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Japan approves $18.5m grant for flood management project in Pakistan

The Japanese government on Wednesday approved a grant worth $18.5 million for the construction of three embankments on the Indus River in Haripur district and rain metres at 45 sites along the river in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab for effective flood management.

In 2022, Pakistan witnessed the worst floods in its history, which claimed 1,700 lives, destroyed homes and livestock, washed away swathes of agricultural land, affected 33 million people, and incurred losses worth $30 billion, according to government estimates.

“The Government of Japan has approved a grant amounting to JPY 2.831 billion (US$ 18.5 million) for a Grant-in-Aid project titled ‘Flood Management Enhancement in the Indus Basin’ to the Government of Pakistan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” a statement from the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Wednesday.

“The project aims to improve the accuracy of flood forecasts and flood control functions, accumulate basic data that contribute to disaster risk reduction measures, and reduce the risk of loss to humans and the economy, including infrastructure.”

The three embankments constructed under the project grant will protect local communities from potential human and economic losses including infrastructure. The data from the water and rain metres, managed by the Federal Flood Commission and Water and Power Development Authority, will be shared with various agencies to help predict and manage potential floods.

“The scope of the project is to develop a hydrological and hydraulic observation network besides rehabilitating the river structures damaged by the 2022 floods in the Indus River and its tributaries,” the statement added.

Economic Affairs Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Wada Mitsuhiro signed the agreement in Islamabad today.

Ambassador Wada, while speaking at the signing ceremony, expressed the hope that the project would provide reassurance to the people of Pakistan regarding possible future floods.

“Japan remains committed to providing assistance that will directly benefit vulnerable people of Pakistan,” the envoy said.

In Oct, Pakistan and Japan had finalised an agreement for the procurement and installation of 45 telemetry stations and five automatic weather stations for improved flood forecasting and weather monitoring systems.

The project was part of the larger Rs200bn worth of Flood Protection Programme being jointly financed by the federal and provincial governments with the support of international lenders.




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Previous financial pledges on climate change yet to materialise, PM Shehbaz tells COP29 summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted on Wednesday that financial pledges made at the previous two United Nations’ annual climate summits — COP27 and COP28 — were yet to materialise.

He made the remarks during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29, that is being held in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku. The premier presented Pakistan’s case on the second and final day of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit.

Pakistan is ranked among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. It has faced increasingly frequent and severe weather events, such as unprecedented floods, intense monsoon rains, devastating heat waves, rapid glacial melting and glacial lake outburst floods.

Addressing the summit, PM Shehbaz asserted that COP29 should “make this understanding loud and clear that we will have to fulfil those financial pledges” committed at COP27 and COP28.

“And yet, I think, those huge financial commitments have to be materialised.”

The prime minister said the event was aimed at understanding the “calamities which, unfortunately, some of the countries have already faced and some will if we do not act”.

At COP27 in 2022, which was also attended by PM Shehbaz, countries had adopted a hard-fought final agreement to set up a “loss and damage fund” to help poor countries battered by climate disasters.

At COP28 last year, then-caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar had called for immediately executing the $100 billion in commitments for climate finance.

According to the UN, around $700 million have been pledged so far for the loss and damage fund, with France, Italy, Germany and the UAE being the biggest contributors.

At COP29 today, PM Shehbaz also spoke about the devastating monsoon floods of 2022, highlighting they had resulted in 1,700 deaths, massive displacement, destruction of houses and crops, and $30 billion loss to the country’s economy.

He called on the international community “to take measures which are so important at this point in time to have a conducive environment” to combat climate change.

The prime minister stressed that Pakistan was one of the countries that “hardly contribute” to global emissions, yet it was vulnerable to climate change and listed as one of the “10 countries which can, God forbid, face this kind of devastation again”.

“My memories are still fresh,” he said, recalling a meeting with flood affectees in Balochistan, including a boy named Ikramullah who had “lost everything”.

“His entire village was erased from the face of the earth, his home was completely demolished, and his school was also submerged. And we had arranged his education [in] another part of Pakistan,” he said.

PM Shehbaz stated he would not want “other countries to face the plight Pakistan faced back in 2022”.

Describing Pakistan as a “resilient, hard-working and responsible nation”, the premier affirmed his country was “fully committed to being part of the global climate solutions”.

