No. 18 Mississippi 89, Alabama St. 24Public Education Foundation Launches CCSD Alumni of the Year Award by Honoring Bo Bernhard, PhD and Alex Bybee at the Golden Apple Gala

As the 2024 showbiz calendar winds up, we are taking stock of each genre today. These include music, visual arts (painting, sculpture, and photography), film and television, theatre, fashion, literary arts, and spoken word. This annual stock-take is critical to establish which artists excelled and those who need to up their game in 2025. With the demand for Zimbabwean art collections rising overseas, we certainly need to elevate our standards if we are to maintain the dominance shown in other genres, especially visual arts. The same dominance should also be exhibited on home turf. Without fear or favour, research has shown that the young “Turks” of showbiz, especially in music, excelled beyond expectations. Music, which commands a huge following, was dominated by youthful musicians who showed consistency throughout the year. Killer T’s track “Kana Ndanyura” can easily pass as the song of the year. It remains a hit at parties, weddings, clubs, and even in some church gatherings like picnics. He represented the Zimdancehall genre with pride and aplomb. Consistent Zimdancehall chanter, Sylvester “Freeman” Chizanga, had a successful season, which saw him holding a fully attended HKD Music Festival at Alex Sports Club in Harare. Master H was the best find of 2024, as the youngster has been performing well. Master H He participated in major festivals including the Castle Tankard, OK Grand Challenge, and Chibuku Road to Fame after-party, among other events. His work ethic has made him a favourite of many. There was also Nisha Ts, who did well for the greater part of the year. Born Anisha Tashinga Shonhiwa and raised in Chegutu, she defied the odds of a poor background that could have hindered her progress. She advanced on merit, which is why she remains a favourite among many. Her benefactor, Tinashe Mutarisi, has also helped her realize her potential in this particular genre. She has managed to put the sponsorship to good use, much to the delight of her fans. With sound management, she is destined for the stars. In Zim Hip Hop, it’s hard to ignore the impact of Holy, Saintfloew, Voltz JT, and Bagga, among other rappers. They left their mark each time on stage whether controversial or not but the good thing is that, it is expected in the genre. In gospel world , the old guard in the genre, led by Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Shuvai Wutawunashe, Pastor Charles Charamba, and his wife Olivia, Carol Mujokoro, Pastor Bonnie Deuschle and Prince Mafukidze among others shocked many as they bounced back on stage as they did their best to revive the genre at the Gospel Legends Night held at the Harare International Conference Centre early this month. Hosted by United Kingdom based Zimbabwean award winning songstress Eleana Makombe, the inaugural event was a success and it was applauded by many locals for such initiative. Eleana and John Makombe The new crop of gospel musicians, including Minister Michael Mahendere, Janet Manyowa, Ellard, Sharon Cherayi, Elenaa Makombe, and Everton Mlalazi, had a successful year. However, the script was not the same for both seasoned and upcoming sungura musicians. There was nothing to write home about this year, as the majority pursuing sungura failed to produce hits. It appears that they need to recharge their waning vocal batteries. Of course, sungura has stood the test of time, but artists in this genre can do better. Major successes were recorded by visual artists who had a year to remember. Many of these artists toured the world and showcased the unique essence of Zimbabwean art on a global scale. Visual art, which encompasses various mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, installation, and digital arts, is a significant industry internationally. The sad reality is that locals are yet to embrace it despite its impact overseas. A change of mindset is needed to ensure that local entrepreneurs, corporates, and individuals buy our art first. With most visual artists relying on international buyers, credit goes to arts regulatory chiefs, curators, and artists working closely with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Victoria Falls. NGZ executive director Raphael Chikukwa has done his best to promote this art form. Besides the NGZ headquarters in Harare, other galleries like Dzimbahwe Arts and Cultural Heritage Hub, Nhaka Art Gallery, Mbare Art Space, Chapungu Sculpture Village, and the Swiss-Zim Heritage Gallery in Domboshava have been churning out top creatives. Individuals like Dominic Benhura and David Ngwerume also need no introduction. Zimbabwe’s participation at the 60th International Exhibition of Biennale in Italy was good news to the sector. Often referred to as the “World Cup of Arts,” this prestigious event featured Zimbabwean artists such as Moffat Takadiwa, Gillian Rosselli, Victor Nyakauru, Sekai Machache, Troy Makaza, and Kombo Chapfika. Their participation exemplifies Zimbabwe’s growing presence on the international art stage. Moffat Takadiwa The legacy of Zimbabwean artists at the Venice Biennale includes luminaries like Portia Zvavahera, Virginia Chihota, Misheck Masamvu, Calvin Dondo, and many others. Their ability to captivate audiences both at home and abroad highlights the country’s rich artistic heritage and the potential for future growth in the global art market. The continued efforts to promote local art appreciation will be crucial in ensuring that Zimbabwean artists receive the recognition and support they deserve. In theatre, credit goes to Daves Guzha, Peter Churu, Jasen Mphepo, and Malawi-based producer and director Stanley Mambo, who is doing well at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe. Daniel Maposa and Silvanos Mudzvova are some of the top acts who have ensured that theatre maintains its dominance. The