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(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, Dec. 19 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 5 p.m. ESPNU — Chris Paul HBCU Challenge: Norfolk St. vs. Alabama St., Uncasville, Conn. 7:30 p.m. ESPNU — Chris Paul HBCU Challenge: Delaware St. vs. Grambling St., Uncasville, Conn. COLLEGE FOOTBALL 7 p.m. ESPN2 — The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. Sam Houston St., New Orleans COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) 6:30 p.m. ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Pittsburgh, Semifinal, Louisville, Ky. 9 p.m. ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Penn St. vs. Nebraska, Semifinal, Louisville, Ky. GOLF 3:30 a.m. GOLF — DP World Tour: The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, First Round, Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand-Baie, Mauritius 3:30 a.m. (Friday) GOLF — DP World Tour: The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Second Round, Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand-Baie, Mauritius NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. TNT — Oklahoma City at Orlando TRUTV — Oklahoma City at Orlando (DataCast) 9:30 p.m. TNT — New York at Minnesota TRUTV — New York at Minnesota (DataCast) NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL Noon ESPNU — Winter Showcase: Greensboro vs. South Bay, Orlando, Fla. 1 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Stockton vs. Iowa, Orlando, Fla. 2:30 p.m. ESPNU — Winter Showcase: Grand Rapids vs. Oklahoma City, Orlando, Fla. 3:30 p.m. NBATV — Winter Showcase: Raptors 905 vs. Rio Grande Valley, Orlando, Fla. 5 p.m. ESPNEWS — Winter Showcase: Capital City vs. Sioux Falls, Orlando, Fla. 7:30 p.m. ESPNEWS — Winter Showcase: Valley vs. Memphis, Orlando, Fla. NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. PRIME VIDEO — Denver at L.A. Chargers SOCCER (MEN’S) 3 p.m. CBSSN — UEFA Conference League: HJK Helsinki at Real Betis TENNIS 6 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 11 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 6 a.m. (Friday) TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .Inslee execs exit as Ferguson prepares to take over as WA governor
Some elite US universities favor wealthy students in admissions decisions, lawsuit alleges
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston premiere of a short film titled Mildred 4 a Million is coming up. It was written and directed by Houston native and High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alum Kim Peeler Callaway. Callaway joined Eyewitness News live to talk about the short. The film is about generational gaps, stereotypes, technology, and relationships. Marla Gibbs' character was inspired by Callaway's own grandmother, who is in her mid-90s. In the movie, Gibbs' character, Mildred, is having a hard time connecting with her young granddaughter. She comes up with a plan to get her attention with attempts to go viral on social media. Hilarity ensues. Callaway said she wanted to have a Houston premiere so that her grandmother could attend. Mildred 4 a Million is showing at the Memorial City Cinemark on Monday, Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available online. For updates on this story, follow Briana Conner on Facebook , X and Instagram .BOSTON, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amwell ® (NYSE: AMWL), a leader in digital care, has announced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mark Hirschhorn will take on an expanded role as chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hirschhorn will now oversee the company's operational and growth strategies, including the clinical, sales and marketing teams, while continuing his responsibilities as CFO. This move reflects Amwell’s commitment to scale its innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for digital healthcare. "Since joining Amwell, Mark has proven himself to be a strong leader, and we’re thrilled to have him step into this expanded role," said Ido Schoenberg, M.D., CEO and chairman of Amwell. "Mark’s operational experience, coupled with his extensive financial acumen, will help us continue to streamline the Amwell portfolio of services and pursue core channels of profitable growth while powering the digital care aspirations of our clients. With these changes, we enable a higher level of focus on our mission of connecting and empowering providers, insurers, and innovators to deliver more accessible, affordable, high-quality care for the benefit of all stakeholders. We also solidify our confidence in our path to cash flow positive in 2026." "I am eager to take on the additional responsibilities as COO," said Hirschhorn. "I look forward to working closely with our talented and streamlined leadership team to sharpen our operational focus on key priorities, drive greater efficiencies, optimize cash flow and deliver profitable growth while pursuing our mission to redefine healthcare delivery through technology-driven solutions." As Amwell continues to streamline processes and drive alignment, two executives will leave the company. Chief Commercial and Growth Officer Kathy