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Nebraska plans not to get caught sleeping vs. South DakotaStrolling down Ginza Maroni-dori, you might be forgiven for thinking that The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, with its sleek glass facade, is one of the area’s fancy boutiques. But white curtains rather than shop displays suggest something else; likewise, luscious, landscaped walls that mirror the greenery of the tree-lined avenue. This picturesque entrance is a fine first impression to the 14-storey hotel designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Officially opened in December 2023, it is the second Edition property in the bustling metropolis – a big deal considering that New York is the only other place in the world with two Edition hotels in one city. The Tokyo Edition, Tonamoron, also designed by Kuma, opened in September 2020. “Opening two Edition hotels in the same city was a well thought-out process, to provide two distinct experiences tailored to different types of guests. While both are exceptional, The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon is renowned for its nightlife and vibrant energy, whereas The Tokyo Edition, Ginza caters to those seeking a calmer stay and focus on shopping,” said Fabio Testa, the general manager of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. Tokyo has many sides and the two hotels reflect that. The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon, which has 206 guestrooms and suites, is perched in the top levels of the Kamiyacho Trust Tower and offers panoramic views. With only 86 guestrooms and a lobby directly leading into the street, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is a lot more intimate. Testa explained that Kuma was the choice architect for both hotels for his deep understanding of Japanese aesthetics, which was crucial in creating an Edition-style hotel aligning with local culture. “Additionally, he has the ability to craft original spaces that are bold, yet refined and modest. This unique balance resonates with Edition’s ethos, as well as the cultural essence of Japan,” Testa elaborated. I entered the hotel through double doors helmed by attentive doormen, leaving the consistent patter of shoppers behind. The double-volume lobby, furnished like a sophisticated home, is washed with soft light through ivory curtains. The cosy environment is accented by something else unseen – Le Labo’s Black Tea fragrance, used in all Edition hotels. It brings up the memory of staying in my very first Edition hotel nine years ago, which was The New York Edition along Madison Avenue. Scent as a way of branding is powerful indeed, I thought, as I felt an immediate affinity with the hotel brand. “Guests frequently comment on the distinctive Edition Le Labo fragrance, nothing that they can catch its scent even from outside the hotel,” agreed Testa. The recollection includes The New York Edition’s iconic spiral staircase. Here in The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, the lobby’s staircase is also graphic and sculptural, but a zigzag metal version with sharp angles. Its gleaming whiteness is matched with comfortable, white lobby furniture that includes a curvaceous sofa and twin Saint-Germain armchairs from Liaigre – all posh and pretty against walnut timber veneer walls. Facing the entrance, a glossy bar with gilt elements welcomes guests ‘home’ with cocktails and coffee from Tokyo’s beloved Little Nap Coffee Roasters. “Ginza is now lined with foreign brand stores but in the past, most of the stores were family owned and had been around for a long time; these developed and supported the town. Ginza is the most famous, and perhaps, exclusive shopping area in Japan but it is also a unique district with an intimate and warm atmosphere. I wanted to convey this history and mood of Ginza in the hotel,” said Kuma via email. He wanted to recreate the feeling of walking into the living room of a house directly from the street, hence the distinctively residential feel. The architect, who founded Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKHA) in 1990, is renowned for his creative use of materials, as well as mastery of detail that give human scale to his photogenic, landmark building designs. These include the Japan National Stadium and Nezu Museum. Here, he wrapped the facade of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza in a wave of metal strips akin to a chequered menswear pattern. The lobby is a more subtle variety of the ‘social lobby’ – a gathering space for guests and city dwellers – conceptualised by Ian Schrager when he opened Morgans Hotel New York, sparking the boutique hotel trend. When he founded the Edition brand together with Marriott International in 2013, this idea continued, together with an upscale party vibe leftover from his stagey Studio 54 nightclub days. In The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, the theatrical buzz comes in the form of