Cork election candidate suffered epileptic seizure in RTÉ studiocasino jili 。

Thousands of people took to the streets of the Slovakia capital Thursday to protest against Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova who has dismissed several heads of major cultural institutions and halted projects steered by LGBT+ associations under the pretext of promoting "Slovak culture". Simkovicova, a 53-year-old former television anchor, has been a controversial figure since taking office in October 2023. "I am frustrated and very angry about the way culture is being destroyed and organizations are falling apart," Svetlana Fialova, a 39-year-old visual artist and lecturer, told AFP. "What is happening in Slovakia is ... what is happening in Georgia, Hungary and other countries, where people who collaborate and play to Russian tunes are coming to power and trying to suppress democracy and culture," she said. "The culture of the Slovaks should be Slovak -- Slovak and none else," Simkovicova said in one early speech. Nominated by the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), she has also slammed "LGBT+ ideology" for causing Europe to "die out". Her views have appealed to Prime Minister Robert Fico from the centrist Smer party, whose objections to liberal values echo Viktor Orban, the prime minister of neighbouring Hungary. Simkovicova had worked notably for the Slovan TV channel, known for spreading conspiracy theories, xenophobia and pro-Russian views. Slovak National Gallery director Alexandra Kusa lost her job in August in what opponents said was part of Simkovicova's purge. "Culture ministry staff accompanied by a lawyer showed up in my office one day with a bunch of flowers and a notice," she told AFP. Kusa, who has been reduced to the post of exhibition curator, said the ministry had launched a derogatory campaign against her. She says she was punished for backing Matej Drlicka, the National Theatre director, who was sacked a day earlier. The head of the country's heritage institute was dismissed this week. "We are not compatible with the ministry. Their idea of culture is completely different from ours," Kusa said. She accuses the ministry of launching "an era of bullying and intimidation". "It's pure destruction and demonstration of power. It's terrible." The ministry did not respond to AFP's request to comment. Simkovicova also targets public media. In June, she pushed through a law reforming the state-run RTVS broadcaster into a new company, STVR, which is under her control. Analyst Pavol Hardos told AFP that wielding political influence over cultural institutions had a precedent in Slovakia. "This is something we experienced in the 1990s during the illiberal regime of Vladimir Meciar, when there were ideological tests and tests ... of who is a good nationalist, a good Slovak, and who isn't," he said. What is new is the government's "commitment to purge cultural institutions from anyone who is in any way perceived as potentially a political enemy", Hardos said. Open-minded and liberal people are "being targeted as a potential troublemaker, and people who are often enough real experts in their areas are being sidelined or thrown out," he added. Hardos said that while it was premature to talk about "an illiberal regime", Fico is walking in Orban's footsteps. The government is also targeting LGBT+ rights organisations. Early this year, Simkovicova said they would not get "a cent" from her ministry. She has recently curbed public subsidies for LGBT+ groups. "This concerns any project with links to LGBT+," said Martin Macko, head of the Iniciativa Inakost NGO. He said attacks on the minority were growing, as were the number of people being treated by the NGO's therapists. The situation has incited protests among artists, cultural institution staff and the public, who turn their backs on directors named by Simkovicova or read protest statements on theatre stages. Large rallies were held this year, mobilising tens of thousands of people. Two petitions written by artists have solicited 400,000 signatures in the EU member country of 5.4 million people. In the Slovak parliament, the opposition initiated a vote to dismiss Simkovicova, but the attempt fell through. "No culture ministry employee prevents anyone from being creative or expressing themselves," Simkovicova told the press. sc-anb-frj-kym/twFour key initiatives of the Digital Main Street program

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Even at 15 years old, Synthia Elliott knew how to brighten a room. The sophomore at North High School was “the type of person to just give you hope,” Elliott’s longtime friend Malaya Wagner said on Wednesday. “She was very, very wonderful,” Wagner said. “She would always put a smile on your face.” Like many teenagers, Elliott loved music and often spent her time learning dances to post on the social media app TikTok. She was involved in school, serving on the Black Student Leadership Council and working as an athletic assistant for the wrestling and football teams. She thought about what her future might hold — maybe she would become a teacher, Wagner said — but figured she had plenty of time to figure it out. Instead, in late 2022, Elliott was shot in the head and killed inside of her North Omaha bedroom after four men unknown to her shot