#337jili Iqra University students explore advanced policing technology at Safe City Islamabad

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'Wee Gav' inspired Hibs to defeat Hearts - the story of bad jokes, dancing and team spirit

F or the benefit of the uninitiated, The Traitors is a BBC One game show involving 22 players, classed as either Traitors or Faithfuls. Staged at a Scottish castle (Ardross Castle in the Highlands, north of Inverness), it features a group of selected Traitors who must “murder” the Faithful, while the Faithful identify and banish Traitors. If a Traitor evades detection and makes it to the end, they swipe the entire prize pot, totalling as much as £120k. So, yes, it’s a gameshow, but, as those in thrall to the cloaked global entertainment franchise could tell you, it’s also so much more than that. It’s a dark and terrible dance of back-stabbing and scheming. It’s the pungent base notes of human nature. It’s the cynical celebration of deceit as a life skill. It’s “Let’s turn calculated personal betrayal into a gameshow!”. Indeed, what does the full-hearted embrace of The Traitors say about the modern British psyche, and are we ready to hear it? The Traitors has been a huge critical and commercial success. Last January, with streaming and catch-up taken into account, eight million people watched the final episode of series two, in which (spoiler klaxon) Traitor Harry Clark betrayed Faithfuls – his heartbroken friend Mollie Pearce and sceptical Jaz Singh – to become the victor. Versions of the show exist in countries including Australia, the US, New Zealand and Canada. An Irish Traitors is in the pipeline, to be hosted by Siobhán McSweeney (Sister Michael from Derry Girls) . A UK celebrity version is planned, with names bandied about including Stephen Fry, Bob Mortimer, Danny Dyer and Courtney Cox from Friends . Here, then, is one significant metric of The Traitors ’ immense cultural clout: the famous (even the very famous) are enthused about doing it. Not this time the defeated trudge into the I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! jungle to pay an overdue tax bill, or the grim endurance of the Big Brother mixed-sex dormitory to remind the public they’re alive and available for regional panto. Yes, there’d be exposure for celebrity Traitors and Faithfuls, and money (presumably for charity), but you rather get the feeling it would primarily be for larks. Thus far in the UK version, it’s all about the ordinary contestants – the big characters (wily Wilf; sharp Diane; perfidious Paul). The insights into the human condition (you can tell a lot about someone by how they deal with the stress of banishments at the round table). Who takes themselves too seriously or not seriously enough? The hilarious self-aggrandisement (“I can read people”). The point when an over-confident Traitor pushes the Machiavellian buttons too hard and ends up dispatched in a puff of hubris. The Traitors has also proved to be a tormented crucible for crises of confidence. While Jaz Singh, dubbed “Jazatha Christie”, rightly suspected Clark, he didn’t think he’d get the backing to vote him off. Castle politics and self-preservation play a significant part at banishments;in the early rounds, it’s evident that people vote with the herd to avoid being targeted themselves. Along with the anthropologist people-watching element, there’s the sheer theatre of it all: the swishing hooded robes; the doomy drama of Traitors’ Tower; the messages to the murder victims that they’ve been offed; the portraits on the wall of the breakfast room, with crosses scrawled over the faces of the departed; the lavish breakfasts themselves, where the Traitors must be on their amateur rep A-game: faking surprise and sadness at the non-appearance of the victim, their crocodile tears falling into the croissant baskets. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion While the show feels quintessentially British, it’s actually European: based on the Dutch show De Verraders , itself a spin on the party game, Mafia. Nevertheless, The Traitors seems to entwine with our national identity, and even some feudal, kinkily masochistic impulse (the intimidating castle; the autocratic Claudia). It’s interesting how differently other countries approach the formatting/casting. The US version, hosted by Alan Cumming, going heavy on celebrities; the Australians less formal, and so on. In Britain, The Traitors could be tapping into the “cosy crime” wave. That bit of us that still enjoys an Agatha Christie adaptation and a game of Cluedo. As a TV format, it may even have the advantage of being politician-resistant. After all, it seems unlikely that a political reputation could be rescued by appearing: “Oh look, they’re as conniving as we suspected them to be.” The Winkleman factor shouldn’t be underestimated. Having started out as a quasi-goth late-onset ladette, now she brings myriad atmospheres to British TV (ironic/chummy in Strictly ; charmed/supportive in Channel 4’s The Piano ). In The Traitors, she’s a symphony of tweed in her seemingly inexhaustible collection of upmarket hacking jackets, abandoning her mainstream mash-up presenting persona and channelling a hyper-stern Anne Robinson, with added Morticia Addams and a dash of a minor character from a Nancy Mitford novel. Crucially, Winkleman is not just the presenter, she is also the controller, as evident from the start as she stalks around the table, silently selecting her Traitors, her hand clamping commandingly on to delighted shoulders. Winkleman is both part of the intrinsic ceremony of the format, and (unsmiling, unfriendly, cold) the antithesis of what a presenter usually is. It is to her credit that The Traitors would be quite a different show without her. All that said, The Traitors is far from perfect as a format. Those tedious overlong tasks to build the prize pot are only interesting for the car rides to and from, during which Traitors and Faithfuls plot for the next banishment among the pine air fresheners and boiled car sweets. Still, never mind why we enjoy The Traitors . Should we enjoy it? There’s intense emotion to it that can’t be brushed off as mere entertainment. Clark’s betrayal of Pearce wasn’t just “great telly”, it was real – to her. If this doesn’t bother people, why not? Maybe it’s not such a major surprise: the British public has always had a naughty, even evil, side. It’s also a reminder that The Traitors is, at core, a survivalist show, a test of endurance. It’s not just about the psychology of the game, it’s also about the psychology of those watching – the thing that, for viewers, makes The Traitors more than a sofa-bound murder weekend accessible via a remote control. This is televisual darkness as stress relief. Real life is brutal: perhaps reaching counterintuitively for release in the form of synthetic orchestrated treachery makes a wicked kind of sense.Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has proposed economic reform and suggested Thailand be prepared for geopolitical change. Thaksin was speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference on Thursday night at the Ritz Carlton in Bangkok. Now in its 22nd year, the conference convenes world-leading CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to discuss key issues of global concern and build new partnerships. During the finale and Gala Dinner Session, Thaksin was invited to have a one-on-one dialogue with Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media. The former PM proposed several economic reforms to help boost Thailand's economy and suggested that the Thai government prepare for upcoming geopolitical consequences. Thaksin said that Thailand's economy had not developed much in the past decade because the central bank was overly concerned about the country's economic problems. As a result, many commercial banks that were under the central bank's supervision did not give loans to small enterprises and those in need, causing a lack of cash flow in the country, he said. Therefore, the central bank is only duty-bound to supervise the commercial banks, he said. It should not have been overprotective of them, which could have helped boost cash flow into the country, he said. ''The central bank is an independent organisation, but it sometimes needs to listen and engage with business sectors so as to listen to their concerns. "Besides, the central bank requires practical solutions to increase the cash flow in Thailand," he said. Thaksin said Thai businesses, regardless of size, need to rethink their business model. He said they should have new ideas, such as using technology to assist their work, because the economic environment has become more competitive. He then gave the example of the Chinese e-commerce platform Temu and how it became dominant. ''Plus, the government needs to protect local businesses while it is trying to seek further foreign investment in Thailand; for example, recently, the government launched a policy that those foreign investors who make money in Thailand need to pay tax," he said. When asked about Thailand's initiative to dig a canal to link the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, Thaksin said that Thailand may not dig a canal but would emphasise building a land bridge instead. ''We need to have involvement from the private sector in the construction [of that land bridge], in which they need to be concerned about the commercial viability while concerned about the country's benefit," he added. In geopolitics, Thaksin was asked his opinion about what would happen if US President-elect Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on imported products to the US and up to 60% tariffs on Chinese products. He said if Mr Trump increases such tariffs, the US consumer will have to pay more for imported products. At the same time, if the US-China trade war intensifies, Thaksin suggested that Thailand should expect more manufacturers to come to the country. He pointed out that Thailand needs to have good tax incentives, which will attract more foreign investment from various markets worldwide. Furthermore, with the rise of Brics becoming more prominent, he said this economic bloc would help to rebalance global finances within the next five years. Brics is an intergovernmental organisation comprising nine countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Brics was originally established to identify various investment opportunities. While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) are regional frameworks that Thailand is a part of, he pointed out that Asean needs to be more unified by having the same consensus as "One Asean". ''Apec should allow small economic members to have the privilege to access larger markets [which will help them to grow faster]," he added.