a neon fuchsia light wall at the lift lobby. It is fun, unexpected and according to Tomoko Matsumoto, director of marketing communications and public relations for both Edition hotels in Tokyo, a very popular Instagram magnet. The lobby’s white theme continues to the guestroom corridors, which are lined with plush white carpeting – foolhardy by any hotelier but definitely luxurious for guests. Kuma highlighted that his design scheme paid extra attention to the fabrics used in the hotel. In the 86 pared-back guestrooms, which include 10 suites, soft carpets layer upon walnut timber floors. The warm surface continues up the walls, giving the rooms a somewhat mid-century modern feel. In the bathrooms, a block of green timber for the vanity counter lends colour and a dash of understated luxe to the scheme. Japanese photographer Takay’s black-and-white photographs, timber furniture and minimal lighting fixtures decorate contribute to the restful atmosphere. The amenities are also very considered; belted yukata robes, cast-iron teapots and curated local snacks reflect Japan’s strong craft culture. Toiletries are Le Labo, of course. What I also love are the expansive windows that let one peek down at the streetscape below and see Ginza from another perspective. The room sizes are generous by Tokyo standards, starting with 41 sq m for the entry-level deluxe rooms. Premier rooms come with timber-lined alcove seating, while the largest is The Penthouse, with living and dining areas as well as a kitchen catering to parties. For lunch, I headed to Sophie on the 14th storey. The modern, brightly lit brassiere is dressed in refreshing chartreuse and moss shades. The dishes were equally light and fresh. A three-course set meal of Hokkaido Flounder Crudo, Grilled Niigata Pork and Creme Caramel with pear compote and vanilla ice cream offered a glimpse of the restaurant’s repertoire. The dinner menu adds on more filling signature dishes for sharing, such as roasted whole chicken with Tokyo miso and Yuzu kosho , as well as a hearty lobster Bouillabaisse infused with saffron. On the second floor, The Punch Room, decked up like a gentleman’s club with plush velvet and timber walls with trimmings, offers a contrasting mood to Sophie. The menu showcases a dazzling infusion of Japanese influences: in Choco Banana & Apple are ingredients like le rum, egg white, black tea and Aomori apples; Dirty Maiko has notes of Haku vodka, pistachio, olive and sencha. “The Punch Room is the first place in Japan where you can enjoy authentic punches. It’s tucked away from the busy streets of Ginza and you may feel you have been invited into the house of your friend for its cosy atmosphere. An elaborate coffered ceiling, often observed in traditional Japanese architecture, is applied,” described Kuma. The entire hotel’s design was really homage to Ginza, envisioned in a modern language. “We wanted some dim yet warm colouring that evokes an old shop in Ginza. From the pale green in Sophie to the pink of the light wall, subtle colours are creating an image of good old days of Ginza,” Kuma said. The Roof – Ginza’s first natural wine bar – crowns the variety of experience at the top of the hotel, surrounded by lush planting. For those in need of some exercise, there is a small, 24-hour gym in the hotel that looks out to Ginza’s treetops. For more elaborate workouts, guests of this property can take a 10-minute car ride to the The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon’s larger wellness centre, which includes a swimming pool and spa. I had brought my running shoes but partly due to the lack of time and because here I was right smack in the middle of Ginza, I decided to take my exercise to the streets, ambling in and out of shops. A staggering number of amazing choices are within a five-minute walk: Issey Miyake, Bvlgari, upscale departmental store Matsuya Ginza and famous Japanese confectionery shop Higashiya Ginza by design guru Shinichiro Ogata, among others. No doubt, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is a great location for shoppers and mealtime excursions to the area’s many Michelin-starred establishments. But more than that, the mixture of good design, comfort and thoughtful menus make the hotel a destination in its own right.How can federal government help Fort Worth businesses? Entrepreneurs have ideasNone

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The is already poised to land three participants in the , and the chances that tally reaches four considerably increased on Monday, Dec. 2. At 10-2 and occupying the No. 8 spot in the CFP standings heading into last weekend's slate, the are the odd-men out when it comes to the SEC Championship Game. However, that also makes it highly likely that they will slide into one of the 12 spots in the playoff field, as they have no more games to play before the proceedings begin. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

