs as the only allowed devices on these so-called pedestrian-only paths. With additional regulations on their use to be announced next year, the prospect of a vibrant active mobility culture in Singapore remains murky, experts said. “(Enhanced regulations on PMAs) will probably greatly reduce the volume of PMAs on the paths," said Assoc Prof Theseira. "And we'll be back to a situation where there is no motorised, easy-to-operate local transport option."Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victoryNikkei Trading Near 1989 Stock Peak: Double Top?

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Factbox-Corporate America pledges donations for Trump inaugurationNoneACT bureaucrats raced to change the draft Territory Plan so that any future developer of the Phillip swimming pool site would have to provide only a 25-metre pool because that would be cheaper to build and run, documents have revealed. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The public servants knew a shorter pool would be unpopular, but said the addition of extra facilities such as a learn-to-swim pool would sweeten the change. They also believed it was in line with other facilities being built around Australia, including the then-new aquatic centre in Batemans Bay. The changes to the draft Territory Plan allowing for a 25-metre pool ultimately went through just weeks before developer Geocon bought the lease to the Phillip site in 2022. Geocon this week revealed plans to build on the Phillip site almost 700 units and aquatic facilities, including a 25-metre indoor pool, available to the public. Supporters of the existing Phillip pool are campaigning for the current facilities, including an outdoor 50-metre pool, to be retained, saying the open-air pool and surrounding green space are valuable to the community. An email trail between various bureaucrats in late 2022 - showing how the decision for a shorter pool came about - has been released under a freedom of information request by a Woden resident. An outdoor aquatic centre for South Canberra Chief Minister Andrew Barr, meanwhile, was asked on Friday if Geocon's development was approved, whether that would rule out the government providing a new public aquatics facility for the Woden town centre. "I wouldn't necessarily say that, no," Mr Barr said. "I think if there's an indoor facility built as part of this project, then I'd rule out another indoor facility. "But if you look at an outdoor, seasonal facility for when demand is highest, that may be a feature of future pool planning for the territory. "We have undertaken, in the campaign, that we will undertake a feasibility study to look at future sporting facilities. See, the land take of a 50-metre pool is significant. There wouldn't be many locations in the town centre, other than Eddison Park, that could accommodate a large, outdoor pool. The Phillip pool and, inset, an artist's render of the new building, Mick Gentleman and Yvette Berry. Pictures by The Canberra Times, supplied "Phillip pool in its current outdoor form is only available for about four months of the year. The value of having an indoor facility is it's 12 months and it offers a range of other - it's not just a 25-metre pool - it's a range of other facilities like learn-to-swim and the like. "But Canberra, of course, will need a network of outdoor pools. There is one in Manuka and there is one in Dickson. There's Big Splash in Belconnen. So whether the southside may need an outdoor pool, is something we will look at in the future." An old Kambah High swimming carnival at the Phillip pool. Picture supplied The email trail The released email trail shows ACT bureaucrats knew the decision to cut the Phillip pool size from 50 metres to 25 metres in any future redevelopment would be unpopular with "some segments" of the community, not least because the pool would be shorter than those at other aquatic centres such as Gungahlin and Stromlo. The public servants also recognised the change would be a "departure from the existing Territory Plan requirements" which then required any lessee of the Phillip site to provide a 50-metre pool and continue to provide a pool in any future redevelopment. But future costs to a future developer appeared to push the decision over the line. "This [25=metre] option will provide a better all round outcome in relation to the capital cost, ongoing financial viability and future maintenance/upgrade requirements," Sport and Recreation senior director David Jeffrey wrote in one of the emails. The emails were sent in October, 2022, just before the completion of the draft Territory Plan, which was to provide a new planning system for the ACT. Schools such as Kambah High used to use Phillip pool for swimming carnivals. Picture supplied The emails are marked as "high" importance to ensure the draft plan includes new detail specifying that any future developer of the Phillip site only has to provide a 25-metre pool. The emails reveal a call for "urgent" review and action so the changes can get in before the cut-off date for the draft Territory Plan. Ministers on board The final email was sent on October 20, 2022, with the changes outlined for consideration and with the tacit approval of the offices of two cabinet ministers, Yvette Berry and Mick Gentleman. The draft Territory Plan went out for public consultation on November 1, 2022, including the detail about the 25-metre pool for Phillip. Just weeks later, developer Geocon bought the lease to the Phillip swimming pool and ice skating rink - in December 2022. The email trail in October 2022 shows the offices of then-planning minister Mick Gentleman and Sport Minister Yvette Berry were aware of changing the requirement at Phillip to a 25-metre pool should the site be redeveloped. "We have shared this information with Minister Berry's office to ensure they are across it," Mr Jeffrey wrote. Tom Rosser, Ms Berry's advisor at the time, also wrote an email that the changes "seem sensible to us and the Gentleman office so happy for it to put forward for inclusion". The emails also show the changes were the result of conversations between ACT Chief Planner Ben Ponton and Kareena Arthy, deputy director-general of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate. A render of the first stage of a