dozens of times into her home. Police and prosecutors would come to believe that the men meant to target a different house nearby, but couldn’t find it on Google Maps and went instead to the nearest valid address, where Elliott lived with her sister, mother and grandmother. The senseless killing devastated Elliott’s family and friends, who showed up in droves to the Wednesday morning sentencing of 22-year-old Selassie Spencer, one of the four men charged with her murder and the first to be sentenced. Spencer pleaded no contest earlier this year to charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony. Spencer Prosecutors said Spencer deserves to spend “the majority, if not the entirety, of the rest of his life in prison” for shooting into the occupied home with no regard to who may be inside. His defense attorneys made no argument for or against a particular sentence. Douglas County District Court Judge Duane Dougherty sentenced Spencer to 50 to 60 years on the murder charge and 25 to 30 years on the gun charge. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 75 to 90 years in prison. Spencer will be eligible for parole in 40 years and will have a mandatory release date in about 47 years. On the evening of Nov. 30, 2022, two eyewitnesses saw a black Mini Cooper pull up outside of Elliott’s home near 37th and Pinkney Streets shortly before 8:30 p.m. Elliott was the only person home at the time. Witnesses would later tell police that they saw four men wearing surgical masks and coats exit the Mini Cooper before returning to the car to retrieve firearms. All four of the men fired into the house, detectives said, and 37 spent casings were later found outside of the home. Seventeen bullets were found inside of the house. One of those bullets struck Elliott in the head. By the time police arrived, she was dead. The men were later identified as Spencer and three others: Kash Davis, 21; Latrail Washington, 22; and Jarrious Hill, 21. The four were taken into custody within hours of Elliott’s killing. A detective would later testify that they initially fled to Davis’ sister’s apartment near North 93rd Avenue and Blair High Road before walking to a nearby apartment belonging to Davis’ mother. They were taken into custody in the apartment complex parking lot shortly before 10 p.m., and four firearms were recovered from the apartment. Hill Davis Washington An exact motive for the shooting remains unclear. Elliott is not believed to have been connected with the four men in any way. When Washington’s phone was searched, investigators found that he looked up two addresses on 37th Street — but the house numbers he searched did not exist. The next valid address was Elliott’s residence. Photos of her home from Google Maps street view were saved on Washington’s phone. “Somebody put them up to shooting up the house,” Cynthia Williams, Elliott’s grandmother, told the World-Herald in January 2023 . “Either that or they just totally got the wrong house.” Spencer’s defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed that Elliott’s killing was senseless, pointless and “stupid.” In a brief statement to the court, defense attorney Michael Bianchi outlined some of Spencer’s background. He is the oldest of four children, grew up in-and-out of foster care, and never had much of a relationship with his father. He has two prior felony convictions and spent time in state prison prior to Elliott’s killing. “While I can go ahead and say all these things about my client — what a wonderful mom he has, a tough childhood. ... We’re here today because this poor young lady is not here, because of the stupidity of our client,” Bianchi said. Deputy Douglas County Attorney Shawn Hagerty said Elliott’s killing was “so stupidly pointless.” He took issue with Spencer referring to the killing as “accidental” in his pre-sentence investigation. “There’s nothing accidental about what they were trying to do,” Hagerty said. “There’s an expectation that if you’re shooting into a house dozens of times, you’re going to hurt or kill someone. You’re shooting into a house for no reason. ... Because of something you heard on the street or read on your phone. “And this poor 15-year-old girl, I can only imagine the last moments of her life. Terrified at what was happening, and then she’s gone. For absolutely no reason.” Spencer addressed the court shortly before his sentence was announced. He asked for forgiveness and said he would spend his time in prison working to prevent other people from making the same mistakes. “Taking a life is a burden I will carry for the rest of my life,” he said. “Truly, my heart is not evil. My empathy is sincere. Although I am deeply saddened by my choices, I take full responsibility.” Spencer was the second of the four defendants to accept a plea deal, but the first to be sentenced. Hill pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony in January, but a sentencing date has not been set. Court documents indicate that Hill is undergoing additional examination of his “physical and mental fitness” to provide Dougherty more information at sentencing. Davis and Washington are set to go to trial in March. They will be tried together unless one of them accepts a plea deal. Spencer and Washington had both been previously convicted of felony gun charges and were released from prison in the two months prior to Elliott’s killing. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

NEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit “Wicked” to the delightful Moo Deng. But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in unlikely Olympic heroes, we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. “Brat summer” became a thing, as did “demure, mindful.” And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, a thing of the past — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. And some things stayed, remarkably, the same: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: January It starts as a cheery tweet from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ELMO is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called “BARBENHEIMER,” which makes its awards season debut at the GOLDEN GLOBES. But perhaps the most poignant moment comes from neither film: LILY GLADSTONE, first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. February Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” REESA TEESA’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak SWIFT cultural dominance, try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a passionate smooch with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the field of victory. March “What was I made for?” BILLIE EILISH sings at the OSCARS, channeling BARBIE. And what was KEN made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear RYAN GOSLING was made to play him. His singalong version of “I’m Just Ken” is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's “OPPENHEIMER” prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, “WICKED.” Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre “DUNE” popcorn bucket. And BEYONCÉ carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. April Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by “CHALLENGERS,” the sweaty romance triangle starring ZENDAYA, MIKE FAIST and JOSH O'CONNOR (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, SWIFT drops “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT," then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing “BABY REINDEER,” the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. May It’s MET GALA time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for “WICKED.” ERIVO and GRANDE make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: JENNIFER LOPEZ cancels her summer tour amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to BEN AFFLECK. It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called “THIS IS ME ... NOW" — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. June Welcome to BRAT SUMMER! CHARLI XCX releases her hit “Brat” album, with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” its word of the year, as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy SWIFT shows in London, we see PRINCE WILLIAM shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: KELCE dons a top hat and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, METS infielder JOSE IGLESIAS delights the crowd with his cheery number “OMG.” July Bonjour, it’s OLYMPICS time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by a fabulous CELINE DION, perched on the EIFFEL TOWER, singing her heart out — in the rain, too. Controversy swirls over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar LEON MARCHAND, rugby player ILONA MAHER, and bespectacled “pommel horse guy” gymnast STEPHEN NEDOROSCIK, who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Also capturing hearts: yep, MOO DENG, born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” August This is them ... now: BENNIFER is no more. After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: OASIS announces a reunion tour. Will they be “DEMURE, MINDFUL”? Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker JOOLS LEBRON'S act — even the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet Australia’s RAYGUN, arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Cute animal alert: It’s DECOY OHTANI’s Major League debut! SHOHEI OHTANI’s perky pooch does a great “first pitch.” September One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, CHAPPELL ROAN, withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, “Bachelorette” JENN TRAN, the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, ANNA SOROKIN, dancing with an ankle monitor. Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when X is temporarily suspended in Brazil and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. October “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when Chalamet himself shows up. He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for JEREMY ALLEN WHITE, ZAYN MALIK, and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion JACK SCHLOSSBERG, who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with USHER? Why it’s ELLIE THE ELEPHANT, the now-viral NEW YORK LIBERTY mascot. November MAYA RUDOLPH does a pretty good KAMALA HARRIS laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? HARRIS herself. The Democratic candidate makes a surprise cameo three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of HILLARY CLINTON, SARAH PALIN and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that “VANDERPUMP RULES,” the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake LISA VANDERPUMP. As for MOO DENG, she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating plenty of merch. And THAT brings us back to .... December “WICKED”! Director JON M. CHU’S emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers also come for “GLADIATOR II” and, in a veritable tidal wave, Disney's “MOANA 2,” which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

