magic ocean potion

magic ocean potion One of my top shows of 2024 actually premiered in 2021. That’s because it took a couple of years for the Australian series “The Newsreader” to make its way Stateside. Alas, it was only legal to stream in the U.S. for a handful of weeks in September and then — pffft! — it was gone before most people had even heard of it. Well, I have great news. The show will be available once again, this time via Sundance Now (accessible through the AMC+ streaming platform), which has licensed the first season. Premiering Dec. 19, it stars Anna Torv (“Fringe”) and Sam Reid (“Interview with the Vampire”) as TV reporters in Melbourne, circa 1986. At the outset, Reid’s character exudes big loser energy, which is such an amusing contrast to his work as Lestat. The show is unexpectedly funny and terrifically Machiavellian in its portrayal of small-time office politics, and I’m thrilled audiences in the U.S. will get another shot at watching it. Overall, 2024 offered a modestly better lineup than usual, but I’m not sure it felt that way. Too often the good stuff got drowned out by Hollywood’s pointless and endless pursuit of rebooting intellectual property (no thank you, Apple’s “Presumed Innocent” ) and tendency to stretch a perfectly fine two-hour movie premise into a saggy multi-part series (“Presumed Innocent” again!). There were plenty of shows I liked that didn’t make this year’s list, including ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and CBS’ “Ghosts” (it’s heartening to see the network sitcom format still thriving in the streaming era), as well as Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside” (Ted Danson’s charisma selling an unlikely premise) and Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” (a high-concept parody of racial stereotypes and cop show tropes, even if it couldn’t sustain the idea over 10 episodes). Maybe it just felt like we were having more fun this year, with Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple” (Nicole Kidman leading a traditional manor house mystery reinterpreted with an American sensibility) and Hulu’s “Rivals” (the horniest show of 2024, delivered with a wink in the English countryside). I liked what I saw of Showtime’s espionage thriller “The Agency” (although the bulk of episodes were unavailable as of this writing). The deluge of remakes tends to make me cringe, but this year also saw a redo of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” on Netflix that was far classier than most of what’s available on the streamer. Starring Andrew Scott, I found it cool to the touch, but the imagery stayed with me. Shot in black and white, it has an indelible visual language courtesy of director of photography Robert Elswit, whether capturing a crisp white business card against the worn grain wood of a bar top, or winding stairways that alternately suggest a yawning void or a trap. As always, if you missed any of these shows when they originally premiered — the aforementioned titles or the Top 10 listed below — they are all available to stream. Top 10 streaming and TV shows of 2024, in alphabetical order: The least cynical reality show on television remains as absorbing as ever in Season 4, thanks to the probing questions and insights from the show’s resident therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik. Everything is so charged. And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable. There’s something so optimistic in that outlook. Whether or not you relate to the people featured on “Couples Therapy” — or even like them as individuals — doesn’t matter as much as Guralnik’s reassuring presence. Created by and starring Diarra Kilpatrick, the eight-episode series defies categorization in all the right ways. Part missing-person mystery, part comedy about a school teacher coming to grips with her impending divorce, and part drama about long-buried secrets, it has tremendous style right from the start — sardonic, knowing and self-deprecating. The answers to the central mystery may not pack a satisfying punch by the end, but the road there is as entertaining and absorbing as they come. We need more shows like this. A comedy created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez (of the antic YouTube series “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo”), the show has a sensibility all its own, despite a handful of misinformed people on social media calling it a ripoff of “Abbott Elementary.” There’s room enough in the TV landscape for more than one sitcom with a school setting and “English Teacher” has a wonderfully gimlet-eyed point of view of modern high school life. I’m amused that so much of its musical score is Gen-X coded, because that neither applies to Alvarez (a millennial) nor the fictional students he teaches. So why does the show feature everything from Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” to Exposé’s “Point of No Return”? The ’80s were awash in teen stories and maybe the show is using music from that era to invoke all those tropes in order to better subvert them. It’s a compelling idea! It’s streaming on Hulu and worth checking out if you haven’t already. A one-time tennis phenom accuses her former coach of coercing her into a sexual relationship in this British thriller. The intimacy between a coach and athlete often goes unexplored, in real-life or fictional contexts and that’s what the show interrogates: When does it go over the line? It’s smart, endlessly watchable and the kind of series that would likely find a larger audience were it available on a more popular streamer. There’s real tenderness in this show. Real cruelty, too. It’s a potent combination and the show’s third and strongest season won it an Emmy for best comedy. Jean Smart’s aging comic still looking for industry validation and Hannah Einbinder’s needy Gen-Z writer are trapped in an endless cycle of building trust that inevitably gives way to betrayal. Hollywood in a nutshell! “Hacks” is doing variations on this theme every season, but doing it in interesting ways. Nobody self-sabotages their way to success like these two. I was skeptical about the show when it premiered in 2022 . Vampire stories don’t interest me. And the 1994 movie adaptation starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt wasn’t a persuasive argument to the contrary. But great television is great television and nothing at the moment is better than this show. It was ignored by Emmy voters in its initial outing but let’s hope Season 2 gets the recognition it deserves. Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy. I wouldn’t categorize the series as horror. It’s not scary. But it is tonally self-assured and richly made, rarely focused on the hunt for dinner but on something far more interesting: The melodrama of vampire existence, with its combination of boredom and lust and tragedy and zingers. Already renewed for Season 3, it has an incredible cast (a thrilling late-career boost for Eric Bogosian) and is well worth catching up with if you haven’t already. It’s been too long since the pleasures of banter fueled a romantic comedy in the spirit of “When Harry Met Sally.” But it’s all over the place in “Nobody Wants This,” one of the best shows on Netflix in recent memory. Renewed for a second season, it stars Kristen Bell as a humorously caustic podcaster and Adam Brody as the cute and emotionally intelligent rabbi she falls for. On the downside, the show has some terrible notions about Jewish women that play into controlling and emasculating stereotypes. You hate to see it in such an otherwise sparkling comedy, because overall Bell and Brody have an easy touch that gives the comedy real buoyancy. I suspect few people saw this three-part series on PBS Masterpiece, but it features a terrific performance by Helena Bonham Carter playing the real-life, longtime British soap star Noele “Nolly” Gordon, who was unceremoniously sacked in 1981. She’s the kind of larger-than-life showbiz figure who is a bit ridiculous, a bit imperious, but also so much fun. The final stretch of her career is brought to life by Carter and this homage — to both the soap she starred in and the way she carried it on her back — is from Russell T. Davies (best known for the “Doctor Who” revival). For U.S. viewers unfamiliar with the show or Gordon, Carter’s performance has the benefit of not competing with a memory as it reanimates a slice of British pop culture history from the analog era. The year is 1600 and a stubborn British seaman piloting a Dutch ship washes ashore in Japan. That’s our entry point to this gorgeously shot story of power games and political maneuvering among feudal enemies. Adapted from James Clavell’s 1975 novel by the married team of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, it is filled with Emmy-winning performances (for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada; the series itself also won best drama) and unlike something like HBO’s far clunkier “House of the Dragon,” which tackles similar themes, this feels like the rare show created by, and for, adults. The misfits and losers of Britain’s MI5 counterintelligence agency — collectively known as the slow horses, a sneering nickname that speaks to their perceived uselessness — remain as restless as ever in this adaptation of Mick Herron’s Slough House spy novels. As a series, “Slow Horses” doesn’t offer tightly plotted clockwork spy stories; think too deeply about any of the details and the whole thing threatens to fall apart. But on a scene-by-scene basis, the writing is a winning combination of wry and tension-filled, and the cumulative effect is wonderfully entertaining. Spies have to deal with petty office politics like everyone else! It’s also one of the few shows that has avoided the dreaded one- or two-year delay between seasons, which has become standard on streaming. Instead, it provides the kind of reliability — of its characters but also its storytelling intent — that has become increasingly rare. Nina Metz is a Tribune critic.HOUSTON (AP) — Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans were far from perfect Sunday. But they did just enough to outlast the mistake-prone Houston Texans and get their first AFC South win of the season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

PuSh Festival announces dynamic lineup for its milestone 20th anniversaryA man arranges toy propellers to display the phrase: “Without evidence, release him,” referring to Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je, in front of the Taipei District Court in Zhongzheng District yesterday.Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times ‘BRIBERY, CORRUPTION’:Prosecutors accused the former Taipei mayor of unlawfully helping a corporation, as well as accumulating about NT$93.71 million illegally By Jason Pan / Staff reporter 請繼續往下閱讀... Prosecutors yesterday indicted Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on charges of corruption, embezzlement, breach of trust and other alleged offenses, requesting a combined 28-year, six-month prison term for the former Taipei mayor. Ten other defendants were also indicted by the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, mainly for alleged bribery and abuse of public office for private benefit, while some face money laundering, forgery, fraudulent accounting and other similar charges. Investigators have gathered sufficient evidence and testimony from witnesses in four separate cases from when Ko served