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BERNAMA-DPA – Banning smartphones in schools significantly enhances students’ social well-being, according to a recent meta-analysis of five international studies. “The children feel happier and enjoy school more because they spend their breaks talking and playing with each other,” explained co-author of the analysis and Professor of School Pedagogy at the University of Augsburg, Germany Klaus Zierer. Published in the Switzerland-based journal Education Sciences, the analysis looked at studies from Norway, Sweden, Spain, England and the Czech Republic. If students use their smartphone and social media in school, they’re exposed to the risk of cyberbullying there too, Zierer noted. “So a smartphone ban makes school a safe space against it.” A smartphone ban may also have a positive effect on academic performance, he said, although this was difficult to measure in the studies that were examined. “A smartphone ban alone won’t improve learning, of course,” remarked Zierer, but said it at least eliminates disruptions to students’ concentration caused by surreptitiously looking at the devices during class. While Zierer believes smartphones have no place at all in primary school, he said the older that children become, the greater their personal responsibility and media literacy need to be. “The key is to oversee a ban so that it’s not just a rigid framework, but eventually makes checks unnecessary.” BARCELONA (AP) – Try saying “no” when a child asks for a smartphone. What comes after, parents everywhere can attest, begins with some variation of, “Everyone has one. Why can’t I?” But what if no preteen in sight has one – and what if having a smartphone was weird? That’s the endgame of an increasing number of parents across Europe who are concerned by evidence that smartphone use among young kids jeopardises their safety and mental health – and share the conviction that there’s strength in numbers. From Spain to Britain and Ireland, parents are flooding WhatsApp and Telegram groups with plans not just to keep smartphones out of schools, but to link arms and refuse to buy young kids the devices before – or even into – their teenage years. After being inspired by a conversation in a Barcelona park with other mums, Elisabet García Permanyer started a chat group last fall to share information on the perils of Internet access for children with families at her kids’ school. The group, called ‘Adolescence Free of Mobile Phones’, quickly expanded and now includes over 10,000 members. The most engaged parents are pushing for fellow parents to agree not to get their kids smartphones until they are 16. After organising online, they facilitate real-world talks among concerned parents to further their crusade. “When I started this, I just hoped I would find four other families who thought like me, but it took off and kept growing, growing and growing,” García Permanyer said. “My goal was to try to join forces with other parents so we could push back the point when smartphones arrive. I said, ‘I am going to try so that my kids are not the only ones who don’t have one’.” It isn’t just parents. Police and public health experts were sounding the alarm about a spike of violent and pornographic videos watched by children via handheld devices. Spain’s government took note of the momentum and banned smartphones entirely from elementary schools in January. Now they can only be turned on in high school, which starts at age 12, if a teacher deems it necessary for an educational activity. The movement in Britain gained steam this year after the mother of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who was killed by two teenagers last year, began demanding that kids under 16 be blocked from accessing social media on smartphones. “It feels like we all know (buying smartphones) is a bad decision for our kids, but that the social norm has not yet caught up,” Daisy Greenwell, a Suffolk, England-area mother of three kids under age 10, posted to her Instagram earlier this year. “What if we could switch the social norm so that in our school, our town, our country, it was an odd choice to make to give your child a smartphone at 11? What if we could hold off until they’re 14, or 16?” She and a friend, Clare Reynolds, set up a WhatsApp group called Parents United for a Smartphone-Free Childhood, with three people on it. Within four days, 2,000 people had joined the group, requiring Greenwell and Reynolds to split off dozens of groups by locality. Now there’s a chat group for every British county. Parents rallying to ban smartphones from young children have a long way to go to change what’s considered “normal”. By the time they’re 12, most children have smartphones, statistics from all three countries show. In Spain, a quarter of children have a cellphone by age 10, and almost half by 11. At 12, this share rises to 75 per cent. British media regulator Ofcom said 55 per cent of kids in the United Kingdom (UK) owned a smartphone between ages eight and 11, with the figure rising to 97 per cent at age 12. Parents and schools that have succeeded in flipping the paradigm in their communities told The Associated Press (AP) the change became possible the moment they understood that they were not alone. In Greystones, Ireland, that moment came after all eight primary school principals in town signed and posted a letter last year that discouraged parents from buying their students smartphones. Then the parents themselves voluntarily signed written pledges, promising to refrain from letting their young kids have the devices. “The discussion went away almost overnight,” said Christina Capatina, 38, a Greystones parent of two preteen daughters who signed the pledge and says there were almost no smartphones in schools this academic year. Something like a consensus has built for years among institutions, governments, parents and others that smartphone use by children is linked to bullying, suicidal ideation, anxiety and loss of concentration necessary for learning. China moved last year to limit children’s use of smartphones, while France has in place a ban on smartphones in schools for kids aged six to 15. The push to control smartphones in Spain comes