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Josh Allen Has Winning Answer to Hailee Steinfeld Engagement QuestionATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Bengaluru - The Indian government is reportedly looking to relax some conditions for Mr Elon Musk’s satellite high-speed internet company, suggesting that Starlink might soon obtain regulatory approval to operate in India after a marathon pursuit. Data security concerns and pushback from domestic telecom companies have delayed Starlink’s approval since 2021, when it opened an Indian subsidiary and accepted pre-registrations but was warned by India not to do so without a licence. Decisions have been complicated by Mr Musk’s close relationship with incoming US president Donald Trump, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government wary of upsetting the politically influential billionaire. India is also keen for Mr Musk to fulfil his promise of building a factory in the country for his Tesla electric cars. The American company’s impending arrival in the world’s second-largest telecommunications market could transform the provision of fast, affordable, and reliable internet to underserved regions in India, particularly in remote areas. Some 37 per cent of the 1.4 billion people in India are still without internet access , according to EY-Parthenon, a consulting company. Unlike terrestrial internet providers, which rely on cables or fibre-optic infrastructure, satellite connectivity is ideal for reaching rural, remote, or hilly areas where laying cables is impractical or too expensive. Starlink is already operating in more than 100 countries and has capabilities that are superior to its rivals, but it has not been straightforward to get a foot in India’s door. In October, India’s Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said Starlink must address the government’s security concerns before licence approval is given to the satellite-based internet service launched by Mr Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX. India’s National Security Directive on the Telecommunications Sector (NSDTS) mandates that telecom service providers procure and deploy trusted product or components from trusted sources only. Starlink has requested exemptions from certain provisions, citing technical limitations, to operate in India. Experts said that India would relax only some restrictions. “It’s not unusual for telecom operators to get exemptions or interim exemptions from NSDTS (so that they can use the equipment), especially for something that is non-critical, as long as they promise to comply with it later,” said telecom and public policy consultant, Mr Prasanto K. Roy. But he added that the Indian government’s greater concern would be about satellite calls that it cannot intercept in case of a security threat. “Starlink would have to provide government agencies call data records on demand, and pass all calls through a gateway located in India that would also allow interception if legally demanded,” said Mr Roy. Starlink’s exact licensing terms are not known publicly. The Ministry of Communications and SpaceX did not respond to ST’s queries. Mr Musk’s appointment to a US government department in Mr Trump’s future administration worries some experts in India, as the businessman is now a political individual. As an American company, Starlink would already be governed by the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America (RISA) Act, which allows the US government to gain access to data in the satellite spectrum, noted Mr Nikhil Pahwa, founder of the website MediaNama, which analyses technology and telecom policy. “Someone who might potentially be able to use the companies he owns for political gain is someone we need to think twice about,” he said. Mr Pahwa added that “internet connectivity must be neutral”. Satellite communication is a small, niche sector in India. It currently stands at US$2.3 billion (S$3 billion) a year, but a KPMG India report expects it to reach US$20 billion by 2028. While the Elon Musk-led Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper await Indian government operating approvals, the two Indian telecom companies that control 80 per cent of the terrestrial internet market have already received authorisations to launch their own satellite-based internet services. In November 2023, Bharti Group-backed OneWeb India received authorisation to launch French operator Eutelsat’s commercial satellite broadband services. In June 2024, Jio Satellite Communications, a joint venture between Luxembourg-based SES Astra and Mr Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, also received approval to offer satellite connectivity. But analysts believe that technically, Starlink has a significant advantage over other satellite communication providers, not just in India but globally. Non-profit orbital data tracker CelesTrak said that SES operates 38 medium-earth orbit satellites at a high altitude, beaming signals to receivers that provide internet