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p777 slot Hong Kong’s many football fans usually have to cheer on champions and legends of the sport from afar. This serves to whet their appetite when a chance arises to see them in the flesh – so much so that no price is too high for some to pay to be able to meet them. A case in point is a “meet-and-greet” event with former greats of Spanish football giants Real Madrid for which dozens of fans, including members of the team’s local fan club, had bought tickets for HK$6,880 each. Some of the Real stars, including Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro, had already left the venue, the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, by the time the fans arrived, dashing hopes of a photo with the players and having memorabilia signed. It seems they left the “meet-and-greet” early to prepare for an exhibition match against Spanish rivals Barcelona. That reflects lack of planning and coordination. Many fans have complained to the Consumer Council and co-organisers of the Legends Assemble programme, Football Legends, Timewow and ACO Media. But it is not clear how much refund they can expect, given that they did meet some players including those from Barcelona.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save South Jersey Extended Care in Bridgeton has consistently been the worst-rated nursing home in the state, according to the Office of the State Comptroller. The owners funneled millions to themselves while starving the facility, according to the state agency. Now, the facility is barred from receiving Medicaid payments, after the comptroller’s investigation of five years of operation found it was run as a way to funnel millions to a man who had been barred from owning nursing homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts and two of his relatives, acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh said Thursday during a news conference. A call for comment to South Jersey Extended Care was not returned Thursday. Health inspection surveys documented more than double the state average in deficiencies in the last three inspection cycles, including serious neglect, abuse, unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care, according to the comptroller’s report. Body matching description of missing 84-year-old found in Galloway Township 1 injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Pentagon refutes Van Drew Iran claims as New Jersey officials meet to discuss mystery drones Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita Could American Airlines bus program lead to more flights at Atlantic City airport? Atlantic City now has more weed shops than casinos with dozens more on the way These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Work on Mike Trout's Vineland golf course completed, but play still more than a year away District overspending main focus for new Atlantic City school board member Ron Bailey LGBTQ+ restaurant the ByrdCage to open in Atlantic City in January Atlantic County suing NJ Juvenile Justice Commission over placement of youth offenders Large drones spotted in Philadelphia area as FBI investigates mysterious drone sightings in NJ Egg Harbor City church celebrates its inspiration with 1,700-year-old artifact Who are The Press 2024 Boys Soccer All-Stars? “They were using unqualified staff. The director of nursing wasn’t a registered nurse,” Walsh said. “The ‘social worker,’ when they had one, wasn’t a social worker.” Also barred from the Medicaid program is Sterling Manor Care Center in Maple Shade, Burlington County, which is also owned and operated by the same three men. Walsh said the men inflated costs for food and made a lot of money through a medical supply business they controlled. The owner on paper of the Bridgeton facility was Mordechay “Mark” Weisz, even though he told Walsh’s office he had nothing to do with the operation of the facilities. In fact, Steven Krausman, through his company, Comprehensive Health Care Management Services LLC, and his brother-in-law Michael Konig and his companies, including Broadway Health Care Management LLC, controlled both facilities as manager and administrator, respectively. “Weisz took $1.3 million out of the nursing home in distributions, and Krausman’s and Konig’s businesses collectively allocated $45.5 million in profits to themselves,” the report states. Konig had previously owned the Bridgeton nursing home until about 1997 but transferred ownership to Weisz after being forced out of multiple nursing homes he owned in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the report said. “OSC found that the financial schemes present here — in which those in charge of the nursing home enter into contracts with ‘vendors’ they also control, at inflated costs, using taxpayer funds — are pervasive throughout nursing homes in New Jersey,” the report states. The investigation found Krausman and Konig provided management and operational services to nine other low-rated Medicaid-funded nursing homes throughout New Jersey, in which they concealed their roles. “Where one sees poor quality one looks for fraud, because that is often the cause of poor quality, is what we’ve found,” Walsh said. The investigation covered five years from April 1, 2018, to March 