emboss pronunciation Wall Street stocks were little changed on Thursday while Asian equities rose in thin Boxing Day trade, extending their "Santa Claus Rally" with several bourses still shut for the holiday. Japan's Nikkei index closed up 1.1 percent, boosted by comments from the Bank of Japan governor and share price gains for top-selling automaker Toyota. China's plans for massive bond issuances in 2025 also bolstered investor sentiment. "Even though many in the region are still shaking off a bit of a holiday hangover, with several markets closed for Boxing Day, Asian stocks opened higher, riding a favorable wave from China's financial bond juggernaut," said Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management. In New York, major indices veered in and out of positive territory in a sleepy post-Christmas session. The broad-based S&P 500 finished down less than 0.1 percent. Large technology companies that have led the market in much of 2024 mostly took a breather. These included Netflix, Tesla and Amazon, all of which declined. "What's interesting today is that we're seeing small stocks bounce back a little bit," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers, noting that the Russell 2000 index put on 0.9 percent. Holiday consumer data showed a 3.8-percent increase in US retail spending from November 1 to December 24, according to a Mastercard SpendingPulse review of a key period for retailers. London Stockton, an analyst at Ned Davis Research, noted that the "Santa Claus rally could still be alive, with strong seasonality into the end of the year." Stock markets have traditionally fared well in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in the new year, a trend known as the "Santa Claus rally." Among a number of possible reasons advanced by experts include the festive holiday mood and purchasing ahead of the end of the tax year. Innes said remarks from Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda in which he refrained from signaling a potential interest rate hike next month also "influenced bullish regional sentiments." Japanese market heavyweight Toyota ended nearly six percent higher after reports in the Nikkei business daily said it aimed to double its return on equity -- a key measure of a company's financial performance. New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 43,325.80 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 6,037.59 (close) New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,020.36 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 39,568.06 points (close) Hang Seng: UP 1.1 percent at 20,098.29 points (Tuesday close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,398.08 points (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0424 from $1.0414 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2526 from $1.2538 Dollar/yen: UP at 158.00 yen from 157.06 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.19 pence from 83.05 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 percent at $69.62 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $73.26 per barrel bur-jmb/aha

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SINGER Dua Lipa is going into 2025 as a bride-to-be after boyfriend Callum Turner proposed. Pals told The Sun the pair quietly got engaged and are planning to celebrate with their friends and family on New Year’s Eve . 4 Stunning singer Dua Lipa is going into 2025 as a bride-to-be Credit: Getty 4 Dua and Callum Turner quietly got engaged and are planning to celebrate on New Year's Eve Credit: Getty 4 The singer posted a snap on Instagram of her wearing a ring on her engagement finger It caps off a great 2024 for Dua, 29, and actor Callum, 34, who have been dating since the start of the year. A source said: “ Dua and Callum are so in love and know this is forever. “They are engaged and couldn’t be happier. “Dua has had one of the best years of her career professionally and this is the cherry on the cake. READ MORE ON DUA LIPA DUA YEAR'S EVE Dua Lipa to host New Year's Eve bash with star guests including Harry Styles training season Dua Lipa sizzles as she strips off to stockings and fur coat “Callum is such a solid support for Dua and they make a wonderful couple. Their family and friends are so happy. It’s been an amazing Christmas for them.” Dua, whose hits include New Rules, Physical and Houdini, posted a snap on Instagram of her wearing a ring on her engagement finger. She has just finished the first leg of her stadium tour and returned to the UK from Asia to spend Christmas with family and Callum. Last week The Sun revealed Dua and Callum were planning a big New Year’s Eve bash in London. It will now be a chance for them to celebrate their engagement. Most read in Celebrity ST MIRREN 2 RANGERS 1 Boyd-Munce stuns Gers with winner deep into added time in Paisley CHRISTMAS CHAOS 'Car crash' leaves dozens of households without power on Christmas Day FAN FEAR Celtic vs Motherwell clash suspended after medical emergency in stands SORE YIN Hearts v Hibs delayed after linesman is struck in face as fans say 'I felt that!' An insider added: “Dua and Callum have gone all out with this party. “It’s in a top-secret location with all their famous pals invited, along with their families. “It will be a New Year’s Eve party no one will ever forget, especially for Callum and Dua .” Dua Lipa becomes unlikely poster girl for naturism after recommending nudist beach in Cornwall They were first seen together in January at an after-party for the premiere of his Apple TV miniseries Masters of the Air. They danced in Beverly Hills before they were photographed together for the first time days later — having dinner with friends in Los Angeles. Callum joined Dua’s family this summer as she headlined at Glastonbury, and was also at several recent gigs, including one at the Royal Albert Hall. 4 Dua and Callum's NYE bash in London will now be a chance for them to celebrate their engagement Credit: splash news

