fishing knots

Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 amL arge sections of the once-authoritative Indian parents of the 1980s and 1990s who were fiercely dedicated to raising children with strict discipline and traditional values now have professional home nurses to take care of them. Children move overseas, leaving ageing parents to negotiate old age without their support. Deep-rooted cultural values shaped Indian parenting in the 1980s and 1990s. The children were taught responsibility, respect for elders, and social conventions. Parents who prioritised discipline led their children to choose secure, respected occupations, believing it would lead to better futures for their family. Thus, children from these families excelled academically and earned opportunities in engineering, medicine, and technology, which allowed them to study or work overseas. Parents viewed migration as a sign of social advancement and felt joy in their children’s achievement. Pride is often tempered by the fact that elderly parents must adjust to a new caring system based on professional nurses after their children move abroad. Separation from children hits many parents emotionally. Members of Indian families have traditionally lived together or close by. Children are the family’s emotional centre and caregivers for their parents in old age. However, the migration of children has altered this expectation. As their children succeed far away, parents frequently feel lonely and abandoned. Distance from everyday encounters and infrequent video chats cannot totally bridge the emotional gap. Children can send money or hire home nurses for their elderly parents, but the emotional emptiness is hard to fill. With children overseas, home nurses are a sensible choice for many elderly parents who require support with health, everyday tasks, and personal care. This provides a much-needed safety net, especially for people with chronic illnesses or mobility limitations, but it also presents emotional challenges. Previous independence and control over family affairs have been replaced with a loss of dignity and privacy for many parents. A home nurse may cause a deeper emotional change for individuals. Parents who thought their children would care for them like they did may feel guilty or unhappy. Children’s migration may cause them to suffer a loss of conventional family relationships and struggle to adjust to outside caregiving. While parents and children are sometimes far apart, technology has helped preserve contact. Virtual family communication includes video conversations, messaging apps, and social media. Tools can only do so much. Having a child by their side throughout illness or daily life is invaluable for elderly parents. Children migrating and using home nurses are cultural and generational shifts for Indian families. Professional care improves health and safety, but ageing parents’ emotional needs are often neglected. Parents who accept home nurses may feel relieved but still miss their families. These strict, devoted parents of the 1980s and 1990s now find themselves in a new situation where their children living overseas cannot provide traditional care. Home nurses can provide practical assistance, but they cannot replace parental love. This generation of parents’ experiences illustrates Indian families’ evolving dynamics between tradition and modernity as they age. rinugeorge57@yahoo.com Published - December 08, 2024 01:47 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditFederation of Retailer Association of India (FRAI), a representative body of about 80 lakh micro, small and medium retailers from across the country with a membership of 42 Retail Associations organised an event in New Delhi today to highlight the urgent need for enhanced technology support from the government for Kirana stores. Such support would enable the Kirana stores to remain competitive amidst the increasing encroachment into their space by quick commerce companies like Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit or Zepto. The retailers called upon the government to provide local Kirana stores with a technology platform that would allow them to compete on equal terms with quick commerce players, effectively creating a level playing field. The retailers acknowledged the shift in consumer preferences towards faster delivery and competitive pricing and expressed their willingness to adopt new technologies, become more efficient and provide better services to the customer. They also stressed that without government support to level the playing field, it would be difficult for small retailers to compete with the deep resources of larger e-commerce players. The retailers suggested that the technology platform could take the form of an Uber-like platform where customer orders are allocated to the first Kirana store that accepts them. On the platform, ratings can also be provided to the Kirana stores which will encourage them to provide the best possible services to customers. While outlining the technology platform for small shopkeepers, the retailers stressed that the present lot of quick commerce players or any big online player should be kept out of such a platform. Given their extensive resources, these big players could dominate such a platform, undermining the very purpose of supporting Kirana stores and leaving them once again at a disadvantage. In the event, FRAI highlighted the growing threat of organised players and emphasized that the rise of e-commerce and quick commerce platforms is putting the very existence of traditional Kirana stores at risk. These retailers have already suffered humungous financial setbacks in the last couple of years and are barely managing to sustain livelihood in the given the high inflationary condition. FRAI also highlighted that livelihood of millions of retailers are at stake and their shops are on verge of closure. Present at the event and supporting the cause of the Kirana Stores, Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha said, “Our honourable Prime Minister Narender Modi has always the best interests and admiration for the small traders in his heart. The government, under his leadership, is fully attuned to the challenges faced by small retailers and is committed to addressing their needs. I also fully understand the difficulties that Kirana stores are facing due to the rise of quick commerce players. These platforms are pushing near-expired goods, stale fruits and vegetables, and engaging in deep discounting and predatory pricing, all while operating through dark stores. We will take up these issues in the Parliament and beyond, to ensure that such practices are addressed and that Kirana stores are protected. Today is Bharatiya Grahak Divas and I