After spending decades of his political career as a Democrat, retiring Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia left the party in May to file as an independent, claiming at the time it was the only way he could “stay true” to himself and remain committed to putting “country before party.” It’s no surprise, then, that…
American Airlines, the world’s largest airline operator, grounded all its flights in the United States on Christmas Eve due to an unspecified technical glitch, according to Reuters.”Our teams are working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience,” the airline said in a statement.Passengers were informed of the delays at airports just as they were preparing to board. A video from a U.S. airport showed an American Airlines representative informing travelers, “We will provide updates every 15 minutes and keep you informed. Our system is down, and we are unable to assign crews or board customers at this time. We are working on resolving it.”The disruption occurred on Christmas Eve morning, a day expected to break travel records, according to AAA. Several passengers took to social media to share their frustration, especially at the airport, as flights were canceled or grounded hours before their scheduled departure.Reuters reported that American Airlines’ stock dropped 3.8% before the bell. While the airline has not made an official statement on social media, it has been addressing customer complaints on platforms like X, Facebook, and Bluesky. A note from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the airline had requested a nationwide grounding of its flights.American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest airline in the world by scheduled passengers carried, revenue passenger miles, and daily flights. Along with its regional subsidiaries and contractors operating under the American Eagle brand, the airline operates an extensive international and domestic network with nearly 6,800 flights daily to almost 350 destinations in 48 countries.American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and operates from ten hubs, with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) being the largest. The airline handles over 200 million passengers annually, averaging more than 500,000 passengers daily. As of 2023, American Airlines employs 103,200 staff members.
The Odyssey is the title of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Universal Pictures has confirmed that Christopher Nolan’s next movie will be The Odyssey, following the success of Oppenheimer.
The filmmaker, behind blockbusters like Tenet, The Dark Knight, Interstellar and Oppenheimer, has planned his latest movie, The Odyssey. Universal Pictures confirmed the news via X (formerly Twitter).
It wrote: “Christopher Nolan’s next film ‘The Odyssey’ is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX film screens for the first time and opens in theatres everywhere on July 17, 2026.”
The director has enlisted an all-star cast for the upcoming movie. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron are set to star.
Holland said in a recent podcast episode on The Dish that he signed onto the film despite not knowing many details about it. He said: “To be perfectly honest, I don’t really know what it’s about.
“I’m super excited, but it’s been pretty quiet about the project. I met with [Nolan] and it was awesome. He kind of loosely pitched what it is, and I’m sure when he’s ready he’ll announce what it’s about.”
The Odyssey is originally one of two ancient Greek poems by the poet Homer. It tells of the Greek legend of Odysseus who ventured home after the Trojan War.
Filmmakers used the poem as a basis for their films, including in a 1911 silent movie by Giuseppe de Liguoro, and in 1954’s Ulysses which starred Kirk Douglas. More recently in 2024, The Return adapted the last sections of the poem in the story.
Nolan and the studio’s follow-up to 2023’s huge moment in cinematic history is set to start production in the first half of 2025. The director will write and produce The Odyssey with his wife and film producer Emma Thomas, who is also behind some of Nolan’s biggest film hits.
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Elon Musk’s influence over US government policy continues to grow. (Getty)
Don’t worry everyone, Elon Musk can’t become President under current US law, and we can all breath a sigh of relief.
Growing fears that the tech billionaire was vying for the top spot of the US government have become increasingly prevalent following president-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint him to the cabinet.
The 53-year-old Tesla and X owner, who has become recently infamous for reams of controversial posts on his X account, has been ear-marked by Trump to head the newly-created US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), named after his favourite cryptocurrency.
His influence in Republican policy had become so significant that Trump was forced to dispel rumours that the CEO could, in future, become President.
President-elect Donald Trump (L) and Elon Musk (R) (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty)
“No, he’s not going to be President, that I can tell you,” Trump said at a Sunday (22 December) speech in Phoenix, Arizona. “And I’m safe. You know why he can’t be? He wasn’t born in this country.”
The 78-year-old’s claim is in fact true: The US Constitution outlines requirements for a person to run for president, and one of them is that they must have be born on US soil.
According to Snopes, Article II, section 1, Clause 5 of the US Constitution states that no person “except a natural-born citizen, or a Citizen of the United States at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President.”
The clause also states that any person younger than 35 cannot run for the office of president, as well as US citizens who have not lived in the US for more than fourteen years.