San Diego federal judge nominee now a political pawn in run-up to Trump inaugurationJAILED brutes are attacking warders 250 times a year, shocking figures reveal. Ministers have been accused of letting prison violence “spiral out of control” as stats showed staff endured 2,562 assaults by inmates in a decade. Advertisement 3 There were 26 incidents involving Scots prison officers being attacked Glasgow’s tough Barlinnie nick Credit: PA 3 Liam Kerr has urged Nats to 'prioritise' jail workers Credit: Alamy In a swipe over Nats spending cuts , Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr has urged Nats to “prioritise” jail workers — warning they could quit amid fears for their safety . Mr Kerr said: “The SNP have let violence against prison staff spiral out of control. “Cuts mean hard-working officers have been left at the mercy of violence and threats from inmates. “Resources should be clearly targeted so that staff get the extra support they desperately need. Advertisement READ MORE SCOTTISH NEWS 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda ON TRIAL Scots stripper who performs as cop accused of sex attack on woman at hen party “Otherwise, there is a real risk many more experienced staff may choose to leave the service and leave them even more overstretched. “Instead of short-changing our justice system, the SNP must finally prioritise the safety of our prison staff.” Cuts mean hard-working officers have been left at the mercy of violence and threats from inmates Liam Kerr Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary The warning came weeks after it emerged that 177 Scots prison officers were attacked in 2023-24, including 26 incidents at Glasgow’s tough Barlinnie nick. We also told how drones are increasingly being used to smuggle drugs and weapons to cons. Advertisement Most read in The Scottish Sun 'DISGUSTING' Festive fly-tippers slammed for dumping mountains of rubbish at Scots Asda Gossip KEEP CAM Celtic hero Cameron Carter-Vickers 'emerges as shock target for European giants' FOOTIE SHOCK Footage emerges of Hibs star in vow about 'Jambo b*******' before derby win CHASE ARREST Fourth man nicked at airport over death of Scots mum who died after car chase Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst has called for more funding amid a rising jail population as well as the increasing cost of social care and security . Almost 400 short-term prisoners are due to be released in February under controversial plans by SNP ministers to ease overcrowding at nicks nationwide . Moment Brit arrested 'for romping with partner on table in Thai hotel lobby' It follows the emergency early release of 477 offenders in June and July. But dozens were put back behind bars within weeks after reoffending. Advertisement Ministers said more than £880million will go to support frontline staff and improve the prisons estate. A Scottish Government spokesman insisted: “Any attacks on prison staff are completely unacceptable. Any attacks on prison staff are completely unacceptable. Everyone should be able to live and work safely in prisons A Scottish Government spokesman “Everyone should be able to live and work safely in prisons. "We are investing £881.1million in 2025-2026. Advertisement “This will help to meet costs linked to the rising prison population and enable the Scottish Prison Service to continue to deliver a safe and secure prison system.” A Scottish Prison Service spokesman last night said bosses take a “zero-tolerance approach” to violence. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW WAY Weather maps show heavy snow for Scotland in DAYS – with -2C New Year’s chill NO CRIME Orange Order slam cops after Celtic activist was cleared over 'sectarian rants' He added: “All alleged incidents are reported to Police Scotland . “We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence, and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.” Advertisement 3 Ministers have been accused of letting prison violence 'spiral out of control' Credit: PACambodia’s economy grew 5.6 per cent in 2023 and is projected to rise to 5.8 per cent in 2024, driven by garment, footwear, and tourism exports. In June, the World Bank admired Cambodia’s economic activity, which peaked in the first quarter of 2024, driven by a revival of services and goods exports despite subdued domestic demand. The country’s economic growth has been 5.6 per cent in 2023, which is expected to improve marginally to 5.8 per cent in 2024, strengthen to 6.1 per cent in 2025 and reach 6.4 per cent in 2026. The projections are based on a revival in garment, travel goods, footwear exports, and tourism expected to propel the ongoing recovery. While the international tourist arrivals improved in the first quarter to 84 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, the exports of garments, travel goods, and footwear