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Hyderabad: Members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) on Sunday, December 29, alleged that they received threat calls for attacking actor Allu Arjun’s house in Hyderabad over the stampede during Pushpa 2: The Rise premier at the Sandhya Theater. Following the threat calls, members of the JAC approached the Hyderabad police and filed a complaint. A JAC member in a video statement said, “Since being released on bail, we’ve received several calls asking how dare we attacked Allu Arjun’s House. We have filed a complaint against all those who threatened us.” Defending the attack on Allu Arjun’s house the OU JAC said that the actor needs to realise that he is not above law, adding that the attack was carried out in response to “injustice” done to a boy who fell unconscious due to the stampede during the premier of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theater at RTC X roads on December 4. “When 15 people came and ransacked your house, you were rattled. Imagine when 30 lakh students from universities across Telangana come to your house,” said the man, threatening the actor of protests. The man further said that the OU JAC is not backed by any political party. “We on behalf of students urge you to stay humble and ask your fans not to threaten us,” he concluded. Earlier, the Jubilee Hills police had arrested six persons when they staged a protest and damaged flower pots at the house of the actor on Sunday, December 22. All of them were later released on bail by the court. A group of miscreants attacked Allu Arjun’s residence on December 22. The group reportedly associated with the OU JAC created chaos while raising slogans demanding justice for Revathi’s family. They also intercepted Allu Arjun’s staff while continuing to throw tomatoes at the residence. Unverified reports suggest that stones were also thrown during the attack, damaging flower pots. Man accused of attacking Allu Arjun's house over #Puspa2TheRule stampede threatens to repeat the offence , this time with a larger group. #Hyderabad @TheSiasatDaily #AlluAjun @alluarjun pic.twitter.com/YJiArIb76W
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TEL AVIV, Israel, and BEIRUT — Celebratory gunfire rang out in the Lebanese capital Beirut overnight Tuesday to mark the start of a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon to end almost 14 months of fighting. The truce, brokered by the United States and France, went into effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Fighting, however, continued up to the zero hour, with Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon far into the night. Underlining the potential fragility of the truce, the Israeli military says it fired toward suspects in a prohibited zone just hours into the ceasefire, and the suspects left. Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, said they were Hezbollah operatives in a border village. In a joint statement , President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said the deal "will cease the fighting in Lebanon, and secure Israel from the threat of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations operating from Lebanon." They said it "will create the conditions to restore lasting calm and allow residents in both countries to return safely to their homes" along the border. Hezbollah started firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas after the Palestinian militant group led an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire since then. The fighting — which intensified eight weeks ago, when Israel initiated a ground invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at eliminating Hezbollah fighters and weapons capabilities from the border region — has killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanese health officials, and around 80 people in northern Israel, according to Israeli officials. The conflict has driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese — about a fifth of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations . Israel estimates about 60,000 people evacuated northern communities to flee Hezbollah's rockets. Israel also stepped up airstrikes across Lebanon in recent months, which damaged homes and infrastructure, and killing the group's top officials — including longtime chief Hassan Nasrallah , its senior commander in the south, Mohammed Nasser , and rocket and missile commander Ibrahim Qubaisi. Israel has fulfilled its military objectives, primarily eliminating Hezbollah infrastructure, says Randa Slim, director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute. "On the border, it's pretty much destroyed," Slim says. "But on top of that, they have wiped out their military command council, as well as their political leadership, top senior political leadership. So these are severe blows to Hezbollah, which is going to take a long, long time to recover from." Many Lebanese already began trying to return to their southern villages, despite Israeli military warnings not to do so yet, while Israeli troops are still deployed. In southern Lebanon, Patricia Taleb, 24, was driving Wednesday