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THE actions of a passenger on a flight have sparked a heated debate among flyers. People rushed forward with their opinions on TikTok after a user shared a video of herself making a Matcha Latte from her seat on the plane. TikToker Jaz Hand filmed herself from the plush seats of a business class flight telling viewers: "Make a matcha on a plane with me." She went on to make the iced version of the green tea leaf drink. But, it was not as simple as simply adding some Matcha powder to some cold milk and drinking it. First, she got out a bowl and a small sieve to sift the matcha powder which she then put into a glass, added water from a bottle and then used an electric hand frother to combine the ingredients. If that wasn't enough faff, she then put ice cubes into a plastic drinking cup, poured in the milk, and then added the watery matcha mix. She then prepared another addition for the drink which may have been a sweetener which she mixed in a glass with water before also adding that to her drink. Finally, she was done with her concoction, placing a lid on the top, adding a straw and giving it a stir and sip. "That is so good dude," she mouthed to the person next to her. However, her travel buddy and fellow TikToker Riley Hemson posted a video of her own from the flight in which she seemed less than impressed at Jaz's onboard antics. I can't believe she's doing this on the plane?" Hemson said in her own video showing the matcha latte creation from her point of view. "I've seen it all truly," she added. "This would enrage me," one shocked viewer wrote in the comments. "Socially unacceptable," another said. "Hey so this is insane.......And I am 110% here for it and in full support ICONIC behaviour," a third wrote. Others argued that the TikToker should try to do the same in economy class while others questioned where she got the ice from. While some were shocked at her actions, others were supportive. "It’s true commitment to the matcha addiction," one joked. IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules... RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn't recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop. He said: "Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half." Before you recline your seat , it's best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing. If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back. FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun : "Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for. "Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else. "If you do insist on stretching out , please make sure your feet are covered up." CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren't welcome, suggesting that others shouldn't expect a chat. She added: "I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time." "No but when you have to travel like A LOT like 2-3 times in a week you start to do everything on planes trust me," another said. "Why is everyone freaking out over this let her have her matcha," a third argued. "I mean as long as she’s not being annoying with the noise for too long." Another flyer shared the shocking moment a passenger seated next to them decided to make a snack. "I once sat next to someone who whipped out a loaf of bread a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jam and proceeded to make sandwiches," they said. Another debate was sparked over the summer after a passenger dropped a bombshell decision about those who sit on the aisle seat. In the US a mid-flight drink service saw a man filed a lawsuit seeking $150,000 after he claimed he was left with a disfigured penis and scarred testicles from scalding water.

Wade Taylor IV racked up 19 points that included eight in the final 3:22 of the game as No. 22 Texas A&M outlasted Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday afternoon in the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas A&M (8-2) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by three at halftime before the Red Raiders surged to the front early in the second half. Down 52-49, the Aggies produced an 11-0 surge capped by a jumper by Zhuric Phelps to take a 60-52 advantage with 5:02 to play The Aggies' margin was just two points when Taylor went hard to the hole on back-to-back possessions for layups that pushed the lead to 64-58. A 3-pointer by Tech's Chance McMillian cut lead to three but Taylor, Henry Coleman III and Solomon Washington converted free throws over the final 27 seconds to provide the deciding points for A&M. Jace Carter added 16 points and Phelps had 12 for the Aggies, who have won four straight games. McMillian's 23 points were a game high, while Kevin Overton added 17 and Darrion Williams had 11 for Texas Tech (7-2), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Aggies ruled the game's first five minutes, blitzing to a 13-2 lead thanks to eight early points from Taylor and a stifling defense that forced Tech into four turnovers. The Red Raiders responded with an 8-2 run capped by a jumper by Federiko Federiko to close the gap to five points at the 10:57 mark. Texas Tech continued to battle back, clawing to within 26-24 with 5:16 left in the first half thanks to a 9-0 run. Texas A&M boosted the margin to as many as six points after Manny Obaseki hit a layup with 2:23 remaining before McMillian canned a pair of free throws with 41 seconds to play to pull to within 34-31 at the break. Overton led all scorers with 14 points before halftime while Carter paced the Aggies with 13. The Red Raiders pulled even on Federiko's jumper 46 seconds into the second half, went in front on a jumper by Elijah Hawkins with 18:22 to play and pushed their advantage to five points on another Hawkins jumper at the 16:30 mark of the half. The Aggies swung back, tying the contest at 49 when Washington sank a 3-pointer with 10:48 left, setting the stage for the furious finish. --Field Level Media

