super 8 ph ( MENAFN - Swissinfo) Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents US interests. This was to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians suspected of transferring sensitive technologies, local media reported. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox On Monday, the US justice system formally accused Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedini of“exporting sophisticated electronic components to Iran”, in violation of US regulations and US sanctions against Iran. These components were used in a drone attack in Jordan in January that claimed the lives of three US servicemen, the US Department of Justice said in a statement. Iran had denied any involvement and denounced the allegations as“baseless”. MENAFN22122024000210011054ID1109021555 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Gary Lineker briefly delayed the start of Match of the Day's Premier League highlights to send a classy message to Michail Antonio. "Before we get to our first game we would like to send our best wishes to West Ham's Michail Antonio, who is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon," he said. "The statement said 'Michail is conscious and communicating and is under close supervision at a central London hospital'. "Here is hoping for a full and speedy recovery." MORE TO FOLLOWPiastri gifted sprint win, Verstappen stripped of pole - Yahoo Sport Australia

No. 12 West Virginia women beat Boise State 82-47 to reach title game of Gulf Coast ShowcaseRedshirt juniors Carson Schwesinger and J.Michael Sturdivant take part part in the annual ceremony, which could portend whether they stay or try for the NFLNorthern Territory Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of the best things about living in the Northern Territory is the quality of its dining experiences. Our strong Asian influences from our near neighbours, the quality of our seafood and beef, and our boundary pushing in native game meats and Aboriginal techniques combine to give the NT a regional identity that cities in the golden triangle of southeast Australia could only dream of. Despite persistent concerns about the impacts of elevated levels of crime and economic headwinds, dozens of small businessmen and women invested to fulfil dreams of feeding the people in 2024. These are the 25 new entrants we were most taken by. SMOKEY J’S BREW & QUE Located at Coolalinga Central, Smokey J’s instantly struck a chord with locals in Darwin’s rural fringe , many of whom knew pitmaster Justin Whitrow from his time slinging low ‘n’ slow Texas-style barbecue at the Beachfront and Darwin River hotels. Smokey J's Brew & Cue Coolalinga Central thumbnail art. Picture: File His menu is a carnivore’s delight: the offering of pit-smoked meats includes Angus brisket, pork belly, pulled pork shoulder, jalapeño cheese links, burnt ends, and chargrilled chicken, while burgers and an extensive snack list (chargrilled corn ribs, mac ‘n’ cheese etc) also feature prominently. Smokey J’s, which is fully licensed, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. BEEF & BAR Darwin Waterfront has been a flurry of activity on the hospitality front this year, but perhaps no change was more unexpected than when owner Jazz Walia shuttered his well-regarded Urban Spice Pantry Restaurant and turned it into up-market steakhouse, Beef & Bar . Jazz Walia, who also owns the Top End’s three Fresh Point Co. cafes. Picture: Che Chorley Mr Walia, who is among the Top End’s first line of hospitality kingpins, courtesy his ownership of the Fresh Point Co. trio of cafes and also Bellamack’s Palates of India, said he made the switch with an eye on Darwin’s overall gastronomic mix, noting we have far fewer steakhouses than Indian restaurants. The ribeye at new Darwin steakhouse Beef & Bar. Picture: Supplied/ Shah Shoots Boasting a tight menu of six cuts of steak and eight mains, allied to an innovative cocktail menu and a seafood-heavy list of entrees, Beef & Bar sings all the greatest hits but also strikes a few new notes as well. DOCK ONE BAR & FOOD An instant hit courtesy its prime position overlooking Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin Waterfront and Fort Hill, Dock One Bar & Food is the newest outpost in the expanding empire of Darren Lynch and his business partners , which includes Wharf One, The Precinct and Bella Bar. Courtesy the nifty cantilevered design, punters are able to sit out over the harbour and quaff cocktails while nibbling at tapas seven days a week. Dock One Bar & Food at Darwin Waterfront. Picture: File Choice cuts from the menu include smoked lamb ribs with Davidson plum sauce, harissa and parmesan arancini, barramundi with mash and mango vinaigrette, and roasted cauliflower with mustard and macadamia. KASAMA CAFE Located within Casuarina Square’s The Quarter precinct, the backstory of Filipino restaurant Kasama Cafe’s owner Tina Patterson is almost as good as her chicken and pork savoury adobo. Beef bulalo at Kasama Cafe. Picture: Facebook Having honed her skills at Mindil Beach Casino Resort and gained qualifications via Charles Darwin University TAFE, Ms Patterson was able to gain the confidence to take the plunge in small business, with her daughter Julia at her side. Kasama Cafe, a new venue that opened up in Casuarina Square. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin According to Ms Patterson, Filipino cuisine is heavy on marinated meats, as traditionally there were no fridges to store the perishable food, and most dishes are built on bases of soy and vinegar. PERK & PALATE Move over Melbourne, because with the addition of Perk & Palate , the second Darwin cafe by Jayson Javier and Cess Vizcarra, after their debut Coffee Man, the NT capital is rising fast in the estimation of out-and-proud coffee snobs. Jayson Javier has opened his second Darwin cafe, Perk and Palate. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Perk & Palate, located on the ground floor of the TIO Centre, has some of Darwin’s most outstanding baristas manning the portafilters, and expands upon a grab ‘n’ go sandwich and snack menu with a full a la carte brunch menu. Jayson Javier has opened his second Darwin cafe, Perk and Palate. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Going one step further than a classic smashed avo, Perk & Palate offers such brunch creations as chicken adobo benny, soft shell crab salad, and chilli scramble with slipper lobster. MERAKI GREEK TAVERNA / BARAKI Not quite a debut, more a revival, but the whole of Darwin raised a glass of ouzo when Meraki Greek Taverna returned after a hiatus forced upon it due to structural issues at its former Smith St premises. Popular Darwin Greek restaurant Meraki has reopened in Austin Lane. Meraki, with its city chic coolness and sophisticated fit-out, is a perfect match for Austin Ln, its new home, while the more spacious surrounds also allowed it to open up a meze and cocktail bar, Baraki, next door. Popular Darwin Greek restaurant Meraki has reopened in Austin Lane. The restaurant, which was awarded best international restaurant at the 2022 NT Gold Plate Awards, offers some of the most authentic Greek food you are ever likely to see on this side of the Aegean, with Kalymnian dishes especially prominent. BEER GARDEN OF EDEN Meraki wasn’t the only new addition to Austin Ln, with Babylon Bar and Lola’s Pergola supremo Matt Mulga establishing Beer Garden of Eden in an under-utilised carpark . Beer Garden of Eden comes alive during events such as the Darwin Street Art Festival and Austin Lane Markets. Beer Garden of Eden at intersection of Austin Ln and Spain Pl. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin The bar is memorably capped with a large fibreglass cow, its hide decked out in mirror tiles, the sort of wacky fairground decor aficionados of Mulga’s other venues will be well familiar with. KROME Another expansion of a burgeoning Darwin coffee empire, Krome is perfectly positioned to capture the 9–5 crowd at Casuarina Plaza . It is the second cafe by Reed Alanes, whose debut offering, The 1995 on Cavanagh St, has become one of the city’s busiest cafes since its September 2022 opening. Reed Alanes owner of the 1995 Cafe, is getting ready to launch a new coffee spot called KROME in Casuarina. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Customers can expect the “same vibe [and the] same good looking people” at Krome as The 1995, but with a new “deli style” grab ‘n’ go range of food, headlined by a range of sandwiches and rolls made with in-house cured meats like pastrami, Mr Alanes previously said. BARRA BANH MI Banh mis have swiftly risen to become one of Australia’s favourite sandwiches and in Darwin the local offering has been further expanded by Barra Banh Mi, located at Casuarina Square. Boasting noodle salads, Vietnamese iced coffee and the famous sandwiches, which typically contain crispy roast pork, lashings of chilli and pate, coriander, carrot, and cucumber stuffed within a freshly baked roll, Barra Banh Mi is a fine addition to Darwin’s stable of Vietnamese eateries. SCROLL TIME BAKERY & CAFE The third Casuarina Square addition to make this list, Scroll Time made the jump north of the Berrimah Line around the same time as Barra Banh Mi. Cherry and Emman Angcon, founders of Scroll Time Bakery & Cafe. Beginning life at Coolalinga Shopping Centre, where its main bakery cafe remains, owners Cherry Angcon and her husband Emman previously said they had been wanting to take their award-winning pies, rolls and scrolls closer to town . Cherry is responsible for the scrolls, while Emman takes the lead on pies and sausage rolls. ROLL’D DARWIN AIRPORT Roll’d has, since its first outlet opened in 2012, gone on to become a homegrown fast food giant, with about 100 outlets nationwide, but until now, its growth had circumvented the Territory. However, their fresh rice paper rolls, noodle salads, banh mis and phos finally made it to the NT with the opening of their first outlet at Darwin Internatinal Airport . The new outlet will is operated by SSP Australia, one of the ‘big four’ which has cornered the airport food and beverage market in Australia. Most travellers would be unaware who SSP is, but Darwin jetsetters owe them a debt of gratitude – they were also the company that brought the ever-popular Red Rooster outlet to the airport. BRAVO PASTA & WINE BAR The brainchild of Italian Australian restaurateur Anthony Falanga, Bravo, which opened on January 3, is yet another new addition to Darwin Waterfront’s burgeoning dining scene. Anthony Falanga. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin Featuring heavily Venetian artwork, vintage posters celebrating the cuisine and culture of the peninsula nation, and tasteful wood panelling, Mr Falanga previously promised an “intimate” environment for diners. “You’re supposed to feel like you’re sitting at your grandparents’ house,” he said. Inside Bravo Pasta & Wine Bar. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin “It’s meant to be intimate and cozy – it’s not fine dining, but it’s a nice atmosphere.” Its menu is a greatest hits set list of Italian favourites – several recipes have come directly from his family – including ravioli milanese, veal scaloppine, osso bucco, and polpette al sugo. CRAZY CHICKS CAFE Replacing the long-term vacancy created by the departure of Oka Malaysian & Chinese Cuisine from Bakewell Shopping Centre, Crazy Chicks Cafe was born of a desire to offer cash-strapped families an affordable option to take the crew out for brunch and not break the bank. Sisters in law, Lisa Mason and Jennifer Burslem, who between them have eight children – you might even be served at the cafe by one of their older offspring – have long collaborated, with previous businesses including event hire, a gift shop and market stalls. Sisters in law and business partners Lisa Mason and Jennifer Burslem at Crazy Chicks cafe, gifts and catering at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied Crazy Chicks Cafe, which offers catering and event hire, and is chock full of locally made trinkets (the pastry cabinet is also a who’s who of Top End baking talent), combines many of the pair’s previous businesses into a one-stop shop. The $10 meal deal, featuring a gourmet sandwich such as BLT alongside a regular coffee, has proven especially popular. SIMPLY DONUTS Another new addition to Bakewell Shopping Centre, Simply Donuts previously lived life as a pop-up retailer that flitted variously between Gateway Shopping Centre and Casuarina Square, but its first brick and mortar store represented a step change for the family business . Simply Donuts opened on June 7 – National Donut Day. Simply Donuts' new shopfront at Bakewell Shopping Centre. Picture: Supplied Owned by husband and wife duo Isaac and Vanessa Broad, ably supported by their children and a cast of nieces and nephews, Simply Donuts sets itself apart by its gluten-free offering. But, lest punters equate gluten-free with dry and stodgy product that is a pale imitation of the original, Mr Broad previously said his business stood by the moistness and richness of its doughnuts. Grace, Isaac and Vanessa Broad at Simply Donuts Bakewell. Picture: Supplied Their menu is a movable feast, with various flavours being introduced and pulled from shelves in response to customer demand. Recently featured flavours include egg nog, Caramilk and cookies, Nutella swirl, Boston custard, s’more, and lemon cheesecake. Q EATS New bites south of the Top End are few and far between, but Thai restaurant Q Eats flew the flag in Alice Springs, with sibling duo Jojo and Winwin Pethsri calling Todd St home since late August The pair come from good pedigree, with their mother formerly running a Thai restaurant herself. Qeats Alice Springs owners Jojo and Winwin Pethsri out the front of the their new Alice Springs restaurant. Picture: Gera Kazakov The pair’s menu starts off as reasonably western at breakfast, transitions to western-Thai fusion at lunchtime, and by dinner becomes fully Thai. Dinner options include sophisticated dishes such as red duck curry with lychee and pineapple, soft shell crab with tamarind sauce, and whole baby barramundi with ginger and a green apple salad, alongside Thai classics like pad see ew and pad Thai, Masaman curry, and chilli basil stir-fry. FIN & TONIC Local produce is king at chef-owner Kerry Brown’s Fin & Tonic at Cullen Bay, which replaced La Beach after the latter business shut in the wake of liquidations involving the company director. Mr Brown previously said he had a laser-like focus on sourcing only the best wild-caught local seafood , with threadfin salmon, crimson and goldband snapper and, of course, barramundi featuring prominently on his menu. Fin & Tonic, Cullen Bay. Picture: Facebook Fin & Tonic also has a number of local beers on tap, a cocktail menu, a coffee machine, and offers breakfast on weekends. Mr Brown, the owner, first rose to local prominence via his food van Rescue Me Food Services, which is part of the furniture along the Nightcliff foreshore BANJO BAR + TERRACE Katherine’s Contour Hotel upgraded its in-house restaurant by extending the bar and redesigning the restaurant to include an al fresco dining option after receiving a grant under the former Labor government. And the investment has paid dividends: the bar restaurant, now known as Banjo Bar + Terrace, has become ground-zero for hobnobbing in the Big Rivers capital, and it was awarded Best Contemporary Restaurant at the 2024 Gold Plate Awards , run by Hospitality NT. Banjo Bar + Terrace Katherine. Picture: Facebook Featuring a marble-topped bar, tasteful wood finishes, spacious backlit display shelves stocked with premium liquor, and house plants dotted throughout, Banjo is easy on the eyes – and that’s before even considering its menu. A fusion restaurant in every sense of the word, items with Asian, Mediterranean, South American and Australian influences all happily commingle on this menu. MAKAN STOP A sibling venue to Harriet Place’s Kopi Stop, Makan Stop continues owner Jules Mou’s mission to fuse award-winning coffee with Singaporean hawker dishes such as char kway teow, nasi lemak, congee, and roti prata. Makan Stop, located on Smith St, has already become a particular favourite of former chief minister Michael Gunner’s, with the ex-pollie taking to social media on three separate occasions singing the praises of the new eatery. Jules Mou. Picture: Che Chorley It also claimed gold at this year’s Darwin International Laksa Festival , winning the best laksa inspired-by dish in Darwin for its savoury laksa muffin, and placing inside the judges’ top 10 for its Penang assam laksa. Kopi Stop was the people’s choice best laksa in Darwin for the second year running. FLORA’S TEMPER Northern suburbs residents were struck a blow earlier this year when popular cafe Lucky Bat at Nightcliff shut up shop , with the venue playing an exaggerated role in Darwin’s cultural life via its regular hosting of gigs, poetry readings, and other events. However, its replacement, Flora’s Temper, has carried forth the creative flame while reaching new heights in culinary excellence . Boss Nick Peters, who headed north in 2023 after a successful career establishing and operating Mexican restaurants in Melbourne, has used all his hard-earned expertise to craft a menu of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine that pushes boundaries. Flora's Temper venue manager 'Mookie' Hesketh alongside co-owner Nick Peters. Picture: Alex Treacy Their green shakshuka has already become a local favourite, while Flora’s Temper’s Darwin Laksa Festival creation, laksa benedict on prawn toast, earnt rave reviews. O.G. BREW Eaton’s O.G. Brew, which replaced Muzz Buzz, has struck an instant chord with commuters, with tradies and salary earners queuing up outside the drive-through cafe for Jag Sekhon’s expertly made coffees and selection of grab ‘n’ go items, Tommo’s Pies, and sandwiches. Thumbnail art Jag Sekhon O.G. Brew Darwin opening In addition to his personable service, Mr Sekhon also boasts a fantastic backstory – after spending six years as a workers compensation lawyer following his graduation from Charles Darwin University, Mr Sekhon took the plunge on a career in hospitality and has never looked back. SWEETHEARTS Named originally for Sweetheart, the iconic Territory crocodile that throughout the 1970s was our version of Mothman or the Hound of the Baskervilles, Sweethearts and its sibling venue Flick’s, alongside function venue BOH, form the Cinema Collective on Mitchell St. Sweethearts on Mitchell St. