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US stocks rose Monday, with the Dow finishing at a fresh record as markets greeted Donald Trump's pick for treasury secretary, while oil prices retreated on hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The Dow climbed one percent to a second straight all-time closing high on news of the selection of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to lead the critical economic policy position. A widely respected figure on Wall Street, Bessent is seen as being in favor of growth and deficit reduction policies and not known overly fond of trade tariffs. The market "breathed a sigh of relief" at Bessent's selection, said Art Hogan from B. Riley Wealth Management. But after an initial surge Monday, the gains in US equities moderated somewhat. While investors are enthusiastic about the possibility of tax cuts and regulatory relief under Trump, "we do have to face the potential for tariffs being a negative as well as a very tight market around immigration, which is not positive for the economy," Hogan said. Earlier, equity gains were limited in Europe as growth concerns returned to the fore with Germany's Thyssenkrupp announcing plans to cut or outsource 11,000 jobs in its languishing steel division. Currently around 27,000 people are employed in the steel division, which has been battered by high production costs and fierce competition from Asian rivals. Elsewhere, crude oil prices fell decisively as Israel's security cabinet prepared to decide whether to accept a ceasefire in its war with Hezbollah, an official said Monday. The United States, the European Union and the United Nations have all pushed in recent days for a truce in the long-running hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which flared into all-out war in late September. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Israeli official told AFP the security cabinet "will decide on Tuesday evening on the ceasefire deal." And bitcoin's push toward $100,000 ran out of steam after coming within a whisker of the mark last week, on hopes that Trump would enact policies to bring the cryptocurrency more into the mainstream. Bitcoin was recently trading under $96,000, having set a record high of $99,728.34 Friday -- the digital currency has soared about 50 percent in value since Trump's election. This week's data includes a reading of consumer confidence and an update of personal consumption prices, a key inflation indicator. Those reporting earnings include Best Buy, Dell and Dick's Sporting Goods. New York - Dow: UP 1.0 percent at 44,736.57 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.3 percent at 5,987.37 (close) New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.3 percent at 19,054.84 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 8,291.68 (close) Paris - CAC 40: FLAT at 7,257.47 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.4 percent at 19,405.20 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.3 percent at 38,780.14 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 19,150.99 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,263.76 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0495 from $1.0418 on Friday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2564 from $1.2530 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.23 yen from 154.78 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.51 pence from 83.14 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 3.2 percent at $68.94 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 2.9 percent at $73.01 per barrel bur-jmb/dwxpro gaming live casino 。

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, Dec. 22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 1 p.m. ESPN — Illinois vs. Missouri, St. Louis SECN — Kent St. at Alabama 2 p.m. ACCN — American U. at Virginia BTN — Detroit at Wisconsin 3 p.m. ESPN — Brown at Kansas ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oregon St. vs. Charleston, Quarterfinal, Honolulu 3:30 p.m. SECN — Charleston Southern at Georgia 4 p.m. ACCN — Rider at NC State BTN — Southern U. at Southern Cal 5:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Loyola of Chicago vs. Oakland, Quarterfinal, Honolulu 6 p.m. ACCN — LeMoyne at Notre Dame 7 p.m. FS1 — Georgetown vs. Seton Hall, Newark, N.J. 9 p.m. ESPN — Diamond Head Classic: Nebraska vs. Murray St., Quarterfinal, Honolulu 11:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Charlotte vs. Hawaii, Quarterfinal, Honolulu COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) 3 p.m. ABC — NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Penn St., Championship, Louisville, Ky. GOLF 11:30 a.m. GOLF — PGA Tour: The PNC Championship, Day 2, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Fla. 1:30 p.m. NBC — PGA Tour: The PNC Championship, Day 2, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Fla. HORSE RACING 3 p.m. FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL 10:30 a.