same can be said of United Kingdom theatre practitioners who are still in touch with fellow directors in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, Guzha, Churu, and Mphepo have been holding shows in Harare venues like Theatre in the Park, Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, and Reps Theatre. Mudzvova and Maposa have been conducting a series of workshops to equip creatives in this genre. Their efforts were meant to ensure that creatives monetise their work and embrace technology, especially the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Stand-up comedians including Doc Vikela, King Kandoro (real name Mukudzei Kandoro Majoni), Nigel “Tha Sleek Pasto” Maritinyu, and Admire “Bhutisi” Kuzhangaira have also shown their potential despite challenges such as a shortage of venues. Like theatre, comedy relies on a live audience and a serene environment where creatives can easily express themselves. In fashion, we have seen the potential that the sector has, although it needs funding, proper regulation, and unity. This was the case when the Fashion Council of Zimbabwe (FCoZ) issued a statement distancing themselves from the organisation and management of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2024, which did not live up to expectations. The Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2024 was marred by chaos, with FCoZ’s name being dragged into the mess. FCoZ set the record straight and pledged their commitment towards fostering a vibrant and inclusive fashion industry. Zimbabwean fashion designers have continued to show both locally and internationally, and it takes sacrifices from organizations like FCoZ to regulate the sector. Some fashion enthusiasts also expressed their disappointment in the manner the industry is being run. The refreshing news from the sector was Sakhile Dube’s national dress, designed by Ivhu Tribe Brand, named “The Soaring Eagle,” which she donned at the Miss Universe finals held in Mexico recently The world now knows Zimbabwe’s capacity in this sector, where we have plenty of talented fashion designers. In modelling, Zimbabwe was well represented by Sakhile at Miss Universe, made it into the top 30. Although she missed out on the crown, she performed admirably at the global contest. Sakhile is not the only one who managed to raise the country flag high, there was also model Amanda Peresu-Moyo who won the Miss Intercontinental Africa title at a pageant held at the Sunrise Remal Resort in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Amanda, was in the top five, following the success of Tendai Hunda, who won the same title in 2015. After finishing in the top eight last year at Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Amanda expressed joy over her new crown. On to the dance floor, dancer Victoria Kjær Theilvig (21) of Denmark won the 2024 edition, becoming the first Dane ever to land the crown. People’s favorite and Nigerian beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina was voted first runner-up, and the second runner-up is Mexico’s Maria Fernanda Beltran. The top five finalists at the beauty pageant included Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri and Venezuela’s Ileana Marquez. In film and television, Zimbabwe has shown a lot of potential despite the lack of funding crippling the sector. However, the recent launch of the five-year blueprint strategy for Film and Television by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), in conjunction with the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, has brought relief to the sector. A billion-dollar industry globally, Zimbabwe, which boasts some of the best brains in the sector including Stephen Chigorimbo, Aaron Chiundura Moyo, and Nakai Tsuro, can thrive with proper funding. The birth of new awards for this sector, like the Zimbabwe Annual Film and Television Awards (ZAFTAs), which cultural ambassadors like Tongayi Chirisa, Danai Gurira, and Chipo Chung support, is great news for the sector. Zimbabwe can also benefit from utilising the expertise of filmmakers like Joe Njagu, Eddie Sandifolo, and Charlene Furusa, who are dedicated to the sector. The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) roundtable held at Mbare Art Space from October 10-13 was also a game-changer for the sector. In literary arts, the sector has been lamenting the decline of the reading culture. However, some literary arts gurus reckon there is not enough reading material in certain communities, which should be made available first. On a sad note, 2024 was the year we lost historian Phathisa Nyathi after a long illness at the age of 73. Many are still reeling from the loss of the popular arts practitioner, famed for his research as a preservationist and his writing style. In summary, a collective mindset shift is vital for the arts sector to thrive and create more opportunities. ELECTIONS by their nature and at any level of society, are a delicate process often characterised by controversy, mudslinging, contestations and a lot of jockeying. Elections are emotional, too. The intensity of those characteristics also varies with the kind of interest, which the elections in question, would have generated and the players involved in those [...] Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub LED by three centurions, Zimbabwe broke records on Day Two of the historic Boxing Day Test against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The Chevrons began Day Two on 363/4 and ended their innings on a mammoth 586 runs from 135.2 overs. The 586 runs scored over the five [...] Nqobile Tshili, Bulawayo Bureau VICTORIA Mudyanembwa, a brilliant young student from the rural heartland of Lukosi in Hwange District, who just earned a first class honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe in Pharmaceutical Chemistry as the top student in her year, is now moving to Oxford University for a post-graduate degree on the prestigious [...]