17, 2023, and “found a pattern of waste and abuse of public funds, financial mismanagement, disregard of federal and state oversight requirements, and substandard care,” according to the comptroller’s report. A Superior Court judge has appointed an independent receiver to run a Hammonton nursing home after its owners failed to give up financial control of the facility by a June 17 deadline, the Office of the State Comptroller said. Walsh called for legislative reform to allow the state Department of Health to provide better oversight of nursing homes. AARP New Jersey said in a news release Thursday afternoon that it fully endorses New Jersey bill S1948/A1872, which would revise reporting requirements for nursing homes on financial disclosures and ownership structure. “This legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring that nursing homes operate with the highest standards of transparency and accountability,” the AARP release said. “By mandating comprehensive financial disclosures and clear ownership structures, we can better safeguard public funds and improve the quality of care for residents.” Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, the New Jersey long-term care ombudsman, said Thursday her office has known the two nursing homes were problematic for a long time, and has been monitoring them. “But I was surprised by the extent of the financial games as outlined by the acting state comptroller today,” Brewer said. Over five years, South Jersey Extended Care received $35.6 million in Medicaid funds but spent $38.9 million on contracts with entities owned or controlled by Krausman and Konig. The three men failed to report any of these related-party transactions to the state and federal governments, as required, to avoid scrutiny and hide their conflicts of interest, the report said. “Funds that could have been used to hire additional staff, improve facilities, or enhance resident programs were instead used for owner distributions, ‘consulting’ fees, and charitable donations to organizations they controlled,” the report states. A Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team and Press of Atlantic City investigation into the Hammonton Center found years’ worth of patient safety concerns and questionable payments to companies controlled by the Hammonton Center’s owners. Meanwhile, for the five-year period of the comptroller’s review, South Jersey Extended Care was the worst-rated facility in New Jersey by CMS standards, receiving a one-star rating in nearly every rating period since at least 2013. The other facilities that contracted with Krausman and Konig included Providence Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Trenton, Royal Health Gate Nursing & Rehabilitation in Trenton, Manhattanview Nursing Home in Union City, Manahawkin Convalescent Center in Stafford Township, Amboy Care Center in Perth Amboy, Teaneck Nursing Center in Teaneck, Oceana Rehab and Nursing Center in Cape May Court House, and Shore Meadows Rehab & Nursing Center in Toms River. This investigation is ongoing, and the comptroller’s office may pursue recovery of overpayments, civil monetary penalties and administrative sanctions against the responsible parties, the report said. REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Staff Writer Author twitter Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Nxu, Inc. Completes Private Investment in Public Equity Financing

Respiratory illnesses ramping up, ‘beige moms,’ holidays on a budget: Catch up on the day’s storiesIndulging in nightlife still a social taboo, says HC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — LJ Thomas had 25 points in Austin Peay's 62-50 win over Georgia State on Tuesday. Thomas added five assists for the Governors (4-2). Tekao Carpenter scored 12 points while finishing 4 of 9 from 3-point range. The Panthers (3-3) were led by Zarigue Nutter, who recorded 17 points. Malachi Brown added 10 points and two steals for Georgia State. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Michigan Player Deletes Tweet Detailing What Happened to Him After Ohio State Brawl

Chennai/New Delhi: The National Commission for Women on Saturday, December 28, constituted a two-member fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged sexual assault on a student of Anna University. The commission’s chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has set up the panel comprising member, NCW, Mamta Kumari, and retired IPS officer and former DGP of Maharashtra, Praveen Dixit, to “investigate and recommend action,” a statement said. The fact-finding committee is likely to visit Chennai on December 30, 2024. “The committee will investigate the case, examine the circumstances leading to the incident, and assess the actions taken by the authorities. It will also interact with concerned officials, the victim, her family, friends, and various NGOs to ascertain the facts and propose measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” the NCW said. The national commission for women had already taken suo moto cognizance of the incident, the victim being a 19-year-old girl. The NCW had also issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu DGP in this regard. Dixit is also the special rapporteur for the Maharashtra and Goa zone, NHRC.