as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022, and during his campaign leading up to the presidential election in January, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kao I-shu (高一書) told a news conference in Taipei. The four cases relate to the former city administration’s dealings with the Core Pacific City (京華城購物中心) redevelopment project, use of political donations, use of a foundation and alleged bribery, prosecutors said. Officials have accused Ko and other defendants of granting unlawful financial benefits in the Core Pacific City case, embezzlement of political donations, breach of trust by illegally transferring funds from a foundation to pay presidential campaign expenses and false declarations of assets relating to political donations. When Ko was mayor, he allegedly helped Core Pacific Group (威京集團) and its subsidiary gain unlawful financial benefits of more than NT$12.105 billion (US$370.23 million), prosecutors said. Meanwhile, accounts controlled by Ko have accumulated about NT$93.71 million in alleged unlawful gains, Kao said. Ko has been accused of receiving NT$17.1 million in kickbacks and embezzling NT$68.35 million from his presidential campaign, Kao said. Ko allegedly arranged illegal transfers from his public affairs foundation totaling NT$8.27 million to pay for expenses and wages during his presidential campaign, prosecutors said. “Ko violated the declaration he made when he was sworn in as Taipei mayor that he would obey the nation’s laws not to take bribes or engage in corruption while serving in public office,” Kao said, reading from the indictment. Prosecutors obtained written instructions for other suspects to swiftly leave Taiwan and notes to check on the financial accounts of Muko Public Relations Co (木可公關), Kao said. Muko PR was contracted by the TPP to manage its presidential campaign funds. Investigators found shredded documents with the instructions, as well as torn notes at Ko’s office, indicating that he had tried to destroy evidence, Kao said. Moreover, his attitude was hostile during the investigation, he said. Based on the evidence and the other factors, prosecutors pressed charges and requested the nearly 30-year sentence, he said. They also requested Ko be deprived of his civil rights for 10 years and fined NT$50 million according to stipulations of the Anti-Corruption Act (貪污治罪條例), he said. Prominent figures among the other defendants include Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), chairman of Core Pacific Group; Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), a former Taipei deputy mayor; Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying (應曉薇); Wu Shun-min (吳順民), Ying’s office assistant; Lee Wen-chung (李文宗), who was in charge of Ko’s presidential campaign finances; and Tuanmu Cheng (端木正), an accountant. Other defendants are Chu Yea-hu (朱亞虎), former head of Dingyue Development Corp (鼎越開發), a subsidiary of Core Pacific Group; Taipei Urban Planning Commission Executive Secretary Shao Hsiu-pei (邵琇珮); Huang Ching-mao (黃景茂), a former head of the Taipei Urban Development Department; and Chang Chih-cheng (張志澄), a Core Pacific Group supervisor. In the indictment, prosecutors requested that Sheen be handed a 12-year prison term and fined NT$30 million for charges of illegally obtaining financial benefits, and five years and NT$3 million for bribery. Ying received NT$52.5 million in bribes from Sheen to use her position as a councilor to shield the Core Pacific City project amid evaluations by Taipei regulatory and urban planning agencies, the indictment said. She pressed agencies to approve a higher floor area ratio through verbal abuse and scorn during meetings and telephone calls, putting mental and other stresses on city employees, the indictment said. Ying was accused of contravening her public duty by taking bribes to push for financial gains for a corporation and laundering the money abroad. She allegedly attempted to evade prosecution by fleeing to Hong Kong, but was stopped at the airport, prosecutors said, adding that she refused to cooperate during questioning. They sought a 13-year sentence and a fine of NT$30 million on bribery charges for Ying, while the money laundering charges and those related to her alleged receipt of NT$52.5 million in bribes warrant a three-and-a-half year sentence and a fine of NT$20 million, prosecutors said. 新聞來源: TAIPEI TIMES Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kao I-shu speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday.Photo: CNA A Taipei District Court representative, right, yesterday draws lots to determine judges for trials related to corruption and bribery cases involving Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je.Photo: CNA Media workers photograph documents at the Taipei District Court yesterday from an investigations involving Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je.Photo: CNA 不用抽 不用搶 現在用APP看新聞 保證天天中獎 點我下載APP 按我看活動辦法

By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.Today's fortune: Nov. 28, 2024