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Indiana vs. Texas, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: College Park vs. Osceola, Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Winter Showcase: TBD, Championship, Orlando, Fla. NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: Tennessee at Indianapolis, L.A. Rams at N.Y. Jets, Cleveland at Cincinnati FOX — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Giants at Atlanta, Detroit at Chicago, Philadelphia at Washington, Arizona at Carolina 4:05 p.m. FOX — Minnesota at Seattle 4:25 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: New England at Buffalo, Jacksonville at Las Vegas, San Francisco at Miami 8:20 p.m. NBC — Tampa Bay at Dallas PEACOCK — Tampa Bay at Dallas NHL HOCKEY 12:30 p.m. NHLN — Carolina at N.Y. Rangers 8 p.m. NHLN — Seattle at Colorado SNOWBOARDING 4:30 p.m. NBC — FIS: World Cup, Copper Mountain, Colo. SOCCER (MEN’S) 8:35 a.m. FS2 — The French Cup: Olympique de Marseille at AS Saint-Étienne, Round of 64 9 a.m. USA — Premier League: Chelsea at Everton 11:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Noon CBSSN — Serie A: Empoli at Atalanta 2:50 p.m. FS2 — The French Cup: Paris Saint-Germain at RC Lens, Round of 64 TENNIS 11 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Final The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed El-Gamal presented his credentials to Malian Transitional President Assimi Goïta on Saturday, following an official ceremony at the presidential palace in Bamako. The presentation underscored the strong historical relationship between Egypt and Mali and highlighted Egypt's commitment to supporting Mali's development. During the ceremony, Ambassador El-Gamal conveyed greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to President Goïta. He emphasised Egypt's dedication to cooperation across Africa, citing the deep-rooted ties between the two nations. Ambassador El-Gamal stressed Egypt's readiness to bolster Mali's national institutions and enhance collaboration in political, security, economic, and cultural spheres. President Goïta, in turn, asked that his regards be passed to President A-Sisi . He congratulated Ambassador El-Gamal on his new appointment and expressed gratitude for Egypt's prominent role in Africa and its continued support for Mali, particularly in addressing challenges like terrorism and extremism. He noted the significant positive impact of the strong bilateral relationship on mutual interests and regional stability. Four days prior to the credential presentation, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop met with Ambassador El-Gamal. Minister Diop praised Egypt's leading role in Africa and its balanced approach to regional issues. He described the relationship between Mali and Egypt as historic and enduring, highlighting Egypt's consistent support for Mali in overcoming regional challenges. Ambassador El-Gamal expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome he received in Mali. He reaffirmed his commitment to furthering bilateral cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. He also reiterated Egypt's willingness to assist the Malian government and people in confronting current difficulties. Discussions during the meeting with Minister Diop also included preparations for the Malian Foreign Minister's upcoming visit to Cairo. MENAFN30112024000153011029ID1108942207 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.LABOUR-supporting trade union Unite has been rocked by accusations of bullying and victimisation. Staff at its London HQ walked out on strike this week claiming bosses were fostering a “toxic culture” of intimidation and smears. Unite is one of Labour ’s biggest financial backers, donating more than £500,000 to the party’s MPs this year alone. But it has been plunged into turmoil after employees at the union’s National Bargaining and Disputes Support Unit downed tools. Unit chief Jack Clarke — who is the husband of the union’s general secretary Sharon Graham — has been caught up in the complaints. Members of his team have alleged that managers exhibited angry and aggressive behaviour and used inappropriate language. read more on politics They are being represented by the GMB trade union . Danny Adilypour, GMB regional organiser, said: “Our members are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate the toxic bullying culture and victimisation they have experienced at Unite. “Underhand tactics have been used to undermine these workers’ legitimate concerns and their right to pursue industrial action. “Today they were met by a counter-protest, in yet another attempt to intimidate them. Most read in The Sun "We again call on Unite to suspend the managers accused of bullying behaviour.” GMB also accused Unite online of union-busting tactics — the same sort of strategies they vow to protect workers from. In a statement, Unite said the allegations are untrue. It added: “Unite will not shy away from continuing to clean up the union and will not allow the harassment of women.”CONWAY, Ark., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Home BancShares, Inc. (NYSE: HOMB) (“Home” or “the Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank (“Centennial”), announced it has established additional reserves for loan losses as a result of Hurricane Milton. On October 11, 2024, HOMB announced a $16.7 million reserve as a result of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall September 26, 2024. Upon announcement HOMB indicated the more recent and powerful Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on October 9, 2024, and caused the spin-off of more than two dozen tornados, would likely lead to an increase in this reserve amount. “Out of an abundance of caution, HOMB has decided to make an additional $16.7 million reserve following the second Florida hurricane, bringing our total hurricane reserve to $33.4 million for the year,” said John Allison, Chairman of HOMB. “The two hurricanes spanned across the third and fourth quarter and the amount of time it takes for customers to settle with insurance will no doubt increase, with two back-to-back events,” continued Allison. “We have approximately $110 million currently on deferral as a result of the two hurricanes and in keeping with our conservative nature, we feel as though this proactive move is a prudent and predictable course of action,” added Allison. Branches The Company currently has 76 branches in Arkansas, 78 branches in Florida, 58 branches in Texas, 5 branches in Alabama and one branch in New York City. About Home BancShares Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank, provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking plus related financial services to businesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals and municipalities. Centennial Bank has branch locations in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, South Alabama and New York City. The Company’s common stock is traded through the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HOMB.” The Company was founded in 1998. Visit www.homebancshares.com or www.my100bank.com for more information. General This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s plans, expectations, goals and outlook for the future, including future financial results. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events, performance or results. When we use words or phrases like “may,” “plan,” “propose,” “contemplate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “predict,” “estimate,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “on track” and similar expressions, you should consider them as identifying forward-looking statements, although we may use other phrasing. Forward-looking statements of this type speak only as of the date of this news release. By nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: economic conditions, credit quality, interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and unemployment, including the ongoing impacts of inflation; the ability to identify, complete and successfully integrate new acquisitions; the risk that expected cost savings and other benefits from acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues; the availability of and access to capital and liquidity on terms acceptable to us; legislative and regulatory changes and risks and expenses associated with current and future legislation and regulations; technological changes and cybersecurity risks and incidents; the effects of changes in accounting policies and practices; changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies; political instability, military conflicts and other major domestic or international events; the impact of recent or future adverse weather events, including hurricanes, and other natural disasters; disruptions, uncertainties and related effects on credit quality, liquidity and other aspects of our business and operations that may result from any future public health crises; competition from other financial institutions; potential claims, expenses and other adverse effects related to current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other government actions; potential increases in deposit insurance assessments, increased regulatory scrutiny or market disruptions resulting from financial challenges in the banking industry; changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements; and other factors described in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Townsell Director of Investor Relations Home BancShares, Inc. (501) 328-4625