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Wisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level MediaTrump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possibleHer colleagues at the University of Nebraska at Kearney call her a “dream hire” who “truly embodies the meaning of being a teacher-scholar.” The students she’s taught describe her as enthusiastic, caring and knowledgeable — the “best teacher I’ve ever had here.” Brooke Envick was recognized Friday with the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award, the university’s most prestigious faculty honor. Named after UNK alumnus Leland Holdt, the annual award is presented during winter commencement to an individual who demonstrates excellence in teaching, research and service. It comes with a $5,000 stipend. A UNK alumna, Envick earned a bachelor’s degree in management and master’s degree in business administration, then completed a doctorate in organizational behavior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She taught at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, for nearly 20 years before returning to Kearney in 2017 and becoming the third generation of her family to teach at UNK. Currently, she’s a professor in the Department of Management, an associate dean of engagement and retention and an associate dean of faculty and strategic initiatives. “When Dr. Envick agreed to join the CBT leadership team, I was thrilled,” Tim Jares, dean of the UNK College of Business and Technology, said. “She is thoughtful and hardworking and will work tirelessly to help our students have a better future.” As a teacher, Envick emphasizes active learning and innovation, engaging students in the knowledge-construction process. Her classes often include experiential learning exercises that encourage student engagement and development. For example, students created their own board games in her Creativity and Innovation course, and they generate growth plans for small businesses in the Small Business Management class. “Her students have praised her ability to expand on class material by bringing in examples of real-world applications. She also does a great job of connecting with her students and making the material enjoyable to learn,” noted Kyle Luthans, a professor and chair in the Department of Management. Their course evaluations support this statement. “Professor Envick is really good about getting students to engage. The concept of the class is different and very innovative, so I was nervous about it because I don’t see myself as creative. She made me excited to come to class and speak up about my ideas,” one student wrote. “She does a great job of applying the information to the real world. She is very knowledgeable about the stuff she teaches us. She also is very passionate about the subjects she teaches. I wish she taught more of my classes,” another remarked. Envick has received numerous teaching accolades during her career, including the UNK College of Business and Technology Outstanding Teaching Award and the Outstanding Educator Award for Innovative and Creative Teaching from the Academy of Educational Leadership. She also supports students as an undergraduate research mentor and supervisor for graduate-level capstone projects. With a focus on entrepreneurship and small business management, Envick’s research complements her classroom instruction. She has more than 30 peer-reviewed journal publications, and her research has been cited over 800 times. Envick served as an editorial review board member for the Global Journal of Entrepreneurship and Journal of Organizational Leadership and as a reviewer for the Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology. She has presented at numerous conferences and received multiple Distinguished Research Awards from the Institute of Global Business Research and Academy of Entrepreneurship. Her work was featured in UNK’s New Frontiers magazine highlighting the best research and creative activity on campus in 2022. “Dr. Envick’s track record in scholarship is just as impressive as her exceptional teaching. The fact that many of her articles grew from projects in her classes clearly illustrates how important the teacher-scholar model has been in guiding her career and how foundational it is to her as a professional,” Jares said. Envick is a member of the University of Nebraska’s “Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders” program and she serves on committees at both the campus and system levels, including the NU President’s Excellence Awards Committee, UNK Enrollment Steering Committee and UNK chancellor search committee. “If every faculty member in CBT, or at UNK, displayed her level of energy and commitment, the sky would surely be the limit for us,” Jares said. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.

TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blockmate Ventures Inc. (TSX.V: MATE) (OTCQB: MATEF) (FSE: 8MH1) (“ Blockmate ” or the “ Company ”) is pleased to announce that it has closed its strategic investment (the “ Offering ”) involving a group of strategic investors led by Antanas Guoga (Tony G) for gross proceeds of $1,400,000. This strategic funding supports Blockmate’s pursuit of industry leadership in blockchain innovation and underscores our commitment to sustainable and transformative technology. In connection with completion of the Offering, the Company has issued 14,000,000 units (each, a “ Unit ”) at a price of $0.10 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share, and one common share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire a further common share at a price of $0.50 until December 23, 2027. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to statutory restrictions on resale until April 24, 2025, in accordance with applicable securities laws. In addition, Tony G has voluntarily agreed to restrict resale of the 10,000,000 Units he acquired in the Offering until December 23, 2025. No finders’ fees or commissions were paid by the Company in connection with completion of the Offering. Incentive Grant The Company also announces that it has granted 5,275,000 incentive stock options (the “ Options ”), 1,200,000 restricted share units (the “ RSUs ”) and 5,000,000 deferred share units (the “ DSUs ”) in accordance with its omnibus incentive plan (the “ Incentive Plan ”) adopted by shareholders at the annual general and special meeting held on November 23, 2023. 625,000 of the Options vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.21 for a period of thirty-six months. The remaining 5,000,000 Options vest quarterly over a twenty-four month period, and are exercisable at a price of $0.21 for a period of forty-eight months. The RSUs vest and will be settled in common shares of the Company after twelve months. The DSUs vest after twelve months but will only be settled in common shares of the Company upon the departure of the holder from the Company. 2,725,000 of the Options and all of the DSUs exceed the available room under the Incentive Plan. The Company intends to seek approval of shareholders to increase the size of the Incentive Plan at the next annual general meeting and will at that time seek ratification from shareholders for the additional Options and the DSUs. Until such time as shareholder ratification has been received, the additional Options and DSUs will not vest and will not be eligible for exercise or settlement. In the event shareholders elect not to ratify the grant, and room within the Incentive Plan is not available at the time, the additional Options and DSUs will be cancelled. Early Warning Disclosure In connection with the incentive grant, Domenic Carosa, a director of the Company, has been issued 5,000,000 Options and 5,000,000 DSUs. Prior to the grant, Mr. Carosa controlled 17,252,400 common shares, 1,500,000 incentive stock options, and 3,000,000 common share purchase warrants, of the Company, all of which are held by Carosa Corporation B.V., a holding company controlled by Domenic Carosa. The common shares controlled by Mr. Carosa prior to the grant represent approximately 15.1% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. Following the grant, Mr. Carosa has control and direction over 17,252,400 common shares, 6,500,000 Options, 3,000,000 common share purchase warrants and 5,000,000 DSUs of the Company. Assuming the exercise and conversion of all of the Options, share purchase warrants and DSUs controlled by Mr. Carosa, he would have control and direction over 31,752,400 common shares of the Company representing approximately 19.8% of the then outstanding common shares of the Company. Mr. Carosa has acquired the securities for investment purposes and in connection with his compensation as a director of the Company and, as disclosed in the accompanying Early Warning Report, may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company, through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant. A copy of the Early Warning Report filed with the applicable securities regulators regarding the above acquisition will be available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ). About Blockmate Ventures Inc. Blockmate is a venture creator focussing on building fast-growing technology businesses relating to cutting edge sectors such as blockchain and renewable energy. Working with prospective founders, projects in incubation can benefit from the Blockmate ecosystem that offers tech, services, integrations and advice to accelerate the incubation of projects towards monetization. Recent projects include Hivello (download our free passive income app at www.hivello.com ) and Sunified, digitising solar energy. The leadership team at Blockmate have successfully founded successful tech companies from the Dotcom era through to the social media era. Learn more about being a Blockmate at: www.blockmate.com/ . Blockmate welcomes investors to join the Company’s mailing list for the latest updates and industry research by subscribing at https://www.blockmate.com/subscribe . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Justin Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer Blockmate Ventures Inc. justin@blockmate.com (+1-580-262-6130) Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Forward-Looking Information This news release contains “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on the assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Raindrop disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.Extended periods spent in microgravity can take a serious toll on the human body, leading to muscular atrophy, bone density loss, vision problems, and changes to the cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous systems. At the same time, however, scientists have found that microgravity may play a key role in the future of medicine. This includes bioprinting in space, where cultured cells are printed out to form organic tissues and organs without the need for grafts. Printing in microgravity also ensures that fragile cell structures do not collapse due to pressures caused by Earth’s gravity. However, space medicine may also have applications for stem cell research, which also benefit from a microgravity environment. Stem cells have countless applications in medicine because of their ability to quickly replicate and differentiate into many different types of cells. Based on experiments carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS), researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Florida determined that these abilities are enhanced when grown in space. These findings could have significant benefits in the study of disease prevention and treatment on Earth, as well as medical treatments delivered in space. The research was conducted by Fay Ghani and Abba C. Zubair, two pathologists with the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics and the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology . The paper detailing their experiment and findings was recently published in NPJ Microgravity . For their experiment, the team specifically examined the behavior of several types of adult stem cells, which manage normal wear and tear on the body. These cells are often grown by scientists for the sake of disease research and developing new therapies. The process is challenging, expensive, and takes a long time. But as Zubair said in a recent interview with ScienceAlert! , the process could be simplified by growing them in space-based labs: “Studying stem cells in space has uncovered cell mechanisms that would otherwise be undetected or unknown within the presence of normal gravity. That discovery indicates a broader scientific value to this research, including potential clinical applications. The space environment offers an advantage to the growth of stem cells by providing a more natural three-dimensional state for their expansion, which closely resembles growth of cells in the human body. Ghani and Zubair experimented with many types of adult stem cells and obtained positive results for them all. This included general improvements in cell expansion and stability of replication, which continued after the cell cultures were returned to Earth. In particular, they noted improvements with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a class of multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat cells – which gives rise to marrow adipose tissue, thus increasing bone density. When grown in microgravity, these cells were shown to be better at managing immune system responses and reducing inflammation. “That’s in comparison to the two-dimensional culture environment available on Earth that is less likely to imitate human tissue,” said Zubair. “The space research conducted so far is just a starting point. A broader perspective about stem cell applications is possible as research continues to explore the use of space to advance regenerative medicine.” While there is still a significant amount of research and testing to be done, these results are very promising and indicate that stem cells can be grown faster and in greater numbers in microgravity. Ghani and Zubair are confident that space-grown stem cells will help treat the most common causes of mortality here on Earth, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Further Reading: ScienceAlert! , NPJ Microgravity

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Quanterix Corporation QTRX resulting from allegations that Quanterix may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Quanterix securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31441 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On November 12, 2024, after market hours, Quanterix filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC. In this current report, the Company announced that on "November 11, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, based on the recommendation of the Company's management and after discussion with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP ("EY"), concluded that the Company's previously issued audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and its unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarterly and year-to-date (as applicable) periods ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022, September 30, 2022, March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024 (collectively, the "Non-Reliance Periods"), should no longer be relied upon." On this news, Quanterix's stock price fell $2.77 per share, or 18.3%, to close at $12.40 per share on November 13, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Lady Panthers, Lady Warriors beat foes, forge finals rematch

