treasures of aztec download

Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Disney+ is set to debut Beatles '64 on Friday, a documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at The Beatles ' first U.S. tour through rare, restored footage. The film captures the English band's profound impact on American culture during a turbulent time, months after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy . Paul McCartney , John Lennon , Ringo Starr and George Harrison first took to the States in February 1964 to complete a packed schedule of concerts and press work. Interspersed with interviews from the band's two surviving members, the documentary features moments of levity and charm in displaying their career's relative infancy. The band's first album, Please Please Me , was less than a year old at the time of the trip––though several other LPs followed in quick succession, as was the norm for groups of that time. 'Beatles '64': A Big Budget Restoration Project Pan Am Flight 101's descent upon New York 's JFK Airport on February 7, 1964, is considered by some to be the official beginning of Beatlemania. Unseen, playful moments from the 14-day trip include McCartney feeding seagulls from a hotel balcony and Harrison messing with Woody Guthrie riffs on guitar . "It's so fun to be the fly on the wall in those really intimate moments," says Margaret Bodde, who produced alongside Martin Scorsese . "It's just this incredible gift of time and technology to be able to see it now with the decades of time stripped away so that you really feel like you're there." Directed by David Tedeschi, Beatles '64 incorporates 11 hours of footage filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles during the band's first U.S. tour. "It's like it was shot yesterday," said Tedeschi. "It captures the youth of the four Beatles and the fans." The restoration process was completed by Park Road Post in New Zealand . That same team was also responsible for bringing Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's own Disney+ Beatles project Get Back to life, which spanned almost eight hours across three installments. 'It Was Like a Crazy Love' During their 1964 U.S. visit, the Beatles performed at Carnegie Hall, played a show at Washington, D.C. 's, Washington Coliseum, and traveled to Miami , where they met Muhammad Ali . Their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show drew an audience of over 73 million viewers . In addition to candid footage of the band, the project explores their encounters with fans, including teenagers outside their New York hotel, and their adventures at the Peppermint Lounge disco. Ronnie Spector recounts sneaking the band out of their hotel to enjoy Harlem barbecue. Archival interviews with musicians like Smokey Robinson and Sananda Maitreya highlight the Beatles' appreciation of and inspiration from Black music. "It was like a crazy love," fan Vickie Brenna-Costa recalls in the documentary. "I can't really understand it now. But then, it was natural." The documentary coincides with the aptly-timed release of a vinyl box set featuring seven U.S. albums from 1964–1965, out of print since 1995. Beatlemania's Generational Divide The film also delves into the challenges the foursome faced. Despite their rapid, widespread popularity among young people, history often eclipses the initial skepticism and ridicule received from older generations. Renowned broadcaster Eric Sevareid even likened Beatlemania to an outbreak of the German measles during a broadcast on CBS . At a New York press conference, one reporter quipped, "You're nothing but four Elvis Presleys," prompting the band to jokingly gyrate in response as drummer Starr screamed, "It's not true!" "Why the establishment was against them is sort of a mystery to me," said Tedeschi. "I think older people believed that music would go back to the big bands." Tedeschi suggests that Beatlemania provided an emotional lift for a grieving nation. "Everything was dark. And 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' lit them up," he said. The film shows Paul McCartney reflecting on this in hindsight: "Maybe America needed something like the Beatles to lift it out of mourning and just sort of say 'Life goes on.'" "Beatles '64" will be available on streaming on Disney+ from Friday, November 29. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Thomas Brown insists he's focused on the job at hand and not the one he might have down the line. His immediate task as the interim coach of the Chicago Bears is helping the team finish strong over the final five games, starting this weekend at San Francisco. The rest of his life can wait. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekDALLAS, Texas, Nov. 25, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — UTR Sports, a global leader in tennis and pickleball player ratings and event management, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Stack Sports to incorporate TeamInn travel services. TeamInn, Stack Sports’ dedicated travel service platform, will now provide travel accommodations for UTR Sports tournaments and events, simplifying travel planning for players, coaches, officials, and fans. TeamInn by Stack Sports will offer streamlined, competitive travel booking solutions, enhancing the overall event experience and making it easier for the UTR Sports community to access high-quality accommodations at preferred rates. This expansion aligns with UTR Sports’ commitment to improving convenience for its global network, offering valuable support to those traveling to UTR Sports tennis and pickleball events. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Stack Sports to integrate TeamInn travel services, we are making travel easier and more affordable for our participants, officials, and families,” said Mark Leschly, Chairman and CEO of UTR Sports. “Our mission is to connect the tennis and pickleball communities around the world, and TeamInn is an important addition to that vision. Together with Stack Sports, we’re excited to enhance the event experience by offering seamless travel options tailored to our needs.” The addition of TeamInn to the UTR Sports ecosystem brings further operational efficiency and convenience, reinforcing UTR Sports’ role as a comprehensive service provider in the tennis and pickleball spaces. TeamInn offers a full suite of travel services, from hotel booking to exclusive group rates, ensuring that travel logistics are one less hurdle for participants and organizers. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Stack Sports to integrate Teaminn travel services and make travel easier and more affordable for our participants, officials, and families,” said Mark Leschly, Chairman and CEO of UTR Sports. “Our mission is to connect the tennis and pickleball communities around the world, and TeamInn is an important addition to that vision. Together with Stack Sports, we’re excited to enhance the event experience by offering seamless travel options tailored to our needs.” The TeamInn travel platform will be integrated across UTR Sports’ numerous events, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour and various youth and amateur competitions, offering a unified solution for booking accommodations worldwide. This partnership underscores UTR Sports’ and Stack Sports’ dedication to enhancing player experiences and advancing sports engagement through comprehensive, innovative solutions. About UTR Sports: The mission of UTR Sports is to connect and grow the sports of tennis and pickleball with accurate global ratings, innovative events, and a global community centered around level-based play. The UTR Sports Platform is anchored by our patented ratings technology. UTR Sports provides the technology tools and solutions relevant and valuable to players, coaches, and organizers. UTR Sports is creating opportunities and pathways, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun, affordable, and flexible experience. About Stack Sports: With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars — Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development. To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://stacksports.com/ . NEWS SOURCE: Stack Sports Keywords: Sports and Activities, TeamInn Travel Services, UTR Sports, tennis and pickleball player ratings and event management, DALLAS, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Stack Sports) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122494 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/utr-sports-partners-with-stack-sports-to-launch-teaminn-travel-services-for-tennis-and-pickleball/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.

Fund-Raiser Who Pocketed Money Meant for Sick Kids and Vets Gets 10 Years in Prison

Alibaba-backed Xreal launches augmented reality glasses with new chip as Meta rivalry heats upDisney+ is set to debut Beatles '64 on Friday, a documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at The Beatles ' first U.S. tour through rare, restored footage. The film captures the English band's profound impact on American culture during a turbulent time, months after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy . Paul McCartney , John Lennon , Ringo Starr and George Harrison first took to the States in February 1964 to complete a packed schedule of concerts and press work. Interspersed with interviews from the band's two surviving members, the documentary features moments of levity and charm in displaying their career's relative infancy. The band's first album, Please Please Me , was less than a year old at the time of the trip––though several other LPs followed in quick succession, as was the norm for groups of that time. 'Beatles '64': A Big Budget Restoration Project Pan Am Flight 101's descent upon New York 's JFK Airport on February 7, 1964, is considered by some to be the official beginning of Beatlemania. Unseen, playful moments from the 14-day trip include McCartney feeding seagulls from a hotel balcony and Harrison messing with Woody Guthrie riffs on guitar . "It's so fun to be the fly on the wall in those really intimate moments," says Margaret Bodde, who produced alongside Martin Scorsese . "It's just this incredible gift of time and technology to be able to see it now with the decades of time stripped away so that you really feel like you're there." Directed by David Tedeschi, Beatles '64 incorporates 11 hours of footage filmed by documentarians Albert and David Maysles during the band's first U.S. tour. "It's like it was shot yesterday," said Tedeschi. "It captures the youth of the four Beatles and the fans." The restoration process was completed by Park Road Post in New Zealand . That same team was also responsible for bringing Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's own Disney+ Beatles project Get Back to life, which spanned almost eight hours across three installments. 