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin The redevelopment of the old Cinema Darwin was watched with eagle eyes by Darwinites, protective as we are of the places that shaped childhoods, but the ownership trio of Lachlan Michell, Chloe Moo, and Justin Coleman exceeded expectations. The centrepiece of Sweethearts is undoubtedly its grand piano, which sits in the centre of a bar that hums and throbs with the knock-off crowd, while the fit-out also includes quality exposed brick and seated booths perfect for socialising. FLICK’S This masthead ummed and aahed over whether to include Sweethearts and Flick’s in the same entry a le Meraki/Baraki, but ultimately decided the venues had been designed with such different audiences in mind that they ought to exist separately. Flick’s on Mitchell St. Picture: File Whereas Sweethearts is tidy and utilitarian, favoured by the beer crowd and with a menu that steers more towards hearty individuals feeds, Flick’s is more Burleigh Heads or Byron Bay than Darwin. Flick's has a menu designed to be shared over a bottle of ice cold prosecco or a couple of cocktails. Picture: Facebook/Flick's Darwin With a bright fit-out, high roof and a menu that places greater weight on cocktails and share plates than its sibling venue next door, Flick’s has created a personality all of its own. TERRITORY TRUE CAFE It feeds and caffeinates an underserviced suburb, Durack, and boasts the sort of classic Australian menu that appeals to tradies, office workers and brunching mums alike, but those are not the only virtues of Territory True Cafe . The eatery, located opposite the Palmerston Golf & Country Club, is a supported employment venue, affording economic opportunities to people living with a disability who are clients of the McMaster family’s disability support service, Territory True. Territory True participant Bailey Briggs, who cooked the inaugural basket of fries, with Territory True Cafe manager Tom McMaster. Picture: Facebook The McMasters claimed a number of awards in 2024 for their thoughtful business. Patriarch Aaron McMaster won the workplace leader category in the inaugural NT News Leader of the Year awards , while cafe manager Tom McMaster, Aaron’s son, won the Somerville Promoting Disability Rights and Inclusion Award at the Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards. Customers of Territory True Cafe have reported their pleasure in the large serving sizes, affordable prices, and friendliness to both children and dogs alike, with plenty of room to play. FOOD MAFIA Food trucks along the Nightcliff foreshore are as Darwin as a Sunday morning laksa, but few traders have established such a loyal fanbase so soon after their debut as Food Mafia. The brainchild of Courtney Hill and Alex Howard, Food Mafia introduced itself to Darwinites in August, drumming up support via giveaways and competitions that soon led to sold-out nights in the kitchen. Banana prawns, mac 'n' cheese and trio of dipping sauces at Food Mafia. Picture: Facebook “For the team, sellout nights often mean late-night cooking sessions that stretch into the early hours – 2am has become a cherished time for creating some of their fondest memories together,” says Ms Hill. “It’s during these moments that the camaraderie and passion for food truly shines.” DIY baked potato kit at Food Mafia. Picture: Facebook The undoubted star of Food Mafia is its birria tacos (stewed Mexican meat on a soft taco that’s then fried), but the often changing menu has seen its share of other runaway success stories, including the DIY baked potato kits and southern-style seafood boils. “Some sceptics questioned our decision to trade during the build-up, but the moves made by the Mafia are always strategic and well thought out,” Ms Hill says tongue-in-cheek. THE LOOSE GOOSE The Top End’s prominent Venturin family, who own the Darwin Transit Centre on Mitchell St , home to prominent watering hole Shenannigans, put a touch of themselves into the commercial premises with their introduction of The Loose Goose cafe and wine bar. New cafe and wine bar The Loose Goose. Picture: File Open from 7am to late, six days a week, The Loose Goose is another that seeks to distil the essence of the Territory into their menu, with offerings including red curry barramundi, crocodile and lemon myrtle spring rolls, and barbecue-spiced kangaroo. New cafe and wine bar The Loose Goose. Picture: File Local PR maestro Kate Dinning previously wrote in this masthead’s pages the hero of the venue (where Ruby G’s Canteen was formerly located, before moving to bigger digs at Coconut Grove) was undoubtedly the laser-cut screens with pandanus motifs which help turn the al fresco dining area into an oasis of calm. More Coverage NT documentary probes Cyclone Tracy aftermath and recovery Camden Smith ‘Pivotal moment’: Singaporeans to test laser tech in the Territory Harry Brill Originally published as Darwin and the Northern Territory’s 25 best new cafes, bars and restaurants of 2024 Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Northern Territory What’s on: Where to party this New Year’s Eve around Darwin After a week of snacking on leftover ham, and perhaps some Christmas pud, the time comes again to celebrate, and wish in the new year with a bit of fun. Read more Northern Territory Territory’s top cop flags potential regulation amid alarming trend The Territory’s Police Commissioner says he wants to treat one everyday product like ‘Rexonas and glues’ after learning what some people were doing with it in the Red Centre. Find out what. 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( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and renewable Energy, emphasized that providing a high-quality, reliable, and stable electricity supply is a central objective of the current work plan. This strategy involves advancing Egypt's energy transition, expanding renewable energy projects, increasing reliance on clean energy, and safeguarding the environment. Additionally, efforts are focused on improving the efficiency of the electricity grid, enhancing performance, and reducing fuel consumption. Minister Esmat made this statement during the Ordinary General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), which he chaired with Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, in attendance. The meeting, held at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, reviewed the company's activities during the 2023/2024 fiscal year and approved its financial statements. Esmat highlighted the ministry's ongoing modernization of the grid, transitioning from a traditional to a smart network capable of handling significant generation capacities, particularly from renewable sources. The goal is to ensure efficient energy transmission with minimal losses and the optimal use of resources. He underscored the importance of key projects such as agricultural land reclamation, noting the electricity sector's role in supporting the transmission network to meet global standards. This is achieved through economic production, quality-focused operations, resource optimization, environmental protection, and robust human and technological capabilities. Mona Rizq, Chairperson of the EETC, presented a report detailing the company's significant achievements in the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The company invested approximately EGP 7.6bn in renewing and expanding high and ultra-high voltage stations and lines, developing regional control centers, and integrating renewable energy projects into the grid. The renewable energy capacity from wind, solar, and hydro sources-either operational, under construction, or in contracting stages-reached around 22.8 GW. In addition, battery storage