rebounded with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region emerging as Cambodia’s second largest export market after the US. Rising foreign investment in manufacturing and agriculture also contributed to the recovery. Inflation also declined to zero in March with deceleration in food prices. Later in October, IMF (International Monetary Fund) projected economic growth in 2024 at 5.5 per cent. However, the growth drivers – strong rebound in garment and tourism as also observed by the World Bank, remained common in both projections. The inflation projection is around 1.5 per cent prior to an expected convergence to the long-term trend of 3 per cent. In the first half, the inflation moderated to an average of 1.6 per cent, y-o-y. IMF recommended structural reforms to diversify growth drivers and improve productivity. January-September trade The international sales (exports) of various articles of apparel and clothing accessories – both knitted and non-knitted, footwear gaiters, leather and fur goods, as well as some processed textiles, reached $966.98 million in the month of January, accounting for 49.16 per cent of Cambodia’s total export value of $1,967 million. This was 21.64 per cent up from January 2023 and attributed to the global recovery towards the end of 2023, a decrease in the stock levels of textile products at overseas companies, and revitalisation of global tourism, which boosted the demand for GFT products in key markets of the US, EU, Japan, Canada and the UK. By February end, Cambodia cumulatively exported more than $1.6 billion worth of textile products to international markets, surging by nearly a quarter compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in exports was also due to an increase in shipments to member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Between January and May 2024, Cambodia exported $4.969 billion worth of garments, footwear and travel goods (GFT), growing by 20% y-o-y. In this, combined exports of apparel and textiles accounted for $3.628 billion, rising 22 per cent y-o-y. The positive trend marked a turnaround after 18 months of continuous decline. The GFT sector comprises around 1,680 factories and branches, employing nearly 918,000 workers, mostly female. Export of footwear was worth $615 million—up by 10 per cent YoY, while the figure for travel goods was $726 million—up by 18.8 per cent y-o-y. During the five-month period, the country’s total trade volume increased 12.5 per cent over $19.2 billion during the same period last year. Combining all three quarters from January to September, Cambodia exported textile products, encompassing knitted articles of apparel and clothing accessories (HS Code 61), non-knitted articles (Code 62), other textiles (Code 63), and footwear and gaiters (Code 64), worth $8.758 billion which reflected a 24.51 per cent increase over $7.034 billion (2023). This represented 44.16 per cent of the country’s total export revenue of $19.833 billion. Code 61 products generated revenue of $5.034 billion (up 21.5 per cent), Code 62 amounted to $2.353 billion (up 31.9 per cent), Code 63 accounted for $155.69 million (up 37.7 per cent), and Code 64 brought in $1.214 billion (up 22.4 per cent). The growth in exports over 2023 was largely attributed to Cambodia’s political stability within ASEAN, especially in comparison to Bangladesh and Myanmar. The country’s favourable investment laws, the efficiency of its workers and the availability of skilled labour, the quality and quantity of production, improved transportation infrastructure, and a growing number of international buyers were other major growth drivers. The country also attracted many foreign financiers who are currently investing in textile manufacturing. In terms of country (not region), Canada remained the fourth largest market, after the top three of the US, Japan and Spain, for Cambodian apparel exports during the first six months of 2024. Cambodia’s total apparel exports totalled $5.548 billion, and Canada accounted for 8.29 per cent of the total. During the period, Canada was supplied with apparel worth $452.916 million, with trousers and shorts having the largest share of 36.06 per cent and valued at $163.392 million. Among other apparel categories, jerseys, valued at $74.217 million, had a 16.39 per cent share in total apparel exports; T-shirts amounted to $38.560 million, contributing 8.51 per cent; shirts were worth $31.012 million, had a 6.85 per cent share; and coats, valued at $20.969 million, contributed 4.63 per cent share. EU-switch garment project The four-year tenure of the EU-Switch Garment Project, which promoted sustainable energy practices in the Cambodian garment sector, ended in May. The European Union SWITCH-Asia Grants Programme funded the project. It jointly implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), TAFTAC (Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association), and Geres in partnership with the MoE (Ministry of Environment) and MISTI (Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation). The event was attended by over 100 participants and featured the project’s detailed achievements, and networking opportunities to discuss the future of sustainable garment production in Cambodia. The EU-Switch Garment project aimed to improve the environmental sustainability of the country’s garment industries by offering technical assistance in the form of