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, Dec. 22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 1 p.m. ESPN — Illinois vs. Missouri, St. Louis SECN — Kent St. at Alabama 2 p.m. ACCN — American U. at Virginia BTN — Detroit at Wisconsin 3 p.m. ESPN — Brown at Kansas ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oregon St. vs. Charleston, Quarterfinal, Honolulu 3:30 p.m. SECN — Charleston Southern at Georgia 4 p.m. ACCN — Rider at NC State BTN — Southern U. at Southern Cal 5:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Loyola of Chicago vs. Oakland, Quarterfinal, Honolulu 6 p.m. ACCN — LeMoyne at Notre Dame 7 p.m. FS1 — Georgetown vs. Seton Hall, Newark, N.J. 9 p.m. ESPN — Diamond Head Classic: Nebraska vs. Murray St., Quarterfinal, Honolulu 11:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Charlotte vs. Hawaii, Quarterfinal, Honolulu COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) 3 p.m. ABC — NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Penn St., Championship, Louisville, Ky. GOLF 11:30 a.m. GOLF — PGA Tour: The PNC Championship, Day 2, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Fla. 1:30 p.m. NBC — PGA Tour: The PNC Championship, Day 2, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Fla. HORSE RACING 3 p.m. FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL 10:30 a.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Indiana vs. Texas, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: College Park vs. Osceola, Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Winter Showcase: TBD, Championship, Orlando, Fla. NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: Tennessee at Indianapolis, L.A. Rams at N.Y. Jets, Cleveland at Cincinnati FOX — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Giants at Atlanta, Detroit at Chicago, Philadelphia at Washington, Arizona at Carolina 4:05 p.m. FOX — Minnesota at Seattle 4:25 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: New England at Buffalo, Jacksonville at Las Vegas, San Francisco at Miami 8:20 p.m. NBC — Tampa Bay at Dallas PEACOCK — Tampa Bay at Dallas NHL HOCKEY 12:30 p.m. NHLN — Carolina at N.Y. Rangers 8 p.m. NHLN — Seattle at Colorado SNOWBOARDING 4:30 p.m. NBC — FIS: World Cup, Copper Mountain, Colo. SOCCER (MEN’S) 8:35 a.m. FS2 — The French Cup: Olympique de Marseille at AS Saint-Étienne, Round of 64 9 a.m. USA — Premier League: Chelsea at Everton 11:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Noon CBSSN — Serie A: Empoli at Atalanta 2:50 p.m. FS2 — The French Cup: Paris Saint-Germain at RC Lens, Round of 64 TENNIS 11 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Final The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV . Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Trending News Today Live Updates: In today's fast-paced world, staying informed about the latest developments is more important than ever. Trending News Today brings you the most current and impactful stories from across the globe, covering a wide range of topics including politics, technology, entertainment, sports, and social issues. Whether it's a significant political event, a groundbreaking technological innovation, or the latest in pop culture, we provide you with up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis. Our goal is to ensure that you're always in the loop, aware of the trends that are shaping the world around us. Stay tuned for the latest news that matters. Trends News Today Live: The Spencer Stare: Royal fans obsessed with William, Charlotte, and George’s striking resemblance to Diana

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Maresca led the Foxes to the Sky Bet Championship title last season before joining Chelsea over the summer. Leicester famously toasted their improbable Premier League success in 2016 with an impromptu bash at Vardy’s house. But the venue for last April’s party was not at the striker’s abode, but at Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am. Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team. “This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them. “I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together. “When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.” Similarly to when they clinched the Premier League crown, Leicester were not actually playing when they found out they were promoted after Leeds lost at QPR. “To be honest I was at home watching the game and when it finished all the staff came over – and later the players,” added the Italian. “They didn’t knock on the door, they were in the garden and knocked on the window. What time did they leave? I don’t remember.” Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney. “People don’t realise how good he is,” added Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic. “But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.” Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time with Chelsea on Saturday, but he will be without captain Reece James due to a hamstring problem.