amid a surge in cases of children viewing online pornography, sharing videos of sexual violence, or creating “deep fake” pornographic images of female classmates using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Spain’s government said that 25 per cent of kids 12 and under and 50 per cent of kids 15 and under have been exposed to online pornography. The dangers have produced school bans on smartphones and online safety laws. But those don’t address what kids do in off hours. “What I try to emphasise to other principals is the importance of joining up with the school next door to you,” said Principal of St Patrick’s National School Rachel Harper, one of the eight in Greystones to encourage parents to refrain from smartphones for their kids. “There’s a bit more strength that way, in that all the parents in the area are talking about it.” The home isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic offered a firsthand glimpse of their kids staring at screens and getting clever about hiding what they were seeing there – and what was finding them. But if the kids can’t have smartphones, are the parents cutting back their own online time? That’s tough, multiple parents said, because they’re managing families and work online.Jamiya Neal finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four blocks to lead host Creighton over UNLV 83-65 on Saturday in Omaha, Neb. Creighton was without star Pop Isaacs, who was ruled out for the season on Saturday morning after undergoing surprise hip surgery. It was a startling turn, considering Isaacs led Creighton with 27 points in Wednesday's win over No. 1 Kansas. Neal and Steven Ashworth (17 points) anchored the backcourt in Isaacs' absence, combining to make 13-of-20 shots from the field. Neal made 7 of his 10 and Ashworth 6 of 10. Isaac Traudt also stepped up, making five 3-pointers off the bench to account for all 15 of his points. Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 12 points, making 4-of-5 attempts from the field, and added six rebounds. Creighton opened the second half on a 10-0 run, extending its lead to 49-27 before UNLV mustered an answer. Creighton made 10 consecutive shots early in the second half, extending its lead to a 62-41 with 12:20 remaining. Dedan Thomas Jr. paced UNLV with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, making 1 of 4 attempts from 3-point range. Jailen Bedford added a team-high 20 points for the Rebels on 8-of-15 shooting, scoring 17 points in the second half. Julian Rishwain added 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, but UNLV's second leading scorer for the season, Jeremiah Cherry, was limited to just four points in 16 minutes after early foul trouble. Creighton shot a resounding 63.3 percent from the field for the game, including going 10-of-20 from beyond the arc. Creighton outscored UNLV 38-34 in the paint and outrebounded them 34-21. UNLV finished the game shooting 42.2 percent field, making 7-of-21 attempts from distance. --Field Level MediaThe mounting direct costs of the ongoing war—reflected in an expanding budget deficit, rising debt-to-GDP ratio and the risk of a credit rating downgrade (w hich wouldn't be unprecedented )—are creating serious doubts about Israel’s ability or willingness to address the critical need to expand its high-tech workforce. This stark warning comes from the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Expanding Human Capital in High-Tech, chaired by David Perlmutter, in a follow-up report published on Monday. According to the committee, the war has created significant growth potential for Israel’s defense-tech industries, making it more urgent than ever for the government to solve the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the high-tech sector. 1 View gallery ( Photo: Shutterstock ) “The 2025 budget must prioritize these initiatives as a national mission,” emphasizes Perlmutter, the committee’s chair. “Without urgent action, Israel risks losing its technological edge and the economic and security benefits it brings. The high-tech sector is essential to our economy, and the technologists of tomorrow are the ones who will develop Israel’s future security solutions. This war has proven beyond a doubt that technological education is our Iron Dome.” The committee, which submitted its final recommendations in November 2022, points out that while these recommendations were adopted by the government, their implementation has been slow. The committee is now issuing a “red flag” regarding the urgent need to accelerate these efforts, especially in light of growing national, economic and technological uncertainties, as well as the rapid pace of global technological advancements. The follow-up report paints a worrying picture of stagnation, with a troubling trend toward decline. At the end of 2023, 508,780 workers were employed in high-tech jobs, accounting for 14.9% of Israel’s workforce. By mid-2024, that number had dropped to 507,701, representing 14.7% of the workforce. The decline is particularly noticeable in growth-oriented professions. To meet its 2028 target of 736,000 high-tech workers, the committee says an annual growth rate of 3.5% is required. To meet the needs of Israel’s high-tech industry and economy, the number of high school graduates eligible for "tech matriculation" (the basic qualifications required for high-tech jobs) must grow from 13,850 in 2023 to 23,600 by 2028. Similarly, the number of university graduates with technology-related degrees must rise from 7,500 in 2023 to 9,000 by 2028. Without these significant increases, the committee warns, “we will fail to meet the needs of the economy in the coming years.” The Perlmutter Committee, established by a government decision in 2021, is an inter-ministerial body tasked with expanding human capital in high-tech. Led by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the committee includes representatives from the government, business sector and nonprofit organizations. David Perlmutter Photo: Pini Hamo The report also notes that between 2014 and 2021, the percentage of high school students eligible for "tech matriculation" rose from 6.4% to 11%. However, in the absence of active policies, this upward trend