EAGLE-EYED fans are convinced that Marcus Rashford's time at Manchester United is coming to an end. The Red Devils star is facing an uncertain time at Old Trafford after a tough spell of form. Rashford, 27, struggled in Manchester United 's win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. The forward was unable to influence the game and was arguably fortunate to escape a red card in the second half. Rashford flew into a tackle when already on a yellow but avoided further punishment before being hooked by Ruben Amorim . He was not acknowledged by the manager when walking off the pitch and to the bench . Fans spotted the moment and are now convinced that it means that the club will sell him in January. One wrote: "Looks like Rashford is certainly gonna be sold, Amorim didn’t even shake his hand when he came off." A second wrote: "Amorim acknowledges Malacia and Zirkzee. "No exchange between him and Rashford when he came off earlier." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS Another commented: "He didn’t even look at him." While one summarised: "There was nothing to acknowledge about Rashfords game." Another sad fan added: "I wouldn't be devastated if Rashford left." Reports have been circulating that Man United would be willing to cash in on Rashford in January . The Daily Mail have reported that the club would accept a bid worth £40million to allow him to leave. The potential sale of Rashford would boost the club's PSR position as he is an academy profit and would count as 100 per cent profit. An influx of cash would also boost Amorim's fund to invest in new players to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season. However, finding a buyer could be difficult, with Rashford earning up to £325,000-per-week. His deal runs until 2028, having been signed only in July 2023. ANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen. Here’s how SunSport's Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars... Andre Onana - 4 It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host's crosses convincingly. He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out. Diogo Dalot – 6 Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks. Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out. Noussair Mazraoui - 6 Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back. Matthijs de Ligt - 6 He was sold short by Onana's pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez - 6 Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers. Tyrell Malacia - 6 He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford. Casemiro - 6 He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana. Bruno Fernandes - 7 He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper's gloves in the first half with a good effort. His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner. Amad Diallo - 8 Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United's attack against Plzen. It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender. Marcus Rashford - 4 Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third. He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim. Joshua Zirkzee - 6 Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough. Subs Rasmus Hojlund 55' – 8 Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United's equaliser. He then latched onto Fernandes' clever pass to score the winner. Antony 60' - 6 He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo. Mason Mount 60' - 7 Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action. Alejandro Garnacho 80' - N/A Failed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch. Manuel Ugarte 80' - N/A He slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on.In May 2023, a homeless man named Jordan Neely entered a New Yo rk City subway car, where he began acting erratically, scaring the other passengers by saying things such as: “I don’t care if I die. I don’t care if you die. Lock me up for life.” Neely did die, after Daniel Penny, an architecture student and Marine veteran, restrained him in a choke hold. Mr. Penny was prosecuted for manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. On Monday, a jury found him not guilty of criminally negligent homicide and deadlocked on second-degree manslaughter. The verdict, like the case, has been divisive. “You can’t do this to American heroes,” said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), urging the Justice Department to “hold New York accountable” for trying Mr. Penny in the first place. Meanwhile, the New York City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus called Mr. Penny’s actions “vigilante justice” and blamed the gaps in the city’s social safety net. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Thriving in the Sixth Wave of innovationThe three-day event, which is in its 11th year, will feature boys’ basketball teams from across Section 2, as well as some from out-of-section competition. The tournament raises money for the American Cancer Society, having earned over $20,000 in donations in just the past four seasons. There is a $5 admission per day to the games. Various items will also be raffled off throughout the event. There are 17 games overall, with the first three set for Friday. Northville will kick off the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament with a 5 p.m. game against Section 7’s Wells. Canajoharie will then take on Hadley-Luzerne at 6:30 p.m., before Fort Plain ends Day 1 of the tournament against Section 4’s Edmeston. Saturday’s slate includes seven games, and will kick off at 9:30 a.m. between Doane Stuart and Section 4’s Sharon Springs. As the day progresses, Schoharie will take on Lake George, and Fonda-Fultonville will face Cairo-Durham. To close out the night, Gloversville and Mohonasen will face off in what could be one of the best games of the tournament. That matchup is tentatively scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Sunday’s action will start at 10 a.m., as OESJ takes on Section 3’s Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young. Galway will follow with an 11:30 a.m. contest against Section 4’s South Kortright. Johnstown will then take on Voorheesville at 1 p.m. Mayfield is scheduled to face Section 3’s Little Falls at 2:30 on Sunday, while Duanesburg will take on Granville at 4:15. In a potential Class B tournament preview, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons is slated to take on Tamarac at 5:45. The final game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Classic will feature Cobleskill-Richmondville going up against Broadalbin-Perth, slated for 7:15. Northville vs. Wells, 5; Canajoharie vs. Hadley-Luzerne, 6:30; Fort Plain vs. Edmeston, 8. Sharon Springs vs. Doane Stuart, 9:30 a.m.; Loudonville Christian vs. South Kortright, 11 a.m.; Cherry Valley-Springfield vs. Argyle, 12:30; Middleburgh vs. Salem/Cambridge, 2; Schoharie vs. Lake George, 3:45; Fonda-Fultonville vs. Cairo-Durham, 5:15; Gloversville vs. Mohonasen, 6:45. Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville vs. Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young, 10 a.m.; Galway vs. South Kortright, 11:30 a.m.; Johnstown vs. Voorheesville, 1; Mayfield vs Little Falls, 2:30; Duanesburg vs. Granville, 4:15; Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons vs. Tamarac, 5:45; Cobleskill-Richmondville vs. Broadalbin-Perth, 7:15.Best refrigerators under 10000: Affordable cooling solutions for every budget

Mohd Radzuan delivers his welcoming address. KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4): The Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) on Monday hosted the Takaful Leaders and Agents Summit (TLAS) 2024 at the Movenpick Hotel and Convention Centre in Sepang. This landmark event brought together approximately 500 participants, including agency leaders, takaful agents, and representatives from member companies. With the theme ‘Dare to Lead’, the summit provided a platform to celebrate leadership, inspire innovation, and foster professionalism within Malaysia’s Takaful industry marking its 40th anniversary this year. “The Takaful industry contributed approximately 4.5 per cent to Malaysia’s GDP in 2023, with a market share reaching 32 per cent of the overall insurance and Takaful sector in Malaysia,” said MTA chairman Elmie Aman Najas, emphasising the crucial role Takaful agents play in driving the industry forward. He emphasised how the agents play a pivotal role in driving sustainable business quality and raising awareness about financial protection, particularly through Family Takaful, which accounts for 42 per cent of new business premiums. TLAS 2024 was also a platform for strengthening industry partnerships with the signing of two key memorandums of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) to enhance education and knowledge-sharing initiatives within the Takaful sector. A second MoU between MTA and Perfect 10 focuses on developing e-educational modules and tools to empower agents with enhanced service capabilities, improving customer experience. The summit featured breakout sessions dedicated to Family Takaful and General Takaful, offering participants tailored insights into navigating the evolving industry landscape. MTA chief executive officer Mohd Radzuan Mohamed in his welcoming speech lauded the contributions of Takaful agents, calling them the backbone of the industry. “Being an agent is not just a career; it is a noble role. Agents bring ease and relief to individuals, families, and businesses during times of hardship, illness, or misfortune. This social impact drives us all to remain committed to this meaningful industry,” he said. He highlighted the summit’s importance in motivating leaders and agents in their mission to promote the value of Takaful protection within the community. With over 120,000 Takaful agents driving outreach and growth, TLAS 2024 reinforced the sector’s critical role in Malaysia’s financial ecosystem. By celebrating its 40-year milestone, the summit not only inspired participants but also laid the foundation for continued collaboration, innovation, and excellence in the Takaful industry.

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