to reach the home she was forced to abandon earlier. "We know that this is the end days of the war. We know that ultimately it's going to be OK," she told NPR. For now, Israel is discouraging its residents from returning to their abandoned homes in the border area. Education Minister Yoav Kisch said on Israel Army Radio there will be a 30- to 60-day period of renovating buildings and institutions damaged by Hezbollah fire before Israel initiates a return of Israeli residents. Orna Peretz, an Israeli displaced from Kiryat Shmona, a town less than a mile from the Israel-Lebanon border, told NPR he thinks Hezbollah — founded during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war — has been taught a lesson "it never endured in its entire lifetime." "There is a good deal here that had to come because of the international pressure. And we have somewhere to return to," he said. Alluding to the devastation that Israel has inflicted on southern Lebanon, he added: "The Lebanese have nowhere to return to." The terms of the ceasefire The ceasefire agreement calls for a 60-day timeframe for Hezbollah fighters to withdraw from an area south of the Litani River — effectively creating a buffer between the militants and northern Israel. Israeli forces are expected to similarly withdraw to the Israeli side of the border. To ensure security in the area, the deal calls for thousands of Lebanese government soldiers to deploy to the south, along with U.N. peacekeeping forces known as UNIFIL , according to a copy of the deal seen by NPR. A U.S.-led international panel will monitor for violations of the terms of the agreement. In addition, the agreement calls for Lebanese government authorities to prevent Hezbollah or any other armed group from carrying out attacks on Israel. It further requires Lebanon's military and security forces be the only armed group allowed to operate in southern Lebanon, and that Lebanese authorities prevent the reestablishment and rearming of any non-state armed group in the country. Israel has pledged to aggressively respond to any breach of the terms. "Any violation of the ceasefire will be met with fire," Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters. He said Israeli "soldiers are still positioned in southern Lebanon, in villages and areas from which the forces will gradually withdraw in accordance with the agreement." "This is all going to be about the enforcement," says Shalom Lipner, a Jerusalem-based Middle East expert at the Atlantic Council. "They're telegraphing that there will not be any exceptions [as] in the past." "The stated intent is that at the smallest infraction, they will go through the motions of reporting this to the [U.S.-led international] supervisory committee and [if] Israel doesn't get satisfaction, they will take action on their own," he says. Iran and Israel's Arab neighbors have welcomed the ceasefire After the U.S.- and-France brokered deal was announced in Paris, Iran — which has long been the primary backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas militants in Gaza — said it welcomed the news to end "aggression against Lebanon." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei emphasized Tehran's "firm support for the Lebanese government, nation and resistance." In separate statements, Jordan and Egypt each said Israel's "aggression in Gaza" should be stopped. Jordan called the Lebanon ceasefire "an important step." Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Cairo hopes the ceasefire "will contribute to the beginning of the de-escalation phase in the region." It called for Israel to allow "full access to humanitarian aid without obstacles in light of the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the [Gaza] Strip, in addition to stopping the unjustified violations in the West Bank." Saudi Arabia said it hoped the ceasefire "will lead to the implementation of [U.N.] Security Council Resolution 1701," referring to a previous agreement renewing UNIFIL's mandate at the end of a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia called for "the preservation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and stability and the return of the displaced to their homes in safety and security." Palestinians in Gaza and some Israelis have misgivings Still, some Israelis remain skeptical. "This deal, we still know nothing about it," Avraham Moreno, displaced from Shlomi, a village on the border with Lebanon, tells NPR. "We have very, very mixed feelings, even though we really want to return home." And in Gaza, there are worries as well. Wala Hanuna, 34, a Palestinian displaced by Israel's nearly 14-month military offensive there , worried that the Israeli military would now be free to wreak more destruction on the territory. "We read the news that the Israeli army fighting in Lebanon will go now to Gaza," she said. "Maybe the war here will last another year, with no one thinking how we will get out of this." Hamas, the militant group that Israel has been fighting in Gaza, thanked Hezbollah for its "pivotal role ... in support of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian resistance, and the great sacrifices," including