Sustainability, customer proximity and talent investment will remain central to our strategy, says Greaves Cotton Vice ChairmanTHE stars of I'm A Celebrity went wild as they received a surprise boozy trip out of camp. In a long running tradition, the ITV show's famous faces visit pub "The Jungle Arms". After dinner, Maura Higgins delivered the news that they had a chance to visit the Jungle Arms. Excited, the group were left wondering what they would have to do to gain entry. Former Love Island star Maura said: "I'm telling you now, I will go to lengths to get my glass of wine , you watch." Echoing a similar sentiment, social media star GK Barry declared: "Let's get a glass of prosecco! I've never walked so fast in my life." Afterwards, the nine campmates arrived at the Kangaroo Court challenge area. They found a seating area, a DJ booth and three dance booths. To win their place in the Jungle Arms, they had to take part in a game of Jungle Musical Statues. Hosted by Kiosk Kev, the campmates split up into groups of three. Kev played tracks from "Jungle on the Dance Floor" as the celebrities entered the dance booths. In a twist on musical statues, they needed to strike the correct dance pose and hold for ten seconds. Both Maura and GK were respectively put off by critters - putting their treat in jeopardy. While things generally didn't to go plan at first after failed attempts. But by the end, all nine campmates successfully won a place in The Jungle Arms. The thrilled group received a buffet of pizza and chips, accompanied with a drink of their choice. Music was also provided, thanks to a guitar, keyboard and a microphone for singing. In a fun twist, GK Barry sung McFly's Obviously - in front of campmate Danny Jones. The line-up also had a group singalong of The Communards' Don't Leave Me This Way. Of course, campmate Reverend Richard Coles was a member of the 1980s band. Maura took on Celine Dion's power ballad It's All Coming Back To Me Now. MAURA Higgins is a late entry to I'm A Celeb 2024. Yet who is joining her? 2019 Love Island star Maura, 33, will be a late entry to the jungle line-up. She will head into the I'm A Celeb camp , along with the Reverend Richard Coles , 62. The duo will join the likes of Coleen Rooney , Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones in Ant and Dec’s jungle camp a week into this year’s star-spangled series. Yet initially the duo will have their own private base - and a secret mission - before heading into the main compound Down Under. Maura has already described the jungle as "hell." Meanwhile Richard, who has starred on Strictly, has confessed his biggest "fear." Laughing, the reality star quipped: "Celine is going to be obsessed with me!" Danny tackled Livin On A Prayer, while Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse sang I Have Nothing. Melvin Odoom treated his co-stars to a rendition of classic tune Hey Ya, with the group dancing along. I'm A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