projects were initiated to stabilize the national electricity grid. These efforts are in line with Egypt's energy strategy to achieve 42% renewable energy contribution to the national energy mix by 2030. Rizq also highlighted projects aimed at enhancing power interconnectivity with neighboring countries, reflecting the ministry's vision of positioning Egypt as a regional energy hub. Ongoing regional interconnection projects with Jordan, Libya, and Sudan are being enhanced, with further plans for connections with Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Greece, and Italy. The ministry ensures the efficient operation of the grid through daily monitoring and collaboration with the petroleum sector to optimize fuel consumption patterns. Total electricity generation for the 2023/2024 fiscal year reached 229.1 GWh, reflecting a 6% year-on-year increase. Key maintenance achievements included 99% completion for ultra-high and high-voltage transformer maintenance, 100% for high-voltage cables, and 97% for overhead lines. The grid was optimized by redistributing loads across transformers and cables while upgrading protection systems and improving efficiency. Notable progress was made in control center operations, with the new national control center in the New Administrative Capital in trial operation. Other regional control centers also made significant strides, with the Cairo center upgrade 87% complete, the Canal center fully updated, and work ongoing at the Delta center. A notable achievement was the reduction in technical losses in high-voltage networks, with losses declining to 3.38% during the fiscal year. In concluding the session, Minister Ismat commended the EETC's efforts to strengthen the national transmission network, improve efficiency, and accommodate additional renewable energy capacity. He reaffirmed the commitment to expanding and modernizing the grid, particularly in Upper Egypt and underserved regions, while adhering to world-class quality standards and advanced technological systems. The ministry continues to prioritize human resource development through training in cutting-edge energy technologies and knowledge transfer initiatives. MENAFN22122024000153011029ID1109021703 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Voters should have say on replacing misbehaving politicians

Americans more hopeful about 2025 than they were for 2024 — CBS News poll

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save DENVER — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family's home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note was left behind. The gravesite of JonBenet Ramsey is covered with flowers Jan. 8, 1997, at St. James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta, Ga. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet's killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey." Hammonton police sergeant accused of failing drug test, stealing drugs from evidence room Atlantic City police say power restored after daylong outages Ocean City residents speak against Bible study on school time What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Atlantic County Sheriff's Office warns of new scam $680,000 Atlantic City charter bus purchase mostly covered by state, Small says 19 arrested following street operations in Atlantic City Holy Spirit overcomes rain, mud, Atlantic City to win Thanksgiving rivalry, clinch WJFL division Chicken Bone Beach foundation to purchase Atlantic City's Dante Hall with NJEDA grant Vineland gun store accused of selling AR-15 ammunition without asking for identification 'Doing the hard work' paying off in Atlantic City's Chelsea neighborhood Sister Jean's Kitchen in Atlantic City to host its first Thanksgiving meal since 2018 3rd Ward meeting tonight on 'Icona in Wonderland' Ocean City hotel plan Mays Landing man busted for meth Even more weed businesses on the way to Atlantic City In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. "What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come in to detectives," he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the "media circus" surrounding the case. A police officer sits in her cruiser Jan. 3, 1997, outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered Dec. 26, 1996, in Boulder, Colo. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an "unexplained third party" in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys "victims of this crime." John Ramsey continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado's governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he advocated for several items that were not prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn't been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be "consumed" if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review ended but police continue to work through and evaluate a "lengthy list of recommendations" from the panel. TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press Lee Media Studio 13 min to read Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Tamil Nadu is often celebrated as one of the safest States in India with a history of progressive policies. But when it comes to finding housing for single women, things are less rosy. The State is known for its women-friendly initiatives, but many women face intense scrutiny while trying to rent a home here. Snaring a house on rent often involves questions about women’s work, caste, food. This leads to a range of biases, surveillance, and unnecessary restrictions, making the search for houses a constant challenge. Riya*, 23, of Indore, who has been living in Chennai for the past eight months, is moving into her third apartment at Alwarpet. Her initial experience was marred by unwanted attention from landlords. “The houseowner of the first apartment tried to make sexual advances towards me and my flatmate under the guise of offering a friendly dinner. I am now forced to take this house, despite it being so expensive,” she says. Zoya*, 22, from Kanniyakumari, also had to compromise on her privacy while renting at Tambaram. Her flatmate’s brother had connections with the houseowner, and as a result, they faced surveillance. “My landlord spied on us and informed my flatmate’s brother about every little thing,” she says. Work profile is valuable In contrast, Ankita*, 23, from Indore, found a place at Nungambakkam because of her reputable work profile. “We were asked for our offer letters as proof of our credentials. Our professional background helped us secure the apartment,” she says. However, such advantages do not guarantee an easy housing experience for all. S. Priya*, a private school teacher from Salem, explains the hurdles she faced while looking for a house. “The first question from the houseowner was about my caste. If they were satisfied with my caste, the other questions would follow. To ensure that the rent is paid on time, they prefer a workplace with a good reputation. In some houses, I had to show my salary slip or bank statement as proof of financial stability,” she says. For women working in creative fields, the situation can be even more challenging. Niranjana Neithiar, 26, a part-time media professional and medical student from Coimbatore, says houseowners often harbour negative stereotypes about her field. “Houseowners are uncomfortable renting to media professionals. They make assumptions about the lifestyle of people in my field, which isn’t fair. You can’t generalise based on stereotypes,” she says. Similarly, Sowjanya Balaji, 24, a junior fashion designer from Bengaluru, encountered discrimination when landlords rejected her because of her night shifts. “Houseowners do not have the right to question or make assumptions about how I run my professional life,” she adds. But the issue is not pertinent only for unmarried young professionals. Door is shut on single mothers Rani Gopalakrishnan, a small business owner in Tiruchi, found it difficult to rent a place after the death of her husband five years ago. “Landlords refused to let us see houses after they learned I was a single mother and a businesswoman,” she recounted. “One senior couple even turned us down and they told us that they felt we were ‘incomplete’ without a man to help us in emergencies.” Women who do not speak Tamil or belong to a specific caste often run into additional barriers. Many houseowners prefer renting to people from Tamil Nadu or at least those who speak the language. Sweta Gupta, 25, a media professional from Kolkata, struggled to find a home because of her language. “The prejudice is deep-rooted. Some landlords refused to even talk to me because I didn’t speak Tamil,” she says. The menace of peeping Toms is quite common, say many women professionals in Tiruchi. “I was