believe that both the shopkeeper and the consumers are two sides of the same coin. For shopkeepers, it is crucial to stay updated and embrace all channels to meet the evolving expectations of customers. I am committed to ensuring that traders and Kirana store owners receive the best digital tools to connect with their customers, enabling them to modernize, update, and computerize their businesses for the future.” At the event, the small retailers who had congregated from across the country voiced their concerns that the rise of e-commerce, particularly quick commerce, is fundamentally altering consumer behaviour, posing existential challenges to Kirana stores. This is creating a need for urgent intervention and regulation to protect small retailers. While e-commerce has been gradually reshaping India’s retail sector for years, it is quick commerce—ultra-fast delivery services that promise deliveries within 10–30 minutes—that is significantly driving a dramatic shift and pushing the traditional Kirana stores to the brink. Abhay Raj Mishra, Member & National Coordinator, Indian Sellers Collective and Honorary Spokesperson, FRAI said, “The technology support that the retailers are requesting can easily be created or facilitated by the government. Over the years, the present government has been a pioneer in providing citizens with essential services through technology by introducing world-first innovations like Aadhaar and UPI. With new technologies brought in by the government, like ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), what is now required is a more focused approach in creating a specific solution for Kirana Stores that makes them as discoverable and accessible to customers, much like the way quick commerce companies are operating. Essentially, the Kirana stores should remain competitive by being empowered to tap into the growing digital market and meet new customer needs.” Speaking at the event, Gulab Khoda, Joint Secretary, Federation of Retailers Association of India, said, “One of the quick commerce industry manifestations that is eating into the business of Kirana Stores is the mushrooming of the dark stores. Dark stores are essentially the warehouses that stock all the items that a Swiggy Instamart or a Blinkit quickly delivers to their customers. These dark stores are located in densely populated areas to enable fast delivery within minutes. The kind of products stored by these dark stores are similar to those that are found in the Kirana store. But the quick delivery or discounts offered by the q commerce players cannot be matched by the local grocery store. Indeed, the dark stores are creating a situation where the future of Kirana stores is looking very dark!” The retailers voiced their opinion about the unfair advantage that quick commerce platforms have over Kirana stores. The Kirana stores cannot match the pricing offered by quick commerce giants who benefit from deep pockets, large warehouses and a huge customer base, all of which allow them to offer continuous heavy discounts to their customers. The deep discounting strategies of large e-commerce are often the result of their ability to absorb losses through high-volume sales and deep capital reserves, which the smaller businesses obviously cannot maintain or match. Many among these players have foreign funding and this will ultimately result in destabilising the kirana ecosystem and in a huge loss of self-employment in the country. In the bargain only low paying jobs will get created-a recipe that will make a few people rich and a large number poorer. The retailers highlighted that the unhealthy competition faced by Kirana stores is only going to intensify as larger e-commerce with even deeper pockets enter the market. They warned that it won’t be long before these big online companies lured by the gains made by the quick commerce players decide to enter the market with their own aggressive campaigns. With their vast resources and scale, these giants could potentially push smaller retailers out of business, further threatening the survival of Kirana stores across the country. Another point put forward at the event is that the increased competition from quick commerce players has resulted in stagnant sales for Kirana stores, particularly during high-demand periods such as the festive season. So facing a bleak future, the retailers urged the government to step in and protect them from the incursions of the quick commerce platforms and the looming threat posed by big online players. Another issue raised at the event was about the death of the traditional unique Indian entrepreneurship culture, as quick commerce corporate structures with their predatory approach will overpower the local Kirana store owner or the shopkeeper who have long thrived within their communities. The Indian traditional entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in local communities and often involves providing goods and services that are tailored to the needs and preferences of a specific market. This creates a strong sense of community and relationship-building between business owners and their customers. This is the unique tradition that will be lost forever if quick commerce and big online players are allowed to continue unabated in capturing the market.fishing knots 。

Latest Cowboys injury news is the ultimate example of how Dallas simply can't catch a breakNone

DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!Friday at Canvas Stadium, 27 Colorado State seniors will play their final home game in Fort Collins.SWOCC Sports Roundup: Men off to high-scoring start in basketball

Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 amPARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. Guest attend the service in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendour. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President who championed the ambitious timeline — and . US President-elect Donald Trump talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron’s, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. General View inside Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on December 07, 2024 in Paris, France. After five years of restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopens its doors to the world in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and around fifty heads of state, including Donald Trump, invited for the occasion. Guests attend the service in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices raised in song flooded the space, filling it with harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. From the left, Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, Ashley Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Brigitte Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron stand in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. France’s President Emmanuel Macron (C) flanked by US president-elect Donald Trump (2nd R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (3rd L) pose after a meeting at The Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on December 7, 2024. Trump makes his first international trip since his election win, preparing for a day of intense diplomacy before attending the reopening ceremony for the Notre Dame cathedral restored after the 2019 fire. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich (C) closes his eyes during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral, in central Paris, on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The South Rose window inside Notre Dame Cathedral before France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. General View inside Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on December 07, 2024 in Paris, France. After five years of restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopens its doors to the world in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and around fifty heads of state, including Donald Trump, invited for the occasion. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, is resounding for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Clergy walk in Notre-Dame Cathedral during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark cathedral, in central Paris, on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (2L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (3R) stand as the Archbishop of Paris, Bishop Ulrich walks to the doors of Notre-Dame Cathedral during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Cathedral, in central Paris, on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. PETIT TESSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was sombre,” he said. “It’s night and day.” Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendour, Archbishop Ulrich and the clergy donned vibrant liturgical garments designed by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his eye-popping pop-art esthetic, Castelbajac crafted 2,000 colourful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Paris’ archbishop Laurent Ulrich enters Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris. The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The nave inside Notre Dame Cathedral before France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (C) shakes hands with Prince Albert II of Monaco before a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” Spectators gather outside France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris during it’s formal reopening for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had travelled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” A man takes a photo as spectators gather outside France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris for it’s formal reopening for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. A sculpture inside Notre Dame Cathedral before France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Spectators gather outside France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris for it’s formal reopening for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. My 11-year-old granddaughter and I were among the last to tour the magnificent cathedral before But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. “We went from night to light,” said one of the workers in the movie. The ‘Statue de la Vierge de Pitie’ (Pieta) inside Notre Dame Cathedral before France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales (R), Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Maria Teresa (3rd R) and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (2nd R) welcome First Lady of the United States Jill Biden (2nd L) and her daughter Ashley Biden (R) before a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on December 7, 2024. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armour and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Spectators gather outside France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris for it’s formal reopening for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. General View outside Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on December 07, 2024 in Paris, France. After five years of restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopens its doors to the world in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and around fifty heads of state, including Donald Trump, invited for the occasion. Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo (L), French President Emmanuel Macron (2L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (3R) stand as the Archbishop of Paris, Bishop Ulrich reads in front of the doors of Notre-Dame Cathedral during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Cathedral, in central Paris, on December 7, 2024. Around 50 heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were part of the five-year restoration project at a cost of hundreds of millions of euros. Images) ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Cyclones unravel in Big 12 title loss, look to bowl game to cap historic season - Cyclone FanaticISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan 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 prime minister began a “long march” from the restive northwest to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for over 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 nighttime operation, and police are also seeking to arrest Bibi. 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 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, Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorized the police to respond as necessary,” 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,” Ali said. “If they fire bullets again, we will respond with bullets,” he 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 a hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Most demonstrators had the flag of Khan’s party around their shoulders or wore its tricolors on accessories. 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. He said the government did not want Bushra Bibi to achieve her goal of freeing Khan. “She wants bodies falling to the ground. She wants bloodshed,” he said. 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 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. Pakistan's Stock Exchange lost more than $1.7 billion Tuesday due to rising political tensions, according to economist Mohammed Sohail from Topline Securities. Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.