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app casino slots On the night of the election, Red Broadwell was home with his cat in Wilmington, North Carolina, working on his master’s thesis about transness and body horror in film. He tried not to doomscroll about the election results. But when the 23-year-old trans graduate student woke up the next morning to the news that Donald Trump had won the presidency, Broadwell began to panic. He said the results were “genuinely sickening” and caused him to experience panic attacks and bouts of nausea. He worried about his ability to continue taking testosterone and whether he would have to scramble to sort out top surgery sooner than he expected. Broadwell was finally able to start hormone replacement therapy last summer after moving out of Florida, which has banned care for minors and limited which providers can administer hormones to adults. “I’ve grown up in the South my whole life. I don’t really want to leave,” Broadwell said. “I love it down here, and I don’t want to abandon that. It sucks that every time there’s an election, I have to ask, ‘What’s going to happen to me and my friends?’” After Trump’s victory, trans people across the country are grappling with questions about their legal protections and access to gender-affirming care and reproductive health, as well as concerns over their physical safety — in short, what survival will look like. The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization, saw a 700% increase in people reaching out the day after the election compared to the weeks prior. During his campaign, Trump vowed to sign an executive order barring federal agencies from “the promotion of sex or gender transition at any age,” and has promised to restrict federal funding for hospitals or health care providers that perform gender-affirming care for minors. Republicans spent at least $215 million this campaign cycle on ads portraying trans people as a scourge to society, and the official party platform lists keeping “men out of women’s sports” as a priority. “It sucks that every time there’s an election, I have to ask, ‘What’s going to happen to me and my friends?’” And over the last two weeks, Trump has been busy stocking his administration with authors of Project 2025 — after claiming he knew “nothing” about the 920-page conservative playbook or who was behind it. Project 2025 outlines dozens of policies that essentially erase federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including allowing Medicare and Medicaid to deny coverage for gender-affirming care; redefining sex as “biological sex,” a phrase that has been used by the right to discriminate against trans people and particularly trans women; and reinstating the transgender military ban. “It’s a waking nightmare,” said Ash Orr, a trans organizer from West Virginia who is making plans to leave the red state with his spouse because of Trump’s victory. He is worried about his ability to get testosterone and access reproductive care and Plan B in a state that has a near-total ban on abortion. Orr’s nonprofit, Morgantown Pride, held a name change clinic and an event for Trans Day of Remembrance this week — and for the first time, Orr said, they had to hire security to ensure the patrons were safe from anti-trans protesters. “People have been emboldened, but this time, it feels completely unchecked,” Orr said. “The hatred coming toward our community has definitely intensified.” Even in bluer areas like Philadelphia, trans people are racing to make sure all of their legal documents — including passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates, social security cards and banking documents — reflect their correct gender marker and name. Several states, like Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Montana, have made it more difficult for trans people to update their gender marker on state-issued documents — and now many people are attending clinics hosted by community centers and law firms to finalize their paperwork ahead of any action under Trump that could make this process more difficult. Jordan Schwenderman, a transmasculine lesbian and public relations coordinator in Philadelphia, said they are working to update their name change with their health insurance. “I don’t want to give anyone another reason to justify not providing gender-affirming care to me because my name doesn’t match my documentation,” Schwenderman said. Kary Santayana, a nonbinary artist and content creator who worked on content for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign in Philadelphia, said that the outcome of the election has forced them and their partner to reevaluate some of their future plans. Santayana said the couple are in the early stages of talking about fertility and were hoping to get married next fall. “But at this point, we’re kind of reconsidering everything. We’re afraid if we freeze embryos, there will be legislation that will dictate what can happen to them with some sort of fetal personhood law under a Trump administration,” Santayana said. Santayana has an “X” gender marker on their license to denote their nonbinary identity, and now wonders if having that letter on their state identification could disclose them as trans and put them in possible danger while traveling. “I think in the safest way possible, I’m going to keep showing up and keep being queer online,” said Santayana, who makes queer fashion and lifestyle content. “What these MAGA conservatives want is for us to disappear.” While trans people have been preparing for life under Trump 2.0, the weeks after the election have also offered people an opportunity to gather in community, share resources and strategize. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who heads the Campaign for Southern Equality, said the organization has fielded many questions from people trying to plan for various worst-case scenarios. Some families of trans youth asked if they should prepare to travel internationally for gender-affirming care; others who already travel out-of-state for care wonder what might happen to their future clinic appointments if Trump imposes a federal ban on care for minors. Twenty-five states already have bans on gender-affirming care for minors. And several states have considered bills that would restrict access to care for adults, especially those who are on state insurance plans. As more and more states restricted trans health care, the Campaign for Southern Equality noticed a pattern of providers and pharmacies denying care to trans patients even in states where they were still legally allowed to provide it. The landscape for providers in red states has become very hostile as hospitals , clinics and individual physicians have become the subjects of lengthy investigations by conservative attorneys general. Beach-Ferrara’s organization created the Trans Youth Emergency Project in 2023 to help families of trans youth travel to out-of-state providers for gender-affirming care. The hope at the time was that one day, it would no longer be necessary, and that access to medical care , which has been proven to significantly reduce depression and other adverse health outcomes, would be protected at the federal level. Next month, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for U.S. v. Skrmetti, a high-profile case that will determine whether bans on gender-affirming care for minors violate the Constitution. The decision could come down from the 6-3 conservative-leaning court by next summer and throw a whole host of LGBTQ+ legal protections in jeopardy. While waiting on that decision, Beach-Ferrara said it’s helpful to think about the most immediate concerns. “We have the time in front of us to focus on helping as many people as possible get the care that they need,” she said. “At CSE, we are thinking about what can we do today? What can we do tomorrow? How can we be prepared if a ruling like that does come down next summer and bans go into effect?” She’s also thinking about what can be done at the local level. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, a mountainous town that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the hurricane, she said her community set up a supply station for queer and trans residents to receive hot lunch, free haircuts, massage therapy, and extra clothing and supplies for those who lost their homes. “Some people are coming just to be with queer community,” she said. “Some end up staying for hours during the day because it’s a safe space. As much as anything, people want to be connected and are trying to find their footing.” “I think in the safest way possible, I’m going to keep showing up and keep being queer online. What these MAGA conservatives want is for us to disappear.” Community care and mutual aid have long been a tenet of queer and trans political organizing, as well as organizing with leftist, feminist, abolitionist and Black radical political movements. Trans people have a deep history of helping one another survive, whether that be friends sharing hormones, crowdfunding payments for surgeries and rent, or even simply sharing information and guides for how to navigate the legal maze of changing one’s documents. Jan, a 57-year-old transwoman living in New York City, has been focused on building community, not just among other trans people but with people in the city who have been made vulnerable and marginalized. Jan asked to be identified only by her first name out of concern for her safety. Jan said she woke up sobbing the morning after Election Day. But by that evening, she had organized a large group of trans people to have dinner together. She said she feels “threatened” and wonders if she can count on the current protections she and her family have in New York. This week, she watched with disgust as Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) barred Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who is trans, from using the women’s restroom. Jan, who has two kids and has been given the affectionate nickname “antifa mom” by some of her co-organizers, said that the community dinners and her participation in a local food distribution group have helped her feel less trapped by the ever-encroaching conservative and transphobic bent in national politics. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. 