shocked to see a stranger spying on me while I was in the shower, but I did not confront him because I was scared for my safety,” says a teacher requesting anonymity. K. Amarthiya, a part-time teacher in Coimbatore and native of Dharmapuri, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, says, “Initially, the houseowner was kind, unaware of my caste. But after finding out that I belonged to the Scheduled Caste, the attitude changed. The result was frequent inspections. Uncomfortable with the discrimination, I chose to leave.” For others like Roshini Begum Farah, a 29-year-old Muslim transwoman, religious discrimination adds another layer of rejection. “I was told outright by houseowners that they couldn’t rent to me because our religions didn’t match,” Roshini says. This overt discrimination is another harsh reality that many women, especially those from minority communities, face in the housing market. Queer individuals often encounter more severe forms of discrimination. Luna Vishwa, 23, a transwoman, was rejected by landlords solely because she was open about her gender identity. Similarly, Zoya, who prefers to dress androgynously, faced rejection and stereotyping based on her appearance. Kavya, 25, an information technology professional from Coimbatore, kept her queer identity hidden from her houseowner until the day she and her friends prepared for a pride march. “I had dressed similarly before with no issues; but when we left with placards that day, the society association made a ruckus,” she said. The situation worsened when the association head informed her owner about the march. Within a week, Kavya was asked to vacate. Meaningless curbs Apart from these blatantly discriminatory practices, women often face bizarre and unnecessary restrictions even when they manage to secure a rental home. Common rules include restrictions on pets, food preferences (such as no non-vegetarian food), and even prohibitions on having friends of either gender over. These restrictions often stem from a desire to control the behaviour of women, treating them as persons who could not be trusted to decide on how they live. Riya asks, “Why should women be controlled in this way when families living in the same space enjoy complete freedom.” This double standard highlights the gender-based prejudice that is prevalent in the housing market. Riya and Kavya say they both faced strict no-pet policies imposed by their houseowners, further limiting their ability to create a comfortable and enjoyable living space. For many women, the search for a home involves compromises on distance as well as rent. Kavya, for instance, commutes over 40 minutes to work from Perungalathur to Ekkattuthangal. Zoya, on the other hand, commutes more than an hour from Tambaram to her college near the Marina. Sweta has compromised on rent and location, living in a flood-prone area, for the peace of mind that comes by avoiding the daily hassles of dealing with houseowners. Problems of paying guests Paying guest accommodations pose their own challenges for women. They are often overcrowded, offer little privacy, and have strict rules for visitors and timings. Many women report unhygienic conditions and restrictions that make them feel uncomfortable. Single rooms in the paying guest accommodations are often prohibitively expensive, and unisex accommodations, while more liberal in timings, are primarily occupied by men, and women do not feel safe. While social media has made it easier to connect with potential landlords, it has opened the door for harassment and exploitation. Sweta says, “I met a woman on Facebook who was also searching for a flatmate in a 3bhk. When I visited, a middle-aged man, who was never mentioned before, took over. He asked intrusive questions about my friends and family. When I inquired about a locked room, the woman admitted that it belonged to a man, despite her initial claim that it was an all-female flat.” For safety Houseowners justify their scrutiny by citing safety as the primary reason for their intervention, often viewing women as a responsibility they are unwilling to take on. T. Santhanam, a houseowner in Tiruchi, says, “I had told them [women] to be at home by at least 9 p.m., but sometimes they come later. I have to take extra care with women tenants.” Another houseowner in Coimbatore, who manages 50 houses, says, “One tenant let her boyfriend stay in the house without permission. It turned into a police case, and she left abruptly. These incidents make us sceptical. Now, I take in women only in CCTV-equipped houses.” A house-broker in Chennai adds that men are easier to deal with, even with physical force. “With women, if we say anything, they will file a complaint. People are afraid,” he says. However, he notes that in his experience, he has never encountered a fake harassment case. As letting houses is a source of income, a houseowner at K.K. Nagar in Chennai says charging a hefty deposit is to ensure that the tenant does not damage the household equipment and leave the house abruptly. Agreeing that generalising and stereotyping were wrong, a houseowner at Saligramam in Chennai says, “However, keeping an eye on who is coming and going is not wrong. You may know your friend very well, but he is still a stranger to us. Maintaining a register is more of a preventive measure than an intrusion.” Legitimate concerns and discrimination C. Jyothimani, Coimbatore district head of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, says, “While houseowners may have legitimate concerns, discriminatory practices based on caste, community, and religion are outdated and unacceptable. These prejudices, which persist in the city, must be challenged and eliminated.” The housing challenges faced by women bring out deeper issues of discrimination and control by society. While houseowners justify their actions citing safety concerns, such rules and regulations reduce women’s freedom to a mere risk factor and ignore their autonomy. A middle ground must be attained for a just future. (*Names changed for privacy.) (With inputs from Nahla Nainar and Ancy Donal Madonna in Tiruchi, Sabari in Salem, and Sibi Sreevathson T. C. in Coimbatore) Published - December 08, 2024 12:32 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit habitat and housing / housing and urban planningAlcohol Use Identified by UTHealth Houston Researchers as Most Common Predictor of Escalated Cannabis Vaping Among Youths in Texas

Oprah Winfrey surprises Gayle King again for her birthday with unexpected A-list guestSAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humacyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUMA) and certain of its executives are now defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The suit, Cutshall v. Humacyte, Inc., et al. , alleges that the company misled investors about the status of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for its acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) and the regulatory compliance of its manufacturing facilities. Hagens Berman urges investors in Humacyte who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now . Class Period: May 10, 2024 – Oct. 17, 2024 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 17, 2025 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/huma Contact the Firm Now: HUMA@hbsslaw.com | 844-916-0895 Humacyte, Inc. (HUMA) Securities Class Action: The complaint, filed on behalf of investors who purchased Humacyte securities between May 10, 2024, and October 17, 2024, claims that the company and its executives failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility had significant manufacturing compliance issues, including deficiencies in quality assurance and microbial testing. The truth emerged after the FDA’s subsequent inspection of the facility and the delayed review of the BLA came to light, which led to a significant decline in Humacyte's stock price. Specifically, on August 9, 2024, the company announced that the FDA would require additional time to complete its review of the BLA. Then, on October 17, 2024, the FDA issued a Form 483 detailing multiple violations at the Durham facility. “The allegations in the complaint highlight serious violations of securities laws. If proven true, Humacyte’s alleged failure to disclose material information to investors is unacceptable,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation. If you invested in Humacyte or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now . If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Humacyte case and our investigation, read more . Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Humacyte should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email HUMA@hbsslaw.com . About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw . Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