Concluding his speech, the prime minister expressed the hope that under Azerbaijan’s leadership, COP29 can transform into a “finance COP by restoring confidence in the pledging process and scaling up climate finance”.

“I strongly feel that climate finance must be grant-based and not add to the debt burden of vulnerable developing countries,” he said, reiterating his remarks from yesterday on the sidelines of the summit.

“Two years ago, I warned, and I warned at the top of my voice, that the future would never forgive our inaction. Today, I echo the same warning with greater urgency,” PM Shehbaz asserted.

‘We shouldn’t brave impact of emissions by others’

Referring to the 2015 Paris Agreement, PM Shehbaz said: “Ten years ago in Paris, we had failed to stop the rise in emissions and catastrophic global warming, and those pledges in Paris 10 years ago, which were made have yet to see the light of the day.”

“As the minus-one emitters, we should not brave the impact of emissions realised by others without even the tools to finance resilience,” he emphasised.

“Without climate justice, there can be no real resilience,” the prime minister asserted.

The premier further said Pakistan would “go through a renewable energy revolution”, noting that the country last year presented a “comprehensive National Adaptation Plan”.

He continued: “This year, we have developed our National Carbon Market Framework. But we cannot do it alone. Pakistan needs international support to deliver on its climate ambitions.”

“My government has taken concrete actions to deliver on its commitment of producing 60 per cent of all energy from green sources and shifting 30pc of our vehicles to EVs (electric vehicles) by the end of this decade,” he told the summit.

PM Shehbaz stated that developing countries would need an estimated $6.2 trillion by 2030 to implement less than half of their current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“The same goes for adaption and loss and damage,” he added, recalling the efforts at COP27 led by then-climate change minister Sherry Rehman.

Early warning systems for all

Addressing the COP29 summit, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the utility of early warning systems for climate-induced disasters and extended his gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for launching the ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative.

“Today, the threat is not limited to floods, we are facing rising temperatures, more intense and frequent heatwaves, and erratic rainfall patterns,” Dar said. “Early warning systems for various climate-induced hazards including floods, glacial lake outbursts, droughts and extreme heat are essential for resilience, not just for Pakistan but for all vulnerable nations worldwide,” he added.

The deputy PM thanked the UN Secretary-General for the early warning initiative, which “aims to protect every person on earth with an early warning system by 2027”.

Dar added that the threat of extreme heat emphasises the necessity of multi-hazard early warning systems, which he said were “critical to saving lives and supporting sustainable development in the face of climate adversity”.

“Despite our limited resources, Pakistan is committed to climate action and has set very ambitious goals,” the deputy PM said. “Our pledge to reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions by 50pc by 2030 comprises a 15pc reduction through national efforts and an additional 35pc contingent on international support.”

Dar named the Green Pakistan Project, an “electric vehicle policy”, a large-scale project to rehabilitate mangroves and implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mass transit systems in Pakistan’s major cities.

“These efforts aim to fulfil our nationally determined contributions and to balance our global mitigation role with local adaptation needs,” Dar said. “However, we must acknowledge that national efforts alone are insufficient.”

The deputy PM highlighted that accessible climate finance is essential for Pakistan to meet these targets. “We urgently call on developed nations to honour their $100bn climate finance annual pledge and establish a new collective quantitative goal that reflects today’s needs with funding reaching the trillions,” he stated.

He added that this funding must be “accessible, grant-based and reflective of the historical responsibilities of industrialised nations”, adding that the burden “cannot rest solely on developing countries”.

“While Pakistan is ready to do its part, we look to the international community for support, particularly in accessing climate finance for early warning systems and climate resilience projects,” he said. “We need mechanisms that ensure easy, direct access to funds that can bolster national programmes rather than piloting isolated projects.”

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to “being part of the solution” to the shared climate crisis and stressed that through shared partnerships and support from global allies, “we can bridge the early warning gap, enhance resilience and build a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come”.

‘Debt cannot be new normal’

Speaking at a Pakistan-organised conference at COP29 yesterday, PM Shehbaz had said debt cannot become the “acceptable new normal” in climate financing.

He had explained that finan­c­ing in the form of loans pushes developing nations towards “mounting debt traps”, which he ref­erred to as “death traps”.