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Log in to hide these messages. “The government is going to abandon us, but we’re not going to abandon each other,” Jan said. “We don’t have to choose to abandon each other.” Related From Our PartnerThe Winter session of the 18th Lok Sabha began again in a familiar fashion earlier this week with disruption, adjournment, and as usual, little progress. The opening day on Monday, November 25, and the follow-up week of parliament proceedings, saw again ruckus in the parliament where opposition was demanding a discussion on the “Adani controversy” that has again erupted and started echoing the walls of the parliament house derailing proceedings and important debate for around fifteen new bills and business hours that need to be discussed and passed in the parliament. Again, the images on Sansad TV that was carried by nearly all leading news channels, saw most of the lawmakers on their toes, either opposing or defending as tempers flared and accusations flew across both, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This session, too like the last two sessions of the eighteenth Lok Sabha session has become a mirror of the broader malaise gripping parliamentary decorum and egalitarianism. Parliament, which was always considered a temple of purposeful democracy, now appears to be a stage for political theatrics, which with a section of people is seen as eroding public confidence in its effectiveness. The masses who elect Members of Parliament (MPs), hope to get the best of the civil amenities, jobs, and development of their area and the country. The repeated disruptions of parliamentary sessions have become a sight of irritation for the grassroots. Once seen as a platform for high-minded debate and policy formulation, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are increasingly seen more as satire amid a ring of chaos. Or it is more visible as proceedings are directly telecast live. On television screens, many at times it is seen that lawmakers, elected to legislate, seem more intent on showcasing political brinkmanship than addressing the nation’s pressing concerns. Prime Minister Modi, accused the opposition of reducing Parliament to a tool for obstruction. The Prime Minister set the tone for the session with a sharp critique of opposition tactics, accusing them of undermining parliamentary proceedings for political gains. “Unfortunately, some people who have been rejected by the public 80-90 times are trying to control Parliament with the hooliganism of a handful of people,” he remarked. The Prime Minister appealed in maintaining the sanctity of Parliament and providing a platform for constructive debates. “There should be a healthy debate in Parliament, but, unfortunately, certain individuals resort to disruptions and chaos. Their sole purpose seems to be stopping the activities of Parliament. However, the people of this country observe their behaviour, and when the time comes, they punish them,” he said. PM Modi also expressed concern over the impact of such actions on young MPs. “It is most painful that new MPs, who come with new ideas and energy not just from one party but from all parties—are denied their rights. They do not even get a chance to speak in the House,” he lamented, highlighting the injustice faced by those eager to contribute. The opposition, as was expected, led by Congress demanded a detailed discussion on the Adani issue, accusing the government of failing to protect the interests of retail investors. In a tweet, Kharge, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha stated, “As the Parliament session begins, the first step the government should take is to have a detailed discussion on the Adani saga, which has the potential of tarnishing India’s image at the global stage.” The leader of the opposition emphasised the INDIA bloc’s concerns about monopolies and cartels dominating the economy. In a tweet, Khagre wrote, “We need healthy market-driven competition in the private sector, which facilitates equal opportunities, employment, and equitable wealth distribution.” urging the government to prioritise transparency and accountability. While both sides traded accusations, the nation’s legislative agenda continues to hang in the balance. The disruption of parliamentary proceedings is not a new phenomenon, nor is it unique to the current political climate. The BJP, when they were in opposition, then justified obstruction as a legitimate form of democratic expression. Arun Jaitley, the party’s leader in the Rajya Sabha during the UPA-II government, once remarked as quoted by the media that “parliamentary obstruction is not undemocratic.” Equally Sushma Swaraj as leader of opposition then echoed this sentiment in the Lok Sabha, calling disruptions as a method of holding the government accountable. Today, the tables have turned. As the ruling party, the BJP decries such tactics, with Prime Minister Modi condemning the opposition’s behaviour as “hooliganism.” This continuing oscillation of roles has reduced Parliament to a stage for political theatre, with each side more interested in scoring points than in meaningful result-oriented discussions and governance. The statistics as given by PRS Legislative Research, an Independent credible organisation, state some facts: The 18th Lok Sabha’s first two sessions lasted a mere 22 and 20 days, respectively, with significant time lost to disruptions. While there were moments of extended debate—such as 27 hours spent discussing the General Budget in the Lok Sabha—much of the budget was passed without detailed scrutiny, debate, and deliberation. One general complaint by the opposition MPs is that the Parliamentary committees, that once were celebrated as forums for bipartisan deliberation, are increasingly