Musk was born on 28 June 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, to the incredibly wealthy Maye and Errol Musk. Elon has a brother, a sister, and four paternal half-siblings.
Elon Musk. (Getty)
His grandfather, Joshua N Haldeman, was American-born but later travelled to Africa and Australia with his family.
As relieving as it is that Musk couldn’t reach the Office of the President, the tech billionaire still could be elected as speaker of the House, which theoretically puts him second-in-line for the presidency after the vice president.
However, Snopes also clarified that the US Constitution’s criteria for the presidency still apply, meaning that the House speaker would be skipped over in the line of succession.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
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It’s easy to lose sight of this among lights, carols and presents, but Christmas actually celebrates a birthday.
In Luke 1, an angel visited Mary to inform her that she has “found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
That would be a lot for anyone to take in. Some people might focus on how life-changing it would be to give birth to royalty. Or what a never-ending kingdom would look like.
Mary homed in on something much more practical and immediate. Even 2,000 years ago, people knew how babies were made.
“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’”
The angel told her that her son would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and “be called the Son of God.”
In an amazing act of faith, Mary submitted herself to God’s plan. It’s easy to glance over that detail now, because we know the end of the story. But she didn’t. She had to assume an out-of-wedlock pregnancy would end her engagement to Joseph and ostracize her socially or worse.
The Virgin Birth was and is a vitally important part of Christmas. It was the fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 7. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” It also explains something God said in Genesis 3. After Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God cursed the serpent, who was Satan.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel,” God said.
Why was this hostility just between the woman’s offspring and Satan? Because Jesus didn’t have a biological human father.
A 2017 Pew Research Poll found around two-thirds of Americans believe in the Virgin Birth. But among those 18 to 29, just 54% did.
It’s easy to understand their hesitancy. Setting aside modern technology, it’s impossible for a virgin to become pregnant. Therefore, a virgin can’t give birth. It’s just science.
But that statement is incomplete. It’s physically impossible for a virgin to become pregnant. But the Bible explicitly states that the Virgin Birth was a supernatural event. God overruled the laws of nature. That’s what makes it a miracle.
This is where science can’t weigh in. Science is the study of the natural world. By definition, it can’t tell you about the supernatural. Even the scientific method — the making and testing of a hypothesis — doesn’t apply here. Miracles aren’t events humans can repeat on command.
Science is a wonderful thing, but it’s not all-encompassing. Quick: Use science to explain why murder is wrong. It’s an impossible task, because morality is also beyond the scope of science.
Now, this doesn’t prove the Virgin Birth happened. But it’s a mistake to believe science can refute it.
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KEY POINTSHong Kong’s clearer regulations place it above the US in crypto policiesThe Chinese special administrative region also plans to exempt taxes on crypto investment gainsTrump’s unpredictability may affect his country’s road toward leading the world in cryptoHong Kong’s cohesive framework allows for smoother operations for crypto firms: WOW Summit Global CEOChina may soon move since ‘no one wants to lose in this game’: Ivan IvanovEver since Donald Trump was elected to be the next president of the United States, there have been talks about which country will lead as the world’s cryptocurrency hub. He promised to make crypto great again by leading the rest of the world in blockchain and digital asset innovation, but rising to the challenge is an emerging major player in technology: Hong Kong.The U.S., under its new president, is expected to put up a fight in the global race toward leading the rest of the world in crypto dominance, but is it a little bit too late?In an exclusive with International Business Times, Ivan Ivanov, the Global CEO of WOW (World of Web3) Summit, a global event that brings together the most prominent figures, investors, and key players in the industry, talked about renewed confidence in the U.S. as a likely crypto hub and Hong Kong’s bid to position itself as a serious challenger in the global crypto leadership competition.Trump’s Unpredictability Brings to Question His Administration’s Crypto VisionDuring the recently concluded Belt and Road Forum, Joseph Chan, chair of the Silk Road Economic Development Research Center, noted how Hong Kong has a clear advantage over the U.S. in terms of crypto goals.”Trump is unpredictable; you never know when he may change his mind,” Chan pointed out. Chan’s comments come from his observations of the crypto space over the years, and he is also a moderator of a Belt and Road panel focused on Web3 and the new digital economy.He went on to note that Hong Kong’s crypto regulations are more consistent at this point. On the other hand, he also didn’t underestimate the possibility that Trump’s entry into the White House can give the U.S. the upper hand within the next three years.For Ivanov, Chan made a good point. “Trump is unpredictable, and we’ll only see the real situation once he’s in power,” he said. Ivanov does believe that regardless of the incoming U.S. president’s unpredictable nature, his election will be beneficial for the broader crypto industry, considering how Bitcoin and the broader crypto market surged after the elections.Why Hong Kong Is in Strong Contender PositionHong Kong, unlike the U.S., which is only starting to open up to crypto, has already been making significant strides in crypto policy over the last few years.For instance, the Chinese special administrative region officially opened crypto trading to retail last year, with HashKey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities becoming the first crypto exchanges to receive licenses.It has also been fast-tracking crypto licensing and approved four more crypto exchanges last week, allowing healthier competition in the local market.Ivanov noted that Hong Kong’s crypto landscape has multifaceted advantages. “Primarily, these advantages are anchored in Hong Kong’s regulatory clarity, geographical positioning, and recent market developments. The government has established a supportive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, which has fostered a sense of confidence among crypto businesses,” he said.