Frank Bisignano, the CEO of financial services, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the Social Security Administration’s commissioner . On Wednesday night, Trump said on social media that Frank is a business leader with a great history of changing big companies. He will be in charge of fulfilling the agency’s promise to the American people for many years to come! At the moment, Bisignano is in charge of Fiserv, one of the biggest financial software firms in the nation and a major player in financial services and payments. He previously served in top leadership roles at Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase, among other big institutions. New Social Security commissioner under the Trump administration Bisignano will have to take on the enormous responsibility of safeguarding the future of the Social Security program if the Senate confirms him as its head. In 2035, the Social Security trust fund may run out of money, according to a government analysis . During his campaign, Trump pledged not to reduce Social Security benefits, which are received by over 67 million Americans who are elderly or disabled. However, he made no explicit legislative recommendations to guarantee the program’s viability. In his remarks, Trump praised Bisignano’s extensive experience guiding financial services companies through significant change. According to Trump, Frank is a business leader with an impressive history of changing big businesses. Delivering on the Agency’s promise to the American people will be his responsibility. As a senior vice president of what was then Shearson Lehman Brothers , the investment bank whose failure in 2008 contributed to the start of the global recession, Mr. Bisignano soared into one of the most sought-after roles in the New York banking industry in his late 20s. He worked with the bank for about five years in the late 1980s before moving on to other big Wall Street institutions , including Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase & Company. One of the few to receive compensation exceeding $100 million in 2017, Mr. Bisignano was named the nation’s second-highest-paid CEO. Additionally, he earned over 2,000 times the typical wage of an employee at First Data Corporation, his company that later merged with Fiserv. A long history of political giving to Republicans Mr. Bisignano has contributed to politics for a long time, mostly to Republicans. According to federal campaign finance reports, Tracy Bisignano, his wife, gave Mr. Trump’s campaign close to $1 million in October. However, in November 2023, he contributed $15,000 to the presidential campaign of Chris Christie, a Republican who had previously served as governor of New Jersey and had run against Trump before withdrawing. Before disclosing the post that Mr. Bisignano was being named for, Mr. Trump praised him and his family on social media earlier on Wednesday and shared an in-depth biography of Mr. Bisignano. An hour later, the president-elect clarified his position, putting a stop to rumors about Mr. Bisignano’s future. Why will the Social Security Administration need Bisignano? The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) SSA General Committee highlighted that after unprecedented achievements under outgoing Commissioner O’Malley in collaboration with AFGE, including a 6.2% increase in productivity and a rise in employee engagement and morale, SSA will welcome a new commissioner, the group said. As long as the new commissioner reciprocates and upholds their legal and contractual commitments to the union and the employees, AFGE is prepared to work in good faith with them. Our joint objectives should be to improve employee morale and retain talent. According to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, millions of Americans rely on Social Security to provide them with the defined benefits they have earned by contributing to the program with each paycheck. With the assistance of thousands of field offices nationwide and a customer service department that desperately needs a 21st-century makeover, SSA makes sure that all benefits are distributed in full and on schedule. In light of Trump’s promises to eliminate the federal workforce, I’m interested in learning how Mr. Bisignano intends to guarantee Social Security benefits are paid out without any problems.

Polls close in election considered important test for African democracy

New Delhi, December 22: Google does not agree with the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit on how search engines are distributed. The company plans to appeal to the decision of the DOJ search distribution lawsuit. The DOJ's proposal suggests significant changes, including the potential sale of Google Chrome and restrictions on agreements with partners. In response, Google has offered its own remedies proposal. Google stated, "DOJ filed a proposal reflecting an interventionist agenda. Its proposal goes far beyond what the Court’s decision is actually about our agreements with partners to distribute search." Google is putting together a proposal for remedies as the legal process requires both sides to explain what solutions they think would be appropriate in response to the court's ruling, which is scheduled for April 2025. Google Releases Android 16 2nd Developer Preview Update; Check Details. The tech giant said, "People don't use Google because they have to, they use it because they want to." The DOJ believed that Google's investments in Chrome, the development of AI, the way Google searches the web, or how it creates algorithms could be seen as unfair competition. However, the DOJ did not choose to pursue those cases. Google pointed out that the DOJ's proposal would negatively impact American consumers and weaken the US position as a leader in global technology at a crucial time. It would force Google to share users' private search queries with foreign and domestic competitors, and it would limit their ability to innovate and improve their products. Google has submitted its proposal, which is based on the actual findings from the court's decision regarding its search distribution contracts. The proposal aims to ensure that web browsers can continue to provide Google Search to their users and also earn revenue from that partnership. Google Search Console To Get ‘24 Hours’ View With Hourly Data for Performance Report Soon. Additionally, Google's proposal offers flexibility for browsers. It would allow them to have different default search engines for various platforms, such as using a different search engine for iPhones and iPads. It would enable users to change their default search provider at least once a year. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 22, 2024 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100

Josh Norris scores late power-play goal in the Senators' 3-1 victory over the Wild

The Council for Business with Britain (CBB) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted its Christmas Carols Fellowship on December 11. The event was graced by Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Lisa Whanstall, British Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, adding a touch of prestige to the occasion. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Mark Surgenor, President of the Council, who addressed the gathering, welcomed the dignitaries and members and officially kicked off the evening’s festivities. The evening came alive with a traditional and heartwarming performance by the Senior and Junior Choirs of the British School in Colombo. Their renditions of classic carols set the tone for a joyous celebration and brought a sense of tradition and warmth to the event. The harmonious melodies resonated with the festive spirit, creating a memorable experience for all attendees. The Christmas Carols Fellowship was not only an occasion to celebrate the holiday season but also provided a valuable opportunity for members to network and strengthen professional ties in a convivial setting. This hallmark event underscored the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that the Council for Business with Britain strives to promote among its members. This memorable evening was made possible through the generous support of sponsors. Unilever Sri Lanka took the lead as the main event sponsor, with De La Rue Lanka co-sponsoring the event. Bronze sponsorship was extended by GTN, MasterCard, London Stock Exchange Group, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and an air ticket sponsorship by Jet Star (Air Global). The Council for Business with Britain remains committed to enhancing collaboration and camaraderie among its members through events such as these.