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West Palm Beach, Florida–(Newsfile Corp. – November 25, 2024) – VVM, a leader in vape vending technology, introduces a comprehensive customer support system to revolutionize service response times. The vending machine industry faces increasing demands for reliable technical support and rapid response times. VVM recognizes these evolving needs in the modern vending landscape. This innovative company has developed a cutting-edge support system to address common challenges in vape vending machine operations. In this press release, VVM details its enhanced support service initiatives. The Need for Responsive Support in Modern Vape Vending Machines The vape vending industry continues to evolve with increasingly sophisticated technology. VVM understands that modern vending machines require specialized technical assistance and regular maintenance. Industry studies show that quick response times directly impact customer satisfaction and business continuity. Key challenges in modern vending operations include: When challenges arise with these advanced systems, immediate access to technical support becomes crucial for business continuity. Customers cannot afford extended machine downtime, directly impacting revenue and customer satisfaction levels. That’s why VVM understands that providing multiple support channels and guaranteed response times has become essential in the modern vape vending industry. This ensures operators can quickly resolve issues and maintain service standards. What Does Responsive Support Entail? Effective customer support in the vape vending industry encompasses multiple service layers. Equipment troubleshooting stands as a cornerstone of quality support services. Professional technicians must address issues quickly to minimize downtime. Essential elements of responsive support include: VVM’s New Support Plan VVM has implemented comprehensive vape vending solutions that prioritize customer satisfaction. Its enhanced support system introduces new features designed to streamline service delivery and maximize operational efficiency. The new system offers around-the-clock technical assistance availability and many of the essential support perks listed above or that one can find on their website https://vapevendingmachine.com/ . VVM prioritizes preventing service issues through the strategic implementation of high-quality components and user-friendly systems, allowing end-buyers to reach support at any time, day or night, when buying vapes. Its machines feature robust payment systems that accept multiple forms of payment, including credit cards, reducing common transaction-related support tickets. The company selects premium-grade materials for high-wear components like buttons, displays, and dispensing mechanisms, extending the lifespan of these frequently used parts to prevent common issues that create support tickets. The machines incorporate industrial-grade dispensing mechanisms designed to withstand heavy daily use. Additionally, their user interface design focuses on intuitive operation, featuring clear instructions and responsive touch screens that minimize user errors and related support calls. The company employs antimicrobial surfaces in all customer contact points, ensuring durability and safety while reducing maintenance needs. For More Information on Excellence in West Palm Beach Vending Support VVM leads the industry in customer-focused support solutions. Its commitment to excellence ensures reliable operation of vape vending equipment throughout West Palm Beach and surrounding areas. The company offers comprehensive vape vending service solutions backed by years of industry expertise. For professional vape vending support and service, businesses can reach VVM at (561) 933-4862, serving the entire West Palm Beach, FL, region with industry-leading vending solutions. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/231300 #distro

Miguel Tomley scores 28 to lead Weber State over Pepperdine 68-53 at Arizona Tip-OffKarachi students lead MDCAT 2024 results for BDS and MBBSBelfast has enjoyed an incredible transformation in recent decades: from strife-torn city to one of Europe’s coolest new destinations, and its tourism boom is anchored around three “Ts”: Titanic, Thrones and Troubles. There’s Titanic Belfast, a brilliant immersive attraction in the very shipyard where the vessel was built; numerous filming locations for Game of Thrones fans; and the sobering tales and former hotspots of the Troubles, the sectarian conflict that beset Belfast between the late 1960s and 1998. Dolores Vischer leads the Belfast Music Walking Tour. Northern Ireland’s capital also increasingly strikes a chord with folk seeking culture, festivals and gigs. Home to more than 100 live venues – from opulent theatres and futuristic auditoriums to craic-fuelled pubs and the sportsfield where Bruce Springsteen played to a 40,000-strong crowd in May 2024 – Belfast was made a UNESCO City of Music in 2021, with the award providing impetus for up-and-coming local musicians and sparking a late career change for one resident in her 60s. “Music was always my passion – writing songs, playing drums, singing in a choir, so this was the perfect opportunity to follow that passion,” says Dolores Vischer, who swapped roles in publishing and communications to become a qualified guide to Belfast’s vibrant arts scene and musical heritage. We join her popular Belfast Music Walking tour, a leisurely music-themed stroll accompanied by a soundtrack, starting at the Ulster Hall, an elegant Victorian concert hall that has staged everyone from the Rolling Stones and AC/DC to Johnny Cash and Belfast’s own Van Morrison. “Led Zeppelin played