He explained that in the city, many operators feel assured to go about with their business due to the clear guidelines set forth by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) that not only focus on investor protection but also on tech innovation.Hong Kong’s transparent and clear rules on crypto business operation has positioned it as an attractive destination for investments, as evidenced by a significant spike in venture capital flowing into blockchain startups, Ivanov added.Aside from clear regulations, there’s also Hong Kong’s geographical location. Lying between East and West, the region is a critical gateway for both Asian markets and Western investors. “This unique position enhances its appeal as an investment hub, particularly for those looking to tap into the burgeoning digital asset sector,” Ivanov said.Finally, spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) played a major role in putting Hong Kong in the spotlight. There has been considerable interest in crypto among local institutions since BTC ETFs were launched.Hong Kong vs USA in Crypto RegulationThe United States’ crypto regulations have long been in question, especially under the Biden administration as U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler pushed a crackdown on the industry.There are reports Trump is looking to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to lead in regulating crypto instead of the SEC, but even if the CFTC gets more authority, the damage has been done.Also, the existing regulations in the U.S. have repeatedly been called out by top crypto players for being incompatible with blockchain and digital assets.”In contrast to the fragmented regulatory landscape in the United States, where numerous agencies oversee crypto activities, Hong Kong’s cohesive framework allows for smoother operations,” Ivanov pointed out.Aside from the CFTC and SEC battling for who should really be regulating crypto assets, there are also separate regulators in some states, such as The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) agency.Also licensing is an issue in the U.S., in contrast to Hong Kong. Notably, many U.S.-based firms have often cited regulatory uncertainty as a major hurdle in their operations.
Hong Kong’s Tax Exemption May Lead to Major ShiftLate last month, Hong Kong unveiled plans to waive tax on investment gains from crypto and other similar assets for hedge funds, private equity funds and select family offices.Ivanov said the exemption could mark a significant shift in the local digital asset space. He expects more retail investors into the space and projects a massive boost in trading volumes.”By eliminating capital gains tax on cryptocurrency profits, Hong Kong would position itself as one of the most favorable jurisdictions in Asia for crypto investments,” he said.WOW Summit’s Role in HK’s Crypto EvolutionGlobal events like WOW Summit and other blockchain or crypto-centric events play a critical role in fostering collaboration within Hong Kong’s crypto space.It has been facilitating dialogue between industry players and regulators aside from hosting one of the most prominent blockchain summits in the world.Last year, it hosted panel discussions that brought together representatives from Hong Kong’s SFC and leading blockchain firms, all with the mission of fostering engagement to help ensure that regulatory frameworks evolve alongside technological advancements.It also acts as a Launchpad for emerging technologies. In 2023 alone, WOW Summit featured over a hundred startups, showcasing innovative solutions across various sectors, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which attracted investor interest and media coverage.Bangkok’s WOW Summit 2024 dazzled on Nov 11-12, uniting global leaders and innovators to spotlight web3’s bright future.🤩“This is the first time we host the event in Bangkok, and the first time we collaborate and co-host the event with so many partners”, — says Ivan Ivanov,… pic.twitter.com/Vvk76AJ7bq— WOW Summit (@WOWsummitWorld) December 3, 2024
So Which Country Has Potential to Become the Global Crypto Hub?Both the U.S. and Hong Kong have immense potential to lead the world in crypto. However, at this point, Hong Kong’s tax regime may have more cards to play than its western rival.”The government’s intention to exclude digital assets from taxation for family offices and institutions is a significant benefit, one that I don’t think the U.S. will adopt anytime soon,” said Ivanov.He went on to note that he views Hong Kong as somewhat of a “sandbox” for mainland China. “Maybe we’ll see some movements from the Chinese government soon. After all, no one wants to lose in this game,” he said.Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey said last month that Chinese President Xi Jinping has changed his stance on Bitcoin, as affected by Trump’s pivot toward the crypto industry.It remains to be seen how crypto will evolve in the U.S., given Trump’s promises to Bitcoin and the crypto industry. For now, Hong Kong is in a position to grab the lead spot in the world as it continues to gain attention worldwide, unless Trump sticks to his promise of making crypto great again, beginning at home.