Florida vs. Florida State stream, where to watch, TV channel, kickoff time, odds, spread, prediction, pickAleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues and Adam Boqvist also scored for Florida, which won 6-3 at Carolina on Friday. The Panthers have won three straight — that streak following a stretch of six losses in seven games for the Stanley Cup champions. It was Knight's fourth career shutout, his first since Nov. 9, 2022 — also at home against Carolina. Spencer Martin made 23 saves on 28 shots for the Hurricanes, who have dropped four of their last six games (2-3-1). It was Martin's fourth consecutive start for Carolina. Hurricanes: This was the first time all season that the Hurricanes failed to get a point in the game immediately following a loss. Carolina was 4-0-1 after a defeat entering Saturday. Panthers: A big day for Samoskevich — his alma mater Michigan beat Ohio State in football on Saturday, that game ending just before the Florida-Carolina game started. The Panthers are 5-0-0 when he scores this season. Sam Reinhart had each of the four most recent Florida goals at 19:59, before Samoskevich got his Saturday. The Panthers scored two goals 11 seconds apart in the third to make it 5-0, and Yaniv Perets replaced Martin in the Hurricanes' net with 8:12 remaining. It was the second NHL appearance for Perets, who came on once in relief for Carolina last season. Ekblad's goal was his first in a span of 1,045 regular-season shifts since Feb. 20. Carolina starts a two-game homestand Tuesday against Seattle. Florida goes to Pittsburgh to start a two-game trip on Tuesday. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL“B rain rot” has been named Oxford’s word of the year , meaning “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging”. But no matter how “trivial” or “unchallenging” the content may be, there’s still a lot to be learned about our culture through the trends, memes and storylines that dominated our social media feeds this year. So let’s embrace the brain rot and take a journey back through the 10 best and funniest viral trends that the internet had to offer in 2024. Holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity In the midst of an extremely emotional, tear-filled Wicked press tour, Tracy E Gilchrist, a journalist with Out magazine, tells the film’s stars, Arianna Grande and Cynthia Erivo, that “this week people have been taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and holding space with that and really feeling power in that”. Despite the stars later admitting that they didn’t fully understand what this meant, Erivo immediately wells up, quietly and sincerely stating, “I didn’t know that was happening ... that’s really powerful.” A somewhat confused Grande gently grasps Ervio’s index finger in support. KFKFFKSKXJ 😭 pic.twitter.com/3YLEe6NMzS The clip set the stage for a wave of collective catharsis, giving people the opportunity to gently mock both the borderline meaninglessness of certain online turns of phrase and the Wicked stars’ relentlessly earnest interview responses. This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . TikTok and Instagram were flooded with videos of people collectively “holding space” for the lyrics of Dying Gravity before meals, during work meetings and at movie theatres – a form of brain rot prayer. Even Gilchrist got in on the joke. This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . Plus, gripping someone’s finger to provide comfort is objectively hilarious. Nara Smith’s cooking videos This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . Few people have managed to capture the internet’s attention like the 23-year-old Nara Smith. The former model has repeatedly gone viral for her short cooking videos where she crafts common, yet ridiculously labor-intensive foods such as cornflakes, chewing gum and Coca-Cola from scratch – all while immaculately done up, donning increasingly extravagant outfits and narrating in a gentle whisper. She’s now amassed 11.3 million followers on TikTok. But it’s not just the ridiculous nature of the videos that have people so enthralled – it’s the internet’s inability to tell if she is serious or not. This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . Smith’s idealised depiction of the perfect homemaker taps into the growing “trad wife” trend, where (usually rightwing) Christian female influencers make content romanticising traditional gender roles and encouraging other women to stay home. But is Nara Smith – who is herself Mormon – promoting this ideology or mocking it? Perhaps both? We may never know, and thus we can’t look away. Plus, the idea of a toddler patiently waiting three hours for breakfast while their mum whips up cinnamon toast crunch from scratch is just objectively hilarious. Brat Summer and Kamala’s coconut tree This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . When the Democrats controversially dropped the incumbent president, Joe Biden, from the 2024 ticket and replaced him with the vice-president, Kamala Harris, people were nervous that all leftwing momentum would be lost. But then the biggest name in the music industry that month, Charlie XCX, tweeted a simple sentence. “Kamala is brat” the British pop star said, referencing the title of her newly released album. It might seem odd to suggest a 60-year-old former attorney general embodied the energy of a hyperpop, party music manifesto (which includes plenty of references to “bumping” lines of an unnamed substance) but given who she was replacing, Harris’s comparatively youthful and fresh-faced energy made this the perfect (slightly tongue-in-cheek) internet duo. This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . A viral clip of Harris talking about coconuts was quickly remixed into Charlie XCX’s song 365, and social media – particularly TikTok – went wild. This internet trend sparked genuine excitement among young US voters, ushering in a wave of political optimism that hadn’t been seen for decades. It was a uniquely 2024 moment – well, early 2024, anyway. The Olympic meme factory The Paris Olympics wasn’t just a brilliant display of the world’s most talented athletes; it was also an absolute goldmine for some of the funniest meme content of the year. Let’s have a look at the standouts. There was the French pole vaulter who was tragically knocked out of the competition after he knocked the bar down in a particularly memorable way. Anthony Ammirati failed the bar and the commentators are clearly having a hard time acknowledging what happened 😂 HELP I'M DYING pic.twitter.com/5hOHttVA5g The Turkish shooter who rocked up with none of the special gear and an immense amount of charisma. I know everyone is loving the South Korean pistol shooter in the Olympics with robocop vibes. I present you the Turkish pistol shooter. 