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Colombia on Thursday, the third stop of his Latin American tour that began in Brazil and continued in Costa Rica. In the Colombian capital, Bogotá, HH the Amir met President Gustavo Petro to discuss ways to enhance relations between the two countries in various fields and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. HH the Amir’s visit to Colombia and the discussions during the visit will strengthen bilateral relations and push them toward broader horizons. This reflects HH the Amir’s keenness to open new markets and opportunities for the Qatari economy, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and its ambitious goals to build stronger and more resilient relations with nations worldwide. The two countries enjoy distinguished relations, further reinforced by both sides’ desire to develop and elevate them across all fields, particularly in political, economic, and investment domains. These relations are based on mutual interests and respect, supported by numerous agreements signed between the two countries and official reciprocal visits at various levels. His Highess the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani visited Colombia in February 2013 as part of a tour that included Peru and Ecuador. This visit marked a pivotal moment in the development of co-operative relations. During the visit, discussions were held on bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them across various fields. A number of agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, including an air services agreement, a memorandum of understanding in the field of sports, a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Chamber and the Colombian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, a memorandum of understanding in the field of mining, and a memorandum of understanding in the area of investment. Additionally, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s visit to Colombia in July 2016 marked a new phase in bilateral relations. During this visit, an official meeting was held, chaired by HH the Amir and the then-president Juan Manuel Santos, which focused on bilateral relations in various fields and ways to enhance them in line with a shared commitment to further development, especially in the areas of investment and energy. A number of regional and international issues were also reviewed during the session. HH the Amir and Santos witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding at the Presidential Palace in Bogotá, including the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the two countries, an agreement to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports, a memorandum of understanding on legal and judicial co-operation, and a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Investment Authority and ProColombia to enhance investment co-operation and exchange information on investment opportunities in various sectors. As part of ongoing meetings and communications between the leaderships of the two countries, HH the Amir met President Gustavo Petro last December during COP28 in Dubai. They discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them in various fields, as well as issues on the Summit’s agenda and both countries’ efforts to combat climate change. In October, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani received Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo during his visit to Qatar, where they reviewed co-operation between the two countries and ways to strengthen it, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. To enhance political co-ordination, the first round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Qatar and Colombia was held in Bogotá in October of last year. The Qatari side was chaired by HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, while the Colombian side was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco J Coy. Also in October of last year, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi met in Doha with Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and co-operation in the energy sector between Qatar and Colombia and discussed ways to develop them further. As part of co-operation and consultations between the two countries in international forums and on global issues, representatives from the governments of Qatar, Colombia, and Finland in January 2022 emphasised the need for the swift implementation of the youth, peace, and security agenda worldwide. This was expressed in a high-level statement issued by representatives of the three governments at the conclusion of the High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes, which was held virtually from January 19 to 21, 2022. The High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes was a joint initiative by the governments of Qatar, Finland, and Colombia. The conference was co-organised by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and the Search for Common Ground, in partnership with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Women, the UN Development Programme, the UN Population Fund, Education Above All Foundation, and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. In June 2018, the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the UN and the Permanent Mission of Colombia at the UN hosted an event at the UN headquarters in New York to launch the book Herstory: Celebrating Women Leaders in the UN, which was prepared by the Permanent Missions of Qatar and Colombia. HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani said that Qatar’s participation in the creation of this book is a recognition of the leadership role of women at the UN and an opportunity to highlight significant achievements through a historical narrative in photographs. Related Story Amir sends congratulations to Colombia President Amir, UAE president discuss ways to bolster ties, joint Gulf actionLife-sized nutcrackers clad in red, blue and golden yellow diligently standing watch. A cardboard cutout of wide-eyed Hermey the Elf from the 1964 classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Blow-up molds of “Despicable Me” minions. Naperville lawns are as festive as ever this holiday season, boasting displays that give the North Pole a run for its candy canes. Don’t want to miss a moment of yuletide? One