Speaking at Glaciers 2025: Actions for Glaciers, the prime minister had also linked humanity’s survival with the health of glaciers, saying Pakistan was ready to work with the world on the matter.

Participating world leaders and delegates pose for a group photo during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku on Nov 12, 2024. — AFP

PM Shehbaz also met with various world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including UAE President Sheikh Moha­m­med bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UK PM Sir Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as those from South and Central Asia.

Dozens of world leaders convened in Azerbaijan for COP29 but many big names skipped the UN climate talks where the impact of Donald Trump’s election victory was keenly felt.

US President Joe Biden, China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s PM Narendra Modi and France’s President Emmanuel Macron were among the G20 leaders missing the event.

Pakistan witnessed devastating floods during the 2022 monsoon season, induced by climate change, resulting in the loss of at least 1,700 lives.

With 33m people affected and swathes of agricultural land washed away, the damage incurred losses worth $30bn, according to government estimates.

In June 2024, a heat wave brought record-high temperatures, severely impacting public health and agriculture.




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India To Play Intra Squad Match At WACA Ahead Of Australia Tests, Public Not Allowed: Report - News18

  1. India To Play Intra Squad Match At WACA Ahead Of Australia Tests, Public Not Allowed: Report  News18
  2. Black veil of secrecy: India begin training in privacy in Perth  ESPNcricinfo
  3. 'No request' from BCCI but Australian media report claims India wanted...  The Times of India
  4. Of Coffee Date And Fam-Jam: Anushka Sharma And Virat Kohli's Perth Diaries  NDTV Movies
  5. Batting time: India begin preparations in lockdown mode  Hindustan Times






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Officers Carrying Out Illegal Demolitions Liable To Restore Properties At Personal Cost & Pay Damages:... - Live Law - Indian Legal News

  1. Officers Carrying Out Illegal Demolitions Liable To Restore Properties At Personal Cost & Pay Damages:...  Live Law - Indian Legal News
  2. How the Supreme Court clamped down on ‘bulldozer’ demolition drives | Explained  The Hindu
  3. Akhilsh Yadav`s `Parked In Garage` Jab At Yogi Govt After SC`s Bulldozer Verdict  Zee News
  4. SC parked bulldozer in garage forever: Akhilesh Yadav  Hindustan Times
  5. What's the message from Supreme Court's order on bulldozer action? Experts debate  India Today




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Evening brief: BJP asks Delhi govt to close schools amid rising AQI; IMA condemns attack on doctor in Chennai; and more - Hindustan Times

  1. Evening brief: BJP asks Delhi govt to close schools amid rising AQI; IMA condemns attack on doctor in Chennai; and more  Hindustan Times
  2. Smog Blanket Over North India, Air Quality Drops To "Severe" Level  NDTV
  3. BJP targets govt on pollution, AAP says don’t play politics  The Times of India
  4. Delhi overtakes Lahore to become world's most polluted city  The Economic Times
  5. City In Greyscale: Season’s First Fog, ‘Severe’ Air Day  The Times of India




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Particulate matter-induced epigenetic modifications and lung complications

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of early deaths worldwide, with particulate matter (PM) as an emerging factor contributing to this trend. PM is classified based on its physical size, which ranges from PM10 (diameter ≤10 μm) to PM2.5 (≤2.5 μm) and PM0.5 (≤0.5 μm). Smaller-sized PM can move freely through the air and readily infiltrate deep into the lungs, intensifying existing health issues and exacerbating complications. Lung complications are the most common issues arising from PM exposure due to the primary site of deposition in the respiratory system. Conditions such as asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and various lung infections are all susceptible to worsening due to PM exposure. PM can epigenetically modify specific target sites, further complicating its impact on these conditions. Understanding these epigenetic mechanisms holds promise for addressing these complications in cases of PM exposure. This involves studying the effect of PM on different gene expressions and regulation through epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNAs. Targeting and manipulating these epigenetic modifications and their mechanisms could be promising strategies for future treatments of lung complications. This review mainly focuses on different epigenetic modifications due to PM2.5 exposure in the various lung complications mentioned above.




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Predicting paediatric asthma exacerbations with machine learning: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

Asthma exacerbations in children pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and families. While traditional risk assessment tools exist, artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for enhanced prediction models.