has stalled. The committee’s target—to reach 17% by 2028—has now become much harder to achieve. Similarly, the number of students enrolling in technology-related academic degrees has plateaued after years of steady growth. New recommendations for focused efforts In light of the dramatic changes in Israel and the world since its last report, the committee has outlined new recommendations to modify existing plans and focus on additional areas. These include: Deepening collaboration between schools in neighboring municipalities. Expanding physics centers and establishing computer engineering centers. Increasing informal educational programs to encourage girls to pursue "tech matriculation." Rethinking recent changes to the structure of the mathematics matriculation exam. Integrating AI education into the curriculum from an early age. Institutionalizing a national technological-civil service program for populations that do not enlist in the military. Incentivizing academic institutions to increase the number of students pursuing double-major degrees that include technology. Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv “The data is a clear warning sign for the economic resilience of the country and the future of the high-tech industry,” said Gila Gamliel, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. “This situation demands a shift in mindset and new national priorities in the Ministry of Finance and the allocation of national budgets toward formal and informal education in tech-related fields. Without these changes, we risk losing our superiority in intelligence, security, space and energy to nations that have already made these necessary adjustments.” >PARIS — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral on Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Associated Press The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. People gather near France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, hours before formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, on Saturday in Paris. Bernat Armangue, Associated Press “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail followed Trump. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier The tabernacle of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, third right, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People gather as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The nave, the western Rose window and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin A man takes a picture of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated cathedral, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin Part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, is seen Friday Nov. 29, 2024, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson Part of the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People stand inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier
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Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentGet essential daily news for Fort Worth area Sign up to receive insightful, in-depth local stories today. 📩 A Fort Worth ISD committee tasked with supervising the district’s $1.2 billion bond program wants to double down on its oversight. During the committee’s most recent meeting, Isaac Manning, president and CEO of Trinity Works Fort Worth, was elected chairman, taking over from Libby Willis, an Oakhurst neighborhood community leader and historic preservation consultant. Manning, who’s served stints on previous district bond committees, doesn’t think this edition of the committee is doing enough. He proposed meeting more often, and encouraged district trustees to be more involved, especially considering how much will soon be spent on various projects. “I’m not sure how much of an impact we’re making with our volunteer time,” Manning told members Dec. 2. “I think we need to be able to be more engaged.” Made up of members recommended by trustees — including community leaders in sectors such as construction, financial management, land development, public agencies and parent leadership — the group meets quarterly. Often during those meetings, members are presented with progress on construction along with updated expenses related to the 2021 bond. Part of Manning’s frustration stems from previous meetings, in which not enough members were present to adopt amendments to the committee’s policies, or elect a new chair and vice chair. In his previous stints on 2007 and 2013 bond committees, reaching quorum was never an issue, Manning said. Members showed up, as did superintendents and trustees. Get essential daily news for the Fort Worth area. Sign up for insightful, in-depth stories — completely free. “They thought it was important,” Manning said. “And we weren’t wasting our time.” No Fort Worth ISD trustee was present during the committee’s December meeting, nor the October meeting that didn’t have a quorum. Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar attended the December meeting to address members’ questions and comments. As to why trustees haven’t been attending recent meetings, board President Roxanne Martinez said trustees receive regular updates from their representatives and may attend meetings as their schedules allow. “Each trustee has appointed and/or recommended representatives to serve on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee,” Martinez said. “The board appreciates the dedication, commitment and service of the members. In addition, the Board Facility Committee keeps board trustees updated on facility related issues.” The 2021 Citizens’ Oversight Committee was established by trustees in April 2022 with the purpose of assisting the district in maintaining the accountability and integrity of the bond program, which was narrowly approved by voters in November 2021 . So far, the district has allocated nearly $280 million spread out across 27 different projects. The district has paid nearly $119 million to date, leaving the district with $834.5 million left to spend. “Today as a community, we are at a tipping point,” Manning told trustees during an Oct. 22 Fort Worth ISD board meeting. “We still have options to let the