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Balancing cross country races, dual-enrollment classes and evening JTED courses, Catalina High School junior Emiliano Caldera is no stranger to hard work. Last month, he added another achievement to his impressive résumé by becoming a member of Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American and Latino Student Advisory Council. The council unites student representatives from across the district, giving them a platform to voice their opinions on issues affecting their education. “(The Student Advisory Council) taught me more about collaborating with others and problem-solving,” Caldera said. “The first day that we all got together, we had sticky notes and we created different topics we wanted to focus on. We were like, ‘Okay, we have to do this. How are we going to accomplish this goal?’” Caldera is one of over 26,000 Latino students in the Tucson Unified School District, who make up the majority of the district’s 40,000 students, according to TUSD Data Reports. TUSD’s Mexican American Student Services Department takes an asset-based approach to supporting Latino students by building on their strengths and providing culturally relevant resources and encouragement. The department’s origins trace back to the Fisher Mendoza case, a 1974 lawsuit representing African American and Mexican American students. In 1978, a federal court found TUSD had acted with segregative intent and mandated the district address systemic discrimination, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2022, TUSD achieved “unitary status” in the desegregation case, meaning it was released from judicial oversight, according to the Arizona Daily Star. The responsibility of maintaining a desegregated district now falls on the TUSD governing board. TUSD’s Mexican American Student Services Department provides culturally-relevant and accessible support for Latino students and their families. About 26,000 students of the 40,000 students enrolled in the district are Latino, data show. “It’s my parents and their generation that went through this discrimination and prejudice. I heard their stories,” said Maria Federico Brummer, the Mexican American student services department director. “They gave us this teaching: you have to demand better of our schools. We have to demand better of our teachers and our educational system.” The Mexican American Student Services Department has introduced initiatives and programs to actively engage students and their families in their educational journeys. One initiative is the College Academy for Parents, a program designed to help families navigate the often overwhelming complexities of higher education. “They learn about, like, what’s a GPA? Why does that matter? How many A’s and C’s can they balance? How do I fund this? Like, I have no money, how do I get my kid a scholarship? What are personal statements? How do we even apply?” said Federico Brummer. “A lot of our parents have never navigated higher education. We’re able to help support that.” At the end of the program, parents receive diplomas that recognize their knowledge and readiness to support their children. Ahliz Soto and Noemi Lopez show their certificates of achievement from Mexican American Student Services Department’s College Academy for Parents. The department also offers social-emotional support through empowerment groups, mentoring programs and workshops for students in alternative education settings. These initiatives are often implemented in collaboration with community partners. “Last night there was a Substance Prevention Academy for parents and their high school students,” said Federico Brummer. “We do different programs like that with partnerships. In this case, it was with the Community Prevention Coalition of Pima County that helped organize it. We act as a bridge.” The department’s weekly newsletters and social media posts keep families informed about free tutoring, college workshops and community events. One of the department’s most significant contributions is ensuring information is accessible to Spanish-speaking families. “We have a team of interpreters that we schedule to come in, and they put the headsets on and interpret for the family,” said Federico Brummer. “It’s important because we need to have these resources that are in our community, that may be, you know, seeking ways to engage with our specific population, but they don’t necessarily know how.” Programs like Each One Teach One encourage high school students to explore careers in education. With nearly 60% of TUSD students identifying as Latino, the initiative addresses the critical shortage of teachers of color in the district. Gennezy De La Vara, a Pueblo High School junior, Student Advisory Council member and Each One Teach One participant, hopes to inspire her peers to dream bigger. “I want first-generation students to understand that their educational horizons don’t have to be limited,” said De La Vara. “As Mexican students, many feel like their only option is to continue in their family’s business, even if it doesn’t bring them happiness, or they settle for something they didn’t really want to do. I want them to realize that they can aim higher, push themselves, and start preparing now for what they truly want. There’s so much out there for them to experience, and their goals after high school are absolutely attainable.” Through its efforts to bridge gaps in access and opportunity, the TUSD program is working to advance the progress seen in national trends. College enrollment among Hispanic students has steadily increased in recent years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with the number of Hispanic individuals aged 18 to 24 enrolled in college growing to 2.4 million in 2021, up from 1.2 million in 2005. By supporting academic success and college readiness, the Mexican American Student Services Department is working to help even more students achieve these milestones. “I’m always pushing my staff,” said Federico Brummer. “We’re going to be better than anyone else in terms of doing the work for our families.” Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.Man rushed to hospital after stabbing in central PhoenixJeju Air stock hits a record low after plane crash