Nov 21 (Reuters) - New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was named winner of the American League's Most Valuable Player award on Thursday in a unanimous vote. Judge, who led Major League Baseball in a slew of categories, beat out Juan Soto, a free agent who spent the 2024 season with the Yankees, and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for his second MVP award, having won in 2022. "I want to congratulate Aaron on earning this distinguished honor, and I couldn’t be happier for such an amazing person and leader," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement. "After having a front row seat for his 2022 MVP performance, I really couldn’t envision a player having a better and more complete baseball season. But that’s exactly what he accomplished in 2024. "I'm beyond fortunate to be able to manage Aaron, and I look forward to watching him further cement his legacy as one of this generation’s greatest players." Judge, who led MLB in homers, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and walks, received all 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Judge is the 17th multiple MVP winner in the American League. Sign up here. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Chris Reese and Ed Osmond Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Dr. Manmohan Singh, born on September 26, 1932, in Gah, a village in the Punjab province of undivided India (now in Pakistan), is widely regarded as one of India’s most influential economists and statesmen. His journey from modest beginnings to global prominence is a testament to his intellectual brilliance and unwavering commitment to public service. Dr. Singh’s academic path began at Punjab University, where he completed his matriculation in 1948. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1952 and a master’s degree in 1954. His exceptional academic performance earned him a scholarship to the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with first-class honours in the Economic Tripos in 1957. He furthered his studies at Oxford University, earning a DPhil in economics in 1962, with a thesis focused on India’s trade policies. After completing his education, Dr. Singh began his professional career in academia, teaching at Panjab University and the Delhi School of Economics. His expertise extended to international organisations, including a role at the UNCTAD Secretariat and as the Secretary-General of the South Commission in Geneva from 1987 to 1990. His deep understanding of India’s economic challenges was further honed through key positions within the Indian government, such as Economic Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, Chief Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. Dr. Singh’s defining moment came in 1991 when he was appointed Finance Minister during a severe economic crisis. In this role, he introduced sweeping reforms that liberalised India’s economy, including dismantling the Licence Raj and opening trade policies to global markets. His 1991 Budget speech, quoting Victor Hugo, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come,” marked the beginning of India’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse. In 2004, Dr. Singh became the 14th Prime Minister of India, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for two consecutive terms. Known for his intellectual depth and quiet determination, his leadership focused on inclusive development and social empowerment. Key initiatives during his tenure included the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Right to Information Act, and the Civil Nuclear Agreement with the United States. Dr. Singh’s long parliamentary career saw him serve as a member of the Rajya Sabha for several decades. He also earned numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan and honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions like Cambridge and Oxford. His legacy as a transformative economist and statesman endures, inspiring generations to come. Survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and their three daughters, Dr. Singh’s impact on India’s economic and political landscape remains profound. Also Read: Nation Mourns The Loss Of Manmohan Singh: A Leader, Mentor, And Architect Of Economic Revolution Written By Priyanka Negi Updated By Priyanka Negi

For children, parental guidance is essential to ensure that they use their devices appropriately and only as needed. — Bernama photo IT is now commonplace to see children as young as two years old holding a smartphone, their eyes fixed intently on the screen. Whether at a restaurant or in a shopping mall or even on the way from home to school and vice versa, the smartphone is often the ‘companion’ of the little ones. The Internet, unarguably, offers vast benefits to users; however, for children, parental guidance is essential to ensure that they use their devices appropriately and only as needed. To borrow a quote by Norwegian historian and educator Christian Lous Lange: “Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master.” In reality, technological advancements like the Internet and digital networking platforms are not inherently harmful. Rather, it is the users’ inability to manage social media effectively that often leads to psychological stress, emotional disturbances and challenges in communication and social relationships. Is YouTube replacing parents? Commenting on this, SEGi University’s child psychologist Prof Datin Dr Mariani Md Nor, who is also Early Childhood Care and Education Council Malaysia president, says in (American psychologist Uries) Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory (1977), interactions between children and their environment can influence their development and growth processes. In this context, any information or knowledge from the environment shapes a child’s mind and personality. “The influence comes not only from authentic aspects (real life), but also from cyberspace, including social media, which serves as a platform for children to gain knowledge and skills, and emulate the behaviours of their role models. “(Hence) there should be monitoring of the websites they visit or read and the language they use in online conversations. This is because whatever they see, hear and read, especially in the form of words or screenplay like that of cartoons or children’s dramas, will to some extent shape their thinking and become something they would indirectly