Stairway to Heaven here for the very first time in 1971,” says Vischer, who points out Ulster Hall’s 1860s pipe organ and plaques honouring musicians. One is Ruby Murray, “Belfast’s first pop princess”. Explaining that her name was adopted for “curry” in Cockney rhyming slang, Dolores plays us Murray’s Softly Softly , No.1 in the UK singles charts in 1955. Tracks from other Northern Irish legends, plus emerging stars like Dani Larkin and Problem Patterns, float from Vischer’s portable speakers as we shuffle through Belfast, pausing at points of sonic interest, sometimes with our hips swaying and toes tapping. Ulster Hall is a lauded venue for live bands. We see teenagers taking turns to play the grand piano at 2 Royal Avenue, a new creative and community space in a domed former bank that was most recently a supermarket. “Gary Lightbody, frontman of Snow Patrol, said music is in Belfast’s DNA and I’d say we probably have more people who sing or play something than in most cities of this size,” says Vischer, before we jig by Kelly’s Cellars, a 300-year-old watering hole that hosts traditional Irish music. Around the corner, we take a pew in the First Church Belfast, founded by 17th-century Presbyterians and renowned for its spine-tingling concerts and acoustics. The Northern Ireland Opera, led by Australian-born director Cameron Menzies, previously of the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, occasionally performs here. We traverse the cobbled lanes of the Cathedral Quarter, an enclave of bars, hip cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants. Vischer shows us a black-and-white photograph of the area, looking distinctly more derelict, during the Troubles, and describes how Belfast’s music scene was kept alive in the 1970s and ’80s by punk bands such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Undertones and Terri Hooley, founder of the Good Vibrations music shop and record label (he was portrayed by Game of Thrones’ Richard Dormer in 2013 film Good Vibrations ). Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Cathedral Quarter’s newest boutique hotel The Foundry is on the site of the Harp Bar, where punk bands played. It’s located next to arts hub The Black Box and is a saxophone’s throw from Berts Jazz Bar, Belfast’s only dedicated jazz bar-restaurant, inside the plush Merchant Hotel. After The Undertones’ rollicking Teenage Kicks , Vischer plays us Oh Yeah by Ash, a power-pop three-piece from Downpatrick, south of Belfast. Ash were just out of their teens, and already UK chart-toppers, when they played alongside U2 at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall in May 1998 to promote the Yes vote in the referendum for the Good Friday Agreement, a deal designed to end the Troubles and bring peace to the province. Later, we watch the Ulster Orchestra perform Star Wars scores at the Waterfront Hall, but first we hit the Oh Yeah Music Centre, a cherished grassroots music hub in a converted whisky warehouse. It’s home to recording studios, a vinyl store and an exhibition jammed with instruments, outfits and snaps of influential Northern Irish musicians, including Van Morrison, Them and Gary Moore. The centre also hosts intimate gigs. Ash launched their latest album, Race the Night, here last year. To round off the tour, we enjoy locally-brewed craft ales and an acoustic show by Aqua Tofana, a young Belfast-based singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer. The Oh Yeah Music Centre features exhibitions about Belfast’s musical history. You don’t have to walk far to catch a live act in Belfast – browse the listings or just follow your ears – but I’d recommend coming in early May when the city has a spring in its step and feels a bit like a mini-Edinburgh with several of its annual festivals running concurrently. These include the Festival of Fools (street theatre and acrobats), Hit The North (a street art festival) and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival where, across multiple locations, you can catch musicians, comedians, poets, magicians, film screenings and book readings. Venues range from a riverside marquee to friendly backstreet boozers like The Sunflower, which sports a striking green security cage by its entrance, a relic of the Troubles, when patrons would have to be scrutinised by staff before they entered the bar. It’s purely ornamental now, a nod to the bad old days and a symbol of just how far buoyant Belfast has come. Five more things to do in and around Belfast Stormont Estate Stormont Estate, the site of Northern Ireland’s main Parliament Buildings. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto See where the politicians of Northern Ireland’s devolved government face off (and admire the decadent interior design) on a free tour of the neoclassical parliament building set amid parkland east of the city. See niassembly.gov.uk Mcconnell’s Distillery Reviving a whisky brand established in Belfast in 1776, this brand-new distillery offers tours and tastings in a converted wing of Crumlin Road Gaol, a once-notorious prison that has self-guided tours. See mcconnellsirishwhisky.com ; crumlinroadgaol.com Strangford Lough Edged by National Trust mansions, rolling hills and storybook villages, this island-speckled sea inlet south of Belfast was the backdrop for Bloodlands , a television drama starring James Nesbitt. It’s good for boat trips, kayaking and birding. See strangfordloughactivitycentre.com Hillsborough Castle Also south of Belfast is the royal family’s residence in Northern Ireland. Wander the manicured gardens and tour the Georgian property’s lavishly-furnished rooms, hung with paintings by artists including Anthony van Dyck, Joshua Reynolds and King Charles III. See hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle Antrim Coast From quaint fishing harbours to the hulking basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway, plus various Game of Thrones filming locations, the seaside north of Belfast is a delight. Follow the coast round to Londonderry, another once-troubled city reborn. See visitcausewaycoastandglens.com The details Fly Qantas flies to Belfast from Sydney and Melbourne via Perth or Singapore and London Heathrow. Alternatively, fly to Dublin with Emirates via Dubai and take an airport express coach (about two hours) to Belfast. If visiting Britain first, most city airports, including London, Manchester and Birmingham, have regular flights to Belfast. See qantas.com.au ; emirates.com/au Tour The Belfast Music Walking Tour is held fortnightly on Saturdays and costs £20 ($39). See creativetoursbelfast.com ; deetoursireland.com Stay The Merchant Hotel has rooms from around £239 ($469) a night. The centrally located Belfast Hometel has studios with kitchens from around £146 a night. See themerchanthotel.com ; room2.com/belfast Eat Run by celebrity chef Danny Millar, Stock has enticing seasonal menus and daily fish, meat and vegetarian specials. It overlooks St George’s Market, which sells fresh produce, cakes and arts and crafts, Friday to Sunday. At Home, a cosy restaurant behind Belfast City Hall, expect dishes such as rump of local Mourne lamb and roast monkfish with crab bouillabaisse. See stockbelfast.com ; homebelfast.co.uk More visitbelfast.com ; discovernorthernireland.com ; ireland.com The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

New Delhi, Dec 21 (PTI) Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday held a virtual meeting with chief ministers/lieutenant governors, and health ministers of states and Union Territories, seeking their support towards the ongoing 100-day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign. At the meeting, Nadda urged the states and Union Territories (UTs) to monitor the campaign at the state level, and ensure the same is done by the political and administrative leadership at the district level. He suggested that to ensure a whole-of-government approach, other ministries and departments can be roped in to support the campaign activities in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, similar to the approach taken at the national level. Nadda also requested the chief ministers to involve elected representatives, especially MLAs and councillors as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions, in the campaign to help mobilise the communities. Highlighting that the rate of TB decline in India from 2015 to 2024 at 17.7 per cent is double the global average of 8.3 per cent, Nadda said deaths due to TB have reduced significantly in the country by 21.4 per cent in the last 10 years. He also highlighted the importance of active TB testing, screening and diagnosis of patients, and urged the participants to actively monitor the campaign in the identified districts in their respective states. Underlining the support that state ministers can provide to the campaign, he requested them to promote the initiative in their meetings and rallies and come forward as ‘Ni-Kshay Mitras’ to adopt TB patients. Noting that the states have nearly two months’ stock of TB medicines, the minister said the Centre is working towards ensuring advance stock of at least six months to be made available to the states. He concluded his address by encouraging all the stakeholders to reiterate their commitment to eradicate TB. An overview of the 100-day campaign, which aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality in 347 priority districts across the country, was presented during the meeting. It was informed that to increase detection, intensified case finding drives will be conducted using advanced screening and diagnostic technologies to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Parallelly, to reduce mortality due to TB, the programme will expand access to novel initiatives such as Differentiated TB Care to provide specialised care to high-risk patients and increased nutritional support through th Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana. The state ministers were also informed about the various community mobilisation activities that should be undertaken during the campaign, including over 80,000 Ni-kshay