energy audits, capacity building, technical guidelines, and improved financing access. During the tenure, the Model Green Factory Program—a voluntary tool to become a greener factory—was developed, acknowledged by MoE and MISTI, and adopted by TAFTAC for implementation. The project also contributed to bringing sector stakeholders together to enhance better access to finance. The National Steering Committee held its first meeting on June 20, 2024 in Phnom Penh, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of State, MoE. At the meeting, the Committee members listed work streams for 2024-2025 and decided to focus on two priority work streams that are expected to have a significant impact on Cambodia’s green economic transaction efforts: Enhancing the Government’s technical capacity in economic foresight and fiscal policy: This work stream would support policymakers in using data to make informed decisions and in systematically assessing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of fiscal and economic decisions. Additionally, integrated planning, modelling, and sustainable budgeting would help the Cambodian Government optimise resources, attract new financing, and align with development priorities. Promoting a circular economy with a focus on reducing single-use plastics and implementing the 4R principles within the garment industry: This work stream would aim to decarbonise the garment sector by reducing carbon emissions through technological innovation, aligning with the UNFCCC Fashion Charter principles. It focuses on reducing fabric waste, promoting circular fashion, and supporting the government’s target to reduce plastic use and promote the 4R principles as part of the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028. On the occasion, PAGE (Partnership for Action on Green Economy) also presented a summary brief, developed based on the last year’s policy scoping study conducted in collaboration with the Cambodian Development Resource Institute, outlining five priorities that serve as a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to identify the obstacles and opportunities for fostering a green economic transition in Cambodia. Workshop on green initiatives A workshop ‘Reporting on Human Rights Due Diligence (HREDD) and Sustainability Requirements for International Buyers’ was organised on September 19, 2024, by GOPA Consulting Group’s team leading the GIZ-funded project “Services to strengthen capacities for sustainable management in the textile sector” in association with TAFTAC. The workshop marked the end of the project. Held in the headquarters of TAFTAC, the workshop lauded the efforts of 45 TAFTAC member factories for the successful completion of the Model Green Factory Program. The training at the workshop had three main objectives – environmental data management, energy efficiency, and job and data management, which are integral to international sustainability standards. Minimum wages revised The National Council on Minimum Wage (NCMW) – a tripartite body comprising equal representation of labour unions, employer’s associations, and the government, increased the minimum wage for the textile, garment, footwear and travel product industries for 2025, through Prakas 211 which will come into force with effect from January 1, 2025. The new minimum wages will be $208 pm (per month) and $206 pm for regular and probationary workers, respectively. Earlier wages were $204 pm and $202 pm. Prakas 211 also outlined the minimum wage provisions for piece rate workers, who are compensated based on their level of output. These workers have the potential to earn more than the minimum wage if their production yields a higher pay rate. However, if their production results in earnings lower than the minimum wage, their pay is adjusted to meet the minimum wage threshold of $208 pm for regular workers or $206 pm for probationary workers. In addition to the minimum wage, workers will also receive the attendance bonus of $10 pm; travel and accommodation expenses of $7 pm; meal allowances of $0.50 per day; and overtime and seniority bonus of $2 to $11 pm for those between their second to the eleventh year of work. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SB – WE)

McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rulesThe Disney Treasure has officially begun its Maiden Voyage and has become the sixth Disney Cruise Line ship to embark on its first journey across the sea. Disney invited me aboard its latest ship to share with the world why this is one adventure that simply shouldn't be missed, and I'm excited to do so. Before we get started, I do want to share that I discovered the meaning of the name Disney Treasure is not so much gold or gems, but the love we have for each other. I know this may sound sappy, but it's easy to take for granted these once-in-a-lifetime moments we get to share with our loved ones that are worth more than any amount of riches one can ever hope to earn, and this ship really took that to heart. From the outstanding Tale of Moana with a cast and crew that has many members from the islands that inspired this story to the Plaza de Coco that reminded us our family will be with us forever and so much more, the theme of family, our love for each other, honoring those that mean the most to us, and being proud of where we came from was a part of every corner of the ship and it really made it feel like