'It Was Like a Crazy Love' During their 1964 U.S. visit, the Beatles performed at Carnegie Hall, played a show at Washington, D.C. 's, Washington Coliseum, and traveled to Miami , where they met Muhammad Ali . Their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show drew an audience of over 73 million viewers . In addition to candid footage of the band, the project explores their encounters with fans, including teenagers outside their New York hotel, and their adventures at the Peppermint Lounge disco. Ronnie Spector recounts sneaking the band out of their hotel to enjoy Harlem barbecue. Archival interviews with musicians like Smokey Robinson and Sananda Maitreya highlight the Beatles' appreciation of and inspiration from Black music. "It was like a crazy love," fan Vickie Brenna-Costa recalls in the documentary. "I can't really understand it now. But then, it was natural." The documentary coincides with the aptly-timed release of a vinyl box set featuring seven U.S. albums from 1964–1965, out of print since 1995. Beatlemania's Generational Divide The film also delves into the challenges the foursome faced. Despite their rapid, widespread popularity among young people, history often eclipses the initial skepticism and ridicule received from older generations. Renowned broadcaster Eric Sevareid even likened Beatlemania to an outbreak of the German measles during a broadcast on CBS . At a New York press conference, one reporter quipped, "You're nothing but four Elvis Presleys," prompting the band to jokingly gyrate in response as drummer Starr screamed, "It's not true!" "Why the establishment was against them is sort of a mystery to me," said Tedeschi. "I think older people believed that music would go back to the big bands." Tedeschi suggests that Beatlemania provided an emotional lift for a grieving nation. "Everything was dark. And 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' lit them up," he said. The film shows Paul McCartney reflecting on this in hindsight: "Maybe America needed something like the Beatles to lift it out of mourning and just sort of say 'Life goes on.'" "Beatles '64" will be available on streaming on Disney+ from Friday, November 29. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge. Two months off did nothing to slow the world's No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year. Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend. Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn't feel that way to him. "Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much," Scheffler said. "A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things." Asked if he felt any frustration he didn't take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused. "I think in this game I think a lot of all y'all are looking for perfection out of us," he said. "Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I'm pretty pleased." Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend. Thomas wasn't concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green. "You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are," Thomas said. "He's a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I'm honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It's a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you're on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies." Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind. No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn't always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71. The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It's the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet. He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Agilent Technologies’ Stock In Focus After Firm Announces New Organizational Structure: Retail’s Eyeing Q4 Earnings

Julianne Brunet says public libraries are always working to reinvent themselves. Welland Public Library , which started as a mechanic’s institute in 1824 in a schoolhouse that no longer exists, is no different, Brunet, its chief executive officer, said ahead of its 200th anniversary celebration Wednesday. The library existed before Welland, which was first incorporated as a village in 1858, more than 30 years after the library was created. “What I have seen since I have been here is what has defined the library for the last 200 years. It’s a real community spirit. We’re community-led and we want to make sure we are responsive to the needs of residents. I think that has gotten us to where we are and will get us to where we want to go.” Brunet started at the library as manager of public services and became CEO in 2019, overseeing the main library at Welland Civic Square and branches at Seaway Mall and Diamond Trail on Southworth