the death of Nasrallah. On the Lebanese side of the border, "many of the country's displaced may not be able to return home for months, as Israel has razed entire villages near the 'Blue Line' border," according to David Wood, a senior analyst on Lebanon at Crisis Group. The Blue Line is the demarcation in southern Lebanon from where Israel withdrew in 2000. Humanitarian aid agencies see challenges ahead The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, says the fighting has limited access to southern Lebanon, where more than 188,000 people live in more than 1,000 government-assigned collective shelters, many of which have reached maximum capacity. "The heavy bombardments have also had a devastating impact on public services and infrastructure," the agency said. In a statement on the ceasefire, UNICEF said it hopes the agreement "will bring an end to the war which has killed more than 240 children, injured around 1,400, and upended the lives of countless others." "Urgent work must now begin to ensure this peace is sustained. Children and families must be able to return to their communities safely, especially those displaced in shelters and host communities," the agency said. Scott Neuman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Lauren Frayer contributed reporting from Beirut; Kat Lonsdorf and Daniel Estrin contributed from Tel Aviv. Copyright 2024 NPRAman Gupta, co-founder of boAt Lifestyle, recently spilled some beans on one of his actor brand ambassadors. Aman revealed that the actor had an image of being humble, flying economy, being very down-to-earth but he was just the opposite with the boAt team. Gupta revealed that the actor used to throw his weight around and gave them a hard time. "Ek actor tha. Humara brand ambassador tha. Itni akad thi usme...aur news me main padta tha wo kitna sweet hai. Dekho, reporter se kitna acche se baat karta hai. Media se kitna acche se baat karta hai. Dekho zara ye economy class me jaa raha hai. Humaare sath itni akad dikhata tha," he said while speaking to Dostcast on YouTube. (There was an actor who was our brand ambassador. He was so full of himself and in the news, I would read about how sweet he was). "Look how nicely he talks to reporters. See how well he interacts with the media. Oh, look, he's travelling in economy class." But with us, he would show so much arrogance) Aman further detailed how the public had a totally different perception of him that what he was truly. "Mujhe samajh aa gaya tha ki (That's when I realised)...people have mastered the art of being humble," he added. Social media tries to decode Ever since the revelation, social media has gone into an overdrive to deduce who the actor could be. While some are saying it could be Ranveer Singh, some have reasoned that the actor is genuinely humble. There were few who named Diljit Dosanjh but the pop sensation has never flown economy. Majority of people on social media came crashing down on Kartik Aaryan . However, who the actual actor is, only Aman Gupta can clarify. Raj Kapoor's 100th birthday: Alia – Ranbir come hand-in-hand, Kareena – Saif make royal entry, Rekha, Kartik Aaryan, Vicky Kaushal and others attend [Pics] When Kartik Aaryan took a jibe at Singham Again: Singham Again vs Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 BO: Ajay Devgn or Kartik Aaryan; who's winning the number game?MUMBAI: Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, who has been scooping adulation across the world courtesy his live shows, dedicated his recent show in Guwahati to the former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The actor-singer took to his Instagram on Sunday, and shared a video from his show. In the video, Diljit paid a moving tribute to the former PM, and said that MMS was a man of grace, who always conducted himself in a sophisticated manner, and never answered anyone in an uncivilised manner. He said, “Today's concert is dedicated to former late Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He led a very simple life. He never used to answer back or talk ill which is quite immpossible in a profession like politics”. He then went on to say a shayari once used by MMS, as he said, "Hazaro’n jawabo’n se meri khamoshi acchi, na jane kitne sawalo ki aabru dhak leti hai”. The superstar urged the youth including himself to learn such etiquettes from him. He wrote in the caption, “Today’s Concert is dedicated to Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. DIL-LUMINATI TOUR Year 24”. MMS passed away on December 26 after prolonged illness. Several members of the film fraternity condoled his demise, and thanked him for his service to the nation and materialising several key moments in modern India. Earlier, Diljit addressed the “conspiracy” that has been alleged against him over the spelling of the Indian state of Punjab. The actor-singer took to his X, formerly Twitter, and spoke about the same. He penned a long note in which he also spoke about how English is a very tricky language, and can particularly cause trouble to those whose first language is not English. He wrote, “Punjabi. If I mistakenly didn’t put up India’s flag after writing ‘Panjab’ in a tweet