Weiler, and Chief Operating Officer Kurt Knight, will depart Amwell at the end of the year. Over her tenure, Weiler has contributed to meaningful cost initiatives while transforming the company’s growth organization. Knight has provided substantial leadership over his 14-year tenure, including key roles in strategy, M&A, the company’s IPO, rapidly scaling operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, and building and managing the company’s affiliated network of providers, Amwell Medical Group®, a strategic service for payer and provider organizations. “Kathy’s leadership led to the creation of a formally structured and professionalized growth organization, which has had a meaningful and lasting impact on our business. Kurt is a foundational partner in Amwell. He has made an incredible contribution to our company over many years. He played a major role in transforming Amwell into the company it is today, and I am forever grateful. I thank both leaders for their contributions to Amwell,” said Schoenberg. About Amwell Amwell is a leading hybrid care, delivery enablement platform in the United States and globally, connecting and enabling providers, payers, patients, and innovators to deliver greater access to more affordable, higher quality care. Amwell believes that hybrid care delivery will transform healthcare. We offer a single, comprehensive platform to support all digital health needs from urgent to acute and post-acute care, as well as chronic care management and healthy living. With nearly two decades of experience, Amwell powers the digital care of more than 50 health plans, which collectively represent more than 100 million covered lives, and many of the nation’s largest health systems. For more information, please visit https://business.amwell.com/ . ©2024 American Well Corporation. All rights reserved. Amwell®, SilverCloud®, Amwell Converge TM , Carepoint TM , Amwell Medical Group®, and the Amwell Logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of American Well Corporation. Notice of Ownership All materials contained herein are the property of American Well Corporation and are copyrighted under United States law and applicable international copyright laws and treaty provisions. The materials contained herein are not work product or "work for hire" on behalf of any third party. The materials contained herein constitute the confidential information of American Well Corporation, except for specific data elements provided by third parties, which are the confidential information of such third parties. The content contained herein results from the application of American Well proprietary processes, analytical frameworks, algorithms, business methods, solution construction aids and templates, all of which are and remain the property of American Well Corporation. Trademark Notice All of the trademarks, service marks and logos displayed on these materials (the "Trademark(s)") are registered and unregistered trademarks of American Well Corporation or third parties who have licensed their Trademarks to American Well Corporation. Except as expressly stated in these terms and conditions, you may not reproduce, display or otherwise use any Trademark without first obtaining American Well Corporation's written permission. Media: Angela Vogen Press@amwell.com Investors: Sue Dooley Sue.Dooley@amwell.com
The S&P 500 has returned 26% so far this year. But with expectations sky-high, how long can the rally last? Some Wall Street experts warn of muted forward returns, and are making dot-com bubble comparisons. It's been another banner year for the S&P 500 as impressive earnings and improving expectations have propelled the benchmark index to 26% returns since January. But those increasingly rosy expectations are raising concerns among some of Wall Street's top investors and strategists about how sustainable the rally is, and how historically high valuations may impact future returns. A couple of widely followed valuation metrics reflect this very bullish outlook. There's the so-called "Warren Buffett indicator," or the ratio of total stock market capitalization-to-GDP. And then the Shiller cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500, which is a 10-year rolling average of the index's trailing 12-month PE ratio. Since high valuations are an indication of lofty future expectations, they have historically meant muted returns over the long term. Expectations are either never met, or even if they are, the good performance is already priced in. Bank of America research shows that starting valuations explain 83% of the S&P 500's returns over the following decade. With current valuations sitting at extremes, many market experts have pointed out that returns could be relatively poor ahead. Below are comments that some of the biggest voices in market have made in recent weeks on the matter. David Kostin, chief US equity strategist at Goldman Sachs Kostin said in October that current Shiller CAPE ratio levels for the S&P 500 means the index is likely to return 3% on average over the next decade. For context, that's lower than the risk-free yield on 10-year Treasurys. Here's that outlook shown in chart form. It illustrates well that close relationship