New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS): Quantum technology, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and women scientists ruled the Indian science sector in 2024, according to the Union government on Tuesday.In 2024, India’s ranking in global science and technology indices rose significantly. The country secured 39th position in the Global Innovation Index among the top innovative economies globally as per Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Report 2023 ranked India at sixth position in terms of intellectual property (IP) filings in the world. The country also improved its ranking to 49th position (2024) from 79th position (2019), as per the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024 report.
The ANRF Act, 2023 which came into force on February 5, “represents India’s pioneering efforts to unleash Indian research and innovation talent to achieve global scientific and technological excellence”, said the Ministry of Science & Technology.
In 2024, the ANRF initiated the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG) programme, launched the EV-mission programme, unveiled the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) initiative, and initiated the scheme Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG).
Further, the Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at a total cost of Rs.6,003.65 crore for eight years. It aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in quantum technology.
The year also saw a boost in geospatial data, infrastructure, and technology, which improved citizen services.
Under the Geospatial Capacity Building, the government initiated a fortnightly spatial thinking programme in schools across the country.
The programme spanned seven states — Gujarat, Haryana, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Rajasthan, 49 districts, and 16 schools, addressing 154 teachers and reaching out to 6,205 students in 2024.
The year also saw an increase in women’s participation in science. More than 340 women scientists were supported through major fellowship programmes. Under Vigyan Jyoti, more than 29,000 girls of Class 9-12 from 300 districts of 34 states/UTs of the country benefitted through various activities and interventions.
The country also launched several climate change initiatives with four new centres of excellence and risk mapping for flood and drought.
One of Blake Lively’s co-stars from the upcoming “A Simple Favor” sequel claims she was “in pain” after filming “It Ends With Us.”
Michele Morrone shared a clip on his Instagram Stories on Monday supporting Lively, 37, following her bombshell complaint against Justin Baldoni, where she accused the actor of sexual harassment and mounting a smear campaign against her.
Morrone, 34, and Lively filmed “A Simple Favor 2” together earlier this year, after she wrapped production on “It Ends With Us” with Baldoni, 40, who also directed the flick.
Michele Morrone. Instagram / @iammichelemorroneofficial
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in “It Ends With Us.” Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“So it’s usually not my thing to make these types of videos, but I think it’s time to stand up for a person that I really love and this person is Blake Lively,” Morrone said in his video.
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“I personally met Blake during ‘A Simple Favor 2.’ We shot this incredible film together, and I felt something was wrong, and I felt the pain and then we had the opportunity to talk, me and her,” the Italian actor continued.
Michele Morrone defends Blake Lively. Instagram / @iammichelemorroneofficial
Michele Morrone in his Instagram video. Instagram / @iammichelemorroneofficial
“Blake was in pain,” Morrone said. “And I’m really tired to see those kind of cruel and bad comments about her without knowing the situation.”
Morrone noted that he included a link to the New York Times article about Lively’s claims against Baldoni “so that you can understand before commenting, what happened.”
Blake Lively filming “It Ends With Us” in Hoboken, New Jersey on May 18, 2023. GC Images
“That’s all I ask. That’s what I want you to do. Blake, I love you so much,” he added. “Keep it up and we’re going to see each other very, very soon. Love you.”
Lively starred in 2018’s “A Simple Favor” alongside Anna Kendrick. The film, like “It Ends With Us,” is based on a book. The sequel, which added Morrone to the cast, filmed from March to May of this year, and is expected to come out in 2025.