then it becomes a conspiracy. In a tweet from Bengaluru, I forgot to mention the Indian flag after writing ‘Panjab’, it became a conspiracy”. He further mentioned, “If you write ‘Panjab’ instead of ‘Punjab’, it will remain ‘Punjab’. Panj Aab - 5 Rivers. Bravo, those who create conspiracy around the usage in a language of the Englishmen. You know what, I will write ‘Panjab’. How many times do we prove that we LOVE INDIA. Bring something new, or is creating conspiracy is what you get paid for? #Vehley”. The superstar has seen a meteoric rise in the last couple of years with the box-office success of his films in Hindi and Punjabi cinema. The singer-actor also performed at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April 2023 making him the first Indian performer to achieve the feat. He was followed by fellow Punjabi artiste A. P. Dhillon at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April 2024. Meanwhile, Diljit is set to conclude the India leg of Dil-Luminati tour in Ludhiana. --IANS aa/
Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Brooklyn’s first luxe building for ‘DINKs’ starts leasing this week – and childless renters have mixed feelings: ‘I like seeing kids around’The Harrier is an exceptionally unique and immediately identifiable fighter jet. It stands out from virtually every other aircraft ever built. This jump-jet, as it was often called, was adopted by the Marines in the form of the AV-8B Harrier II. After demonstrating its exceptional battlefield capabilities in the service of the British Armed Forces, the US Marines chose it for themselves as well. Its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities were the focus of its design, lending the aircraft flexibility of incredible value for the American expeditionary forces. After 38 years of frontline service, serving the Marine Corps since 1985, the Harrier is finally ready to retire. The new, fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II will assume the role that the it has fulfilled for nearly four decades. After demonstrating unrivaled battlefield versatility and embodying expeditionary air power, we must bid farewell to the distinguished old warbird of the Devil Dogs. The Harrier in combat Building on the success of the original Harrier, the AV-8B Harrier II made its debut on the Marines' flightline in 1985. To make their new bird more rugged and more lethal, the USMC made modifications to the avionics, increased its payload and revamped many of the jet’s systems to provide close-air-support, under fire. Now the British military’s doctrine employed the Harrier in a way very similar to what the Marines had in mind so with a few upgrades, their new jump-jet was right at home on the amphibious assault ships (big decks) or foward operating bases (FOBs). The AV-8B saw combat action in conflicts like the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Its STOVL (or V/STOL) capability was put to the test flying from unusual and geographically austere environments throughout the Middle East. Throughout its time with the Corps, the Harrier II's systems were continuously improved . The Litening pod along with other improvements to targeting systems, avionics and other improved its performance in combat. The most recent version carries the APG-65 radar, also utilized on the F/A-18 Super Hornet for attack, air interception, and close air support missions. No matter the challenge, the Harrier executed its missions with great success, delivering precise strikes to troops under fire and hitting hard at fortified targets. Over decades of counterinsurgency warfare in the Middle East and peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, the Harrier was there to put bombs on target. Transition, F-35B Lightning II The F-35 B Lightning II is the successor to the AV-8B. Built by Lockheed Martin n and also called the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) the F-35 will bring fifth-generation capabilities to the US Marines . Its performance, vastly superior technology, stealth design and data-networking are just a few of the ways in which this new jet will revolutionize Marine Corps aviation. The Harrier was a flexible, adaptable fighter-bomber that gave the Marines a rugged and reliable support platform but the landscape of modern warfare has changed and the iconic jump-jet has become vulnerable to many new emerging threats. The last pilots and maintainers destined to fly the Harrier finished their training in 2024. They underwent dual-track training from the start of the process to guarantee operational preparedness during the overlap of the AV-8B and F-35. The Marine Corps Times noted, “The last class of Harrier mechanics graduated in 2024, marking a shift to supporting the F-35 fleet.” The AV-8B is expected to remain operational until 2029, allowing for a phased transition to the JSF while maintaining the Marine Corps’ expeditionary air power. Harrier tech The AV-8B Harrier II is renowned for its unique design, which was an incredible aviation revolution at the time of its debut. The STOVL (or V/STOL) performance it offered also came with a balance of versatility and payload capacity. As noted by the