The original "Nezha" film, released in 2019, captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and memorable characters. It became a box office sensation, grossing over 700 million USD worldwide and solidifying its place as one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time in China. The film's success was not only limited to the domestic market but also resonated with audiences around the world, sparking a renewed interest in Chinese animation on the global stage.BLOUNTVILLE— During last week’s voting meeting, the Sullivan County Commission passed a resolution allowing early retirement for police officers and correctional officers through a bridge program. The commission also passed a resolution that opposes the establishment of an overlay district on the South Fork of the Holston River. Bridge program Police officers, firefighters and correctional officers that are between ages 55 and 62 can retire early under the bridge program if they have put in at least 25 years of service. “The bridge program is something that all the federal programs have in law enforcement and traffic,” said Mark Ireson, commissioner and sponsor of the resolution.“I’m actually retired on the Bridge program. It’s a program that helps to cover living expenses and allows you to use your retirement funding the day you retire at age 55 and it goes to 62 until you’re eligible for Social Security.” Mark Ireson Ireson said EMS and EMA officials are currently not eligible for the program. He said he consulted with Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy and county financial staff before pursuing the resolution. “I asked the sheriff, ‘Is this something you guys are interested in?’ And he said, ‘Yes, absolutely,’” Ireson said. The program is expected to benefit 35 employees, with 29 of them retiring within six years. There are six people in the county who will not hit the 25 years of service mark and won’t be able to retire. “Of the six people, four of those were retirees from other departments or other jobs who came in to do extra work here at the sheriff’s office,” Ireson said. “There are two that will not be able to retire by age 60, and that’s gonna be an issue, but the sheriff said he he will work with them to figure something out.” Ireson said meetings are to be held with county employees and representatives from the program, so they are informed on how they may be affected. Sheriff Cassidy who spoke during the meeting, said the program will benefit a lot of his employees who are getting close to the age of retirement. “My heart is for these employees,” Cassidy said. “This job is very demanding, very stressful, away from your family a whole lot more than you need to be. This program is a life changer for those who are eligible.” Sergeant Phil White, one of the officers set to retire soon also spoke. “This program will be a big boost to me. I’ve been here for almost 29 years,” White said. “It’s a young man’s game. It’s not for me anymore, but I still do my job on a daily basis as best I can.” Ireson noted that reaction times decline around age 56, which is another reason the bridge program can make operations safer, especially in police departments. Opposition to river overlay district In another resolution, the commission expressed complete opposition to a proposed overlay district on the South Fork of the Holston River. Sponsored by Commissioner Joe Carr, the resolution voiced concerns about the potential impact on property rights, farming and the possibility of eminent domain use for zoning projects. “Many residents are deeply concerned about the prospect of a river overlay district being imposed on them, which would be a detriment to both landowners and our farmers,” the resolution stated. During public comment, multiple residents urged the commission to approve the resolution, citing flaws in a recent recreational study that could be used to justify an overlay district in the future. Melinda Morell pointed out discrepancies in survey data. “This study explains that the survey data was a critical component, yet the survey results in previous versions were wrong and only corrected after documented evidence was provided,” Morell said. Morell said the survey only had about 0.2% of Sullivan County represented and of those respondents, 9% did not live in the county. “The second survey that was provided, 55 pieces of information were sent out, but yet there’s 8,004 parcels. That’s less than 0.7% of impacted individuals,” Morell said. Morell said she and others asked the zoning and planning commission to include those statistics and numbers from the surveys in their reports to give context for future commissions. Jaquita Hickman asked the commission to consider how an overlay district could impact the property taxes of the land. “Most people on that river have private property farms,” Hickman said. “We have large farms, and what I am concerned about is the restrictions that will be given to our ancestors because I want my children and my grandchildren to be able to have our legacy so that they can have a future in Sullivan County as well.”
The employee, whose identity remains undisclosed, sent an email to their direct supervisor expressing their dissatisfaction with their current salary and outlining their reasons for requesting a raise. The email, which included details of the employee's current compensation package and comparisons to industry standards, was promptly flagged by the company's HR department for violating the strict salary confidentiality policy that prohibits employees from discussing their compensation with others.Cleveland Browns
As the case of He Miao unfolds, it underscores the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and integrity in the banking industry. Financial institutions play a critical role in safeguarding the nation's economic stability and must be led by individuals of unquestionable character and moral integrity. The swift action taken against He Miao should serve as a reminder to all banking officials that they are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in serving the public interest.