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in “A Simple Favor.” ©Lions Gate/courtesy Everett Collecti / Everett Collection
Blake Lively in “A Simple Favor.” ©Lions Gate/courtesy Everett Collecti / Everett Collection
Meanwhile, filming for “It Ends With Us” began in May 2023 but temporarily paused due to the strikes. Production wrapped in January 2024.
When the domestic violence drama came out in August, Lively suffered a barrage of bad publicity as reports claimed that she and Baldoni — who directed the movie — clashed on set.
However, new details have come to light in Lively’s legal complaint that she filed on Friday.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively filming “It Ends With Us” in January. GC Images
The “Gossip Girl” alum accused Baldoni of misconduct on the set of “It Ends With Us.” She claimed that in an emergency meeting during production, Baldoni was asked to refrain from showing Lively photos or videos of nude women, talking about her dead father, and inquiring about her weight.
Baldoni, according to Lively’s lawsuit, also hired PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan — who worked with Johnny Depp during his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard — to help him “destroy” Lively’s reputation.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of “It Ends With Us” in New Jersey. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
Lively included copies of text messages that she alleges prove Baldoni, Nathan and others created a “retaliatory social manipulation campaign” against her after she spoke up about Baldoni’s on-set behavior.
Many stars have rushed to Lively’s side in the wake of the lawsuit, including her “A Simple Favor” director Paul Feig and her co-stars from “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel.
Brandon Sklenar, who also starred in “It Ends With Us,” and Colleen Hoover, who wrote the book that the film is based on, have both sided with Lively, as well.
Blake Lively at the “It Ends With Us” UK gala screening in August. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Baldoni has denied all the accusations made against him in the lawsuit.
“It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation,” Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, previously told The Post.
Publicist Jennifer Abel, whose text exchanges with Nathan were included in Lively’s lawsuit as evidence of their alleged smear campaign against the actress, has also spoken out about the drama.
Justin Baldoni on “Today.” Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
“What the cherry picked messages don’t include, although not shockingly as it doesn’t fit the narrative, is that there was no ‘smear’ implemented,” Abel wrote in a private Facebook post, per The Hollywood Reporter.
“No negative press was ever facilitated, no social combat plan, although we were prepared for it as it’s our job to be ready for any scenario,” Abel continued. “But we didn’t have to implement anything because the internet was doing the work for us.”
If you’ve made a resolution to read some more in 2025, the lists of most-borrowed books from the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) in 2024 should give you some inspiration.The VPL says it’s the most visited urban library system, per capita, in Canada. Its annual lists break down which books adults, teenagers and children were taking out the most. The chart-toppers this year are repeating champions from last year — but there are also interesting new additions among the top 10 lists, including a first-hand account of one pop star’s life.While Prince Harry’s memoir Spare cracked the top 10 last year, Britney Spears’s memoir The Woman in Me did so this year in the adult category ��— along with a range of novels in genres like crime and romantic fantasy (popularly called “romantasy”).In the teens’ and kids’ sections, fantasy and graphic novels reigned supreme. Here were the top 10 most-borrowed books, by category, in the VPL system in 2024.WATCH | What did we learn from Britney Spears’ new book? What we learn in Britney Spears’s new memoir1 year agoDuration 1:35Britney Spears’s much-anticipated memoir is finally out. The Woman in Me chronicles her rise to fame, her public and turbulent relationships, and her struggles under a strict conservatorship that lasted 13 years. CBC’s Jenna Benchetrit recaps some of the book’s revelations.Self-help book tops the adult chartsFor the second year in a row, self-help book 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest topped the list as the most-borrowed book by adults.Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a scientist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, took the second spot, having also topped the list in 2022.It explores the role of plants and botany in Indigenous and Western cultures and has also been adapted into a young adult version by award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, who is based in Victoria.Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer topped 2022’s list of most borrowed adult books at the Vancouver Public Library and ranked second in 2024.
Unfair practices and strategic risks
The Biden administration has alleged that China’s dominance stems from anti-competitive practices, including cyber intrusions, forced technology transfers, and underpricing chips by 30% to 50% — often below production costs.
Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, explained that these artificially low prices are forcing out competitors and consolidating China’s control over the market.
“China’s acts, policies, and practices appear to have and to threaten detrimental impacts on the United States and other economies, undermining the competitiveness of American industry and workers, critical US supply chains, and US economic security,” the statement added.