A judge has once again rejected Musk’s multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate. President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. Nov. 22, 1963 When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas, they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. The collection In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Withheld files Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. A continued fascination From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Read more of the latest international headlines Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”

Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateJames, Quigley and Hayes combine for 59 points as No. 20 NC State women beat Coastal Carolina 89-68

Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google have made their closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia came as Google already faces a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case in Virginia focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. Newsom says California could offer electric vehicle rebates if Trump eliminates federal tax credit SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could offer state tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Gov. Gavin Newsom says Monday he'll propose creating a new version of the state’s successful Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which was phased out in 2023 after funding nearly 600,000 new cars and trucks. Officials didn’t say how much the program would cost or how the rebates would work. Newsom’s proposal is part of his plan to protect California’s progressive policies ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. But a budget shortfall could complicate California’s resistance efforts. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Stock market today: Dow hits another record as stocks rise NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% Monday to pull closer to its record set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 440 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. They got a boost from easing Treasury yields after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent to be his Treasury Secretary. Smaller companies can feel a big boost from easier borrowing costs, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks finished just shy of its record. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — American Airlines says it doesn’t expect significant disruptions to flights this week as a result of a labor strike at its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. Service workers there walked out Monday during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Eggs are available -- but pricier -- as the holiday baking season begins Egg prices are on the rise again as a lingering outbreak of bird flu coincides with high demand during the holiday baking season. The average price for a dozen eggs in U.S. cities was $3.37 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was up 63% from October 2023, when a dozen eggs cost an average of $2.07. Avian influenza is the main culprit. The current bird flu outbreak that began in February 2022 has led to the slaughter of more than 111 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens. But the American Egg Board says egg shortages at grocery stores have been isolated and temporary so far. Detroit's iconic Renaissance Center could see 2 towers razed in $1.6B redevelopment plan DETROIT (AP) — Two towers at Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center would be razed and the complex converted to a mix of housing and offices under an ambitious $1.6 billion plan announced on Monday. GM will move its headquarters out of the complex next year. The towers are a symbol of Detroit, with aerial views often shown on television sports broadcasts. GM announced that it would join forces with the Bedrock real estate development firm and Wayne County to turn the partially vacant property into a roughly 27-acre entertainment complex across the Detroit River from Windsor, Ontario. Bedrock would invest at least $1 billion, with roughly $250 million more coming from GM and another $250 million in public money, possibly from the state of Michigan.None

Amorim accepts job is on the line if Man Utd keep losingNone

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.