connectivity. Eutelsat OneWeb’s network features more than 630 satellites at 1,200km above earth in low orbit. In comparison, as of September 2024, Starlink had 6,426 low-earth orbit satellites at some 550km from the planet’s surface, offering faster service. SpaceX plans to eventually have as many as 42,000 satellites as part of its ‘megaconstellation’. Not only is Mr Musk in a better position today to dominate satellite connectivity, but analysts also expect him to adopt aggressive pricing policies like he did in Kenya, where Starlink charged customers US$10 per month as opposed to US$120 in the US. Mr Musk’s immense wealth would allow him to take some initial losses from discounts on Starlink installation kits or monthly bills, some experts said. This could undercut domestic competitors in a price sensitive Indian market. Mr Gareth Owen, associate director at research firm Counterpoint, however, told Reuters that some of the fears about Mr Musk might be overstated, as “terrestrial networks will always be less expensive (and) businesses will never switch completely to satellite”. Starlink’s competitors in India are doing all they can to prevent or delay its entry to the market. Mr Ambani, whose Reliance Jio leads the Indian market, is calling for an auction to allocate satellite spectrum or airwaves, like India does for terrestrial internet, while Mr Musk is happy with administrative allocation, or direct licensing by the government, as is now the case. Unlike terrestrial spectrum used for mobile communications, satellite spectrum has no national territorial limits and is a globally shared resource. The efficient allocation of satellite spectrum is overseen globally by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency. “As a signatory to the ITU Treaty, India is bound by its international standard of administratively allocating spectrum,” said Mr Roy. Most countries follow direct allocations, but the US did conduct auctions for allocating spectrum along orbital slots in 2004. When this turned out not to be feasible, it reverted to administrative allocations. The country now charges annual regulatory and licence fees. The Indian government changed the telecommunication law in 2023 to require an administrative allocation of satellite spectrum. In October, Telecom Minister Scindia indicated that the government would administratively allocate satellite spectrum to Starlink in keeping with global practice. Jio expressed concerns in a Nov 15 letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that a direct allocation would not create a level-playing field. Starlink reportedly said in its submission, however, that the Indian operators were “transparently self-serving”. Experts agree on the need for internet access to remote areas and greater competition in the Indian telecom sector dominated by a duopoly, but are divided on how licences should be given. Mr Roy said that an administrative allocation for satellite spectrum “made more sense” because “auctions are expensive, and ultimately the cost will be transferred to the consumer”. But, given the country’s history of corruption and arbitrariness in the allocation of 2G spectrum, some believe that auctions are the best model for India. In fact, the Supreme Court in 2012 cancelled the allocation of terrestrial spectrum licences in favour of auctions, to limit the discretionary powers of the government. The court rejected a government petition in May 2024 to clarify if the verdict also applied to satellite spectrum. “It’s a lesson India learnt, and we should not go back on that. Administrative allocation lacks transparency, and leaves room for discretion and corruption. Auctions are the most transparent, corruption-free and apolitical way to make a decision,” said Mr Pahwa. Vodafone Idea, Airtel and the Cellular Operators Association of India advocate a differentiated pricing strategy, where spectrum should be auctioned when serving urban areas to level the playing field with terrestrial networks which compete there, while administrative pricing could apply only for remote areas with fewer commercial players to improve access while keep prices there low. He added that auctions in the past created healthy competition as it allowed many new players to enter the market, like Norwegian operator Telenor, Russian telco Systema, and the UAE’s Etisalat. Mr Musk’s unfulfilled promise of a Tesla factory in India also hangs in the balance. There were hurried developments since 2021 as Tesla tried to reduce import duties on its electric cars, and even set up an office in Pune, but after Mr Musk cancelled a much-touted visit to India in 2024, talks have stalled. “We know that India is under pressure to give Starlink the right to provide internet access in exchange for a Tesla factory it has long wanted. But allocation of a public resource like spectrum should not be a trade, or a political or geopolitical decision,” Mr Pahwa warned.Nebraska plans not to get caught sleeping vs. South Dakota