Street. “We need to make sure that we remain relevant. To do that, we have to listen to the people we serve. What was relevant 200 years ago may be relevant in some form today, but we must continue to grow and evolve and ensure we continue to meet those needs,” she said. As of last year, Welland’s three branches have more than 106,000 books in circulation, 3,433 special collection items in print and 3,918 digital items. That’s not counting CDs/DVDs, ebooks and e-audiobooks, print magazines, newspapers and electronic titles. Brunet said many people think literacy is just about reading and writing, but it’s more than that. “Literacy is more about showing people what they can do and how they can do it. The library will always serve a need in that realm.” Literacy also includes music, with the library lending instruments for people to play and practise. It teaches digital literacy, lending tech and offering people use of the internet who might not otherwise have access to it so they can participate in civic life. Board chair Lindsay Bryan said the library’s function is literacy of all kinds, not just serving the reading public. “Being among other people is a function of a modern library as well,” she said, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic with people still feeling a sense of loneliness and social alienation. Brunet said Welland Public Library serves as a community hub. “We are a place where people can connect with different ideas, different trains of thought. It’s an area of open ideas and a place for debate. We have been a pillar in the community for the last 200 years.” Welland Public Library’s main branch is at 50 The Boardwalk. The library celebrates its 200th anniversary Wednesday. And it’s being used more than ever. “We are on track to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers this year.” Online visits to the library catalogue and website are up 153 per cent compared to 2019; Wi-Fi and use of public access terminals are up 91 per cent; electronic circulation is up 926 per cent and program attendances up 172 per cent. While in-person visits are down 2.82 per cent to date, the library expects that number will increase by the end of the year. In 2019, there were 146,407 visits across the three branches. So far this year, there have been 142,277 visits. “We are getting busier and busier across all demographics, ages and all walks of life.” College and university students and seniors flock to the Seaway Mall branch, while students, parents and families use the branch inside Diamond Trail Public School. “We have three study rooms that people can use on a first come first serve basis and two larger rooms we rent out.” With Welland growing, its population is expected to reach 80,000 by 2041, Brunet and Bryan were recently before city council to ask for $120,000 in municipal funding for a nearly $400,000 bookmobile for 2026. The library will fund $278,000 from reserves and development charge revenue for the vehicle, while the city’s funding would pay for a full-time co-ordinator and part-time programmer to operate it. The vehicle would bring books, audiovisual materials, instruments, programming and services to places such as parks, schools, retirement residences and community events. “There are underserved areas of Welland, and as the city develops we’re going to learn more about where those areas are. We’ll see where the needs are within the community,” Brunet said. Original location was in a choolhouse near Brown’s Bridge - 1824 A room over McCaw’s Shoe Store on East Main Street - 1896 Town Hall, King Street - 1901 Carnegie Building, King Street - 1923 Northwest Branch on South Pelham Road -1972 Main Branch - 2005, Diamond Trail Branch - 2013 Seaway Mall Branch - 2017 A bookmobile would allow the library to reach vulnerable sectors and individuals who may not have the means to get to any library branches. With the library running lean — it has had 35 employees over the three branches for several years — Brunet said the two new hires would be needed to operate the vehicle and programming. Brunet said Wednesday’s 200th anniversary celebrations start at 2 p.m. and go until 7 p.m. There will be food, toys and games for children, and speeches from all levels of government starting at 3 p.m. She said library staff having been planning the event for the past two years and through research determined the first local library opened on Nov. 27, 1824. “We’ve survived two world wars, two global pandemics, several iterations of the Welland Canal, the rise of the internet and we’re still here. “We have been relevant in every single decade we have operated and I have no doubt that will continue,” said Brunet.Now that the weather is cooling, I’m noticing that some plants look nothing like their midsummer selves. Sure, most perennials are drying out and dying down, and trees and deciduous shrubs are changing colors and losing leaves. But that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the flowering of plants that are typically valued mostly, if not solely, for their foliage. A stunning coleus, no doubt planted for its chartreuse-edged maroon leaves, is now punctuated by gangly 2 1⁄2-foot-tall spikes of tiny purple blooms. They’re attention-grabbing, to be sure, but perhaps not in the best way. And they might not be what their owner signed up for, as the blooming stage of the plant is not what’s depicted in catalogs or on plant tags at the nursery. Caladiums, planted for their large, colorful, often heart-shaped leaves, also bloom, their white or pink-tinged flowers seemingly a cross between a calla lily’s and a flamingo flower’s. This is not a coincidence, as all three belong to the Araceae family. The latter two are grown for their flowers, but many gardeners remove caladium blossoms to direct more of the plant’s energy into leaf and corm production. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police say ‘I don’t care who’s played': Nebraska’s Dana Holgorsen on personnel changes at tight end Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win Man found dead in north Lincoln, police say Cover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2 Nebraska GOP to seek hard-right social policies in 2025 legislative session Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's win against Wisconsin Here's how Nebraska doctors are finding 'more opportunities to save lives' from lung cancer UNO freezes funds for LGBTQ+, multicultural, other student groups after audit Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Another caladium cousin, Alocasia, aka elephant ears, produces similar blooms, although they are smaller and don’t appear as reliably. I’ve come across many gardeners who also remove hosta flower spikes, and that perplexes me because I love the splashes of purple or white that they bring to my own garden. In fact, I consider them the best part of the plants. A lot of folks remove the tall, thick flower stalks of lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), too. I agree the plant’s namesake thick, velvety, silver leaves are the star of the show. But I also like its late-summer, pinkish-purple blossoms. There’s no accounting for taste, however, so do whatever makes you happy. Rex begonias, grown in shady areas outdoors (and often indoors as houseplants), are prized for their textured foliage, which can be best described as groovy. Their red, pink, purple, maroon, silver, burgundy, green, swirled, spiraled or otherwise far-out patterned leaves are such show stoppers that their small pink or white flower clusters are often considered party poopers. Then there’s Liriope, or lilyturf. Also called monkey grass, the low-growing groundcover produces small flower spikes in late summer. Then, the purple or white flowers give way to nearly black berries in fall. (Warning: Liriope muscari is well-behaved; Liriope spicata, which I accidentally planted more than a decade ago, has running roots that will eventually overtake your garden.) Early risers Some foliage plants surprise in spring rather than fall. Siberian bugloss (Brunnera), for instance, is beloved for its beautiful variegated, heart-shaped, green and silver or white foliage that brightens shady gardens throughout the growing season. But it also produces small, light blue flowers in spring. Mature boxwoods bloom in spring, too, often surprising (and sometimes concerning) their owners with tiny, yellow-green flower clusters. Although conspicuous, the flowers of Heuchera are somewhat beside the point. Also called coral bells, the plant’s foliage is regarded as its raison d’etre, brightening dark garden corners with yellow, white, copper, coral, purple, red or pink, often ruffled leaves. Its flower spikes, which oddly often don’t coordinate with its foliage color, hold clusters of bell-shaped blossoms high above the leaf mound from late spring through summer. In my opinion, some are lovely, but others are ghastly. It’s best to research a variety’s flower color before committing.

Predicting Kendrick Lamar’s Track List for Super Bowl LIX Halftime ShowWhite House: Salt Typhoon hacked telcos in dozens of countries

IRVING, Texas , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Caterpillar Inc. CAT voted today to maintain the quarterly dividend of one dollar and forty-one cents ($1.41) per share of common stock, payable Feb. 20, 2025 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on Jan. 21, 2025 . Caterpillar has paid a cash dividend every year since the company was formed and has paid a quarterly dividend since 1933. Caterpillar has paid higher annual dividends to shareholders for 31 consecutive years and is recognized as a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index. About Caterpillar With 2023 sales and revenues of $67.1 billion , Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caterpillar-inc-maintains-dividend-302328163.html SOURCE Caterpillar Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.What Does SAE Stand For And Why Is It Important?Trump's picks for key positions in his second administration49ers' visit gives Packers a chance to damage the playoff hopes of their postseason nemesis