master facilities plan process play out to give trustees options with data and community input.” Manning referenced the district’s facilities plan, which officials spent $2 million on to determine the long-range use of campuses. The plan and its preliminary findings, assembled by Alabama-based Hoar Program Management, were presented to trustees in May. In July, committee members received further updates from the firm, specifically in regard to middle school projects listed in the bond. “The volume of information was overwhelming and extremely disturbing,” Manning told trustees. “In layman’s terms, we are overbuilding by 99%.” Manning told trustees that based on what’s expressed within the bond, the district would renovate 17 middle schools for a post-construction capacity of 25,251 students. Hoar Program Management expects the number of students living within the attendance zones of those campuses to eventually fall to 12,709 students, he said. “The point is, you have a rare window of opportunity to hit the pause button and to get through the plan,” Manning said. “Look at the projects you are spending money on today, in light of the entire picture of what facilities the district will actually need to meet our students’ requirements.” As of the committee’s Dec. 2 meeting, seven projects had been put on strategic hold by the district. Eight projects are currently under construction, another four are preparing for construction to begin and five campuses are still in the design phase. One project, Rolling Hills Elementary School, has been completed. The new campus in Benbrook opened in 2023 and cost the district $58.7 million. Manning sees the district’s “window of opportunity” to adjust bond projects affected by declining enrollment closing by the first quarter of 2025. “You are projected to spend another $450 million (in the first quarter of 2025),” Manning told trustees. “At that point, you are done. You will have encumbered $860 million. It is game over.” The plan — and its findings — make what was initially approved for the bond look more and more suspect, Manning said. He recommended freezing spending on construction until the plan is complete and trustees have a full picture on where the bond money needs to go. “This is going to require lots of hard choices that have been kicked down the road for far too many years, but hard choices are what you as trustees were elected to make,” Manning said. In terms of dollars, trustees can approve the shifting of voter-approved funds from one project to another whenever they see fit , according to state law. The money doesn’t need to be spent exactly on what voters approved, as long as the funds go toward district facilities. District leaders have already shown a willingness to veer from what was originally proposed in the 2021 bond. Trustees approved a consolidation of McLean Sixth Grade and McLean Middle School, which is set to kick in for the 2028-29 school year. Originally, both campuses were set to receive renovations funded by bond dollars. Instead, $27.2 million was shifted from the McLean Sixth Grade project to support a new, expanded McLean Middle School after the facilities master plan found that enrollment at both McLean campuses had steadily declined since the 2018-19 school year, and isn’t expected to bounce back. Those efforts could be replicated across the district, as Fort Worth ISD officials held meetings earlier this year at Kirkpatrick Middle School and Morningside Middle School to discuss consolidation efforts within those school pyramids. Though trustees pulled those closures in late May following community concern, administrators continue to recognize the need to downsize the district to address declining enrollment. “We want to come up with some options to make the consolidation a lot more appealing for the community,” Molinar said in regard to the potential merger between Kirkpatrick and J.P. Elder middle schools. Judy Needham, a former Fort Worth ISD trustee who now serves on the oversight committee, asked Kellie Spencer, deputy superintendent of operations, when the district expects a decision regarding those projects. “Options are being discussed,” Spencer said, noting the district will continue to hold community campus meetings across the district. “I anticipate that sometime around March-ish, we’ll start to see recommendations forming.” While Willis, who now serves as vice chair, said on Dec. 3 that meeting more often as a committee is an option, she wanted to caution members in veering from the group’s initial responsibility. The district must avoid repeating previous mistakes that resulted in criminal fraud cases in 2004. “Remember why this committee started. People were convicted and went to prison for having wrongfully used the funds,” Willis said. “Initially, I would think there was a huge focus on the money. Our job is not to do the trustees’ job. Our job is to report.” Still, trustees must make the tough decisions, Manning said. Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1 . At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here . Related Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism . Republish This Story Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . Look for the "Republish This Story" button underneath each story. To republish online, simply click the button, copy the html code and paste into your Content Management System (CMS). Do not copy stories straight from the front-end of our web-site. You are required to follow the guidelines and use the republication tool when you share our content. The republication tool generates the appropriate html code. You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. You can’t sell or syndicate our stories. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. If you use our stories in any other medium — for example, newsletters or other email campaigns — you must make it clear that the stories are from the Fort Worth Report. In all emails, link directly to the story at fortworthreport.org and not to your website. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @FortWorthReport on Facebook and @FortWorthReport on Twitter. You have to credit Fort Worth Report. Please use “Author Name, Fort Worth Report” in the byline. If you’re not able to add the byline, please include a line at the top of the story that reads: “This story was originally published by Fort Worth Report” and include our website, fortworthreport.org . You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style. Our stories may appear on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories. You can’t sell or syndicate our stories. You can only publish select stories individually — not as a collection. Any web site our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization. If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @FortWorthReport on Facebook and @FortWorthReport on Twitter. by Matthew Sgroi, Fort Worth Report December 7, 2024D Gukesh vs Ding Liren Game 11 LIVE Streaming: When and where to watch the World Chess Championship 2024 game and current score