between valuations and future market performance that Bank of America mentions. In an interview with Business Insider later in October, Kostin made a couple of comparisons to the dot-com bubble , which peaked in 2000. One is that valuations for the largest stocks in the market are significantly higher than the rest of the S&P 500. Another is that the market cap of the top stock in the index is hundreds of times larger than that of the 75th percentile stock. "We're at a level of concentration in the US market today that we haven't really seen since the tech bubble," Kostin told BI. "It's even more concentrated than it was 20 years ago." Rob Arnott, founder of Research Affiliates Arnott, whose clients include some of the largest institutions on Wall Street, also made dot-com bubble comparisons. While he also sees poor long-term returns ahead for the S&P 500, he said that large-cap growth stocks — which make up much of the index — could suffer a pullback in the near-term. Related stories "This looks and feels like the year 2000 to me," Arnott told BI earlier this month. "Are we likely to see a bear market in the next two years for large-cap growth? Yeah." He said that earnings growth likely won't live up to expectations, and disruptors in AI will take market share from current top firms. Nelson Peltz, cofounder of Trian Partners Peltz said at CNBC's Delivering Alpha conference earlier in November that valuations have become too elevated, and something will come along to knock them down. "Trees don't grow to the sky, definitely not uninterrupted," Peltz said, using an idiom that refers to valuations becoming disconnected from reality. "There will be something that might upset it. I think you've got euphoria from the election." Dave Sekera, chief US market strategist at Morningstar Sekera also said on the day after the election that enthusiasm about Trump's win and the prospect of higher growth was making the market overvalued. "When I look at the market today, it is trading, with today's bump, probably a 3% to 4% premium above fair value," he said. "Now, a lot of investors may say, 'Eh, 3% to 4% doesn't sound like that much from a market point of view,' but when I look at our valuations going back to 2010, less than 20% of the time have we seen the market trade at this much of a premium or more." He urged investors not to get caught up in the hype. "Based on your risk tolerance, I probably wouldn't be making any changes here today," Sekera said. "And when you do make changes, make sure that you're only making changes when there's really a change in your underlying fundamentals and only make changes in your portfolio based on an informed analysis." Bill Smead, the founder of Smead Capital Management Smead, whose value fund has beaten 97% of similar funds over the last 15 years, according to Morningstar data, also said that the post-election trade was exacerbating an already overvalued market . "It's a disaster waiting to happen," he told BI. "We have put the icing on the financial euphoria cake and lit the candle on top." One piece of evidence showing that euphoria is the level of household equity ownership, Smead said. Right now, around 42% of household assets are in equities, the highest level in history. Jeremy Grantham, cofounder of GMO Grantham has been warning of a "super bubble" in stocks for a few years now, and recently reiterated his dire outlook for the market. "Really great things happen in the internet phase, '98-'99. But they overdo it," Grantham said in an interview with Morningstar published October 30."When you have these great developments, they overdo themselves in the short term, they crash in the intermediate term, and then they come out of the wreckage and change the world in the long term. And that's what I expect will happen this time." Grantham called the 2000 and 2008 market declines. David Einhorn, founder of hedge fund Greenlight Capital Einhorn said at CNBC's Delivering Alpha conference that he sees the market doing well in the near-term. But he said there's no denying how high valuations are, calling today's environment the "the most expensive market of all time, as far as I can see, at least since I've been managing." That means that it's probably not the best time to buy in, he said. "This is a really, really, really pricey environment, but it doesn't necessarily make me bearish. Asset prices can trade at the wrong price, and they can trade at the wrong price for a long period of time," Einhorn said. He added: "I just observe that it's a really expensive market that if you buy and hold for a very long period of time, I doubt that this is a great — you'll look back and say this was a great entry point of all of the entry points that you could have." Albert Edwards, the chief global strategist at Societe Generale Edwards, who is known for his regularly bearish outlook and calling the dot-com bubble, hasn't changed his tune. On Thursday, he wrote in a client note that the US stock market capitalization relative to other developed markets has grown to levels seen in prior US market bubbles. "The dominance of US equity in the global indices (MSCI) has now surpassed the early 1970s extreme," Edwards said. "And the valuation gap between the US and Europe has never been this stretched. High valuations and eps optimism leave the US equity market vulnerable to 'bad' news." US stocks' rising PE ratios are also at odds with rising 10-year Treasury yields, he said. "Just look at the equity euphoria back in 2018, which initially shrugged off rising bond yields – until they didn't. The same happened in 2022," he said. "At some point rising bond yields will just as surely begin to hurt equities."What a merger between Nissan and Honda could mean for the automakers and the industry