Julianne Brunet says public libraries are always working to reinvent themselves. Welland Public Library , which started as a mechanic’s institute in 1824 in a schoolhouse that no longer exists, is no different, Brunet, its chief executive officer, said ahead of its 200th anniversary celebration Wednesday. “What I have seen since I have been here is what has defined the library for the last 200 years. It’s a real community spirit. We’re community-led and we want to make sure we are responsive to the needs of residents. I think that has gotten us to where we are and will get us to where we want to go.” Brunet started at the library as manager of public services and became CEO in 2019, overseeing the main library at Welland Civic Square and branches at Seaway Mall and Diamond Trail on Southworth Street. “We need to make sure that we remain relevant. To do that, we have to listen to the people we serve. What was relevant 200 years ago may be relevant in some form today, but we must continue to grow and evolve and ensure we continue to meet those needs,” she said. As of last year, Welland’s three branches have more than 106,000 books in circulation, 3,433 special collection items in print and 3,918 digital items. That’s not counting CDs/DVDs, ebooks and e-audiobooks, print magazines, newspapers and electronic titles. Brunet said many people think literacy is just about reading and writing, but it’s more than that. “Literacy is more about showing people what they can do and how they can do it. The library will always serve a need in that realm.” Literacy also includes music, with the library lending instruments for people to play and practise. It teaches digital literacy, lending tech and offering people use of the internet who might not otherwise have access to it so they can participate in civic life. Board chair Lindsay Bryan said the library’s function is literacy of all kinds, not just serving the reading public. “Being among other people is a function of a modern library as well,” she said, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic with people still feeling a sense of loneliness and social alienation. Brunet said Welland Public Library serves as a community hub. “We are a place where people can connect with different ideas, different trains of thought. It’s an area of open ideas and a place for debate. We have been a pillar in the community for the last 200 years.” Welland Public Library’s main branch is at 50 The Boardwalk. The library celebrates its 200th anniversary Wednesday. And it’s being used more than ever. “We are on track to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers this year.” Online visits to the library catalogue and website are up 153 per cent compared to 2019; Wi-Fi and use of public access terminals are up 91 per cent; electronic circulation is up 926 per cent and program attendances up 172 per cent. While in-person visits are down 2.82 per cent to date, the library expects that number will increase by the end of the year. In 2019, there were 146,407 visits across the three branches. So far this year, there have been 142,277 visits. “We are getting busier and busier across all demographics, ages and all walks of life.” College and university students and seniors flock to the Seaway Mall branch, while students, parents and families use the branch inside Diamond Trail Public School. “We have three study rooms that people can use on a first come first serve basis and two larger rooms we rent out.” With Welland growing, its population is expected to reach 80,000 by 2041, Brunet and Bryan were recently before city council to ask for $120,000 in municipal funding for a nearly $400,000 bookmobile for 2026. The library will fund $278,000 from reserves and development charge revenue for the vehicle, while the city’s funding would pay for a full-time co-ordinator and part-time programmer to operate it. The vehicle would bring books, audiovisual materials, instruments, programming and services to places such as parks, schools, retirement residences and community events. “There are underserved areas of Welland, and as the city develops we’re going to learn more about where those areas are. We’ll see where the needs are within the community,” Brunet said. Original location was in a choolhouse near Brown’s Bridge - 1824 A room over McCaw’s Shoe Store on East Main Street - 1896 Town Hall, King Street - 1901 Carnegie Building, King Street - 1923 Northwest Branch on South Pelham Road -1972 Main Branch - 2005, Diamond Trail Branch - 2013 Seaway Mall Branch - 2017 A bookmobile would allow the library to reach vulnerable sectors and individuals who may not have the means to get to any library branches. With the library running lean — it has had 35 employees over the three branches for several years — Brunet said the two new hires would be needed to operate the vehicle and programming. Brunet said Wednesday’s 200th anniversary celebrations start at 2 p.m. and go until 7 p.m. There will be food, toys and games for children, and speeches from all levels of government starting at 3 p.m. She said library staff having been planning the event for the past two years and through research determined the first local library opened on Nov. 27, 1824. “We’ve survived two world wars, two global pandemics, several iterations of the Welland Canal, the rise of the internet and we’re still here. “We have been relevant in every single decade we have operated and I have no doubt that will continue,” said Brunet.Kellogg is retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues.