Adam Clark scores 18 to help Merrimack knock off Niagara 80-62

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan had to once again reiterate on Saturday that his party was still in an alliance with the DMK and also clarify that there was no pressure on him to keep off the book release event attended by Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam founder Vijay after a controversy broke out over his party’s deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjuna launching a scathing attack on the DMK. The speech of Aadhav Arjuna, vowing to defeat the DMK in the next election and describing the present political system in the State as ‘monarchy’, at the book release event on Friday in the presence of Vijay earned the ire of not just DMK supporters, who took to social media to lash out on him, but also left the VCK leaders fuming. So at a meeting held in the VCK office on Saturday, the party leaders were up in arms demanding action against the new deputy general secretary who attended the book release not in his capacity as VCK leader but in the name of an NGO run by him, called Voice of Commons. But since he was vocal in attacking the DMK many top leaders of DMK reacted to it. Since Arjuna’s speech triggered speculations, once again, on the VCK planning to walk out of the DMK coalition and possibly join hands with the VCK, Thirumavalan had to clarify his position to quell the rumours. Ahead of the meeting, to which only select invitees were allowed entry by presenting the invitation at the door, rumours were spread that the DMK had put pressure on Thirumavalavan to not attend the event, in which he was originally scheduled to take part along with Vijay when it was planned more than a year ago. After Vijay launched his party, Thirumavalavan said that he would take a call on taking part in the event after consultations with party leaders after the media started pointing out that the two leaders would be sharing the stage. Anyway, despite Arjuna having a big role in the book release, organized by a media group, Thirumavalvan decided to keep away, triggering the rumour that he was prevented by the DMK. Many opposition political leaders also made the same allegation, which prompted Thirumavalvan to clarify that there was no interference from the DMK. But within the VCK tempers ran high after Arjuna spoke ill of the DMK making indirect imputations, forcing Thirumavalavan to agree to take action after first seeking an explanation for the controversial speech. DMK leaders, however, ignored the charges levelled by Arjuna and only said that they would sweep the 2026 Assembly elections, in which Arjuna vowed to end ‘monarchy’ in the State. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, when asked about the remarks of Arjuna, said that he did not have the habit of watching cinema news.What happens when 'The Simpsons' join 'Monday Night Football'? Find out during Bengals-CowboysRecover, a leading global producer of recycled cotton fiber, has announced the opening of its latest manufacturing facility in Vietnam, set to begin operations in early 2025. This facility, located in Dong Nai province, represents a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy and aims to enhance sustainability in the Vietnamese textile industry. Key Takeaways Strategic Location and Capacity The new factory spans nearly 14,000 square meters and is strategically located in Dong Nai province, which is pivotal to Vietnam’s textile industry as the third-largest textile exporter globally. This proximity to textile waste sorting and manufacturing operations will help reduce shipping costs and environmental impact. The facility will initially operate with two advanced recycling lines, allowing for a production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes annually. Additionally, a dedicated laboratory will ensure consistent product quality and ongoing innovation in both product and process. Innovative Recycling Solutions One of the standout features of this facility is its focus on RMix, Recover’s innovative recycling solution for cotton-polyester blends. This process eliminates the need to separate fibers, addressing a long-standing challenge in the industry and providing a sustainable advantage in energy efficiency. Commitment to Sustainability Anders Sjöblom, CEO of Recover, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, "Circularity is currently an underutilized tool in the Vietnamese textiles industry. By bringing our advanced technology to a key textile hub, we are not only enhancing how we serve our customers but also creating a positive shift towards circularity in Vietnam." Opportunities in the Textile Sector The opening of Recover’s facility comes at a time when the global textile and apparel sector is experiencing significant opportunities due to increasing demand and shifting economic factors. The political instability in Bangladesh may further accelerate the diversification of textile production, with Vietnam poised to benefit from this shift. Future Prospects Recover’s expansion into Vietnam is part of a broader strategy to meet the growing demand for recycled materials among brands and retailers worldwide. With a commitment to sustainability and technological excellence, Recover is setting new industry standards and paving the way for a more circular economy in textiles. As the company continues to grow, it aims to establish itself as a trusted partner in the global textile market, contributing to a more sustainable future for the industry. Sources