sidelined. Key bills are pushed through without referral to these committees, depriving expert scrutiny and informed debate. The ruling party however denies the allegations and says committees do exist but opposition members do not allow the healthy discussions. Another allegation is the absence of a Deputy Speaker for the entire tenure of the 17th Lok Sabha, and the failure to appoint one in the 18th further highlights the declining commitment to parliamentary norms. However, many senior experienced political observers say that the present Parliament’s decline is not only procedural but more worry is its behavioural conduct by the members. The conduct of MPs has often been called into question, with scenes of shouting, placard-waving, and even physical altercations becoming disturbingly common. As we witnessed, during the monsoon session of the 17th Lok Sabha, 27 MPs were suspended. Several of them for the entire session, for displaying placards and staging protests. Whatever may be the strength of the opposition or ruling party, maintaining decorum at the temple of democracy is essential. The hostility and point of difference should only remain as a point of difference within the walls of the parliament house, and rest outside the houses, all should remove the aggression, and anger, and work as one for the nation. Many times, discussions on important issues for the common person, like price rises or essential services, health services, education, climate change and ever-increasing pollution in the air, are more essential for citizens but get dissolved in the ding of continuing disruptions. Political observers believe that methods of disruptions and shouting are more used as tools to gain media attention, reducing Parliament to a battleground for publicity rather than a forum for governance. For ordinary citizens, the deterioration of parliamentary proceedings is frustrating. Parliament, which should be a beacon of democratic ideals, and lawmakers rather than in shouting matches should address the concerns of their constituents. This disillusionment has broader implications . When Parliament fails to function effectively, it undermines public faith in democratic institutions. It brings negative feelings to the new generation. Citizens then began to gossip and see their representatives not as problem-solvers but as part of the problem. It erodes the very sense of the political system. The consequences of a dysfunctional Parliament are far-reaching. The hasty passage of any law sometimes boomerangs.For example, the farm laws during the 17th Lok Sabha are a case study. These laws were pushed in haste. It is believed that not sufficient consultation was done even though theoretical ideas were great. Without dissemination of the laws and consultations at the grassroots, it sparked protests that lasted over a year and finally ended in their repeal. Whether it is the impact of climate change, the challenges of economic inequality, or the complexities of national security, these debates are essential for shaping policy and guiding the future of a developing country that is presently seen by several other countries as a role model. Collective effort and some concrete steps from all stakeholders to uplift the decor and decorum of the Parliament is the need of the hour. Parliamentary committees must be restored to their central role in the legislative process. There should be fixed hours for debates on critical or contentious issues that can help ensure that disruptions do not derail the entire session. One can agree to disagree but by introducing a few hours to discussions may lead to decorum of the house. It would not only provide a structured platform for opposition parties to voice their concerns but also preserve time for legislative business. All political parties must take the lead in fostering a culture of dialogue and look for results in a realistic rather than confrontational way. While the opposition has a responsibility to engage constructively, the government must also demonstrate a willingness to accommodate dissenting views. Restoring dialogue could go a long way in reducing hostility. Parliament needs to rebuild public trust as it is diminishing. Parliament needs to demonstrate its relevance to citizens’ lives. Initiatives like televised explanations of legislative debates, citizen consultations on major bills, and public outreach programs can help bridge the gap between lawmakers and the electorate. Digital tools can be used to improve transparency and engagement with the common masses for a constructive approach. For example, interactive platforms for citizen feedback, and virtual public hearings could make Parliament more accessible and accountable. It helps in bringing real-time updates on parliamentary proceedings to the common masses. As suggested by the Prime Minister, the first-term MPs should be given more chances in debates, which helps in bringing new ideas and innovations. Parliament in all sessions should create opportunities and give special attention to these new voices to contribute. India, as we all know, is one of the world’s largest democracies and upcoming global economic leaders dealing business with every country of the world that matters. India is also aspiring to be on a higher table of international multilateral organisations that matter. India should lead by example. It requires a functioning meaningful legislature that reflects the aspirations of its people and sets an example of success. Prime Minister Modi’s call for constructive debate is a step in the right direction, but it must be matched by concrete actions to restore Parliament’s dignity and effectiveness. The challenges will continue but will lead to many rewards. By prioritising dialogue, deliberation, and fairness, Parliament can reclaim its place as the bedrock of India’s democratic aspirations and as a model for the world. Author is National Editor, Greater Kashmir.Katrina Kaif Adds Rs 3 Crore Range Rover Autobiography to Her Car Collection

( MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - The Cabinet on Saturday approved a series of decisions it said aimed at modernising the public sector, improving government services, and advancing digital transformation. A Prime Ministry statement said that the decisions include "critical" updates to the public sector human resources bylaw, a new policy on blockchain technology, and several legislative amendments. The Cabinet, during its Saturday session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, endorsed the 2024 amendments to the Public Sector Human Resources bylaw, which will be sent to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for review. The amendments aim to streamline governance by merging the bylaw with the amended Civil Service bylaw into a single, cohesive framework, the statement said. The Cabinet also approved the Blockchain Technology Policy for 2025. Touted as a cornerstone of Jordan's digital transformation, the policy aims to strengthen government operations through improved transparency, security, and efficiency, according to the statement. The policy outlines several objectives, including protecting sensitive data such as financial, educational, and health records, streamlining government processes to save time and money, encourage innovation in industries, supporting start-ups and building a skilled workforce that understands blockchain technology. The Council of Ministers also approved new administrative regulations for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to improve its performance. Several legislative measures were also approved by the Cabinet, including Law on the National Commission for Women's Affairs and the Civil Aviation Law. MENAFN22122024000028011005ID1109022174 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Ruth’s upbringing, where shelves were lined with jars of preserved homegrown vegetables, inspired this colourful beginner’s guide to pickling and fermentation. Requiring no specialist equipment, there are classics – sauerkraut, kimchi, dill pickles – and wildcards such as fiery pickled sausage. Each recipe includes a suggested accompaniment. Kin cements Mitchell’s position as one of the UK’s leading voices on Caribbean food. She’s a family chronicler, curious cultural researcher and, above all, a chef who knows what people want – honey jerk wings, saltfish fritters, pepperpot and her famed lime cheesecake. A delicious exploration of how cultural and personal identities intertwine. In a celebration of al fresco feasting, Graves makes a compelling case to keep the coals burning all year round. Each season has a chapter: curried brown butter new potato salad in spring; tequila-macerated strawberries in summer; autumn’s smoky aubergine and maple-pickled sultanas; whole Marmitey cabbage for the winter. The peppy menus are comprehensive and interchangeable. Tan is a chef, teacher and food scholar who built a school of Asian culinary excellence in rural Australia. This book is a cultural grounding reminiscent of the works of Claudia Roden or Elizabeth David. Tan starts with Malaysian classics such as char kwey taow and nasi lemak, moves further afield (India, Japan) and includes his own creations. At the Pem in London, Sally Abé runs a kitchen largely staffed by women, but her rise to the top was anything but female dominated. Her memoir is a story of graft and tenacity, learned amid the often military brutality of professional kitchens. It is unflinching and funny, and features plenty of candid stories. Famed for showstopping roasts at his London gastropub, the Camberwell Arms, Davies’ first cookbook also makes him the king of entertaining. Cooking for friends isn’t always easy, but his reassuring voice fills you with confidence. His influences sweep through Europe with osso bucco and romesco, but you can tell by his sticky toffee pudding that his heart belongs in Britain. A not entirely faithful take on Greek food that prioritises convenience and imagination over tradition. Who cares when the recipes are as good as Hayden’s comforting youvetsi (meat and orzo stew), hearty spanakopita risotto and indulgent baklava cheesecake. She draws on her Cypriot roots and travels across Greece to deliver clever dishes that work. In his notebooks Slater collects “haphazard observations” about life, crystallising its details – a mango in a Goan rainstorm, the pockmarks in a well made pancake – in quietly poetic prose. It’s not just about food; he also writes about packing light and tending his garden, but it’s the descriptions of mosslike matcha tea and brick-red tomato soup that linger. Jones has identified 12 everyday ingredients that punch well above their weight, including lemons, capers, chillies and vinegar, and structured