proposed 696-unit development by Geocon on the site of the Phillip swimming pool and ice skating rink. Picture supplied "My deputy director-general (Kareena Arthy) has had a couple of conversations with Ben Ponton recently and it has suggested there might be a small window to amend the stated requirements for the Phillip site as part of the current planning work that is underway (ie tighten the words around what the minimum requirements should be for a new pool should the site be redeveloped in the future)," Mr Jeffrey wrote in an email on October 17, 2022. At one point in the email trail, Mr Jeffrey writes that without a more specific spelling out of the minimum requirements for a pool in any future development at Phillip, a lessee could interpret the current wording as them only needing to provide a "50 metre pool that only has 1 lane". He also says while there is a risk the changes will not be well-received by the community, "reducing the main pool, down from 50 metres to 25 metres, justifies the inclusion of the other pool facilities" such as the learn-to-swim pool. The previous Territory Plan stated a 50-metre pool must be provided on the Phillip site. But should there be any redevelopment of the site, the lessee would be required to provide "an all year with reasonable opening hours, publicly available indoor swimming pool". The new Territory Plan ultimately spelt out that if the site was redeveloped, a publicly available, indoor facility was to be provided that included a minimum: 25m x 20m eight-lane swimming pool - water depth of 1.35m to 2.0m. Warm water program pool - minimum dimensions of 20m x 10m. Toddlers/leisure pool, learn to swim pool and/or water play splash pad - minimum size 500 square metres . A transition from within the centre to the outdoors (including to external gardens, decks and outdoor eating areas to support indoor/outdoor activities. Associated amenities to support the operation of the pool facilities. The design and inclusions of the pool would also have to be approved by the ACT government. The Geocon proposal is for an indoor public pool facility with cafe, splash pad, learn to swim area, toddlers' swimming area, leisure swimming area, 25-metre lap pool, program pool with relaxation area, steam and sauna room and outdoor area with water play/splash pad and entertainment area. Geocon has said, if approved, the development of almost 700 units and the aquatic centre at Phillip would be done in three stages. The ACT government says it will need to maintain the operation of the existing pool and ice skating rink until alternatives are provided. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Megan Doherty Journalist I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au I like telling local stories and celebrating Canberra. Email: megan.doherty@canberratimes.com.au More from Canberra 13 years ago six kinder kids were front page news. 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Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy LOS ANGELES (AP) — Party City announced that it's going to “wind down” its retail and wholesale operations as it prepares to shutter nearly 700 stores nationwide. The company said Saturday it has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "to maximize value for the benefit of the company’s stakeholders.” The New Jersey-based retailer said it will keep more than 95% of its 12,000 employees to help with the process of closing down. Customers have flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations for nearly 40 years. It has faced growing competition from Walmart and Target and from occasion-based pop-up stores such as Spirit Halloween. A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? 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Trump might have something to do with it Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Strikes during busy periods like the holidays can help unions exercise leverage during negotiations or garner support from sympathetic consumers. One expert says he thinks workers at both companies are “desperate” to make progress before President-elect Donald Trump can appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at Starbucks, Amazon and some other prominent consumer brands are fighting for their first contracts after several locations voted to unionize. Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia's Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. But he grew disillusioned with the company and told The Associated Press this fall he would “try to testify” in copyright infringement cases against it. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures eased last month WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve barely rose last month in a sign that price pressures cooled after two months of sharp gains. Prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices also ticked up just 0.1%, after two months of outsize 0.3% gains. The milder inflation figures arrived two days after Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, rocked financial markets by revealing that they now expect to cut their key interest rate just two times in 2025, down from four in their previous estimate. Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister says the government will shut down video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teenager following a quarrel that started on TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. ... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.” Rama says the ban will begin sometime next year. Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to domestic researchers. Stock market today: Wall Street rises to turn a dismal week into just a bad one NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to turn what would have been one of the market’s worst weeks of the year into just a pretty bad one. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% Friday to shave its loss for the week down to 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. A report said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than expected. 