Barrister cleared of misconduct calls on head of Bar Standards Board to resign
By GABRIELA SÁ PESSOA and MAURICIO SAVARESE, Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s federal police said Thursday they indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Police said their findings were being delivered Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which must decide whether to refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then. Police said in a brief statement that the Supreme Court had agreed to reveal the names of all 37 people who were indicted “to avoid the dissemination of incorrect news.” The 700-page police document likely will take several days for the court to review, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes said. Dozens of former and current Bolsonaro aides also were indicted, including Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who was his running mate in the 2022 campaign; former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira; Valdemar Costa Neto, the chairman of Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party; and his veteran former adviser, Gen. Augusto Heleno. The investigation started last year. On Tuesday, four military men and one federal police agent were arrested as part of the same probe . Other investigations focus on Bolosnaro’s potential roles in smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them, and in directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in either. Another probe found that he had abused his authority to cast doubt on the country’s voting system, and judges barred him from running again until 2030. The far-reaching investigations have weakened Bolsonaro’s status as a leader of Brazil’s right wing, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. “Bolsonaro is already barred from running in the 2026 elections,” Melo told the The Associated Press. “And if he is convicted he could also be jailed by then. To avoid being behind bars, he will have to convince Supreme Court justices that he has nothing to do with a plot that involves dozens of his aids. That’s a very tall order,” Melo said. On Tuesday, the federal police arrested four military and a federal police officer accused of plotting to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections, including alleged plans to kill Lula and other top officials.
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2024-- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNS): WHO: Anirudh Devgan, president and chief executive officer, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDNS). WHAT: Devgan will participate in a fireside chat at the Nasdaq 51 st Investor Conference held in association with Morgan Stanley on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. WHEN: The talk will be available live by webcast at 9:00 a.m. GMT on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The presentation will be archived on the Cadence website and will be available for replay for 180 days after the event. WHERE: The webcast will be available online at cadence.com/cadence/investor_relations . About Cadence Cadence is a pivotal leader in electronic systems design, building upon more than 30 years of computational software expertise. The company applies its underlying Intelligent System Design strategy to deliver software, hardware and IP that turn design concepts into reality. Cadence customers are the world’s most innovative companies, delivering extraordinary electronic products from chips to boards to complete systems for the most dynamic market applications, including hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, mobile, aerospace, consumer, industrial and healthcare. For 10 years in a row, Fortune magazine has named Cadence one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. Learn more at cadence.com . © 2024 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Cadence, the Cadence logo and the other Cadence marks found at www.cadence.com/go/trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Category: Financial View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202029810/en/ CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Investor Relations Cadence Design Systems, Inc. 408-944-7100 investor_relations@cadence.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE HARDWARE ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING OTHER TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/02/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/02/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202029810/en