Objective

This study aims to systematically evaluate and quantify the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting the risk of hospitalisation and emergency department (ED) admission for acute asthma exacerbations in children.

Methods

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The risk of bias and applicability for eligible studies was assessed according to the prediction model study risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST). The protocol of our systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.

Results

Our meta-analysis included seven articles encompassing a total of 17 ML-based prediction models. We found a pooled area under the curve (AUC) of 0.67 (95% CI 0.61–0.73; I2=99%; p<0.0001 for heterogeneity) for models predicting ED admission, indicating moderate accuracy. Notably, models predicting child hospitalisation demonstrated a higher pooled AUC of 0.79 (95% CI 0.76–0.82; I2=95%; p<0.0001 for heterogeneity), suggesting good discriminatory power.

Conclusion

This study provides the most comprehensive assessment of AI-based algorithms in predicting paediatric asthma exacerbations to date. While these models show promise and ML-based hospitalisation prediction models, in particular, demonstrate good accuracy, further external validation is needed before these models can be reliably implemented in real-life clinical practice.




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Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Lung cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is evidence that second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer in never-smokers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide the most accurate quantification of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers.

Materials and methods

Through the use of an innovative method to identify original publications, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, with corresponding meta-analysis, of all epidemiological studies evaluating the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk among never-smokers, published up to May 2023. Pooled relative risks were obtained using random-effects models. Dose–response relationships were derived using log-linear functions or cubic splines.

Results

Out of 126 identified eligible studies, 97 original articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk for lung cancer for overall exposure to SHS was 1.24 (95% CI 1.16–1.32, number of articles, n=82). Setting-specific relative risks were 1.20 (95% CI 1.12–1.28, n=67) for SHS exposure at home, 1.38 (95% CI 1.28–1.62, n=30) at a workplace, 1.37 (95% CI 1.22–1.53, n=28) at home or a workplace and 1.27 (95% CI 1.11–1.44, n=24) in nonspecified settings. The risk of lung cancer significantly increased with the duration, intensity and pack-years of SHS exposure.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that exposure to SHS increases by more than 20% the risk of lung cancer among never-smokers, providing definitive evidence of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk.




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The Thaumaturge Launches December 4 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Publisher 11 bit studios and developer Fool’s Theory announced the character-driven RPG, The Thaumaturge, will launch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on December 4.

The game first released for PC via SteamEpic Games Store, and GOG in March.

View the console date reveal trailer below:

Read details on the game below:

The Thaumaturge is a historically rich, character-driven RPG set in 1905 Warsaw.

The game follows Wiktor, a world-weary thaumaturge returning to his roots in Warsaw—a bustling city teeming with cultural diversity, serving as a vivid backdrop for his journey. Wiktor’s story unravels the secrets of his troubled past alongside those of Warsaw’s eclectic residents, representing every facet of the city’s society. Ultimately, he may even uncover the intrigues of Rasputin, a shadowy figure weaving influence at the highest levels of the Imperial Court and within the Tsarist forces occupying Poland.

With his thaumaturgic powers, Wiktor sees beyond the ordinary, manipulating others’ wills to achieve his ends and forming connections with mystical beings known as Salutors. While these entities offer distinct advantages in turn-based combat and detective-style investigations, each also brings a unique burden—whether Pride, Recklessness, or another flaw—which Wiktor must absorb, making their powers a double-edged sword.

Features:

  • Play an isometric RPG where your choices will shape the final outcome of the story.
  • Use your unique skills to influence and manipulate other characters to bend their will to your liking.
  • Tame the power of folklore-inspired demons called Salutors to gain an advantage when exploring the world and bringing adversaries to their knees.
  • Experience unique turn-based combat and defeat your foes using both physical attacks and the skills of your tamed Salutors.
  • Meet a rich gallery of characters from different parts of society on your journey and use your mystic abilities to discover their hidden secrets.
  • Explore the rarely portrayed historical period of early 20th-century Warsaw, where crime and luxury are often two sides of the same coin.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463052/the-thaumaturge-launches-december-4-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs/




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Your email didn’t expire; it’s just another sneaky scam

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated ways to lure unsuspecting victims, and some are impersonating an email help desk or support team.