Naperville household has a list — yes, they’ve checked it twice — of the must-see merriment around town. Thanks to Deborah Nilles, Kevin Knoth and their daughter Megan, Naperville homes dressed up for the holidays are easy to find through a holly jolly-tailored Google map. A tool of local tidings years in the making, the map is now more than 100 addresses strong. Given that the 2024 iteration has only a few days left before it’s relegated to holiday history books, grab your gloves and your hot cocoa because there’s no time like the present for a winter wonderland stroll. “(There are) dozens and dozens of spectacular, beautiful properties,” Deborah Nilles said. “People with these big hearts that share their love for Christmas and the holidays with the community.” Map-registered displays are, aptly, delineated by way of little gingerbread men symbols. Clicking the sugary icons takes visitors to a small blurb about the menu of local decor, including addresses and pictures. For years, Deborah Nilles, Kevin Knoth and their daughter Megan Knoth have decked out their house at 630 Vicksburg Court for the holidays. Their display is known as “The Believe House.” (Deborah Nilles) This year’s holiday map is an ode to both longstanding inclusions and those that are just starting to move into the spotlight, Nilles said. One burgeoning display, for instance, is the Dog House of Naperville, which says happy howlidays with decorations paying homage to man’s best friend. Located at 408 E. 11th Ave., the Dog House made the Nilles’ holiday map for the first time last year. It was small to start, composed of just a few puppy dog pieces, she said. But for 2024, the Dog House upped the ante and returned with twice the number of canine furnishings. “I’m a sucker for a theme,” Nilles said. There’s also the Scott family’s acclaimed “Swiftmas” house at 1228 Atlas Lane, which for the second year in a row decked their Naperville home in a Taylor Swift-inspired lights display. For the second year in a row, longtime Naperville residents Amy and Brian Scott have decorated their house near Atlas Lane and Tupelo Avenue with a Taylor Swift-inspired holiday lights display. (Tess Kenny/Naperville Sun) And there are the oldies but goodies. Those displays, the ones that have lit up Naperville neighborhoods for decades, are Nilles’ favorites, she said. “My heart belongs to the people that have been doing this for 20, 30, 40 years,” she said. Nilles pointed to the Hennessy family, who convert their lawn at 326 S. Sleight St. into a vintage Christmas display every year. Or the Zavoral family at 2320 Remington Drive, who have a longtime practice of handing out free candy canes to light display viewers. The tradition of it all is something that resonates with Nilles and her family. It’s what inspired them to start compiling a holiday Google map for their neighbors in the first place. In fact, the whole endeavor began with the family establishing a decorating tradition of their own. Nilles, who is originally from Chicago’s North Side but moved to Naperville in the late 1980s, caught the Christmas bug about 15 years ago when the holidays got her family through a difficult time, she said. As they faced “personal struggles,” diving head first into decorating for the season became a way to “cheer us up,” she said. They started with a few key pieces. Chief among them was a large red sign that read, “Believe,” a mainstay adornment that still stands today and earned the family’s display the name, “The Believe House.” Over the years, their display, located at 630 Vicksburg Court, has blossomed into a full-lawn spectacle. The Believe House, pictured here, is a Naperville holiday lights display located at 630 Vicksburg Court. Those behind the display — Deborah Nilles, her husband Kevin Knoth and their daughter Megan Knoth — compile a list of houses across Naperville that also go all-out for the holidays. (Deborah Nilles) Meanwhile, along the way, the family’s decoration fervor started to stretch beyond their own porch with the creation of their local holiday lights map. Born about a decade ago, it was inspired by a similar catalog of local displays that the Naperville Sun used to publish annually, Nilles said. Like their own display, the family’s map — both in breadth and notoriety — has grown in time. Today, a Facebook page for the Believe House is up to 29,000 followers. And by the end of this season, Nilles expects their 2024 online directory to hit about four million views. As for compiling the map, it’s a mutlistep process that ramps up around Thanksgiving each year, she said. It involves Nilles doing a drive-by of previously listed displays as well as putting out a call over social media for new additions. When Nilles’ daughter, now 20 and attending Purdue University, was younger, they used to compose the map together. This year though, with Megan only back from college for a short winter break, Nilles assembled the map with the help of a special guest: her mother-in-law. “That was a treat,” she said. “With my (daughter) and my husband, they’ve seen all this, you know? ... But my mother-in-law was seeing most of (the displays) for the very first time. It was just dynamite. It was almost like seeing it through a child’s eyes. It was fabulous. She loved it. I loved it.” This holiday lights display is located at 357 S. Sleight St. in Naperville. (Deborah Nilles) Other moments that have made this year one for the books are new baubles added to their lawn, Nilles said. Namely, a blow mold of Santa Claus that traveled miles — and state borders — to find a home at the Believe House. That’s right, the display now boasts a Kris Kringle hailing from none other than Florida. The family drove out to the Sunshine state to retrieve the