It's 'business as usual' for Larne as hunt for new boss intensifies with one candidate out in frontBlake Snell, Dodgers agree to five-year, $182M contract: Reports

Chilly weather and early nights make the holiday season the best time of year for cuddling up with your favorite games. From enjoying a quiet afternoon alone to gathering with family, these board, video and card games will bring cozy vibes to your holiday gaming. The holidays are prime time for coziness. Cold weather, hot drinks and days off work or school are perfect for snuggling up under a blanket. With many games designed to be cozy, relaxed and lighthearted, accompanying your cozy afternoons with a game might be your new holiday tradition. Many holidays bring together friends and family as well. While some families may look forward to feuding over the Risk board or resources in Settlers of Catan, more low-key games can be an opportunity to bond with loved ones. Cooperative games or games with a bit of friendly competition let you focus on who you’re playing with. Since these cozy games often have easier instructions, everyone can get involved. A busy holiday season also benefits from rest. Take a break from shopping, cooking, traveling and other holiday tasks with some games. let you enjoy a couple of hours of quiet gameplay or raucous laughter, both sure to provide some relaxation. Relaxing board games are great for a lazy afternoon with friends or after dinner at a holiday party. These games often feature cooperative play or minimal competition, beautiful artwork and straightforward gameplay ideal for all ages. For the holidays, these games provide a whimsical escape from seasonal chaos. Related Articles Patchwork is a chill two-player puzzle game where you and your opponent compete to create the best quilt. The tactile experience and cozy results are relaxing on a chilly day. If you have more than two players, try Calico instead where you’ll create quilts for cats. In Carcassonne, players compete to build Medieval cities and fields by laying tiles. The game takes a bit of strategy and luck, and it will generate some friendly competition among children and adults alike. The charming artwork of parks, featuring America’s national parks, will also transport you on a road trip from the comfort of your home. For those looking for longer gameplay, Everdell will have you playing as cute forest creatures building new cities during a game that averages a little over an hour. Flamecraft is another delightfully whimsical game where players try to attract dragons to improve the reputation of their shops. Each of these games is simple to pick up and, with every playthrough offering something new, they’ll get you through the entire holiday season. Parks, Everdell and Flamecraft can also be single-player games if you need a break from socialization. Snuggling up on the couch with a video game is inherently relaxing. Whether you enjoy mobile, computer, handheld or console games, the cozy game genre provides dozens of options. This season, try games ranging from relaxing to enchanting. If having everything in its place provides calm in the chaos of the holiday season, you’ll love Unpacking. This puzzle game, available on Switch, PC and Xbox, has you unpacking boxes and putting items away. Playing can be a meditative experience. Other puzzle games like and Spiritfarer blend stories into the gameplay. For spooky autumn vibes, try Strange Horticulture and play as the owner of a plant shop and potion maker. Maintaining a virtual farm or building a make-believe castle from your sofa can be a great stress reliever. Stardew Valley is a quintessential farming game surrounded by charming townspeople. With the highly anticipated November update, you can now play on console, mobile and PC. , a massively multiplayer online game, features farming, quests and community building with other players. It’s also free. For those with a Nintendo Switch, the Animal Crossing series has you interacting with other animal players in a peaceful village. With multiplayer modes, these games are great options for playing with friends and family from afar during the holidays. For a single-player escape, try the recently-released Tiny Glade on PC where you’ll build castles. This cozy game’s detailed artistry and conflict-free gameplay will bring hours of relaxation. Or build a world from tiles in Dorfromantik. The game can be entirely chill or provide a bit of strategy if you want to go for a high score. A pack of cards is reliable entertainment at any gathering. From classics to innovative new card games, having a few in your game collection can be worthwhile. Card games can range from simple to complex, a few minutes to a few hours and single-player to dozens of players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, Blitz is a great option for any number of players. Also known as Thirty One, this game gives every player three cards and lets them trade out a card on each turn, trying to get a value of thirty-one. President is another simple social card game where players race to get rid of their cards in ascending order. If you are imbibing this holiday season, some people play it as a drinking game. For a two-player card game, try The Fox in the Forest. This trick-taking card game features cozy graphics, and its fast, simple gameplay is perfect for a winter date night. For two to four players, Arboretum has darling tree graphics on its cards. Players lay cards down with the goal of creating a beautiful garden. This holiday season, be sure to take time to connect with loved ones and catch a few moments to yourself. Cozy games are a lighthearted escape. As the genre grows, there are options for everyone this season, from mindless games to those that require a touch of strategy – perfect for any mood or moment.