York Regional Police have released video showing four suspects in a Richmond Hill jewellery store robbery jumping out of a stolen getaway vehicle and futilely trying to hide in a wooded area in Etobicoke. It was futile because the York Regional Police Air Support Unit helicopter, Air2, was tracking them the entire time using infrared technology that allowed officers in the air to relay the suspects’ exact positions to officers on the ground. The four suspects, two adults and two youths, were quickly taken into custody. Investigators say three of the suspects robbed a store in the Yonge Street and Levendale Road area of Richmond Hill at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, using hammers to smash glass cases and steal jewellery, while the fourth suspect waited in a silver SUV that was later determined to be stolen. One employee received minor injuries after being assaulted by one of the suspects, investigators further allege. As the suspects were heading towards Toronto in the SUV, the Air2 was able to pick up their location and follow them. The vehicle parked at an apartment complex in the area of Highway 27 and Finch Avenue and the suspects fled into a wooded area before they were all arrested shortly after. Marlando Mitchell, 24, of Brampton, Che Brooks-Baptiste, 20 of Burlington, and two 16-year-old boys who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act are facing robbery charges. “Of the four suspects arrested, one adult and two youths were out on release orders,” said police Chief Jim MacSween. “Our bail system needs to address such offenders as they remain one of the greatest threats to public safety.”
Firefly Awarded $179 Million NASA Contract for Moon Delivery to Gruithuisen DomesThe folks behind the Super League are back . A22 Sports, the company attempting to organise an alternative competition to the UEFA tournaments (Champions League, Europa League and Conference League) announced on Tuesday that it had petitioned UEFA to recognize its new cross-border tournament, the "Unify League." This comes nearly a year after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that UEFA held a dominant position and to comply with competition law, they could not oppose the creation of other cross-border tournaments provided they met certain criteria. Among them are the stipulations that any such tournament must have a qualification process that's inclusive and meritocratic, and that complies with the FIFA match calendar. So that's it? We now have a rival to the Champions League? Not exactly, as there are a ton of hoops to jump through first. Technically speaking, the ECJ judgement found that the UEFA's regulations gave them too much power to block rival cross-border competitions, so UEFA wrote new ones immediately after the verdict -- ones they say comply with the ECJ ruling. Some of those UEFA regulations lay out criteria in terms of open and meritocratic qualification -- things the Unify League appears to meet -- while others, according to A22, do not comply with the ECJ ruling. Editor's Picks Super League revived as 96-team 'Unify League' 8h Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez Man United's statement win, Barca look good but lose, more: Marcotti recaps the weekend 1d Gabriele Marcotti The VAR Review: Why Robertson's red card was wrong; Højlund penalty claim 1d Dale Johnson A22 say there are too many to mention, but they do cite one that prohibits any new club competition from "adversely affect the good functioning" of UEFA tournaments. (Which is kinda the point of competition: disrupt your rivals and grow your market share.) But A22 argues that UEFA's rules, as written, basically force teams who qualify for UEFA competitions to play in them. We haven't heard from UEFA yet, but you assume they think their rules are compliant with ECJ rulings. So I think we can expect more arguing between lawyers and possibly letters to the European Court to clarify this, but that's really just the first hurdle... What's the next one? Well, even if they clear that hurdle and they get their way -- which, as A22 write, means "clubs are free to decide which tournament they want" -- they then need to persuade them it's in their interest to do so. And that's not going to be easy, because while clubs are interested in prestige, history, having a say in their competitions and engaging with fans -- all that good stuff -- let's face it, money is a prime motivator. It's not clear how the Unify League's business model is going to generate more revenue in terms of commercial and media rights. (The UEFA Champions League has certainly cornered the market when it comes to being an event, arguably the