NoneFour brothers run JB workshop started by their father and use hand-me-down equipment SHAHIDAHYU Bakri did not expect that her bad reaction to coffee while pregnant about 11 years ago would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. She had been working at a coffee factory in Johor Baru for a few years before being pregnant with her first child. “I experienced bad reactions to the smell of coffee and had to quit my job as the dizzy spells and nausea were too much for me to handle. ALSO READ: Entrepreneur’s museum shares lore on gold ore “I had no choice but to look for work elsewhere to help my husband, as we were about to start a family. “That was when I saw an advertisement on job vacancy at a jewellery workshop and decided to give it a try despite having no prior experience in the field,” Shahidahyu told StarMetro. The job involved producing handmade gold jewellery, which required her to handle tools such as pliers, tweezers, chisels and files. Shahidahyu inspecting various tiny parts before assembling them into gold jewellery. “Besides rings, my boss, who is also my mentor, taught me how to make movable fish pendants. “The pendant consists of several different parts assembled together to make it move as if it was swimming. “I never expected that I would one day become a goldsmith. “I like the fact that I get to learn new skills,” she said. She added that through her job, she has learnt about Chinese culture including why dragons and fish are symbols of good fortune in the community. Some of the handcrafted pieces produced at the shop. In turn, she would also share about her own culture with her colleagues. Shahidahyu is one of the oldest-serving employees at the workshop, and she also guides and trains newcomers who join the company. The mother-of-two said she hoped to see more young people joining the industry as they could bring fresh ideas and innovations. The workshop where Shahidahyu works is run by four brothers who took over the business from their late father. All in the family Owner Yuin Foo Seng said the family business was passed down to him about three decades ago. He recalled that he, too, was working in a different field before joining the business. “In my teenage years, I worked at my maternal grandfather’s restaurant. “One day, my father asked me to help out at his jewellery workshop as he was short of workers. And so began my journey in the gold business. “I learned from my father and eventually became a full-fledged goldsmith,” said Foo Seng. (From left) Brothers Foo Seng, Fook Kuan, Fock Heng and Fook Yung at the second-generation goldsmith business. He added that his father first opened a gold jewellery workshop in Penang, relocating several times before settling down in Johor Baru. Foo Seng, who is the eldest sibling, said he first ran the business with one brother, before his two other siblings switched fields to join them. “My brothers Fook Kuan, Fock Heng, Fook Yung and I each take on a different role – from producing gold jewellery to managing our 13 employees and quality control,” Foo Seng said. He recalled the industry’s peak in the 1990s before the 1997 Asian financial crisis. “At that time, we were getting a lot of orders even during non-festive periods. “Our workers had to work overtime and on weekends to cater to the orders. Soh: There is still a market for traditional and handmade gold jewellery. “During Chinese New Year, buyers who are jewellery shop owners would come to our workshop to buy whatever stock we had left. “The demand for gold jewellery is still there but it is lower now. “We also cannot take as many orders, as we have fewer workers now compared to before.” The goldsmith said their products were for local and overseas markets such as Singapore and India. Pick of the bunch Foo Seng said the shop also produced toothpicks and earpicks, which come in a slim container, all made entirely of gold. “It was in great demand back then. Now, I believe we are the only gold workshop that still produces the item upon order. “We make mostly gold pendants with elements such as carp, arowana and dragons that symbolise auspiciousness and good luck in Chinese culture.” Youths, he revealed, were not interested in being goldsmiths as it was labour-intensive. “They are required to sit for long hours and use their hands and eyes. “A lot of skill is required to produce jewellery with intricate details. Cheng: Young people are influenced by luxury brands and will look for similar gold products. “Previously, we had workers who left after a week as they could not stand the long hours,” he said, adding that his own children had pursued other interests after completing their tertiary education. Foo Seng is grateful that his niece and nephew had joined the family business and learned to become goldsmiths. He admitted that he was concerned about the future of the industry as many jewellery makers had adopted mechanisation. At his workshop, they still use apparatus that used to belong to his father to mould gold into fine wire to produce jewellery. “Our father had always wanted to pass down the craft to his children. He worked until he was 86. “I took over the family business not to become rich but to keep our father’s legacy alive. “We aim to continue offering traditionally-made jewellery pieces as I believe there is still value in them,” said Foo Seng. Updated with tech South Johor Golden Ornaments Trade Association chairman Soh Lip Sim said traditional and handmade gold jewellery still had a market in the 21st century. “Most of the gold jewellery makers in the state are small and medium-sized enterprises, while the major producers are in the Klang Valley and Penang. “There are only about 200 traditional gold