National Interest , the Harrier II’s unique operational capabilities provided an invaluable advantage during its time in service. AV-8B Specs : Length: 14.12 m/46 ft 4 in Wingspan: 9.25 m/30 ft 4 in Height: 3.55 m/11 ft 8 in Max takeoff weight: 14,061 kg/31,000 lbs Engine: Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan, thrust 105 kN/23,500 lbs Max speed: 1,013 kmh/630 mph Range: 3,148 km/1,956 mi Legacy After its many years of service, the slow retirement of the AV-8B is entering its final phase. The full transition to the F-35B is expected to be complete by 2026. The sundown of the Harrier marks an end of an era in tactical aviation. The last Marine pilots of the Harrier completed training in April 2024 . Lt. Col. Nathaniel Smith, the commanding officer of VMA-223, was quoted saying: “I am incredibly proud of the legacy of the AV-8B, both within Marine Aviation and here in eastern North Carolina. Our platform is part of the fabric of eastern North Carolina, as countless Marines, sailors, and civilians have contributed to our success for decades. It is exciting to see our last two students graduate from the FRD and hit the fleet. Our team of pilots, maintainers, and supporting staff have done outstanding work in supporting both the FRD and VMA missions here at VMA-223, and I look forward to us continuing to support 2nd MAW and the MAGTF at home and overseas.” Force News remarked, the Harrier’s legacy will endure with the Marines as they continue to adapt to emerging challenges in the future. The mark that the Harrier left on the fly boys of the Marine Corps is indelible and the future may be heralded by the F-35 but the influence of the Harrier will live on in legacy.
Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said Tuesday that personal electronics could become more expensive if President-elect Donald Trump carries out his threat to slap new tariffs on foreign goods , as large retailers scramble to assess the potential impact of the proposed levies on their business. The warning came one day after Trump said he would impose a new round of tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office. Before the Nov. 5 election, he had proposed a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S. imports and a 60% tariff on goods shipped from China, arguing the such levies protect domestic manufacturers and encourage American companies to create jobs at home. Any added costs on U.S. imports from the three counties "will be shared by our customers," Barry told investors in the company's Nov. 26 earnings call, noting that "there's very little in [the] consumer electronics space that is not imported." "These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful," she added. Price hikes are not guaranteed, Barry cautioned, saying that any impact on the retailer's costs and prices are contingent on how any new tariffs might be implemented. "I think it's going to be a very fluid situation as we continue to work through it," she said, adding that the company will "make sure we do everything we can to keep prices right for our customers." Best Buy could try to partly offset the impact of new tariffs by importing more goods ahead of levies taking effect in 2025, as well as working with vendors to source products from countries other than China, Barry said during the call. Roughly 60% of the goods Best Buy sells are imported from China. "We are already planning for and working with our vendor partners on next steps," she said. Barry's comments are echoed by other retailers and manufacturers bracing for the impact of higher tariffs on their supply chains. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has warned that Trump's proposed tariffs could lead to higher prices for smartphones, laptops and tablets, connected devices, video game consoles, and computer accessories. Ed Brzytwa, the CTA's vice president of international trade, said a number of the trade group's members are "front-loading 2025 imports into 2024 to get out ahead of the tariffs." As far as possible price hikes for consumers, "A number of people are waking up now to the fact that this could be a reality," he said. Tariffs Donald Trump Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.AUBURN, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Zones, a global leader in end-to-end IT solutions, proudly announces its achievement of the prestigious Cisco Gold Provider designation. This milestone underscores Zones' dedication to delivering world-class managed services and innovative technology solutions, solidifying its status as a trusted partner in the IT industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126665438/en/ Exciting News! Zones has achieved the prestigious Cisco Gold Provider designation! This milestone underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier IT solutions, empowering businesses to achieve their digital transformation goals. Explore how our expertise can transform your IT strategy: Zones: First Choice for IT #CiscoGoldProvider #ITSolutions #DigitalTransformation #ZonesInnovation #FirstchoiceforIT (Graphic: Business Wire) The Cisco Gold Provider designation is awarded to partners who consistently