vintage figurine earlier this fall. “We had to go get Santa. We needed to rescue him from Florida,” Nilles quipped. “He was melting.” What hasn’t changed this year is the family’s commitment to imbuing fun with philanthropy. The Believe House is an official Salvation Army Red Kettle location. Since she was little, donating to the Salvation Army around the holidays has been as much a part of her family Christmases as stockings and presents, Nilles said. It was a no-brainer to continue the tradition with the Believe House, she said. Just as it was a no-brainer to draw up a holiday map for her community. “I think it’s worth sharing the love,” she said. “The effort that so many of these homeowners put into creating just these really magical displays around town that help bring a feeling of joy to the community. I know there’s a certain kind of peace that goes with Christmas and for me, going to see Christmas lights really epitomizes that.” tkenny@chicagotribune.comSouthern Miss secures 68-66 victory against Marshall

$4b spent a year on healthcare abroad

Recently a Dickinson College forum called attention to local homelessness, which is too often the result of low pay, high rent, few opportunities for a high quality education and job, and legislative inattention to their plight of those who do not make a living wage. The cost of living is overwhelming for those earning below the state average of $70,000. Even with a full-time minimum wage 40-hour week job, the pay is under $20,000. And even with a hard to find, relatively cheap, $1,000 a month apartment; you have to factor in a used car and gas to get to work and take kids to daycare (another big cost) or school events; clothes, toothpaste and soap, diapers and/or shoes; groceries and dish, toilet and floor cleaning products; medical and personal care products; health insurance, dental care and other essentials for living. Well, you add it up. Imagine an early childhood teaching job of $35,000, with a four-year college loan to pay off. Imagine a $38,000 nursing assistant job at a retirement home. Not a very merry Christmas. Something is not quite right here. Our elected legislators, who have consistently refused to raise the pitiful PA minimum wage of $7.25 to a living wage (like every state around us) will be getting a “cost of living” increase to their already generous paycheck. And we the people are paying for the $110,000 minimum wage of our legislators, whose required number of days on the job is what? 54 days? Not to mention per diem reimbursements for their “days of work” at $181—per day. That’s $117 for housing and $64 for food per day. Not to mention great health care, generous pensions, gifts from donors and an annual 3.38% raise for cost of living/inflation. So guess who gets a merry Christmas? Our well paid PA state lawmakers ended their recent session without reauthorizing a 20-year-old consumer protection law banning companies from shutting off low-income customers’ utilities during the winter. They “missed” the opportunity to protect low-income families. Discussions about cuts to SNAP — a nutritional lifeline for families in or near poverty — may also be on their chopping block, along with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. So, besides the vital work of calling, writing and visiting our local representatives, what can we do as a community for the 46,000 homeless students in PA? It was Thomas Jefferson who said in 1786 that we need a crusade against ignorance, because “the people alone can protect us against the evils of kings ... who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.” On public education, he said, “no other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom and happiness.” For all of our children this holiday season, let’s unite to stand up for the full and adequate funding that our PA Constitution and our state courts have demanded for all of our public schools. We are not alone in this. We are part of a community of people who are willing to stand up for the values and beliefs that we hold dear — a community that looks out for families over huge corporations and the rights of all of our people. When one of us believes that better is possible, and takes a leap of faith to invest in what will benefit everyone, we make what seems impossible, possible. When we stand up for the issues we all care about, the values we share, and the vision we’re building for our community, we are building together a beloved community that respects minority and women’s rights and strives to make bold changes that touch people’s daily lives. The vision we share for our country is still possible — if we continue to stand up for it. Every time we take an action in support the values we share, it is a leap of faith. But it is a New Year’s resolution that is worth making — and keeping. Jill Sunday Bartoli has taught at high school and college levels for over 30 years. Her research and writing focuses on equal opportunity to learn in public schools. A wage law in New York City meant to protect food delivery workers is getting backlash from app companies like Uber, GrubHub, and DoorDash. (AP Video/Robert Bumsted) #newyork #fooddelivery #minimumpay Subscribe for more Breaking News: http://smarturl.it/AssociatedPress Website: https://apnews.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP Facebook: https://facebook.com/APNews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ ​ This video may be available for archive licensing via https://newsroom.ap.org/home Jill Sunday Bartoli Jill Sunday Bartoli has taught at high school and college levels for over 30 years. Her research and writing focuses on equal opportunity to learn in public schools. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!