Shivirs to monitor progress. Building on the Jan Bhagidaari approach, the campaign aims to mobilise community members to undertake Ni-kshay Shapaths, and urge community leaders, individuals, NGOs and corporates to become Ni-kshay Mitras. Alongside, TB Vijaetas (TB champions) and Ni-kshay Mitras will be recognised for their contributions which will further inspire collective action. Lastly, involvement of Panchayati Raj Institution members will be critical while regular Gram Sabhas on TB will be organised to raise community awareness while ensuring the uptake of essential TB services. Since the launch of the campaign, 53 lakh vulnerable individuals have been screened. Out of these, 2.21 lakh individuals have been tested, leading to the diagnosis of 22,178 new patients. Through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, 17,621 beneficiaries have received direct benefit transfers (DBT), and in total, 16 lakh beneficiaries have been paid Rs 416 crore. Additionally, 1,630 new Ni-kshay Mitras have been registered, collectively adopting over 12,000 patients during the campaign period. Cumulatively, 1.8 lakh Ni-kshay Mitras have adopted 8.63 lakh patients. PTI PLB ARI This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

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Wycombe is home to endless amounts of amazing and award-winning eateries but some places can often come with a hefty price tag. However, a typical full English breakfast shouldn't set you back £30 a plate, that's why we've rounded up five of the best and most affordable breakfast spots across Wycombe. From crispy bacon, a perfect piece of toast, a dollop of baked beans and maybe even a black pudding or two, these are the best breakfast spots for a delicious fry-up in Wycombe. 5 of the best and most affordable full English breakfast spots in Wycombe 1. Air Raid Shelter Cafe and Tea Room Location: Frogmoor, High Wycombe HP13 5DQ This little gem offers a nostalgic journey back to the 1940s with its war-themed decor, which has captivated many guests. While opinions on value are split due to varying service speed and cleanliness, the restaurant's food receives both accolades for taste and criticism for consistency. Serving breakfast all day, the restaurant serves a full English as well as traditional afternoon teas which are also popular. One person said: "The Air Raid Shelter does the best breakfast ever, the sausages are brilliant quality, the hash browns are crispy on outside lovely and fluffy inside." Another said: "The food is excellent and the staff are friendly and obliging. This place never fails to please. We had their amazing all-day breakfasts yesterday. They kept us full All-Day" 2. Pantry Location: 7 Park Parade Centre Hazlemere, High Wycombe HP15 7AA This lovely little restaurant/coffee shop uses traditional techniques to create delicious hand-crafted pastries, cakes and food. Customers have praised the food for being delicious but it can get busy there! One person said: "Lovely food, nicely cooked. Had full English and the vegan equivalent. Can see why there might not be much room when busy. " Another added: "Very high class full English. All food is to a high standard of quality and isn't your standard greasy spoon." 3. Hills Cafe Location: 162 Micklefield Rd, High Wycombe HP13 7HA Hills Café is a not for profit community café set in the heart of Micklefield, High Wycombe. It serves great quality barista coffee, home made cakes and a menu of hot and cold sandwiches, cooked breakfasts, soup and other hot dishes. One visitor said: "Ordered our food and it arrived not too many minutes later. Good quality breakfast, tea and coffee were nice also." Another said: "A cafe serving exactly what you want to eat and drink. Brilliant concept, lovely staff, something for everyone in every sense. Oh and quite importantly... really yummy food at really fair prices." 4. Chris's Cafe Location: Wycombe Rd, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe HP14 3XB This motel/diner style cafe offers slap up full English breakfasts at a decent price. It's not got many reviews but the few that have left a review have only had positive things to say. Like this person, who said: "We have been there on many occasions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. We can't fault it, the meals are brilliant and always hot." 5. Red Lion Tea Room Location: Bradenham Village, High Wycombe HP14 4HF Saving the best till last, Bradenham Cafe & Tea Rooms , set in the beautiful village of Bradenham serves "the best breakfasts" in the area. The country pub turned versatile tearoom was even named best in Buckinghamshire last month. The place has become renowned for their delicious all day breakfasts. One person said: "A lovely little place, clean, cute and cozy. A fabulous full English breakfast, fairly priced. Service attentive and polite, but don’t forget to book!" Another said: "I had a breakfast it was the best one in a long time , lovely friendly staff will definitely be coming back."

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