demonstrate the highest level of expertise in deploying and managing Cisco solutions. Zones achieved this elite status by meeting rigorous standards for technical competency, customer satisfaction, service quality, and support. This recognition highlights Zones’ commitment to excellence and its mission to empower businesses through cutting-edge IT solutions. "Earning the Cisco Gold Provider designation is a significant achievement that reflects our team’s expertise, dedication, and focus on delivering value to our clients," said Angela Hafner, VP of Partner and Product Management at Zones. "We are honored to be recognized by Cisco and look forward to continuing to deliver transformative IT solutions that drive innovation and success for our customers." As a Cisco Gold Provider, Zones offers a robust portfolio of Cisco solutions, including networking, security, collaboration, and data center technologies. This designation enables Zones to deliver even greater value by leveraging exclusive Cisco tools, resources, and support to craft tailored solutions for businesses across various industries. "Zones has consistently demonstrated excellence in implementing and managing Cisco solutions, and this Gold Provider designation is well-deserved," said Andrew Wozniak, Senior Director - Americas Managed Services. "We are excited to continue our partnership with Zones and support their efforts to help customers achieve their digital transformation goals." This recognition reaffirms Zones’ commitment to investing in its people, processes, and technology to meet and exceed client expectations. Organizations can trust Zones to deliver reliable, scalable, and forward-thinking solutions to address their most pressing IT challenges. For more details about Zones and its Cisco solutions, visit https://www.zones.com . About Zones: Zones is a global provider of end-to-end IT solutions and services with an unmatched supply chain. Positioned to be the IT partner you need, Zones, a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in business for over 35 years, specializes in Digital Workplace, Cloud & Data Center, Networking, Security, and Managed/Professional/Staffing services. Operating in more than 150 countries, leveraging a robust portfolio, and utilizing the highest certification levels from key partners, including Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Lenovo, Adobe, and more, Zones has mastered the science of building digital infrastructures that change the way modern organizations do business. We are the Real People Behind ITTM – and our customers’ First Choice for IT.® Lead with Zones.com : Visit Zones Innovation Center , zones.com , blog. Zones or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126665438/en/ CONTACT: Zones Contact: media@zones.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRANSPORT RETAIL OTHER TECHNOLOGY SECURITY SOURCE: Zones Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 03:15 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 03:15 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126665438/en
Photo: © Getty Images Miley Cyrus used to struggle to "connect with people" because of her fame. The 31-year-old singer became known around the world when she took on the title role in the Disney Channel sitcom 'Hannah Montana' as a teenager and went on to become one of the world's biggest pop stars in the process but noted that having that kind of notoriety "got in the way" of her social relationships. She told Harper's Bazaar: "Obviously, [being a child star] shaped me into a very different adult than some of my peers or my friends. It is just a really different childhood to have. For a while, I thought it got in the way of me connecting with people." Just before the new interview, the 'Flowers' hitmaker had done a Chinese medicine quiz, and one of the questions was about whether she felt she could easily form relationships with others. Miley wasn't exactly sure how to answer that but did recall that while she can "drop" her celebrity persona whenever she chooses, it can be difficult for others to perceive her as an ordinary person. She said: "I don’t even know how to really answer that because for who I am as a person, yes, I feel like I can connect to people and I feel like I’m a friend to all. But because of how I’ve grown up, sometimes people make it harder. I can drop my persona really easily, but it’s hard for other people to erase that part of you." The Grammy Award-winning star appeared on the hit Disney Channel series alongside her father Billy Ray Cyrus and the success of the sitcom made her a multimillionaire by her mid-teens, but she recalled that it was her mother Tish Cyrus who would often step in to discipline her. She said: "My mom said that I had to get a Nissan or Toyota just like my other siblings. She was never afraid to take my cell phone away. Even when I paid my own cell phone bill! I would always go, like, Mom, that’s for kids that don’t pay their own cell-phone bill. "And she’s like, 'I don’t care. You’re not getting your phone.'"
First Singaporean golfer at Masters hopes ‘not be in awe’ of heroesThe world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