Super Bowl of the sport.) What is A22's model anyway? There isn't too much detail, but presumably they'll have sponsors just like UEFA does. The big difference, though, is in media rights. Instead of selling rights to broadcasters and streamers, they're going to have their own streaming service , the Unify Platform. All games will be shown for free, albeit with advertising. And for those who don't enjoy commercial breaks, there will be the opportunity to purchase "affordable premium subscriptions" that will offer more technological bells and whistles than standard TV. Is it possible to make more money this way? The question raises a bunch of pretty obvious questions. If all you have to do to make more money than they do in the existing competitions is show games for free with commercial breaks, why haven't existing broadcasters thought of this? And if the secret to more revenue is having "affordable premium subscriptions" -- rather than the current expensive ones -- why haven't they done that? Sure, there's some merit in questioning the current pricing model -- free to air delivers a bigger audience and more exposure for sponsors, which can mean higher ad rates, while lower subscription fees might make it a volume play, where you get more subscribers and end up with more money -- but it takes a real leap of faith to think these guys can make it work where everybody else has failed. That said, they're convinced their format will be more exciting and generate bigger audiences... How so? You can watch their video explainer here , but in a nutshell there will be four leagues, with the top two -- the Star League and Gold League (don't ask) -- comprised of 16 clubs each. Each league is split into two groups of eight and they play everybody home and away for a total of 14 games. The top four in each group qualify for the quarterfinals, which will also be home and away fixtures, and the semifinals and final will be single-leg affairs. I make that a total of 246 games -- marginally more than the total in the existing "Swiss Model" Champions League (237 games), but, of course, that has 36 clubs vs. the 32 in the combined Star and Gold Leagues, so I guess they can divide their pie in fewer slices and have a slightly bigger pie. As to whether it's more exciting, I'm not sure. You're going to get a lot of the same teams playing each other in a group game, year after year and, I imagine, you'll get a fair few meaningless games because, with four of eight qualifying, you could get teams knowing whether they're in or out with three or four games to go, making the final match days rather irrelevant. (Of course, this concept has been seen at tournaments before, and we're still not sure whether the first-ever Champions League matchday 8, with all 36 teams playing at the same time, will have high stakes hanging in the balance.) There's also the fact that the ECJ ruling forces them to be "merit-based" and "open to all," as that could boomerang against them. What do you mean? Well, the old/aborted European Super League had 12 guaranteed mega-clubs in it -- 15 in the original proposal, before Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain said no. Based on A22's regulations, if the competition had kicked off this season, clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid -- all of whom are in the Champions League -- would not be guaranteed a place in the competition, but would need to battle their way through multiple qualifying rounds for one of the playoff spots. And guess what? Clubs like sure things and hate uncertainty, especially when it comes to revenues. But won't they end up in the next league down? You mean the "Gold League," right? Actually Atletico and Borussia Dortmund wouldn't even be guaranteed a place in that either; they'd need to get there via the playoffs. But yes, the next league down will presumably generate substantially less revenue than the top league, just as the Europa League makes less money than the Champions League. That's the rub. It's a really tough sell and they'll have a difficult time convincing the clubs this is more lucrative. Unless... GAB & JULS PODCAST Gabriele Marcotti and Julien Laurens dive into the latest news and gossip, analyze matches with special guests, and give their perspective on the world of football. Stream now Unless what? Unless there's somebody out there willing to offer clubs a big, fat downside guarantee, somebody who says "I'll guarantee you more than what you're making now." And that's tough because right now, UEFA generate around €4.4 billion ($4.6bn) from their three competitions. Just over a billion of that goes on administrative costs (€387m), payments to clubs that don't qualify (€440m), subsidies for the Women's and Youth competitions (€25m) and in UEFA's coffers (€230m) to be redistributed to member associations. Now, A22 obviously might be able to run a leaner tournament so their administrative costs will be lower, and maybe they won't want to subsidize the women's competition. (They say they'll have one too, though it remains to be seen how the numbers work out there.) They might not pay as much to clubs who don't qualify or to member associations, though they say they'll have some solidarity