The sudden collapse of the Assad regime in just 12 days has sent shockwaves through the international community, leaving many wondering how such a seemingly entrenched power could crumble so swiftly. The demise of the Assad regime was not a result of a single cause, but rather a complex interplay of internal and external factors that converged to bring about its downfall.Burt, the huge crocodile that rose to fame with a cameo in the movie “Crocodile Dundee” and continued to impress visitors with his fiery temper and commanding presence, has died. Burt died over the weekend, the Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia , said. He was at least 90 years old. “Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor — an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote in social media posts. “He wasn’t just a crocodile, he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years,” the aquarium wrote. A saltwater crocodile , Burt was estimated to be more than 5 meters (16 feet) long. He was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and became one of the most well-known crocodiles in the world, according to Crocosaurus Cove. The 1986 movie stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile before being saved by Dundee. Burt is briefly shown lunging out of the water. But the creature shown in more detail as Dundee saves the day is apparently something else. The Internet Movie Database says the movie goofed by depicting an American alligator, which has a blunter snout. The Australian aquarium where Burt had lived since 2008 features a “Cage of Death” which it says is the nation's only crocodile dive. It said it planned to honor Burt's legacy with a commemorative sign “celebrating his extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park.”Title: Traders Stockpiling Bonds to Grab Long-Term Debt in Response to Low Rates, Bullish Bond Market Expected to Continue
China's Foreign Trade Expected to End the Year SteadilyIn conclusion, the late-night surge in Chinese assets that led to multiple market indexes hitting record highs was a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the financial markets. While the rally unleashed a wave of optimism and excitement, it also underscored the need for caution and risk management in the face of uncertainty. As investors navigate the evolving landscape of global markets, staying informed and adaptive will be key to maximizing opportunities and mitigating risks in the pursuit of long-term financial success.Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 am
Ultimately, a decision was reached to establish a designated feeding area for the Four-Legged Stranger on the outskirts of the village, where it could safely access food without posing a threat to residents. Additionally, efforts were made to monitor the creature's movements and behavior, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of its presence within the village.Hyde10: Tua’s overtime drive, Sanders’ big kicks, Hill’s bigger role — 10 thoughts on Dolphins’ win vs. Jets
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. ___ Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. ___ Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Josef Federman, Kareem Chehayeb And Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press
Despite the challenges that Real Madrid and Manchester City face in the upcoming winter transfer window, both clubs have the resources and allure to attract top talent from La Liga and beyond. With strategic planning, effective negotiation tactics, and a clear vision for the future, it is possible for these clubs to overcome the obstacles and make successful signings that will strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season.Kumbh: Kashi to Jhunsi double railway track boon for devotees
Minnesota firearms deer harvest remains above 2023 after third weekend, DNR says
Manchester United Consider Selling Rashford Due to His High Wages
Critics of Trump's position argue that mass deportations would be inhumane and impractical, pointing to the complexities of uprooting millions of people who have built lives and families in the United States. They argue that a more compassionate and comprehensive approach to immigration reform is needed, one that takes into account the individual circumstances of undocumented immigrants and provides a pathway to legal status.The fallout from this incident has been swift and severe. The South Korean military has launched an investigation into the training exercise and has promised to take action against those responsible for the embarrassing display. Calls for accountability and reforms within the 707 Special Forces unit have grown louder, with many demanding a complete overhaul of the unit's training and leadership.In a significant blow to Shakhtar Donetsk, star midfielder Marcos Antonio will be sidelined for several months due to injury. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the head coach of Shakhtar, confirmed the news in a press conference ahead of their Champions League clash against Barcelona. The absence of Antonio will be a big loss for the team, as he has been a key player in their midfield this season.
Title: Cao Cao's Use of a Gatling Gun AI Modification: Where is the Boundary and Does it Infringe on Copyright?By DIDI TANG The Associated Press — The economic and technological rivalry between the United States and China has come to the drone market , where Chinese-made flying devices are a dominant player. Lawmakers in Washington are seeking to ban new sales of drones from two dominant Chinese manufacturers, arguing they could be used to spy on Americans and that the low-cost models are hurting the U.S. drone industry. A defense bill that passed Congress last week would bar new Chinese drones from DJI Technology and Autel Robotics should a review find them to pose an “unacceptable” risk to U.S. national security. But American users, from police officers to farmers, mappers and filmmakers, have come to rely on Chinese-made drones, especially those by DJI. Here are things to know about the debate. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be U.N. ambassador, has led House efforts to ban new Chinese drones, saying Americans have become too dependent on them. “It is strategically irresponsible to allow Communist China to be our drone factory,” she argued. It was the role of drones in everyday life that drove Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to get Congress to restrict the purchase of Chinese drones by federal agencies. Those restrictions were included in a bill that Democratic President Joe Biden signed last year. Scott has compared Chinese drones to spy balloons that could “gather data or carry harmful payloads” across America, posing risks to military bases, critical infrastructure and natural resources. DJI, named in the bill, is the best-known Chinese drone brand. The company has the lion’s share of the global drone market and is a dominant player in the U.S. market. Its drones have been used by first responders to locate disaster victims, mappers to survey roads and utility lines, mosquito control officers to reach swarms of larvae, and filmmakers to capture aerial footage. Founded in 2006 and based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, DJI makes devices that are known for their affordability and high performance. They are even used on the battlefield in Ukraine by both sides, even though DJI does not make military drones. As U.S.-China relations soured, DJI drones have come under scrutiny. The U.S. government has put the company on several blacklists citing human rights concerns as well as alleged links to the Chinese military. DJI has denied any wrongdoing, and is suing the Pentagon over the designation that it is a Chinese military company. U.S. customs officials have also blocked some DJI shipments over concerns that the products might have been made with forced labor. DJI has called it “a customs-related misunderstanding.” DJI has also expressed concern about the review of Chinese drones included in the defense bill., saying it doesn’t allow the company to defend itself. It called for “a fair right of reply to any findings.” At the Interior Department, the ban on foreign-made drones has resulted in a “loss of opportunities to collect data on landscape, natural and cultural resources, wildlife and infrastructure,” according to a September report by the Government Accountability Office. Michael Robbins, president and chief executive officer of AUVSI, an advocacy group for unmanned vehicles such as drones, argues against an immediate ban. Instead, the group has urged the government to support the domestic drone-making industry through investment so it can catch up with its Chinese competitors in both capability and cost. Related Articles Business | Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings Business | Lancaster man used drone to deliver fentanyl, other drugs — one user died, prosecutors say