her latest book around them. The recipes, all vegetarian, are reliably great – artichoke and butter bean paella, lemon and bay pudding – and there’s a wealth of knowledge on subjects such as salting and layering flavour. The Observer’s restaurant critic may be best known for his merciless skewerings, but now he is redressing the balance. Rayner is a keen home cook and here he reverse-engineers the restaurant dishes that have wowed him over the years, providing interpretations of Oslo Court’s duck à l’orange, Persian Cottage’s fesenjan and – yes – Greggs’s steak bakes.NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting . He didn’t pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He had combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title , playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder . “The ultimate goal from the beginning was to win a World Series, which we are able to accomplish,” he said through a translator. “The next goal is for me to do it again and so right now I’m in the middle of rehab and working out and getting stronger.” When Ohtani returns to the mound, could he win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same year? “That would obviously be great, but right now my focus is just to get to get back healthy, come back stronger, get back on the mound and show everybody what I can do,” Ohtani said. Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP in a season that started with the revelation his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, had stolen nearly $17 million from the star to fund gambling. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and ’21. “I was telling him, `Man, I’m going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,’” Judge recalled. “He’d say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he’ll do.” When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. “March and April were not my friend this year.” Judge said. “Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can’t mope. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?” ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB Ronald Blum, The Associated Press

SEVEN months into the war in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Said al-Halimy began documenting his daily routine in earnest. Al-Halimy, known by his friends and online as Medo, already had a teenager’s knack for capturing sunsets, songs and life’s milestones in short video snippets. That life was fractured after Israeli bombs fell on Gaza in response to the Hamas-led Oct 7, 2023, attack, destroying his university and forcing him into a makeshift beach campsite. As months of fighting ground into the summer, and his displacement became more entrenched, al-Halimy turned his phone camera to the surreal experience of everyday reality in dystopian circumstances. “I wanted to show something positive, some resilience despite the daily suffering,” al-Halimy, 19, said in a July interview, adding that he hoped to capture an “unseen side of our lifestyle.” Palestinians trapped in Gaza have been recording the war since it began, in often harrowing videos that have given a close-up view of the Israeli bombardment to millions of people worldwide. Many of their posts – raw, personal and at times graphic – went viral early in the conflict as traditional news media outlets struggled to get reporters into the blockaded enclave. Now, young Palestinians in Gaza are sharing a different window into their lives: their routines amid a year-old war with seemingly no end in sight. Al-Halimy began posting about the hourslong wait to fill containers with drinking water, about concocting recipes with limited food supplies, and about a new garden plot he created in the soil beside the tent encampment that had for months been his family’s shelter. Showing his new baby mint plant to his Instagram followers, he asked, “Tell me in the comments, what should I name her?” More than 6,000 miles away in central Florida, Sierra Taft, 36, was watching, checking al-Halimy’s accounts regularly for updates and worrying about his wellbeing. “He felt like somebody that if I had met face to face, I could be best friends with,” she said. A still image from a video on the Instagram account of Mohammed Said alHalimy in Gaza. Life in Gaza through Instagram Some Palestinians in Gaza document how they cook meals over open fires, using whatever few ingredients are available. Others unpack aid boxes or share exercise routines where doorways double as pull-up bars. And some show how friendly football and chess games are squeezed between piles of rubble and long lines for water. With a command of English and growing followings, these Palestinian creators share their perspectives and appeal for help using the language of online influencers around the world who have amassed vast audiences by filming the minutiae of their lives. So, when Palestinian creators like al-Halimy portray normal activities such as exercising or cooking against the backdrop of war, it is “a language that reaches,” said Laura Cervi, an associate professor of journalism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona who has studied Palestinian activism online. “It’s not a number. It’s not like the complex journalistic vernacular,” she said, adding that from the perspective of viewers, “It’s a guy like me that is telling me that he exists – in the