mechanism. But they'll still need to get well north of that €4.4bn figure to make it worthwhile. And, remember, since they'll be running the games on their own platform, they'll also have marketing, technology and production costs that are currently absorbed by broadcasters. So yeah, I'd imagine it would take somebody willing to say "I'll chuck in €6bn a year in to cover the downside for the next couple of years to get this thing off the ground and guarantee that you clubs are better off with the Unify League than anywhere else." Frankly, that's a ton of money and, of course, there's the risk of a nightmare scenario for both UEFA and the Unify League. What's the "nightmare scenario" exactly? Imagine they end up competing directly with each other and A22 convinces some clubs, but not others. (Or, because there's also a whole hornets' nest of domestic legislation in various countries that prevents clubs from joining a league like this, and which may or may not be compliant with the ECJ ruling, some clubs simply can't.) What then? Let's say the Unify League has Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern and Inter. The Champions League has Barcelona, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus (presumably PSG too, unless Nasser Al Khelaifi jumps ship). Both competitions are markedly weaker and no, it's not a linear decline because the success of the Champions League is founded on having the best clubs all in one place. Take half of them away and the interest isn't halved, it goes down by a lot more than that. Mutually assured destruction might be an exaggeration, but it certainly would make life a whole heck of a lot tougher for everyone. So what happens next? I expect a lot of back and forth between lawyers, and maybe some ECJ clarification, but ultimately this feels like a power move, where A22 want to get UEFA to the table somehow. Except it's hard to see how A22 have any leverage at all because, let's face it: their business model seems goofy and nobody of note, other than Real Madrid, has gone to bat for them. Unless of course there's somebody in the shadows with several billions willing to bankroll the whole shebang.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Books have a unique power to transport readers across time and space, offering insights into the lives, history, and culture of faraway places. Sierra Leone, with its rich heritage and complex history, has inspired countless stories that reflect its resilience, beauty, and struggles. From novels to memoirs, Sierra Leonean literature provides a lens into the nation’s soul, allowing readers to connect with its history, culture, and dreams. Here are five must-read books from Sierra Leone that will captivate your imagination and deepen your understanding of this remarkable country. 1. The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna A masterful novel by the acclaimed Scottish-Sierra Leonean writer Aminatta Forna, The Memory of Love explores the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s Civil War through the intertwined lives of three men—a history professor, a doctor, and a surgeon. This poignant story delves into personal and collective trauma, healing, and love in the shadow of conflict. If you enjoy Forna’s storytelling, don’t miss her memoir, The Devil that Danced on the Water, which provides a deeply personal account of her childhood and her father’s tragic story, offering a gripping perspective on Sierra Leone’s political past. 2. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah This harrowing memoir recounts Ishmael Beah’s experiences as a child soldier during Sierra Leone’s Civil War. Beah was kidnapped, forced into combat, and exposed to unimaginable horrors. His narrative follows his journey from captivity and trauma to rescue, adoption, and eventual advocacy as a UNICEF ambassador . A Long Way Gone sheds light on the human cost of war while offering a story of resilience and hope. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the impact of conflict on Sierra Leone’s youth and the strength it takes to rebuild. 3. The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar by Syl Cheney-Coker Syl Cheney-Coker’s novel blends history, magic, and realism to tell the story of a fictional nation reminiscent of Sierra Leone. Spanning centuries, the narrative traces the arrival of formerly enslaved Africans and the country’s evolution to the present day. With its rich symbolism and poetic prose, The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar captures the spirit of Sierra Leone’s history and culture, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction. 4. Breaking the Maafa Chain by Anni Domingo This historical novel follows the lives of two sisters torn apart by the transatlantic slave trade. One sister is taken to England and becomes the goddaughter of Queen Victoria, while the other endures life in an American labor camp. Through the sisters’ stories, Breaking the Maafa Chain sheds light on the horrors of slavery and the resilience of those who lived through it. It’s a compelling and emotional read that ties Sierra Leone’s history to the broader African diaspora. 5. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna Namina Forna’s debut novel combines fantasy and folklore, drawing inspiration from the legendary Dahomey Amazons. Set in a fictional world where a woman’s worth is tied to her purity, the story follows a young girl who is deemed impure but discovers extraordinary powers. While rooted in fantasy, The Gilded Ones resonates with themes of empowerment and resilience, echoing the strength of Sierra Leonean women and their stories. It’s a gripping tale that bridges cultural heritage and imaginative storytelling. Discover Sierra Leone Through Its Stories These five books offer a rich tapestry of Sierra Leone’s history , culture, and imagination. Whether you’re exploring the trauma of war, the magic of folklore, or the enduring spirit of its people, these stories provide a profound connection to the nation’s heart. Reading Sierra Leonean literature is not just an act of learning—it’s an invitation to experience the beauty and complexity of a country through the eyes of its storytellers. So, grab one of these titles, settle into your favorite reading spot, and let Sierra Leone’s vibrant narratives transport you. Related Items: and Stories , Culture , History , Read Books Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Crafting Playful, Culture-Driven Digital Narratives: Christie Wu on Designing for the Mumbai Gallery Association and Beyond From Rebellion to Runway: Leather’s Fashion History Creating a Proactive Maintenance Culture: the Leadership of Mohammad Rahman Comments
The book, Quran and Modernity by a former Indian ambassador to several countries is spread over 16 chapters. Every chapter deals with one of the most debated subjects. Ishrat Aziz is an erudite diplomat, who has collected information from a variety of sources and experienced how things related to Islam are dealt with in the Muslim world in the name of Islam. Among the countries he has served are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Algeria, etc. “I have been collecting information about Islam from several sources including my own country, India. After observing Islam in these countries I have tried to present what I understood from it,” says he. In his new avatar as a scholar of Islam, he has raised some pointed and pertinent questions. These may be the same questions with which several scholars in different parts of the world are grappling with. Declares, he: “There is no one unanimously agreed Sharia, universally practiced by all Muslims. Why not since all Sharia is derived from one book, the Koran? Why there is this diversity in understanding the same text of the scripture?” He goes on to lob a volley of questions on unanimity or absence of those questions leaving his reader confounded to the core until he reaches the last chapters of the book. Fifty-seven countries are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Countries or simply OIC. There are also several other countries like India and the Russian Federation where millions of followers of the faith reside. The number of Muslims in the world could be around 2 billion. The Muslim countries are often found fighting with each other. Muslim societies like others are riven with internal divisions and conflicts and in many cases battle with each other. These wars are based on sectarianism, ethnicity, historical animosities, economic disparities, and narrow self-interests. He asked some of the most uncomfortable questions and went about giving their answers. An impossible task, I would say. He explains Sharia as the interpretation of the Koran, with the help of Sunnah and Ahadith (sayings of the Prophet), by the four Imams but declares it is not divine. There is no unanimity on Sharia, he adds. He believes devotional religion is entirely between man and God. Society does not have the right to intervene in this man-God relationship. Attempts by society to involve itself in a man’s devotional dimension will damage the sacred relationship between man and God. Society should keep away from it because it cannot know or decide the truth about a person’s faith or spirituality or lack of them. Aziz adds that behavioral religion covers man’s relationship with society, other men and women, government, laws, human rights, economy, science, technology, and the people of other faiths. Therefore, these are the areas that have to be looked at differently as Muslims grapple with the changing times. He has successfully tried to make this book relevant to Islam and Modernity and Muslims and Modernity. He explains rightly that the Quran (or Koran as the author spells it) is the divinely revealed Scripture; Islam is the theology written by human beings trying to interpret the Quran; Muslims are the people who practice the faith as they understand it. I, a student of Islam and current affairs, found the book astounding. I would like to read it again and again to understand the complex question of how Muslims have tried to understand and practice the Quran over the ages and now. Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, a seasoned journalist, is currently the Consultant Editor of Siasat.comTrump adds Project 2025 influencers for key roles
Los Alamos Chief Engineer Joins Nuclear Fusion Startup Fuse to Lead Federal Business