Spurgeon scores in OT to give Wild 3-2 win over Predators

NEW YORK (AP) — The huge rally for U.S. stocks lost momentum on Thursday as Wall Street counted down to a big jobs report that’s coming on Friday. The crypto market had more action, and bitcoin briefly burst to a record above $103,000 before pulling back. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from the all-time high it had set the day before, its 56th of the year so far, to shave a bit off what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 248 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2% from its own record set the day before. Bitcoin powered above $100,000 for the first time the night before, after President-elect Donald Trump chose Paul Atkins, who's seen as a crypto advocate, as his nominee to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. The cryptocurrency has climbed dramatically from less than $70,000 on Election Day, but it fell back as Thursday progressed toward $99,000, according to CoinDesk. Sharp swings for bitcoin are nothing new, and they took stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto world on a similar ride. After rising as much as 9% in early trading, MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash just to buy bitcoin, swung to a loss of 4.8%. Crypto exchange Coinbase Global fell 3.1% after likewise erasing a big early gain. Elsewhere on Wall Street, stocks of airlines helped lead the way following the latest bumps up to financial forecasts from carriers. American Airlines Group soared 16.8% after saying it’s making more in revenue during the last three months of 2024 than it expected, and it will likely make a bigger profit than it had earlier forecast. The airline also chose Citi to be its exclusive partner for credit cards that give miles in its loyalty program. That should help its cash coming in from co-branded credit card and other partners grow by about 10% annually. Southwest Airlines climbed 2% after saying it’s seeing stronger demand from leisure travelers than it expected. It also raised its forecast for revenue for the holiday traveling season. On the losing end of Wall Street was Synposys, which tumbled 12.4%. The supplier for the semiconductor industry reported better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it also warned of “continued macro uncertainties” and gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell short of some analysts’ estimates. American Eagle Outfitters fell even more, 14.3%, after the retailer said it’s preparing for “potential choppiness” outside of peak selling periods. It was reminiscent of a warning from Foot Locker earlier in the week and raised more concerns about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Solid spending by U.S. consumers has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A report on Thursday said the number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remains at historically healthy levels. Expectations are high that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.17% from 4.18% late Wednesday. The S&P 500 fell 11.38 points to 6,075.11. The Dow sank 248.33 to 44,765.71, and the Nasdaq composite lost 34.86 to 19,700.26. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mostly calm in Europe after far-right and left-wing lawmakers in France joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion that will force Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. The CAC 40 index in Paris added 0.4%. In South Korea, the Kospi fell 0.9% to compound its 1.4% decline from the day before. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. Crude oil prices slipped after eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries decided to put off increasing oil production. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.

NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025 . SO WHAT: If you purchased ASP Isotopes securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ASP Isotopes overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) ASP Isotopes overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; (3) ASP Isotopes overstated the Company’s nuclear fuels operating segment results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about the ASP Isotope’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com

Tragedy struck time and again in Hyderabad this year, leaving a lasting mark on the lives of the residents. The city witnessed an unmatched wave of accidents, incidents, and sudden deaths, exposing the vulnerabilities of its infrastructure, emergency services, and social fabric. As the year drew to a close, the true extent of the devastation began to come up, revealing a trail of loss and heartbreak that would leave even the most hardened souls shaken. A staggering 324 lives were lost in the city this year due to various accidents and incidents, including seven women and 39 newborn babies. The alarming statistics were revealed in the annual performance report by the Edhi Foundation Hyderabad, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures and emergency services in the city. According to the report presented by the zonal in-charge of Edhi Foundation Hyderabad, Muhammad Meraj Qureshi, the bodies of 96 people including seven women who died in various traffic accidents on the Indus Highway, Super Highway and National Highway were transported to hospitals by Edhi ambulances while 309 injured people were also carried to hospitals. Different canals of the city and surrounding yielded 23 bodies, while five people who were killed in different areas of the city were also taken to hospitals in Edhi ambulances. Moreover, nine suicide incidents took place in the city. Edhi home Karachi welcomed 50 abandoned people and a newborn baby from different areas of Hyderabad. The report further revealed that 139 people who were medically dying in different areas of the city were rescued while the bodies of 39 newborn babies were buried in the local graveyard by the Edhi workers. Additionally, 13 people died after being hit by high-speed trains. Free Edhi ambulance service was provided to 1,478 people so far, while, 15,581 patients were shifted from homes to hospitals and vice versa on a daily basis. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