Newly-appointed State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke has ordered a ban on journalists deemed "hostile" from covering Zanu-PF internal meetings, signaling a shift in the party's media access policy. Traditionally, both private and public media representatives were allowed to attend official Zanu-PF gatherings, such as Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meetings. However, Matuke’s directive seeks to limit attendance to vetted individuals, citing concerns over information leaks and social media backlash. Clampdown on Information Leaks In a video widely circulated on social media, Matuke addressed Zanu-PF members during a PCC meeting in Masvingo, held at Clovelly, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance. "We hold meetings, but by the time we leave, we would already be facing backlashes [on social media], and you then wonder whether the people who participated in those meetings were bonafide Zanu-PF members," said Matuke, who also serves as the security secretary in the Zanu-PF Politburo. The minister issued a stern warning to party members leaking sensitive information, stating that security agencies would track down and punish those responsible. "We must have our security guys who watch out for people who leak information and bring them to book. Those people should be dealt with thoroughly," he added. Tighter Scrutiny at Meetings Matuke called for stricter vetting procedures to ensure only eligible members attend internal gatherings. "Going forward, chairman, we need to designate our members responsible for information, including news personnel. Be very strict that nobody just comes and sits without being scrutinized. If it is a PCC, only those eligible should attend," he said. Implications for Press Freedom The directive has sparked concerns over press freedom, with critics warning that barring independent journalists from covering Zanu-PF activities could restrict transparency and accountability. This move follows a broader trend of tightening control over information flow within Zimbabwe, particularly concerning political processes and governance. Critics argue that targeting journalists and whistleblowers may suppress dissenting voices and limit public access to crucial information. Increased Security Measures Matuke’s statements reflect the ruling party’s growing unease over internal divisions and the dissemination of sensitive information through social media. By consolidating control over information and intensifying scrutiny of attendees, Zanu-PF aims to reinforce its organizational security and reduce public criticism. The minister’s remarks also highlight the dual role of Zanu-PF's leadership in both party and state apparatuses, raising questions about the intersection of party politics and national governance.None

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's economy has enough difficulties, from tepid growth to trade tensions with the U.S. Dealing with those woes is only getting harder due to the political chaos in the two biggest European countries, France and Germany. Neither has a government backed by a functioning majority, and France could take a while yet to sort things out. But some problems aren't going to wait, such as what to do about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's America First stance on trade and how to fund stronger defense against Putin's Russia. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally “Moana 2” remains at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it pulled in another record haul. According to studio estimates Sunday, the animated Disney film added $52 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. That surpasses the take for the original “Moana” and brings the sequel's global tally to a staggering $600 million. It also puts the film in this year's top five at the box office. “Wicked” came in second place for the weekend with $34.9 million and “Gladiator II” was third with $12.5 million. The 10th anniversary re-release of Christopher Nolan's “Interstellar” also earned an impressive $4.4 million even though it played in only 165 theaters. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states.

( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Global market Report 2024 - Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033 The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-for a limited time only! LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, December 13, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-limited time only! How Has The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market Performed In The Recent Years? The commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $1.44 billion in 2023 to $1.49 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 3.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing vehicle production, growing focus on safety features, rising fuel prices, rising connected vehicles, and rising demand for fleet management. Explore Comprehensive Insights Into The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market With A Detailed Sample Report: What Is The Projected Growth Rate And Market Size Of The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market? The commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.7 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 3.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising urbanization, increasing vehicle electrification, growth in commercial vehicles, the emergence of autonomous vehicles, rise in e-commerce, and rising disposable income. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in automotive technology, innovations in switch technology, the Internet of Things, connected vehicle technologies, and integration with advanced driver assistance systems ADAS. What Are Key Drivers Behind The Growth Of The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market? The growing demand for electric vehicles EVs is expected to propel the growth of the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market going forward. An electric vehicle EV refers to a vehicle that utilizes one or more electric motors for propulsion. The growing demand for electric vehicles EVs is increasing due to several reasons, such as environmental benefits, energy independence, economic benefits, and climate goals. Electromechanical switches help in controlling the flow of electricity from the battery to different vehicle systems. They regulate power distribution to avoid overloading and efficiently manage charging and discharging cycles. For instance, in March 2023, according to the International Energy Agency, a France-based intergovernmental organization, global electric car sales approached 14 million in 2023, accounting for 18% of total car sales, up from 14% in 2022. This marked an increase of 3.5 million units compared to the previous year, reflecting a 35% year-on-year growth. Therefore, the growing demand for electric vehicles EVs is driving the growth of the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market. To Learn More About This Market, Pre-book the report at: Who Are The Key Players In The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market? Major companies operating in the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market are Panasonic Corporation, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Honeywell International Inc., Valeo SA, Eaton Corporation PLC, TE Connectivity Ltd., Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA, Alps Alpine Co. Ltd., Omron Corporation, Sensata Technologies Inc., Kostal Group, Littelfuse Inc., Preh GmbH, Furukawa Group, Marquardt GmbH, Uno Minda Group, Stoneridge Inc., APEM Inc., OTTO Engineering Inc., NKK Switches Co. Ltd. What Are The Recent Innovations From Key Players In The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market? Major companies operating in the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market are developing innovative smart high-side power switches to enhance driver experience, improve safety, and meet the growing demand for more reliable and durable components in modern vehicles. Smart high-side power switches are electronic components that control and protect power distribution by managing the flow of current to connected loads, offering features like overcurrent protection, fault detection, and diagnostics in automotive and industrial applications. For instance, in April 2023, Infineon Technologies AG, a Germany-based semiconductor company, launched the automotive smart high-side power-switch portfolio PROFET Load Guard 12V, a new portfolio of automotive smart high-side power switches designed to enhance safety-critical systems such as advanced driver-assistance systems ADAS. These devices offer adjustable overcurrent limitation and capacitive load switching CLS mode, providing robust protection and fast fault isolation for modern power distribution architectures. How Is The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market Segmented? The commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market covered in this report is segmented in terms of type, sales channel, and application. By type, the market is divided into tactile, rocker, toggle, push, detect, and other types. In terms of sales channel, the market is split into original equipment manufacturer OEM and aftermarket. By application, the market includes trucks, buses, material handling, construction, agriculture, boats and recreation, two or three wheelers, and rail. What Are The Regional Insights Into The Commercial Vehicle Electromechanical Switch Market? Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market in 2023. Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa are the regions covered in the commercial vehicle electromechanical switch market report. Browse more similar reports- Industrial And Commercial LED Lighting Global Market Report 2024 Commercial Printing Services Global Market Report 2024 Commercial Aircraft Landing Gear Global Market Report 2024 About The Business Research Company Learn More About The Business Research Company. With over 15000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Armed with 1,500,000 datasets, the optimistic contribution of in-depth secondary research, and unique insights from industry leaders, you can get the information you need to stay ahead in the game. Contact us at: The Business Research Company: Americas +1 3156230293 Asia +44 2071930708 Europe +44 2071930708 Email us at ... 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If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.SINGAPORE: Book clubs are here, there, everywhere these days . I would know – I started one myself. Despite the book club hype, reading itself seems to be on the decline in Singapore amid a wave of bookstore closures and continuous drops in book borrowing. The National Library Board logged 36.3 million physical and digital loans in 2023 – 2.3 million fewer than in 2022, and well below the pre-pandemic high of 40.5 million recorded in 2019. A 2021 study also showed that fewer and fewer of Singapore’s students enjoy reading , with only 51 per cent doing so, down from 55 per cent in 2016 and 60 per cent in 2011. Will more book clubs actually create more readers? As a book club enthusiast, I’m hoping the answer is yes. But as an English Literature educator, answering the question is not as straightforward as that. First, we must understand what book clubs really do for us. YOU DON’T HAVE TO FINISH THE BOOK – YAY! Are you someone who “wants to read but never has the time”? Join the club. There’s no getting around it – reading is work, and it is a lot easier to zone out to Netflix or doomscroll on social media instead. For many years, I wondered if joining a book club would get me out of my reading rut. But I’d always decided that there was nothing desirable about more deadlines or social pressure. My impression of book clubs changed when I attended a No Readgrets Book Club session last year. Having rushed to finish the assigned book, I felt pressured going into the session. But to my surprise, some attendees hadn’t finished it at all – and there was no judgment. Everyone still contributed to the conversation meaningfully and empathetically. I know this sounds counterproductive. Why would I celebrate the fact that book clubs don’t compel participants to finish the book? It’s because reading for leisure should be exactly that – reading for leisure. When I ran my first book club session in November, both attendees confessed that they hadn’t finished the entire text – Sugarbread, by Singaporean author Balli Kaur Jaswal. Even so, they openly shared their personal perspectives on key topics in the book, such as family and relationships. One attendee shared how the very choice of a Singaporean book had made her reflect on her own Western-centric consumption of arts and media, and expressed a desire to consume more local media in varying forms. In a book club, the key objective shouldn’t be to finish a certain number of pages, but to participate in discussions about what’s on those pages. Reading no longer becomes about meeting yet another deadline, but rather about our own intentional efforts to engage with the text. Removing the guilt or shame of “failure” or “disappointment” from reading in this way helps to make reading much less intimidating – or at least less of a chore, especially for new readers. “MY ENGLISH NOT GOOD ENOUGH” I’ve heard many of my own students say this in a variety of ways: “My English isn’t good enough to talk about books.” In a society built on meritocracy, there’s something of a Singaporean mentality that we must be not just good enough, but better than everyone at most things. How many of us feel comfortable enough to raise our hands in a class or a meeting and say, plainly and clearly, “I don’t understand”? But reading isn’t about getting it “right”. In fact, if a book seems confusing, it might not even be a reader problem. Many writers intentionally write in ambiguous ways for creative literary purposes. Even us English educators aren’t immune. In a writing class I took earlier this year, the instructor assigned us a passage by renowned Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez. I read it and understood absolutely nothing. Impostor syndrome reared its head, and I questioned my capabilities and competences as an educator – until, to my relief, my classmates shared that they’d struggled with the passage too. Book clubs aren’t only for people who already live and breathe Tolstoy and Orwell. Discussions facilitated in book clubs are well-suited to helping those less confident in their language and literary comprehension skills to wade through their confusion and evaluate why a book isn’t working out. And it’s entirely possible for any reader, rookie or veteran, to struggle with a book and yet, by talking about it with others, learn something valuable about our role as readers. For instance, we could walk away from one disappointing book armed with fresh motivation to find writers and stories that speak to us more effectively and impactfully. DEVELOPING AN INTEREST IN STORIES In another session of my book club, we discussed The Great Reclamation, written by another Singaporean novelist, Rachel Heng. We had three groups of readers – those who’d finished the book, those who hadn’t, and an additional group of last-minute attendees who hadn’t even started the text. The no-guilt policy made non-starters and non-finishers of the text feel comfortable enough to engage fully, regardless of their progress in the actual book. When we got to discussing the ending, some even gasped out loud, shocked at the evolution of the main character. One attendee observed: “This is such an interesting way to read a book.” Another exclaimed: “I can’t wait to go home and finish reading this!” In our modern world of endless distractions, what will drive us to pick up a book – and not put it down? It’s not a vague inclination to “read more”, or an arbitrary goal to finish a certain number of books within a given amount of time. The strongest motivation will always be our own desire to engage with a story or its characters. Joining a book club has the potential to unlock that, even for more reluctant readers. WHAT HAPPENS IN THE END? Recently, I brought a passage about a man trapped on an ice floe to my upper primary English class. One student in this class had always complained that reading is too time-consuming. But when we finished the text, he immediately asked: “What happens in the end?” Even more hilarious was his answer when I asked the class what they thought were the strengths and weaknesses of the story: “The weakness is you didn’t print the whole story, so now I don’t know the ending.” And this is why I think book clubs will eventually lead to more readers – because people will always be drawn to stories. Fads and trends come and go under the spotlight, but the human instinct for curiosity and connection through narratives and characters will always remain centre stage. Storytelling is here to stay – even if it may look a little different over time. Even if all someone does is read the book’s Wikipedia page before showing up to a club meeting, that’s still more reading than they might have done if they hadn’t signed up at all. Gayathrii Nathan is an educator, writer and researcher. She runs Jotter Book, where she teaches English and humanities classes, as well as a book club, One Book At A Time.