51 years old. Flip flops, hands in pocket. He would’ve lit a cigarette if he could. My vibe. (He got🥈btw) #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/MrnO8Q5oiy The men’s gymnastics team final, where the US team brought a man solely to sit around for two hours before casually performing the best pommel horse routine the world had ever seen. This is Pommel Horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. He didn’t move from his spot for two hours while he simply waited for his one special moment. He mentioned that he is cross-eyed and that he can inexplicably switch his dominant eye. Before his routine, Nedoroscik removed his... pic.twitter.com/AP9pnStCHa And of course, Australia’s homegrown (anti?)hero, the breakdancer RayGun. This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . Baby animal royalty As the cost-of-living crisis dragged on and anxieties over the US election grew, there were two brilliant rays of light that brought us joy in these troubling times: a tiny baby hippo and a giant baby penguin. Queen Moo Deng ! And the true king of Australia, Pesto the Penguin . Need we say more? Hamilton x Hamilton The Lewis Hamilton x Hamilton edits are an epidemic. I am obsessed, my emotions are all over the place. So here is a thread of my favorite Hamilton x Hamilton edits 🧵 starting out strong with maybe the first one I saw in 2022 to wait for it pic.twitter.com/bkQny8IY0u In February, one of the biggest sports stories of the year broke: seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton would be leaving the Mercedes garage in 2025 and donning the fabled red jumpsuit of Ferrari. But F1’s newfound young, female fanbase quickly began to find parallels between Hamilton’s announcement and the famous rap songs from the musical of the same name. ok guns and ships... do your thing pic.twitter.com/v47HU1p9o1 Hundreds of videos set to the soundtrack of Hamilton the musical were posted, using clips from F1 broadcasts to make it appear as if the lyrics were directly narrating the career of Hamilton (the driver). They even cast Carlos Sainz, the driver who was sacked to make way for Hamilton, as the musical’s antagonist Arron Burr. listen the editors were QUICK after the Lewis to Ferrari news dropped. pic.twitter.com/iE0tGixKe7 Essentially, the traditional masculine and staid world of motor sport was briefly overrun by theatre kids and it was glorious to watch. ‘Fully conscious’ Four Seasons Orlando baby This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . In June, a simple clip of a baby demonstrating a shocking amount of cognitive consciousness and fine motor skills won over the hearts of millions after she eloquently expressed her desire to visit the Four Seasons resort in Orlando, Florida. People were entranced by baby Kate’s inexplicably hilarious little finger movement and the family appears to have got some sweet free accommodation after it went viral. A pleasant time all round. Barron Trump likes his suitcase Okay it has come to my attention people don’t know the “I like my suitcase” meme This is the original, a young Barron Trump with his mommas accent🥹 sootcase pic.twitter.com/L8qkYC9Lgt In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the US federal election, an old CNN clip resurfaced of his youngest child, Barron. The then elementary school-aged boy joyously expresses his delight in his school suitcase (it’s actually a briefcase), his voice laced with a surprisingly strong Slovenian accent for someone born and raised in New York. While this of course makes perfect sense (given that his mother, Melania, is Slovenian-American), people were still absolutely taken with the way young Barron said “sootcase” and it soon became an ear worm that played on repeat in many people’s minds for weeks. The rise of ‘hawk tuah’ girl There’s no way around it: this list simply wouldn’t be complete without “Hawk Tuah”. Hayley Welch’s rise to fame came in the form of a 20-second clip taken from an otherwise unremarkable “man on the street” interview video posted by YouTubers Tim & Dee TV in June. The hosts approach late-night revellers in Nashville, Tennessee, asking them: “What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?” Welch was one of the interviewees, and replied in a thick southern drawl: “Aw, you gotta give him that hawk tuah and spit on that thang – you get me?” The delightful vulgarity of this newly coined onomatopoeia rocketed the clip into ultra-virality but most assumed Welch, a worker at a mattress spring company in Alabama, would quickly fade back into anonymity. Instead, she expertly leveraged her 15 seconds of fame, securing a lucrative merchandising deal, moving to LA and launching the “Talk Tuah” podcast. The sheer absurdity and gall of it all has been enough to keep people watching, if only out morbid curiosity. I mean, just how long can someone ride the wave of a single viral sentence? To cap off this extreme “internet with a capital I” fable, Welch recently launched her own crypto currency, the “hawk coin”, which promptly lost 95% of its value within hours of release. Cat brain rot This article includes content provided by TikTok. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue' . As this wrapup comes to a close, it’s important to recognise that it’s not only humans that are victim to viral internet trends nowadays. And nothing demonstrates this better than “cat brain rot”. It’s just a low-resolution image of a cat spinning on a green screen, set to a catchy gibberish jingle, but something about it is absolutely entrancing to our feline friends. This also applies to humans ⚠️ #OIIAOIIA Do not watch brain rot if there's nothing left to rot 💚 pic.twitter.com/yJ5SLDNFmN Hundreds of videos have been posted showing cats either staring at the clip with wide-eyed fascination or watching with arched backs and bushy tails before attempting to attack the TV. Either way, they can’t look away. Perhaps there’s some confirmation bias at play here – videos of the cats that don’t react never get posted – but even so, something in this video is captivating kitties around the world and thus well and truly earns it a spot on this brain rot list.

The Omniverse Africa, a leading platform for innovation, digitalization and technology in Africa, is excited to announce its continued partnership with GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria (DTC Nigeria), which is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, for the 2025 Omniverse Summit. The Commission Manager, GIZ, Digital Transformation Center Nigeria, Dr. Thuweba Diwani, in a statement made available to journalists at the weekend, said that the renewed collaboration solidifies the commitment of both organizations to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly MSMEs, through digital transformation and innovation. Diwani said that “GIZ/DTC Nigeria is committed to driving digital innovation and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit across Africa. “By joining forces with the Omniverse Africa, GIZ/DTC Nigeria aims to significantly accelerate the digital transformation journey of Nigerian MSMEs. “This strategic partnership will provide Nigerian MSMEs with the essential tools, resources, and expertise needed to thrive in the global market.” Dwani said that through the partnership, “MSMEs will gain access to cutting-edge digital solutions, mentorship programmes, and networking opportunities that will enable them to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities. “By fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem, GIZ/DTC Nigeria and Omniverse Africa are working together to create a sustainable future for Nigerian MSMEs, contributing to the overall economic growth and development of the country.'” The Omniverse Summit 2025, scheduled for February 25th to 28th at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, promises to be a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and innovation. Over the course of four days, attendees will engage with industry experts, investors, and fellow innovators to explore emerging trends and opportunities across various sectors. This partnership continues to advance the mission of supporting MSMEs in leveraging digital technology to achieve sustainable growth and success.