Brock Purdy injury updates: Latest on 49ers QB's status for Week 12 game vs. PackersDon’t count Mark Scheifele out of the 4 Nations Face-Off just yet. His head coach says the Winnipeg Jets No. 1 centre remains in the mix for Team Canada, based on the conversations he’s had with GM Don Sweeney. “He’s right there on the bubble,” Scott Arniel told reporters in Buffalo, where his team was to take on the Sabres on Thursday night. “Don’t know where everything’s going to be in February. With the schedule you’re starting to see bodies drop around the league. You never know where things may shake out.” For some, Scheifele was a surprise omission from the Canadian squad unveiled on Wednesday. Tied for the Jets goal-scoring lead with Kyle Connor at 13 and two behind Connor in points with 27 (going into Thursday night), Scheifele is playing some of the best two-way hockey of his career. At 31, he’s on pace for his third 30-goal season and is averaging at least a point per game for the seventh time in his 12 NHL seasons. “He’s disappointed,” Arniel said. “But he’s also going to continue to play the way he plays. He wants to be that guy if there is an opportunity for him to be on that team.” With a team stacked at centre – Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Brayden Point are all options – the thinking is Team Canada was looking less at offence and more at a well-rounded game from its final additions. Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey, who cracked the Team Canada roster, told the Winnipeg Sun on Wednesday seeing his teammate passed over tainted his joy of being selected. “It was bittersweet,” Morrissey said. “I tried to be there to support him and just let him know that I was feeling for him because I know how much he wanted to be there.” Scheifele has played for Canada in the world championship and for the young Team North America in the 2016 World Cup. The 4 Nations Face-Off is seen as a precursor to, and potentially an audition for, the 2026 Winter Olympics.

CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.comSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic partnerships, aiming to increase bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030. The two nations also pledged to boost mutual investments through Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UK’s Industrial Strategy, focusing on emerging industries that drive future global competitiveness, create jobs, and promote prosperity for their people while ensuring sustainable growth. This came in a joint statement released at the conclusion of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official visit to Saudi Arabia. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Saudi Arabia on December 9, 2024, where he was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. The two leaders held formal discussions, emphasizing the role of the Saudi-UK Strategic Partnership Council in fostering collaboration between the two nations. They expressed eagerness to host the next council meeting in the UK and celebrated significant progress in expanding and diversifying bilateral relations. Both nations stressed the importance of boosting economic cooperation. They committed to raising trade volume to $37.5 billion by 2030 and enhancing investments across strategic sectors through Vision 2030 and the UK’s Industrial Strategy. The focus will be on industries of the future that enhance global competitiveness and provide employment opportunities. The leaders welcomed advancements in the Gulf Cooperation Council-UK Free Trade Agreement and highlighted growing mutual investments. Saudi investments in the UK in 2024 included the Public Investment Fund’s acquisitions, such as Selfridges and Heathrow Airport, and additional investments in Newcastle United Football Club. Meanwhile, the UK announced plans to increase export finance exposure to $6 billion, building on the $700 million Shariah-compliant financing for the Qiddiya project. The two sides highlighted ongoing collaboration in energy, including renewable energy and clean hydrogen. They emphasized the importance of developing clean hydrogen policies, standards, and business models, alongside human capacity-building as a cornerstone for successful partnerships. Saudi Arabia’s Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative was acknowledged as a step toward securing global supply chains, particularly in renewable energy, hydrogen production, and green metals. The launch of five Saudi special economic zones was celebrated as a platform for British companies to benefit from incentives across supply chains and strategic sectors. The nations committed to strengthening ties in clean technology, energy innovation, and sustainable growth. They agreed to establish a Saudi-British clean hydrogen alliance, led by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Newcastle University. Cooperation in financial services, including banking, fintech, asset management, and green finance, was emphasized. In education, both sides welcomed plans to increase the number of British schools in Saudi Arabia to 10 by 2030 and support the establishment of British university branches in the Kingdom, aligning with its knowledge-driven economic goals. Cultural collaboration under a bilateral memorandum of understanding was lauded, including initiatives to strengthen