  • f88fd9bf-db02-5f6e-b25a-7d783e037afc
  • fnc
  • Fox News
  • fox-news/tech
  • fox-news/tech/topics/security
  • fox-news/us/personal-freedoms/privacy
  • fox-news/tech/topics/cybercrime
  • fox-news/us
  • fox-news/us/crime
  • fox-news/tech/technologies/email
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  • article

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Archaeologists discover ancient ‘migration route’ likely followed by several human species

Further excavations may reveal how ancient human populations likely interacted with each other, researchers say




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Archaeologists make breakthrough on route of one of Britain’s longest Roman roads with ‘remarkable’ discovery

A well-preserved section of the 2,000-year-old road, known as Watling Street, was unearthed under Old Kent Road in Southwark




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Canada’s first human bird flu case: Teen in critical condition; dangers of H5N1 in kids and young - The Times of India

  1. Canada’s first human bird flu case: Teen in critical condition; dangers of H5N1 in kids and young  The Times of India
  2. Teenager in critical condition with Canada’s first human case of bird flu  The Guardian
  3. B.C. teen in critical condition in hospital with Canada’s 1st presumptive human case of bird flu  Global News Toronto
  4. Bird flu alert in Canada as teen tests positive; officials launch investigation  Business Insider India
  5. All you need to know about H5N1 avian influenza  CTV News
















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'Massive downsizing': Vivek Ramaswamy reveals how he will ensure government efficiency under Trump - The Times of India

  1. 'Massive downsizing': Vivek Ramaswamy reveals how he will ensure government efficiency under Trump  The Times of India
  2. DOGE days are coming for the US under Trump's two Musketeers  The Times of India
  3. Trump picks Musk, Ramaswamy to run new dept of govt efficiency  Hindustan Times
  4. When Vivek Ramaswamy was 18: School speech emerges as he readies for DOGE role  India Today
  5. Explained: How Musk's US Government Efficiency Panel Might Work  NDTV






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‘Mahavatar’: Vicky Kaushal looks fierce as Parashurama in Amar Kaushik’s next

Produced by Maddock Films, the action epic will release in theatres on Christmas, 2026 




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Actor Rupali Ganguly files ₹50 crore defamation suit against stepdaughter Esha Verma

Rupali Ganguly, known for the Hindi serial ‘Anupamaa’, has filed Rs 50 crore defamation suit against stepdaughter Esha Verma for “false and damaging statements”




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Shivarajkumar interview: On ‘Bhairathi Ranagal’, working nonstop and battling tough times

Kannada star Shivarajkumar opens up on playing a character with two shades in ‘Bhairathi Ranagal’, his upcoming films and ‘Fire Fly’, produced by his daughter Niveditha Shivarajkumar




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Shivarajkumar in talks to star in Vijay’s ‘Thalapathy 69’

Shivarajkumar, who will next be seen in ‘Bhairathi Ranagal’, said that the makers of Vijay’s ‘Thalapathy 69’ has approached him with an interesting character




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Unni Mukundan’s ‘Marco’ locks a release date

Directed by Haneef Adeni, ‘Marco’ is a spin-off of Unni’s character in the director’s 2019 film, ‘Mikhael’




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‘Vaa Vaathiyaar’ teaser: Karthi is a playful cop in Nalan Kumarasamy’s next

Also starring Krithi Shetty and Shilpa Manjunath among others, the film has music scored by Santhosh Narayanan




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Kanguva can be released on November 14, orders Madras High Court

Justices G. Jayachandran and C.V. Karthikeyan clear the decks after the producer deposits ₹6.41 crore on Wednesday




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Alison Hammond produces ‘TV gold’ with dramatic fall on Great British Bake Off

Noel Fielding called the moment ‘the best thing I’ve ever seen’




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Jason Sudeikis says Ted Lasso viewers who disliked season 3 ‘don’t have imaginations’

‘Some people want to judge—they don’t want to be curious,’ said Sudeikis in a new book about the hit show




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The Penguin achieves incredibly rare viewership and Rotten Tomatoes feat

The series has transcended expectations in a huge way




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Dick Van Dyke, 98, makes dark joke about Trump’s second term

Earlier this month, the ‘Marry Poppins’ star, 98, endorsed Kamala Harris while reciting a speech he once read alongside Martin Luther King Jr




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EMS proposes merger with Hypera to form Brazil's largest drugmaker