South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 7:02 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center, shout slogans during a press conference with his party members at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. The signs read "Punish the rebellion leader." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but the party is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. After the motion fell through, members of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party rallied inside the National Assembly, chanting slogans calling for Yoon's impeachment or resignation. The party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, said it will soon prepare for a new impeachment motion. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. “We'll surely impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who is the greatest risk to Republic of Korea,” party leader Lee Jae-myung said. “We'll surely bring back this country to normal before Christmas Day or year's end.” Many experts worry Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1/2 years in office. They say some PPP lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. The ruling party risks "further public outrage and national confusion if they don’t find a formula fast for Yoon’s departure,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. PPP chair Han Dong-hun said his party will seek Yoon’s “orderly” early exit but didn’t say when he can resign. Protests against Yoon are swelling On Saturday, tens of thousands of people packed several blocks of roads leading to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied elsewhere in Seoul, calling the impeachment attempt unconstitutional. Impeaching Yoon required support from 200 of the National Assembly's 300 members. The Democratic Party and five other small opposition parties, which filed the motion, have 192 seats combined. But only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result “very regrettable” and an embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. The president apologizes for turmoil Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose it. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. “Yoon’s credibility overseas has been undermined by declaring martial law, so he won’t be able to exercise leadership in his foreign policies especially when his days are numbered,” Kim, the analyst, said. “Its government bureaucracy will need to continue business as usual for existing alliance and foreign policy initiatives as best it can because there is a lot of important work to do globally.” Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. PPP later decided to oppose Yoon's impeachment motion. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Yoon accused of ordering arrests of politicians On Friday, Han, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s spy agency, told lawmakers Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians including Han, Lee and Woo. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim Yong Hyun resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him. Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More World News Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus Dec 7, 2024 6:55 AM An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 1 and injuring others Dec 7, 2024 6:46 AM An explosion has caused several injuries and damaged apartments in the Dutch capital Dec 7, 2024 1:51 AM Featured FlyerSenior Spotlight: November kicks off National Alzheimer's Awareness MonthThe court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj

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Federal agents have accused 14 information technology (IT) workers this week of funding North Korean weapons programs. The FBI in St. Louis, Missouri, announced on Thursday that 14 North Korean nationals were indicted in a scheme that involved the funneling of their wages to finance the development of different weapons in North Korea. The Indictment The scheme involving thousands of IT workers brought in more than $88 million for the North Korean government, according to Ashley T. Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI's St. Louis office. Speaking at a news conference, Johnson added that the workers not only funneled their earnings but also stole sensitive company information or leveraged it to demand extortion payments. The victims included companies and individuals across the U.S., including Missouri, who had their identities stolen, Johnson said. The indictments, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, charge all 14 defendants with wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft and related offenses. The majority of the accused are believed to be in North Korea, and Johnson admitted that bringing them to justice will be a challenge. To aid the effort, the U.S. State Department is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects. The Scheme Following the indictment, the federal agents outlined how the scheme was played out by the 14 individuals. North Korea sent thousands of IT workers to secure remote or freelance positions with U.S. companies, often using stolen identities to do so. In some cases, they paid Americans to allow access to their home Wi-Fi networks or to pose as the workers during on-camera job interviews. Johnson emphasized that the FBI is also targeting these "domestic enablers" involved in the scheme. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," Johnson said. "If your company has hired fully remote IT workers, more likely than not, you have hired or at least interviewed a North Korean national working on behalf of the North Korean government," Johnson said. Efforts Against North Korea In recent years, the Justice Department has worked to uncover and disrupt a range of criminal schemes designed to support the North Korean regime, including efforts to fund its nuclear weapons program. In 2021, the Justice Department charged three North Korean computer programmers, members of the country's military intelligence agency, in connection with a series of global cyberattacks allegedly conducted on behalf of the regime. At the time, law enforcement officials emphasized that North Korea's hacking operations were primarily profit-driven—a stark contrast to nations like Russia, China and Iran, which typically focus on espionage, intellectual property theft or undermining democratic systems. In May 2022, the State Department, Treasury Department and FBI issued a joint advisory that warned about North Koreans seeking employment while posing as foreign nationals. The advisory highlighted that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's regime "has placed increased focus on education and training" in IT-related fields. Johnson urged companies to carefully vet remote IT hires, especially when verifying their identities. "One of the ways to help minimize your risk is to insist current and future IT workers appear on camera as often as possible if they are fully remote," Johnson said. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