follow,” she tells Bernama in an interview. Dr Mariani says an individual’s developmental process begins at birth and goes on till adulthood. However, different experiences lead to variations in emotional and mental development, which in turn result in differences in psychological development. According to her, children aged below six are at a critical stage of their lives as this is the time when they can be easily influenced, shaped and nurtured in terms of their minds and skills because they are particularly receptive to all types of information presented to them. “If social media is constantly by the side of children in that age group, then their parents are to be blamed if platforms like YouTube and TikTok become almost like surrogate parents or teachers to their kids,” she said. Influence of cyber narratives Commenting on reports that issues such as stress, mental health problems, running away from home, and even self-harm or suicide attempts among children are often linked to the influence of the Internet and social media, Dr Mariani says these negative behaviours are often influenced by the ‘narratives’ presented on social media, which can lead children to act without considering the consequences, especially given their age and immaturity. “Here, ‘narratives’ refer to the tendency to follow or emulate behaviours seen on social media that may seem meaningful or beneficial to them. “If they don’t get the expected outcomes, it can lead to disappointment. Without relevant guidance, education and advice, children may take shortcuts to resolve their issues, sometimes in very unhealthy ways.” Dr Mariani says many negative behaviours are often influenced by the ‘narratives’ presented on social media, which can lead children to act without considering the consequences, especially given their age and immaturity. — Bernama photo Touching on the issue of cyberbullying among children, which can escalate into bigger issues affecting their psychological and mental health, Dr Mariani says it can disrupt their daily lives and thinking and affect their studies and well-being. Stressing that the use of the Internet and social media is not inherently wrong as it has become a necessity today, she says its use should be controlled to prevent addiction. “It’s important to regulate children’s screen time and social media interactions. All online content accessed by children, especially those under the age of seven, should be monitored by their parents. Content accessed by children should ideally focus on educational or developmental games to support their growth,” she adds. All online content accessed by children, especially those under the age of seven, should be monitored by their parents, says the SEGi University’s child psychologist. — Bernama photo ‘Strawberry Generation’ Commenting on the ‘Strawberry Generation’ – a label given to children of today’s generation who are considered ‘fragile’ and lacking strong emotional, physical and social resilience due to overreliance on the digital world, particularly social media, leading them to rarely engage with peers in ways that build mental resilience, Dr Mariani says children should be nurtured to build resilience and strengthen their mental endurance. Due to overreliance on technology, this generation tends to be impatient and struggles to handle complex problems, often turning to the Internet and social media as ‘solutions’ without considering other alternatives around them. “According to studies, the ‘Strawberry Generation’ often results from ‘helicopter parenting’, where parents are overly controlling, leaving no room for children to think freely, express emotions or gain personal life experiences appropriate for their age. “This overly controlling parenting style hinders children from developing essential soft skills such as tolerance, making their own decisions, accepting opinions of others and even being ready to accept defeat as life doesn’t always mean winning.” Meanwhile, Universiti Multimedia Malaysia language lecturer Maswanhizzly Masri says in today’s digital world, social media significantly shapes how children communicate and the language they use. Maswanhizzly says in today’s digital world, social media significantly shapes how children communicate and the language that they use. — Bernama photo According to him, the use of harsh language and insults, and toxic behaviours in social media interactions, combined with demeaning or mocking comments, can influence the language children use in their daily lives. “The use of slang and abbreviations and following trends including the latest Gen-Z language, which is becoming increasingly complex, is also a challenge. “While words in short forms might facilitate communication, it may also erode a person’s formal language skills and undermine the purity and originality of the language itself,” he says. Dr Mariani says if social media is constantly by the side of young children, then their parents are to be blamed if platforms like YouTube and TikTok become almost like surrogate parents or teachers to their kids. — Bernama photo ‘Stop normalising crude language’ Maswanhizzly believes that language degradation can affect the socio-cultural development of society in this country, with one risk being the potential loss of the identity of the national language. In the context of Malaysia, known for its diverse ethnicities and languages, exposure to social media encourages the usage of a more globalised language or trends that mostly originate from Western countries. “For example, the dominance of English or the uncontrolled mixing of languages, widely referred to as ‘bahasa rojak’ (mixed language) on social media, can undermine the use of Bahasa Melayu, which is the national language. “When children