<p>On 21 October 2024, Brazilian pharmaceutical&nbsp;giant&nbsp;EMS proposed a partnership with competitor Hypera Pharma,&nbsp;setting&nbsp;a course&nbsp;to become&nbsp;Brazil’s&nbsp;largest drug manufacturer.</p>




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FDA approves fifth ustekinumab biosimilar Imuldosa

<p>On 10 October 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Accord’s Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), making it the fifth ustekinumab biosimilar referencing Janssen/Johnson &amp; Johnson’s Stelara.</p>




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John Krasinski named People magazine's 'sexiest man alive'

Actor and director John Krasinski was named People magazine's 'sexiest man alive', for 2024 on Wednesday (Nov 13), taking over the mantle from Grey's Anatomy actor Patrick Dempsey. "Just immediate blackout, actually. Zero thoughts," Krasinski told People in reaction to the news. The actor is perhaps best known for his sardonic nice guy role in the television comedy The Office. "Other than maybe I'm being punked. That's not how I wake up, thinking, 'Is this the day that I'll be asked to be Sexiest Man Alive?' And yet it was the day you guys did it. You guys have really raised the bar for me," he added. Krasinski, 45, said that out of all of the opportunities he's had as an actor, being a real-life family man is most rewarding. He prefers being a husband and father who happily lives in Brooklyn with his wife of 14 years, actress Emily Blunt, 41, and their daughters Hazel, 10, and Violet, 8. The actor was especially excited to tell Blunt the news, saying "there was a lot of joy involved in me telling her." However, he noted that the new title will change things very little around the house.




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SAF's training area in Australia now 5 times Singapore's size, marking a 'historic milestone': Heng Chee How

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia - The expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland has been completed after eight years of development. With the expanded training area now five times the size of Singapore, this means that the scale and complexity of overseas exercises involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can be increased in the future, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said on Wednesday (Nov 13). Heng was speaking to reporters after witnessing Singaporean and Australian soldiers being put through their paces during a simulated beach landing as part of Exercise Trident. He also flew on a CH-47F chinook to view the new facilities within the expanded SWBTA and interacted with SAF and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers who participated in the bilateral exercise. Jointly developed by Australia and Singapore since 2016, the expansion of the overall training area was set out in a treaty between the two countries in 2020. State-of-the-art facilities such as the combined arms air-land ranges and urban operations live-firing facilities have been included in the expansion.




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Man found dead in Toa Payoh flat: Neighbour thought foul smell was from wastewater

The body of a 52-year-old man was discovered in his Toa Payoh flat last Sunday (Nov 10), several days after his death. The police told AsiaOne they were alerted to the case at 11.15am on Sunday, where they pronounced the man dead at the scene. It is not known when he died.  The man, Bai Zongren (transliteration), had been living alone in his unit at Block 157 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 for several years after divorcing his wife, according to a neighbour who spoke to Shin Min Daily News. He also had a daughter, who moved out with his ex-wife after they split.  The neighbour, who did not want to be named, added that Bai would occasionally get visits from relatives. "His mother used to live on the fifth floor, but she died a few years ago."  The neighbour told Shin Min that she was unaware of Bai's death when she passed by his unit several days ago. As Bai's door was locked, she assumed the flat was empty.  When she passed by his unit again on Saturday, she detected a foul smell but thought that it was from wastewater. She said she only found out about his death when she saw the police at his door.




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Woman brandishes knife in clash with couple over rental deposit for Yishun condo

After their rental agreement with a sublessor fell through, a couple asked for their deposit to be returned. They waited three weeks to no avail and decided to visit the sublessor's home for discussions. But the negotiations turned physical, with the woman brandishing a knife at the couple after she was attacked. The incident occurred at about 7pm last Sunday (Nov 10) at a condominium in Yishun, reported Shin Min Daily News. Chen, 41, said he had seen an advertisement for the four-bedroom unit on Oct 13 and contacted the poster, who said she had rented the apartment from the original tenant. The woman told Chen she could sublet the unit to him and his wife if the homeowner was agreeable to it.  After viewing pictures and videos of the apartment, the man immediately made a PayNow transfer of $1,000 to the woman as deposit. The couple viewed the unit the next day, where both parties discussed the rental agreement in detail. A week later, however, the woman told them that she had not gotten the approval of the condo owner to sublet the apartment.