Elon Musk, the richest person in the world and the new BFF of President-elect Trump, plans to wade into the video game industry by opening a studio. Musk detailed his vaguely defined plans on X (formerly Twitter), the social media site he bought in October 2022, which has been losing users — particularly following the US presidential election. “Too many game studios [...] are owned by massive corporations,” Musk opined the morning of Nov. 27 before going on to announce his own massive corporation, xAI, is starting an AI game studio to “make games great again.” xAI bills itself as “working on building artificial intelligence to accelerate human scientific discovery, [...] guided by our mission to advance our collective understanding of the universe.” The company is perhaps best known for Grok, the ChatGPT-style bot available to X Premium subscribers. Musk founded xAI in March 2023. It’s unclear what Musk knows about how video games are developed or how a studio is run. Though that hasn’t prevented him from sharing his opinions on the field in the past, like when he opined on crafting the worst Elden Ring build of all time and grinding his way to what some believe is a dubious top ranking in Diablo 4 . Maybe he’s still stinging from being heckled at a major Valorant tournament . In any case, it appears those of us with a stake in this medium who already abandoned X for greener pastures will still need to keep an eye on Musk as he continues to cozy up to United States President-elect Donald Trump who has a long history of favoring the business of his allies — and turning their enemies into his own. AI Gaming NewsBrian Arteaga Launches Legal Match Experts to Transform Access to Legal Representation 12-13-2024 11:58 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire A new platform evolutionizes the legal landscape: connecting clients with the right attorneys. Brian Arteaga, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Law and currently pursuing his Juris Doctor degree, is making waves in the legal field with the launch of Legal Match Experts [ https://legallybrilliant.com/ ]. Based in Beverly Hills, California, Legal Match Experts is an innovative consumer-to-attorney platform designed to bridge the gap in the legal marketplace, ensuring individuals from all backgrounds can access the right legal representation. "The legal system can be intimidating and confusing, especially when people unknowingly hire the wrong type of attorney for their specific needs," Arteaga explained. "Legal Match Experts fills this void by matching clients with attorneys who specialize in their unique cases, eliminating costly and time-consuming mistakes." The platform allows users to answer a few basic questions, after which they are matched with one to three attorneys specializing in areas such as family law, bankruptcy, real estate, insurance, intellectual property, criminal law, and more. The platform ensures matches are localized, connecting users with attorneys in their county for added convenience. One standout feature of Legal Match Experts is its translation services, which help overcome language barriers-a common issue in the legal field. "Too often, people prioritize hiring an attorney who speaks their native language over one with the proper specialization, leading to unfavorable outcomes," Arteaga noted. "We eliminate this issue by pairing clients with attorneys who meet both their linguistic and legal needs." Using the platform is simple, accessible, and entirely free for consumers. Users can interview their matched attorneys and proceed only if they feel comfortable. "There's no cost to be matched, and no obligation to hire. It's a risk-free way to find the best legal help," Arteaga emphasized. Arteaga's vision is deeply rooted in his own journey and commitment to making a difference. With plans to take the California Bar Exam next fall and specialize in intellectual property law, he aspires to become a full-time attorney dedicated to providing exceptional legal solutions. "Everyone deserves access to quality legal representation without unnecessary obstacles," said Arteaga. "Our platform empowers individuals to make informed decisions, saving them time, money, and stress." Legal Match Experts can be accessed nationwide through LegallyBrilliant.com [ https://legallybrilliant.com/ ]. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive approach, the platform is set to revolutionize how people find legal representation. Media Contact Company Name: Legal Match Experts Contact Person: Brian Arteaga, Founder Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=brian-arteaga-launches-legal-match-experts-to-transform-access-to-legal-representation ] Country: United States Website: https://legallybrilliant.com This release was published on openPR.
News headlines are replete with stories about negotiations starting in the coming months to end Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, especially since Donald Trump’s US election victory. Both sides are reportedly scrambling to obtain leverage and a position of strength for the coming talks. But an implicit building block in these reports is that President Vladimir Putin has the upper hand across the board. It is said that Russia’s troops are moving forward on the battlefield. Putin is viewed as willing to sacrifice countless Russian soldiers to secure victory, and the Russian people have a long history of bearing inordinate suffering. Meanwhile, the thinking goes, President-elect Trump will be averse to continued funding for Ukraine. He reveres Putin and not Volodymyr Zelensky and wants a deal fast. He isn’t keen on Nato. European nations, especially amid a weakened Germany and France, are at odds with one another and unable to show leadership. Ukraine is tired of war. But caution may be warranted in buying into this narrative. The past decades were filled with geopolitical surprises in part triggered by weakened economies and corruption that caught intelligence officials off guard – including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1993, visiting Russia for the first time, I looked out the window of my swanky Moscow hotel and saw a few beaten-up old cars traversing the streets. Was this the powerhouse that had so intimidated the West for decades – admittedly more for its nukes than economic might? James Carville was largely right: ‘it’s the economy, stupid’. Russia’s ‘fortress’ economic policies and national wealth helped build strong buffers in past years, giving the country the ability to finance an extended war. But, as many others have written, its economy is weak and faces increasingly large unsustainable burdens. Surging defence spending and manpower shortages may be boosting real wages and providing jobs for now. But such largesse cannot be carried on indefinitely, and there is much evidence of economic difficulties. Major macro indicators are deteriorating. Inflation is ticking up towards 9%, the ruble is plummeting and the official interest rate is 21%, crimping