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BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the official credit union of the Boise State Broncos, Mountain America Credit Union continues its support of BroncoLife through the First Down donation program. Through this unique program, the credit union committed a donation to BroncoLife for every first down completed by the BSU football team in 2024. This year, those first downs added up to $15,000, which will help BroncoLife continue its mission of empowering student-athletes to reach their full potential both in school and on their future career paths. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. “Community service is integral to our core values, and Mountain America is proud to participate in the First Down donation program,” said Nathan Anderson, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Mountain America. “We value the lasting contributions BroncoLife makes to the lives of families and students in the Treasure Valley and beyond.” During the November 29, 2024, game, Mountain America presented a check for $15,000 to Associate Athletic Director Sara Whiles, Buster Bronco, and fellow Boise State Athletics associates. Since 2019, Mountain America has donated over $90,000 to BroncoLife. "We are so grateful Mountain America Credit Union continues to recognize and support the BroncoLife program,” Whiles said. “With investments like theirs we can provide opportunities that assist in the development of student-athletes and ultimately prepare them for life after sports.” For more information about Mountain America’s community involvement activities, visit macu.com/newsroom . About Mountain America Credit Union With more than 1 million members and $20 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across multiple states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com . Contact: publicrelations@macu.com , macu.com/newsroomAhmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State governor, has signed a bill converting the state-of-the-art Reference Hospital, Okene into the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital. Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for Information and Communications, announced this on in Lokoja during a press briefing, adding that the move aligns with the National Universities Commission’s approval of a full-time Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, among other medical courses at CUSTECH, saying that the step ensures the programme begins on a solid foundation. “This achievement is the result of months of coordinated engagement between the university, the State Ministry of Health, and the State Ministry of Education. We commend the State House of Assembly for passing the bill, which has now been signed into law by Governor Ododo.” He emphasised the administration’s prioritisation of healthcare, noting that the former Reference Hospital now the CUSTECH Teaching Hospital is equipped with world class medical facilities, some of which are debuting for the first time in Africa. “With this development, CUSTECH will have cutting – edge medical technology to train outstanding healthcare professionals for Kogi State and beyond.” Fanwo equally highlighted the administration’s commitment to healthcare and education, describing the signing as a significant milestone in the state’s progress. He also expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for their collective effort in creating this historic achievement. With the bill now law, CUSTECH is poised to effectively commence its MBBS programme.

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Adrian Butler Elected to PRA Group Board of DirectorsTen years ago, Hull Vane embarked on an ambitious journey with one clear goal: to make maritime shipping more sustainable, efficient, and comfortable. We celebrate not just our 10th anniversary, but also a decade of technological breakthroughs, environmental impact, and satisfied clients across the globe. What began in 2014 as an innovative hydrodynamic concept has grown into a ground-breaking technology transforming the maritime industry. Hull Vane, a fixed wing installed at the stern of ships, not only delivers 5-15% fuel savings but also improves stability and onboard comfort. These benefits have allowed us to make ships more efficient and environmentally friendly over the past decade. “Thanks to Hull Vane, we save thousands of litres of fuel annually, which is not only great for our business but also for the environment,” said one commercial shipping client. Since its founding, Hull Vane has equipped a wide range of vessels across multiple sectors, from superyachts and ferries to naval ships. Together, we have: These numbers highlight our ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in maritime shipping. Tailored Solutions for Every Market: Yachting, Commercial Shipping, and Naval Vessels Hull Vane’s innovative technology delivers measurable benefits across a variety of markets. In the yachting industry, Hull Vane enhances luxury and efficiency by reducing noise, vibration, and increase performance, allowing owners to enjoy a smoother and more sustainable cruising experience. For commercial shipping such as Ferries, RoRo, Passenger ships, CTV’s and FSIV, Hull Vane offers a clear competitive advantage by significantly cutting operational costs and CO2 emissions, helping operators meet strict environmental regulations while boosting profitability. Meanwhile, in the naval sector, Hull Vane improves stability, speed, and endurance, making vessels more effective during critical missions while reducing their environmental footprint. By adapting to the unique demands of these markets, Hull Vane continues to set the standard for hydrodynamic innovation. Hull Vane is not stopping at this milestone. In the years to come, we will continue our journey with ambitious plans for innovations and global collaborations. Our technology will keep evolving to provide even more efficient solutions with a strong focus on decarbonising the shipping industry. “In a world where sustainability is more urgent than ever, we are committed to making a difference. Hull Vane is ready to take a leading role in the transition to greener shipping, together with our clients and partners,” said Niels Moerke. As a leader in hydrodynamic innovation, we invite you to join us on this journey. Discover how Hull Vane can make a difference for your vessels and fleet. Source: Hull Vane BV