NORTH CAROLINA — If you live in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee and have damage to your home or personal property related to Hurricane Helene, FEMA may be able to help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs or other essential disaster-related needs that are not covered by insurance. What happens after I apply for FEMA assistance? Registered survivors will be contacted by a FEMA-contracted inspector within about ten days of applying to schedule an appointment for an inspection, which generally takes about 30-40 minutes. The inspector’s call may come from an out-of-state or “unknown” number, and they may ask you to verify personally identifiable information by phone. FEMA inspectors make several attempts to contact you through phone call or text to schedule an appointment. If FEMA is unable to get in touch, you will be sent a letter indicating your application cannot be processed further – to proceed, you must call FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 to confirm your contact information and need for assistance. There is no fee for the inspection. Why do I need a FEMA home inspection? FEMA home inspections help determine whether a home is safe, sanitary, and livable, and to verify disaster-caused damage. Specifically, the FEMA inspector will: Verify your name, address, contact information, and insurance; Confirm the individuals living in your disaster-damaged residence; bedrooms occupied; clothing, medical, dental, transportation, or miscellaneous losses; and items you purchased as a result of the disaster (e.g., chainsaw, dehumidifier); Assess your pre-disaster residence’s structure, furniture, and appliances for damage caused by the disaster, as well as undamaged items; Document your pre-disaster residence’s square footage, foundation, and structural type (e.g., one or multiple stories). Record the cause of damage, applicable water levels, impacted utilities, and accessibility features; and Confirm with you that all damage has been viewed, and describe next steps in the FEMA process. Not all losses require an inspection. You should also monitor your mail or your FEMA Online Account (www.disasterassistance.gov) and respond to any requests from FEMA for additional information quickly. How do I know if the person at my door is a legitimate FEMA inspector? Always ask an inspector for identification and never give out your personal information like your social security number. If you are not shown photo identification, then do not allow the inspection. Disasters often bring out scam artists who prey on the needs of disaster survivors. Government officials will never ask for money or other forms of compensation for the inspection. What do I need to be prepared to show my FEMA inspector? Have the following ready for your inspection: § Photo identification. If you lost your id in the disaster, let the inspector know. FEMA has other ways to verify your identification. § Proof of ownership/occupancy of damaged residence (structural insurance, tax bill, mortgage payment book/utility bill). § Insurance documents: home and/or auto (structural insurance/auto declaration sheet). § List of household occupants living in residence at time of disaster. § All disaster-related damages to both real and personal property. I won’t be home during the time of my scheduled inspection. Can someone be there in my place? Yes. You can have anyone like a trusted neighbor, family member or friend that is 18 years of age or older handle the inspection if you are unavailable. What happens after the inspector visits? Once the inspection process is complete, your case will be reviewed by FEMA, and you will receive a letter outlining the decision about your claim. If you qualify for FEMA assistance, FEMA will send you a check by mail or deposit it directly into your bank account, depending on the method of payment you chose on your application. If you receive money for rental assistance, be sure to keep documentation and receipts of payments. If you pay to stay somewhere, you should have a written landlord/tenant agreement for the time frame you use the assistance. If you do not qualify for a FEMA grant, you will receive a letter explaining why you may not be eligible and will be given a chance to appeal the decision. Your appeal rights will be described in the letter. Appeals must be in writing and mailed within 60 days of FEMA’s decision. Can I appeal a decision? You have the right to appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending documents that show you qualify and need more help, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc. Each decision letter you receive from FEMA explains types of documents that may help you appeal your FEMA’s decision or award amount for that type of assistance. Many times, an application is determined “not approved” because of missing documentation like proof of identity, proof of occupancy, proof the damaged property was your primary residence and others. For more information, visit: How to Appeal a FEMA Decision | FEMA.gov How can I submit documentation? You can visit DisasterAssistance.gov to upload your documentation online and check the status of your application online. You can also call 800-621-3362 for assistance or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. What If I applied for FEMA assistance and was later evicted? If you have already applied for FEMA assistance but were later evicted due to damage to other parts of your home, you should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), if available. You can contact FEMA even if you were previously not approved for FEMA assistance and FEMA may still be able to help. Check the FEMA App or visit the FEMA DRC Locator to find the locations and hours of operation. You will need to provide FEMA with documentation demonstrating your eviction was due to the disaster. Do I need to pay FEMA back for any financial assistance I received? No. In most cases, FEMA grants do not have to be paid back. If you have insurance that covers your temporary housing costs but ask FEMA to advance you some money to help you pay for those costs while your insurance is delayed, you will need to pay that money back to FEMA after you receive your insurance settlement. FEMA assistance is not taxable income and won’t affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefits. What if I can’t rebuild my house with the money FEMA is offering me? FEMA Home Repair Assistance is limited and is intended to provide funds for basic repairs to make the home livable. It is not the same as insurance and in most cases, it cannot restore your home to its pre-disaster condition. To find more information for other resources, visit the Voluntary and Community-Based Organizations page. For a full list of questions and answers, visit: fema.gov.