investment. Capital controls abound. Supercharged defence spending means resources for social services, infrastructure and education are being squeezed. Western sanctions are biting. They have blocked Russia’s patrimony, threatening to take away the country’s past earnings of some $300bn and even give them to Ukraine for reconstruction. Even if Russian energy earnings remain large, the latest sanctions involving Gazprombank have further hit Russia’s ability to sell oil, reportedly even to some Chinese entities. More western sanctions are likely in the coming weeks. Softer global demand means softer oil prices, which are already well below the level Russia assumed for its budget. While a falling ruble helps the budget, it cannot make up for the losses, and it is a highly visible and transparent barometer of Russia’s woes. Western firms have left Russia (or are trying to) – with little prospect of a return. Russian access to western technology is being lost despite efforts to circumvent sanctions via transshipments through other countries. One often hears Russia is facing challenges in acquiring spare parts, not only for its war machine but also increasingly civil aviation. Russia is facing a massive brain drain (some estimates exceed 800,000) in addition to lost and injured soldiers on the battlefield (some estimates exceed 700,000). As diplomats in the US, Europe and Ukraine begin seeking pathways to a negotiated outcome, they should not presume that Putin’s position is as strong as news reports might suggest or that the Russian people may have unlimited tolerance for the war. Even if sanctions and blocked Russian assets are not going to bring Russia’s economy to its knees in one fell swoop, they remain powerful leverage and can be used more forcefully in any agreement to end the fighting and secure Ukraine’s future. Putin understands that one of his lasting legacies will be a Russian economy decimated by war and isolation for years to come. Whenever talk of a settlement arises, Putin’s first demand is an end to western sanctions. Western negotiators will have to decide if the terms Russia offers in military or territorial concessions are worth removing some or all sanctions, whether Russian assets should be unfrozen or if Putin can avoid paying any reparations for the damage to Ukraine. But they should remember that history has shown a remarkable tendency to discount the impact that economic failure can have in upending societies and fomenting upheaval. Given Russia’s teetering economy, its diplomatic hand may be nowhere near as strong as it might seem. Source: OMFIFOlivia Dunne shares behind-the-scenes snaps of her glamorous night out in New York City... but Paul Skenes is still nowhere to be seen READ MORE: Olivia Dunne speaks up after Paul Skenes' 'awkward' celebration By LEOCCIANO CALLAO Published: 22:01, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 22:09, 2 December 2024 e-mail 6 shares View comments Olivia Dunne looked glamorous in pictures from a night out in New York City and posted snaps on her Instagram on Monday. The New Jersey native spent Thanksgiving in her home state and went across the Hudson River to hit the Big Apple for the evening. In her recent post, Dunne shared pictures of her posing in a short black dress in the back of a vehicle. She also posted photos of her with friends hanging out by a fireplace, and a snap of an NYC bagel and box of Tropicana orange juice. The last slide showed Dunne in more comfortable clothing, pouting her lips on the camera. 'Sorry I missed your call,' she captioned. While Dunne enjoyed her time out in Manhattan, her boyfriend Paul Skenes appeared to skip the festivities as he is not seen in any of the pictures. Olivia Dunne posted stunning behind-the-scenes snaps form her night out in New York City Her MLB star boyfriend, Paul Skenes, is not seen in any of the pictures from her recent post Read More Olivia Dunne shares behind-the-scenes of her Thanksgiving... but Paul Skenes is nowhere to be seen The pair seem to have spent the holidays with their respective families, as Skenes was not seen in Dunne's Thanksgiving post from Nov. 29. Dunne posted a photo of herself proudly holding out an oven dish brimming with creamy mac and cheese as she stuck her tongue out and cocked her head to the side. Having gotten her hands messy in the kitchen, the social media sensation added the cheeky caption: 'So what are you bringing to the table?' Proud of her culinary masterpiece, Dunne gave her 5.4 million followers a behind-the-scenes, step-by-step guide, as she also added photos showing her putting it in the oven and posing with ingredients. While Dunne headed back to the East Coast, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher was presumably in his hometown - Fullerton, California. Skenes was also not seen in Dunne's Thanksgiving Instagram post from late November Earlier this month, the couple went viral for their contrasting reactions to Skenes being named NL Rookie of the Year. Skenes' crowning moment as the National League's best newcomer took an awkward turn as the Pittsburgh Pirates star did not appear thrilled with his award. On the other hand, Dunne did not hold back her excitement. While fans ridiculed their contrasting reactions, Dunne posted content from Skenes' ROTY announcement on her social media pages, including a TikTok video of their celebration. When one user commented 'Looks like yall had an argument before it was announced,' Dunne explained the reason behind Skenes' demeanor. 'He is just the king of nonchalant,' Dunne responded. Olivia Dunne New Jersey Instagram New York Share or comment on this article: Olivia Dunne shares behind-the-scenes snaps of her glamorous night out in New York City... but Paul Skenes is still nowhere to be seen e-mail 6 shares Add comment
Mueller Water Products Announces Update on Board Refreshment PlanJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy's dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country's General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix's platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it's not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry's evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.”