jewellery makers left in Johor, which is much fewer than before as many have closed down due to the lack of successors,” he added. Soh said traditional methods might be phased out in the years to come as more jewellery producers move towards mechanisation and modern technology. “With machines, gold jewellery pieces can be made in a shorter period, involve less manpower and offer a huge variety of designs that are lighter in weight. Fine work: Goldsmith Yuin Foo Seng's holding up an intricate handmade gold dragon pendant produced at his family's workshop in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star “This means consumers can purchase jewellery designs at cheaper price because of the weight and they will not be charged a high craftsmanship fee,” he said. Soh said current market trends were for lightweight jewellery pieces as well as trendy items such as the Labubu doll, with K-pop star Lisa’s social media post featuring it sparking mass interest across Asia. “Thanks to technology, gold jewellery such as pendants can weigh as light as 0.2g per piece, making them very affordable for the younger consumer. “People used to think that gold jewellery catered to the more mature market but these days, many young people prefer to buy gold probably because of the wide variety of designs,” said Soh. Sought-after items Cheng Ching Nian, who runs a 98-year-old gold jewellery shop in Pontian, said young customers could easily spend thousands during a visit to his shop. “I think they are influenced by luxury brands as they will usually come looking for similar designs for pendants and bracelet charms. “They spend between RM3,000 and RM5,000 on jewellery each time,” he said, adding that 3D designs featuring cartoon characters were also popular. With Chinese New Year coming at the end of January, Cheng said he was preparing to stock up on designs featuring Chinese zodiac signs. He added that his products were usually sourced from local jewellery makers but trendier designs would come from China and Hong Kong, where modern machines could produce intricate designs at an affordable price. Cheng, who is the shop’s third-generation owner, said it was tough for locals to compete with foreign gold jewellery producers in terms of cost.New head coach Ruben Amorim says Manchester United are "a massive club but not a massive team" as he tries to steer them back towards the top of the English game. United have improved since Erik ten Hag was sacked on 28 October. But Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, combined with results elsewhere, means they have climbed just one place in the Premier League table to 13th since Ten Hag's exit. Amorim, whose team host Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 GMT) admits his side were second best at Arsenal - and that the game provided a reality check. "That is very clear," he said. "We are a massive club but we are not a massive team. We know it, so there is no problem to say it." That, however, does not mean the club should reset their targets, according to Amorim, who began work as United boss on 11 November. He said he accepts the storied history of the club means the demands will always be sky high. "We're not one of the best teams in the league," he said. "We have to say and think that clearly. "But [in] our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team." At the start of his reign, Amorim said he wanted his players to work hard. United's players have, over the past few years, faced accusations of lacking effort, during a turbulent period which has brought the arrival and departure of a series of managers. The issue presently is the number of games they are playing. Amorim has started his time at United with 11 games in 37 days – his old club Sporting have seven in the same period - which makes it impossible to develop fitness. And not until that happens can supporters expect their team to be challenging again. "If we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs," said Amorim. "Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running they will win nothing." Amorim has told his players it is more important to applaud United fans after defeats than victories. Striker Marcus Rashford left the field before the rest of his team-mates after the defeat at Emirates Stadium, sparking criticism. Asked about the incident, without naming Rashford directly, Amorim said it was important to acknowledge supporters who had backed their team. "We have to do it," he said. "Especially when we lose. Everyone has to do it. It has to be like that." Amorim also discussed the last-minute decision before last weekend's victory over Everton not to wear rainbow tracksuits to walk out on to the pitch. The move was set to be part of United's contribution to the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear the top on religious grounds. In the past, United have worn shirts with poppies over the Remembrance period when midfielder Nemanja Matic said he would not because of an attack on his home village in Serbia by Nato forces during the Balkan conflict. On this occasion, United's players opted against letting Mazraoui stand out. "There's three difficult things to manage," said Amorim, who revealed he had no part in the decision. "On one side, it's club values. But then you have religion and it's our values to respect other opinions. And the third thing is the group. I won't leave Nous alone, we're a team. "The majority of the players believe in one thing but they saw one guy alone and said: Let's be together. "It's a hard issue to address. There's no doubt what this club believes and fights for. We need to respect everything - but we also need to respect the religion of Nous and his culture."