gravitate more toward using English or ‘bahasa rojak’, it can impact their proficiency in Malay, especially in formal contexts. “This weakens the resilience of the national language among the younger generation, which could ultimately impact the country’s cultural and social identity,” he says, adding the freedom of expression on social media also contributes to this issue. He also observes the tendency for individuals to share opinions and disseminate inaccurate or misleading language, which can lead to misunderstandings in social communication, reducing society’s ability to think critically and accurately analyse information. “They may think that communicating with harsh language is ‘normal, cool, trendy and accepted’ in social interactions. “However, we should be concerned if children start using harsh words, insulting others or behaving disrespectfully based on what they ‘absorb’ from social media.” Sharing the findings of a 2019 study carried out by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on language etiquette among teenagers on social media in the country, Maswanhizzly says there is a notable difference in the language used on social media compared to the daily spoken language. The study also found that 2,220 obscene words were used by 120 teenagers and women on Facebook posts, with the offensive language used by netizens from different racial backgrounds in Malaysia. The use of the Internet and social media is not inherently wrong as it has become a necessity today, but it should be controlled to prevent addiction. — Bernama photo “There was also a 2017 study by Telenor Group (titled ‘Digital Parenting: The Challenges and Opportunities of Raising Children in the Digital Age’), which revealed that over 70 per cent of Malaysian teenagers use social media, with several local studies indicating a tendency to use harsh language in online conversations, particularly in more informal spaces like WhatsApp or Facebook. “Although there are no exact statistics on how many people use harsh language frequently, studies show an increase in the use of aggressive and provocative language,” says Maswanhizzly. He adds that beyond serving as entertainment and social interaction spaces, these digital platforms should be used for educational purposes including the development of language skills, as well as for generating income. “Platforms like YouTube can be utilised to learn language skills, and many other educational resources are available for children to access. “However, without assistance, monitoring and cooperation from parents, children are more likely to choose inappropriate content,” says Maswanhizzly. — BernamaFluence Energy, Inc. Announces Convertible Notes Offering and Intention to Enter into Capped ...Buggs' 15 lead East Tennessee State over Austin Peay 79-57

‘Economic stability depends on peace, harmony’ Munawar Ghous said he had made clear to officers to make sure transparency in providing Zakat to deserving people SARGODHA: Provincial Minister for Zakat and Ushr and District General Secretary Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Rana Munawar Ghous has said Pakistan cannot afford political unrest at this time and peace is essential to attract investment to the country. He shared these views while addressing the PMLN workers at Chak 120/SB on Sunday. The event was attended by various notables, including PMLN Sillanwali Tehsil Youth Coordinator Rana Kaleem, Social Media In-charge Rana Tehseen and others. The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) was doing the politics of hatred in the country. He said that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, was launching public-friendly initiatives to make the province prosperous and developed. Munawar Ghous said he had made clear to officers to make sure transparency in providing Zakat to deserving people. All-out effort would be made to make PP-78 a developed constituency, he added.The Australian share market traditionally provides investors with an average of 4%. But income investors don't have to settle for that. Not when there are ASX 200 dividend shares like the three listed below. Here's what you need to know about them: ( ) The first ASX 200 dividend share that is rated as a buy is Eagers Automotive. It is a leading auto retailer with over 250 locations across Australia and New Zealand. This portfolio covers all 19 of the top 20 best-selling car brands in Australia, as well as 9 of the top 10 luxury brands. Bell Potter is positive on the company and believes it could outperform consensus expectations with its second-half performance in FY 2024. It expects this to underpin fully franked dividends of 66.5 cents per share in FY 2024 and then 73 cents per share in FY 2025. Based on its current share price of $11.67, this represents dividend yields of 5.7% and 6.25%, respectively. Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $13.00 price target on its shares. ( ) Bell Potter is also feeling positive about retail giant Harvey Norman and sees it as an ASX 200 dividend share to buy. The broker likes the retailer due to its exposure to the artificial intelligence (AI) megatrend. It believes Harvey Norman stands to benefit greatly from an AI driven major upgrade/replacement cycle of devices purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bell Potter expects this to support the payment of fully franked dividends of 25.9 cents per share in FY 2025 and then 28.5 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on the current Harvey Norman share price of $4.71, this equates to 5.5% and 6% dividend yields, respectively. Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $5.80 price target on its shares. ( ) Finally, Goldman Sachs thinks that IPH is an ASX 200 dividend share to buy. It is an intellectual property (IP) services company with operations across the world. The broker is positive on IPH due to its belief that it "is well-placed to deliver consistent and defensive earnings with modest overall organic growth." And after increasing its dividend every year for the past decade, Goldman expects this run to continue. It is forecasting fully franked dividends of 36 cents per share in FY 2025 and then 39 cents per share in FY 2026. Based on the current IPH share price of $4.95, this represents yields of 7.3% and 7.9%, respectively. Goldman Sachs currently has a buy rating and $7.50 price target on its shares.SPLP Stock Hits 52-Week High at $42.98 Amid Market Optimism