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A high-profile barrister who was cleared of misconduct over social media posts has called on the head of the Bar Standards Board to resign. Dr Charlotte Proudman, who specialises in family law, had faced a Bar Standards Board (BSB) disciplinary tribunal over a 14-part Twitter thread criticising a judge’s ruling over a domestic abuse case, saying it echoed a “boys’ club”. However, the five charges against the 36-year-old were dropped on Thursday. In an interview with The Times, Dr Proudman described the position of Mark Neale, the board’s director-general, as “untenable” and said its chairwoman, Kathryn Stone, should also stand down. “They need a change, not just in those two individuals, though, because, of course, it seeps down to the rest of the organisation,” she said. She told the paper she “genuinely” wanted to work with the Bar Standards Board in helping them to understand how misogyny and sexism have impacted women at the bar. However, she said that “under the current leadership, it’s just not going to be possible”. The charges alleged Dr Proudman had “failed to act with integrity” in posting the tweets, that they amounted to professional misconduct, were “misleading” and “inaccurately reflected the findings of the judge” in the case. The women’s rights campaigner was also accused of behaving in a way “which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public placed in her and in the profession”, and that she “knowingly or recklessly misled or attempted to mislead the public” by making the posts. But panel chairman Nicholas Ainley found her tweets are protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right of freedom of expression. He said her tweets did not “gravely damage” the judiciary, which would “put them outside” of Article 10 protection, even if they “might not have been pleasant for any judge to read” or even “hurtful”. “We take the view that the judiciary of England and Wales is far more robust than that,” he said. The panel also concluded that some of the tweets were only inaccurate “to a minor degree” and not to the extent necessary for a charge of a lack of integrity. Speaking after the hearing, Dr Proudman told the PA news agency: “This ruling is a victory for women’s rights and a right to freedom of speech. “The prosecution against me brought by my regulatory body, the Bar Standards Board, should never have happened and I said that from day one. “I criticised a domestic abuse judgment. Everyone should have the right to do that, whether you’re a barrister or not. Our justice system, which I strongly believe in, is robust enough to withstand criticism from me.” She believes her tweets help “foster confidence” in the justice system, adding: “Only that way can we go about building change and a better treatment for all victims, women and children and men who are affected by domestic abuse.” Explaining that the BSB appears to have spent almost £40,000 “of barristers’ money” on instructing counsel in her case, she added: “I think it’s shameful that they’re using our money to pay for, in my view, malicious, vexatious prosecutions which I have no doubt was a personal attack against me as a woman and as a feminist, as an outspoken critic and advocate for women’s rights.” Dr Proudman called for “systemic change” within the board. “They don’t understand gender, they don’t understand diversity, I don’t think they’ve ever heard of the concept misogyny and certainly not institutional misogyny,” she said. “Until they recognise the deeply rooted, entrenched issue of bullying, harassment, sexism at the bar, for which I have suffered relentlessly... and own up to it I don’t think we’re going to see any change and I have no confidence in them.” She told of how male barristers have called her insulting names on social media and made derogatory comments about her. In the posts on April 6 2022, Dr Proudman referenced a case in which her client alleged she had been subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour by her husband, a part-time judge, meaning she had been “unable to freely enter” the couple’s “post-nuptial” financial agreement. Commenting on the ruling by Family Court judge Sir Jonathan Cohen, Dr Proudman wrote: “I represented Amanda Traharne. “She said she was coerced into signing a post-nuptial agreement by her husband (who is a part-time judge). I lost the case. “I do not accept the Judge’s reasoning. I will never accept the minimisation of domestic abuse.” She continued: “Demeaning the significance of domestic abuse has the affect of silencing victims and rendering perpetrators invisible. “This judgement has echoes of (t)he ‘boys club’ which still exists among men in powerful positions.” In the thread, Dr Proudman wrote that the judge had described the relationship of the couple as “tempestuous”, which she argued was a “trivialisation” of domestic abuse. “Tempestuous? Lose his temper? Isn’t this the trivialisation of domestic abuse & gendered language. This is not normal married life,” she wrote.None