Government secrecy protects sources and methods. And liars and errors. And obsolete military procurement contracts that are too politically important to challenge or change. That may be the story behind government secrecy about UFOs, more recently called Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, or UAPs. On Nov. 13, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, chaired a hearing by two House Oversight subcommittees on UAPs, seeking to determine whether information about them has been withheld from Congress and the American people. One of the witnesses was journalist Michael Shellenberger. He recently revealed in a report for his online news site Public that the U.S. government has an “Unacknowledged Special Access Program” about UAPs. It’s called “Immaculate Constellation,” and it has collected high-resolution images, sensor data and first-hand reports about UAPs for decades without any authorization from Congress, without even informing Congress of the existence of the program. Shellenberger obtained an 11-page report on Immaculate Constellation from a whistleblower and turned it over to Mace and the House Oversight subcommittees. Mace made the report available to the public on her congressional website. “This document is the result of a multi-year, internal investigation into the subjects of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), Technologies of Unknown Origin (TUO), and Non-Human Intelligence (NHI),” the report begins. It’s wild reading. According to the report, the U.S. government possesses full-motion video and forward-looking infrared imagery of a formation of a dozen “metallic orbs,” 3-6 meters in diameter, “skimming the ocean surface at high speed before dispersing in multiple directions.” Their maneuvering was “rapid and agile” and in the infrared footage they were “white-hot against the black-cold ocean.” Then there was a report of a “small-medium oval UAP” flying fast and low over a “sensitive coastal facility.” And there was another report of a “large equilateral-triangle UAP” that was “hovering and slowly rotating” directly over a grouping of ships that were engaged in intelligence collection in the Pacific Ocean. A report in the government’s files described a saucer-shaped UAP that ducked in and out of the clouds as if it “had become aware that it was under observation.” Another report told of a “boomerang UAP” that was observed “rapidly decelerating to a stationary hover, followed by the sudden emission of a sphere of light from the junction of the two ‘wings’ which expands to partially engulf the craft in a rotating sphere of light, at which point the available footage ends.” In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence reviewed reports of UAPs and concluded that some of the flying objects appeared to have technological capabilities that the U.S. and its adversaries couldn’t match. Congress has been pressing the executive branch for more information. In March, the Department of Defense released a report stating that in decades of investigations, no evidence had been found that these UAPs were extraterrestrial spacecraft piloted by non-human intelligence from another planet. But what are they and why are they here? Former Department of Defense official Luis Elizondo testified at the November hearing that the government has a secret program to retrieve the wreckage of crashed UAPs and reverse engineer them. “Advanced technologies not made by our government, or any other government, are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe,” Elizondo testified. Last December, swarms of mystery drones buzzed Langley Air Force Base for 17 days, raising significant concerns. A Langley spokesman told the publication The War Zone that the “uncrewed aerial systems” didn’t “exhibit hostile intent, but anything flying in our restricted airspace can pose a threat to flight safety.” U.S. F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets are based at Langley, where they are part of the nation’s defense forces protecting Washington, D.C. In March, the Senate Armed Services Committee heard testimony from U.S. Air Force General Gregory Guillot, who had recently become the head of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORTHCOM and NORAD. Guillot told the committee that drone incursions over the U.S. southern border numbered “in the thousands,” describing it as “alarming.” Since at least 2017, military experts have been warning of the danger presented by swarms of unmanned drones armed with surveillance equipment or weapons. “Imagine a world where somebody flies a couple hundred of those and flies one down the intake of my F-22s with just a small weapon on it,” General James Holmes said in a speech to the Air Force Association. The War Zone noted that the greater danger might be to fighter jets sitting “idle and vulnerable on the flight line.” One swarm of armed drones could destroy “a whole squadron of tightly packed fighters” without any chance to fight back. Non-hypothetical drone warfare is happening right now in the Russia-Ukraine war, and separately, a Pentagon spokesman acknowledged a series of drone incursions over U.S. air bases in England over the last 10 days. That raises a question: What has the Pentagon been doing all this time while the threat of inexpensive weaponized drones was developing? Is it possible that U.S. presidents, defense contractors, intelligence agencies and Pentagon officials intentionally hid from Congress and the public, for decades, all evidence that military drones were gradually becoming a reality, in order to protect existing defense procurement contracts that otherwise might have been questioned or rejected? To carry out a plan like that, multiple U.S. administrations would have to impose strict secrecy on every report of an unidentified flying object, then refuse to declassify the reports, or release them only with heavy redactions. In addition, the people making the reports would have to be ridiculed and marginalized to the point where they question their own sanity, making others afraid to report what they themselves have seen. If that sounds like a description of exactly what has happened, we may finally have solved the unsolved mystery of Unidentified Flying Objects. Sorry. I was rooting for it to be space aliens, too. Write Susan@susanShelley.com and follow her on X @Susan_Shelley

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:39 p.m. ESTTrump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. Trump's request Friday came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The brief said Trump opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.