Many people forget that the Department of Defense conceived the internet as a secure and dynamic communication tool. Still, it took the private sector to turn it into an economic powerhouse that has revolutionized commerce and political discussion and transformed how people connect, work, and share information globally. Many argue that artificial intelligence’s impact on our society and economy will be greater than that of the internet, both economically and in national security. This public-private partnership can unlock AI’s potential, allowing the nation to protect itself while enriching itself. That’s why the Department of Defense, which has said that AI “will change society and, ultimately, the character of war,” wants to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This venture will advance America’s defense and ensure the United States remains the world leader in technological modernization. However, while the Defense Department desperately seeks to develop and expand AI, the Department of Justice has declared war on it. It is taking legal actions that threaten to smother the industry, which is still in its infancy. AI technology is already touching every facet of modern life. For national defense, AI has the potential to analyze vast amounts of intelligence in real-time, assist in decision-making, and help with battlefield strategy. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for nuclear matters recently noted that AI’s adoption will be a “considerable advancement in our ability to safeguard critical assets." The Defense Department’s investment in AI is also about maintaining parity — or ideally, superiority — against adversaries like China and Russia, who aggressively pursue their AI initiatives. Beijing has made no secret of its ambition to become the global leader in AI and is funneling billions into various military and civilian applications. It aims to lead the world in AI by 2030 so it can obtain “intelligence supremacy,” allowing it to leapfrog the technological capabilities of the United States. If the U.S. fails to match or surpass these efforts, it risks falling behind in the arms race of the 21st century. AI is not just about military applications. The technology underpins advancements in healthcare, finance, transportation, and countless other industries and has been called the “most important technology of any lifetime.” Leading in AI ensures that American companies drive innovation, which creates jobs and fosters economic growth. Just as the internet was initially incubated by research and development for military applications, the same holds for AI. We need a robust partnership between government initiatives and private sector innovation to secure America’s AI development and application leadership. Many industries, such as tourism, travel, and hospitality, have adopted AI and are already implementing it. Hotels and airlines employ AI algorithms for dynamic pricing, which adapts rates based on up-to-the-minute supply and demand analysis. When demand is low, AI suggests lower pricing to help fill the capacity of hotels and airline flights. Yet, despite already being in everyday use, AI has come under fire from government regulators and bureaucrats. A federal court case in Nevada has become ground zero in this fight as hotels that use AI to offer pricing options are being sued with the wholesale support of the Department of Justice. Similarly, the DOJ has targeted RealPage, accusing the company’s software, which assists homeowners and landlords in determining what price to offer customers, as being illegal. These actions by the DOJ are incredibly short-sighted. Any business model that suggests both price reductions and price increases tied to supply and demand are the signs of a healthy, competitive marketplace is all about, not an antitrust violation. If the DOJ’s continued actions against algorithmic AI are successful, their actions risk setting a dangerous precedent by discouraging industries from leveraging AI’s full potential. Who will invest in technology when it risks potential litigation by the federal government? The stakes are too high for the United States to fail. If China dominates AI development, U.S. companies can become sidelined in global markets, and American workers could lose jobs in cutting-edge industries, not to mention watch ethical standards get shaped by regimes that prioritize state control over personal freedoms. AI is a foundational piece of our future vitality. It makes no sense for one government agency, the Department of Defense, to invest heavily in technology while another, the Department of Justice, threatens to smother it in the crib. Our security and prosperity depend on AI's growth, adoption, and use. A cohesive national strategy is essential, where innovation is nurtured, not stifled, ensuring that AI can flourish to secure America’s future economically and militarily. ( is an adjunct professor of economics and political science at Georgia Military College.)Florida State continues torrid star with rout of UMass