ties between cultural organizations and infrastructure projects like heritage and museum development in AlUla. The launch of a partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the British Council was highlighted. Healthcare initiatives included plans to establish a nursing college in Saudi Arabia through partnerships with British universities and continued cooperation to tackle global health challenges. Both nations pledged to deepen strategic defense partnerships, focusing on industrial cooperation, advanced weapons, and cybersecurity. They underscored shared security priorities, including combating terrorism and addressing regional threats. They also highlighted joint humanitarian efforts, committing $100 million to projects focusing on emergency relief and development. Annual Saudi-UK strategic dialogues on humanitarian assistance and international development were agreed upon. On Gaza, both sides called for an immediate end to conflict, the release of hostages, and protection of civilians, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. They reiterated the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace. On Syria, they urged the international community to support peace efforts and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. On Yemen, they reaffirmed support for the Presidential Leadership Council and comprehensive political solutions. In Sudan, they emphasized building on the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and achieve a lasting ceasefire. Regarding Ukraine, the two nations committed to continued dialogue and called for efforts to secure a just and sustainable peace respecting sovereignty. The UK reaffirmed its strong support for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents for bilateral cooperation. Both sides celebrated increased connectivity, facilitated by expanded air links and eased visa requirements, as a catalyst for greater cultural and economic exchange. The statement concluded with optimism about the enduring partnership between Saudi Arabia and the UK, emphasizing shared aspirations for sustainable growth, mutual prosperity, and global security. < Previous Page Next Page >

50 YEARS, eight generations, and still going strong. That’s the story of the Volkswagen Golf in 2024 - the definitive compact hatchback. Advertisement 4 The oldest VW Golf GTI sold by VW UK, owned by M1 Golf Club member Rajan Paymaster Credit: Michael Golson/Supplied 4 The iconic hot hatchback turned 50 in 2024 - eight generations and still going strong Credit: Michael Golson/Supplied 4 The Mk8, released in 2019, is VW's most technologically advanced and sophisticated version to date Credit: Getty Over 37 million Golfs have been built since it first rolled off production lines in 1974, and half a century later it’s still very much going strong. Better yet, while today’s car market is largely dominated by cookie-cutter mid-sized SUVs, the Golf remains relatively true to its original philosophy; a practical, affordable, well-built, fun-to-drive hatchback, which all started with the Mk1. But what is it that truly makes the little motor so special? In November, I was lucky enough to meet Anna Bebbington, Events Manager at the Mk1 Golf Owners Club , at the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham. Advertisement Read more Motors News O-M-GTE Golf GTE is GTI with a conscience & made for those want dip toe into electric world DRIVE ON 10 BEST cheap EVs to buy second hand in 2024 - including high-spec Porsche Standing next to a gleaming selection of Mk1 Golfs, including Volkswagen’s original press car and the very first GTI, I first asked her what makes the model resonate so deeply with car fans. “I think it's iconic, and it brings back people's memories of childhoods of that era - it’s like their dad's car,” she said. “And I also think it's all about getting in one. It’s the smell when you climb in. “It’s the way it looks, they’ve got a certain shape. There’s not a shape like that around now.” Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive PAY & DISMAY AA reveal some of UK's worst shopping centres for parking charges SPEED DEMON Supercar so rare only 10 exist for sale - with 47miles on clock & 200mph speeds 'ONE-OF-A-KIND' Vauxhall Chevette dubbed 'The Vader' hits the market for eye-watering price SNEAK PEEK Five highly-anticipated cars dropping in 2025 - including controversial Jaguar But Anna, who herself owns a Mk1 Golf Cabriolet from 1991, also talks about how it’s the perfect daily driver, as well as a budding classic car. “My Cabriolet was my daily car for five years. I used to go to work in it,” she said. Best-selling car brand unveils sporty hatchback that with iconic 90s design “I've had my car for nearly 17 years. It's part of the family. But I also think people are seeing these now as a kind of investment. “But even so, they’re still very drivable.” Advertisement This isn’t just unique to Anna either, as she explains that other members of the Mk1 Golf Owners Club, which itself is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, have driven their near-50-year-old machines from all corners of the country - including Ireland and Scotland . Over the years, the Golf has evolved with each generation - each boasting its own distinct design and features . The Mk4, released in 1998, is often considered the first ‘modern’ Golf and introduced features like a fully galvanised body and all-wheel drive. In 2019, VW released the Mk8 iteration - their most technologically advanced and sophisticated version to date. Advertisement Indeed, the model was initially criticised by many for its complex infotainment system, which has since been significantly improved by the release of the Mk8.5 facelift earlier this year. It seemed VW listened to its fans, offering a more user-friendly interface, sometimes even bringing back physical buttons, while still maintaining the famous level of quality throughout its interior. Despite her proclivity for the Mk1 Golf, Anna is also a big fan of the newer models . “I particularly love them," she told me. Advertisement “I've actually just ordered a new Golf GTI for delivery next year. I think they're amazing, and they’re such a drivable car. “I just think maybe the shape of them has gone away a little bit.” Naturally, I had to ask an expert like Anna what I should look for, should I be in the market for a classic Mk1 Golf one day in the future . Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW END Exact date snow storms to hit Scotland as weather map reveals Arctic freeze on way UGLY SCENES Dunfermline-Falkirk chaos with seats broken & arrests as missiles aimed at aces She said: “You're looking for something either in a very original condition or restored to a high standard. The cars that are very original tend to be worth more. Advertisement “There's a lot of highly modified Mk1s out there, but they need to have been done well.” 4 The Golf has come a long way over the years but remains true to its original philosophy Credit: HandoutCALGARY, Alberta – Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury bounded down the tunnel and onto the ice for his 1,000th NHL start and what was presumably the final start of his career in the home rink of the Edmonton Oilers — a team he’d beaten 16 times previously in his career. He corralled one of the dozens of pucks strewn around the ice and fired toward the cage he would soon be guarding. But his attempt at an empty-net goal was foiled when the puck he had shot hit another puck at the top of the crease and both slid to the corners of the rink. It was just the first thing that would go wrong for the guy teammates lovingly call “Flower” on this night. Less than 30 seconds into the game, he swung at a puck bouncing in his direction all the way from the red line. He missed, and the Oilers led 1-0 on a fluke that had the Rogers Place crowd roaring and smiling. After the initial shock wore off, Fleury was smiling too. “I haven’t played in so long, I wanted to do well and help the team, and at the beginning to let that one in, I was mad for a little bit and then I just laughed. It was so stupid,” he said following Minnesota’s 5-3 win, which gave him a 4-0-1 record for the season. “The guys came by and they gave me a tap, and they laughed and kind of made it a little lighter. And they battled well, nobody sat back.” Just under 60 minutes of game time later, Flower was the one grinning in the Wild locker room as Minnesota won its ninth road game in a dozen opportunities. Fleury finished with 28 saves, and the other two Edmonton goals both went off the skates of Wild defenders. In the first period, he made a sprawling poke-check save to thwart Oilers star Connor McDavid’s rush to the net that had the Edmonton crowd primed to explode again. It was the 1,030th appearance in an NHL game for Fleury, moving him past Patrick Roy into third in the NHL record books for most games played by a goalie. He will turn 40 on Thanksgiving Day and has been in the league since 2003, after the Penguins made him the first-overall pick in that summer’s draft. But with Filip Gustavsson off to a fantastic start as the Wild’s mainstay in the crease, and Jesper Wallstedt waiting in the wings (in Iowa) presumably as the franchise’s goalie of the future, Fleury finds himself in a new role: backup goalie. Perhaps the only time his ever-present smile seemed forced following the win in Edmonton was when Fleury pointed out, on two occasions, that it was his first start in three weeks, since a win at San Jose on Nov. 7. Minnesota coach John Hynes reiterated on Friday afternoon that there was, for a brief moment, a thought that the Wild would carry three goalies — Gustavsson, Fleury and Wallstedt — for a time in October, meaning there would be two backups, or a rotation plus a third stringer. It didn’t work out that way. “Gus and Flower played well. Wally played well. But based on contracts and things like that and where everyone’s at in their career, Wally went down and played (in Iowa) and he’s doing a good job now and has found his game,” Hynes said. “But Flower’s playing really well and Gus is playing really well. So, it hasn’t been that he’s...the understudy. It’s just, here’s what we need to do everyday and then we’ll try to let you know when we’re going to start. Sometimes, it might be in advance. Sometimes, it might be a little closer to the game.” Fleury has made it clear that this will be the final season of his career, so like a rare flower that only blooms once in a while, seeing one of his remaining starts is worth seeking out. Of course, with the Wild defying expectations, the team’s fanbase is clearly hoping this flower keeps blooming well into May or even June.