way I exist.” Before the war, Mohammed Faris said his favourite place was the gym. Faris, a Khan Younis resident, had just started his first year at Al-Aqsa University when the war broke out. His parents, employees of UNRWA, the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, encouraged him to start documenting his life. Since April, he has been sharing his diet and exercise routines under the account “Gymrat in Gaza,” which has gained more than 180,000 followers. “Why not grab this opportunity to talk to the world?” he said in a recent interview from Khan Younis while refilling his supply of water. Faris said he had raised nearly US$13,000 (RM58,062) online since he started posting videos, and hoped eventually to evacuate his family from Gaza. He said his audience enjoyed it when he incorporated memes and jokes. “I like to add this touch of sense of humour,” he said. But he struggles with the instability of being displaced from his home and the scarcity of healthy foods, he said. Finding stable internet connections can be a challenge, and he sometimes waits hours for a video to upload. “What I want people to receive from my vlogs is that we are trying to cope with the situation,” he said. The fighting has pushed most Palestinians in Gaza into shrinking areas designated by Israel as “humanitarian zones,” though UN officials and aid groups have said that no place in Gaza is safe and they fear famine. Some viewers have criticised al-Halimy and others like him, accusing them of sharing misinformation, or questioning their struggle given their lighthearted messaging. “I’m just showing you the 1% of my life – the 1% that I’m trying to have fun,” he said in a video posted in May. He added: “We’ve been through hell.” A global reach Even before the war, young Palestinians were adopting the lighter tone of online social media to conduct what Cervi calls “playful activism,” pointing to TikTok trends that incorporate humour to make political points. The insistence on sharing everyday routines or incorporating a lighter tone into material about the war, she added, is its own form of defiance. “It’s very political because they’re saying, ‘We’re surviving and we will keep on,’” she said. Framing these videos as lifestyle content, she said, makes it more likely that social media algorithms will share them with a broader audience. Activists elsewhere have used playfully framed videos on social media platforms to share messaging about other causes, Cervi said, such as the struggle to combat the killing of women in Latin America. Researchers say that social media postings not only can elevate causes but tend to simplify them by removing nuance and centring on each creator’s perspective. What seem like candid moments can actually be carefully chosen and edited for effect. Al-Halimy said creating videos helped him endure his everyday hardships. “I do my best to set up new, bright sides of my tent life and make it a day to remember,” he said in an interview in the summer. “A moment of pain, to a moment of hope.” A graduate of a high school for gifted students, al-Halimy had studied in Texas under a State Department program. He said in July that his family had decided to stay together in Gaza, instead of being separated. His online following was growing fast, and he hoped to raise enough money for them all to leave. On Aug 25, he shared his final video on Instagram. The next afternoon, according to a friend who was with him, al-Halimy was at a makeshift cafe in Khan Younis when he was struck in the head by shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike. His brother, Zeid al-Halimy, said that he died at a Khan Younis hospital. In the months since al-Halimy’s death, his followers have been re-watching his videos and have left dozens of tributes in the comments. Some vowed to plant mint in their own gardens to remember him, and a fundraising effort for his family has surged to more than US$137,000. Weeks after his death, Taft, who had never met al-Halimy in person, said she still thought about him every day. She compared losing him to another recent blow, the death of a close school friend. “It’s the same feeling of loss,” she said. Other Palestinians she followed online are never far from her mind. “I’m wondering who the next one is going to be,” she said. — © 2024 The New York Times CompanyRetailers coax Black Friday shoppers into stores with big discounts and giveaways NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers in the U.S. have used giveaways and bigger-than expected discounts to reward shoppers who ventured out on Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving still reigns for now as the unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping season even if it’s lost some luster. Analysts reported seeing the biggest crowds at stores that offered real savings. They say many shoppers are being cautious with their discretionary spending despite the easing of inflation. Stores are even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there are five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Online sales figures from Thanksgiving Day gave retailers a reason to remain hopeful for a lucrative end to the year. Southwest Airlines says it is ending cabin service earlier to reduce chance of injury Southwest Airlines is ending its cabin service earlier starting next month. Beginning on Dec. 4, a company spokesperson says flight attendants will begin preparing the cabin for landing at an altitude of 18,000 feet instead of 10,000 feet. The company says it's making the changes to reduce the risk of in-flight turbulence injuries. For passengers, that means they will need to return their seats to an upright position or do other pre-landing procedures earlier than before. While turbulence-related fatalities are quite rare, injuries have piled up over the years. Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — While retailers hope to go big this holiday season, customers may notice that the catalogs arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were scaled down to save on postage and paper. Some gift purveyors are sending out postcards. In a sign of the times, the American Catalog Mailers Association rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, industry experts say catalogs help retailers cut through the noise and still hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs. Canada's Trudeau says he had an 'excellent conversation' with Trump in Florida after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump in Florida after the president-elect’s threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City. It's unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada on Saturday, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. Trump’s transition team hasn't responded to questions about what the leaders had discussed at their dinner Friday night at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he said was the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans swept to power on Election Day and now control the House, the Senate and the White House, with plans for an ambitious 100-day agenda come January. Their to-do list includes extending tax breaks, cutting social programs, building the border wall to stop immigration and rolling back President Joe Biden's green energy policies. Atop that list is a plan to renew some $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts that were a signature domestic achievement of Republican Donald Trump’s first term as president. It's an issue that may define his return to the White House. The ruble's in a slump. For the Kremlin, that's a two-edged sword Russia’s ruble is sagging against other currencies, complicating the Kremlin’s efforts to keep consumer inflation under control with one hand even as it overheats the economy with spending on the war against Ukraine with the other. Over time a weaker ruble could mean higher prices for imports from China, Russia's main trade partner these days. President Vladimir Putin says things are under control. One wild card is sanctions against a key Russian bank that have disrupted foreign trade payments. If Russia finds a workaround for that, the ruble could regain some of its recent losses. Iceland votes for a new parliament after political disagreements force an early election REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders are electing a new parliament after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This will be Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Massachusetts lawmakers push for an effort to ban all tobacco sales over time BOSTON (AP) — A handful of Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping to persuade their colleagues to support a proposal that would make the state the first to adopt a ban meant to eliminate the use of tobacco products over time. Other locations have weighed similar “generational tobacco bans.” The bans phase out the use of tobacco products based not just on a person's age but on birth year. Lawmakers plan to file the proposal next year. If approved, the bill would set a date and ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born after that date forever, eventually banning all sales. Vietnam approves $67 billion high-speed railway project between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam has approved the construction of a high-speed railway connecting the capital Hanoi in the north with the financial capital of Ho Chi Minh in the south. It is expected to cost $67 billion and will stretch 1,541 kilometers (957 miles). The new train is expected to travel at speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph), reducing the journey from the current 30 hours to just five hours. The decision was taken by Vietnam’s National Assembly on Saturday. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and Vietnam hopes that the first trains will start operating by 2035. But the country has been beleaguered by delays to its previous infrastructure projects. Inflation rose to 2.3% in Europe. That won't stop the central bank from cutting interest rates FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro currency rose in November — but that likely won’t stop the European Central Bank from cutting interest rates as the prospect of new U.S. tariffs from the incoming Trump administration adds to the gloom over weak growth. The European Union’s harmonized index of consumer prices rose 2.3 percent, up from 2.0% in October, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat. However, worries about growth mean the Dec. 12 ECB meeting is not about whether to cut rates, but by how much. Market buzz says there could be a larger than usual half-point cut in the benchmark rate, currently 3.25%.