magic. So, without further ado, let me share with you why the Disney Treasure is so special, and be sure to let me know your thoughts below! Food Plaza de Coco Was an Emotional Dining Experience I Won't Soon Forget World of Marvel Is a Fun Adventure Through the MCU 1923 Is a Celebration of Disney's Past Marceline Market Is The Gold Standard for a Buffet at Sea Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods Gives You More Choice on Where to Dine Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement Is One of the Finest Dining Experiences at Sea Palo Steakhouse Is an Adult-Exclusive Meal Worth the Extra Cost Jumbeaux’s Sweets Is a Love Letter to Zootopia Entertainment The Tale of Moana Is One of the Greatest Shows I've Seen for One Very Special Reason Beauty and the Beast and Disney Seas the Adventure Are Fantastic Broadway-Style Productions AquaMouse Is a Water Slide Starring Everyone's Favorite Mice Pools and Water Play For All Ages Hero Zone Is an Incredible Excuse to Have Fun Sarabi Is a Lion King-Themed Theater With So Many Great Options Wonderland and Never Land Cinema Brings the Newest Movies to the Disney Treasure Lounges and Cafes The Haunted Mansion Parlor Is the Perfect Extension of the Disney Parks Attraction Skipper Society Brings the Jungle Cruise to This Disney Cruise Scat Cat Lounge Is a Piano Bar with an Aristocat Flair Periscope Pub Is a Wonderful Excuse to Go 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea The Rose Is a Beautiful Place to Share a Drink and a View Jade Cricket and Heihei Cafes Are Delightful Walkup Cafes Oceaneer Club and the 'it's a small world' nursery Are the Definition of Disney Magic Staterooms and The EPCOT-Themed Tomorrow Tower Suite Disney Treasure Merchandise Plaza de Coco Was an Emotional Dining Experience I Won't Soon Forget Of all the dining options aboard the Disney Treasure, Plaza de Coco won my heart as it was one of the most delicious and emotional dining experiences I’ve had in quite some time. As the name suggests, Plaza de Coco is based on Pixar’s Coco and transports guests to Santa Cecilia three years after the events of the film. This all begins with the first few steps as you get to see recreations of the Rivera family’s shoe workshop, pictures of the family, the letters Héctor wrote Coco when she was little and the song lyrics and notes of all the songs we love from the film, and so much more. However, the tears really start flowing when you arrive at Rivera’s Ofrenda, as it is complete with the restored photo of Héctor, Mama Imelda, and Coco and the photo of an older Coco now that she has passed. This feeling of celebrating those we love reverberates throughout the whole experience, and that’s even before we get to the main event. The Plaza de Coco experience takes place over two nights, with the first reintroducing us to Miguel and the Rivera family and the second night turning the plaza into a Dia de los Muertos celebration that stars our favorite characters and songs from the film. The show was very good, and they even included an emotional moment where we all got to honor the loved ones we have lost, but I do want to warn that your experience may vary depending on where you are seated. We were in a far corner and it was hard to keep track of everything going on and we didn’t have the best views of what was happening in the middle. Not a deal breaker by any means, but something to be aware of! And the food! Plaza de Coco had my favorite bite of the entire cruise in the Michoacán Carnitas Tacos. The pork was so tender and crispy in the perfect places and it came with delicious tortillas, pillowy-soft cilantro-lime rice, and a perfectly spicy Salsa Roja Asada. It really was remarkable. Other highlights included Miguel’s Churros Calientes, which were everything you’d hope a churro would be from its crispy outside and soft inside, the Beef Birria Empanada, which is the perfect appetizer, and the Red Chicken Enchiladas, which hit all the right notes for me. There also is a different menu on the first and second night, so you get the chance to try a ton of authentic Mexican food that has been crafted with a lot of love! World of Marvel Is a Fun Adventure Through the MCU World of Marvel is the other big themed dining experience on the Disney Treasure, and it’s a fun journey into the MCU. We were seated for the Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix show and it was a fun experience that featured some of your favorite songs from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. It was fun to see Groot plan a surprise party for Rocket, but the real star of the show for us was the trivia you could participate in on the table. They have these Quantum devices on the table and they ask Marvel questions in-between the big Groot moments, and they were the perfect distraction as we waited for our food. My son, who is 5, was so excited when he got the answer right and couldn’t get enough! I will say, while the Groot show was entertaining and the payoff was sweet, it wasn’t the most memorable night. I think what it was missing was a big moment where a Marvel character came out to greet all the guests, like in the other show - Avengers: Quantum Encounter. In that show, Spider-Man comes out and runs around to say hi to everyone and it’s a really special thing. As for the food, it was good meal with the highlight being the Malaysian Chicken Satay appetizer. The chicken was so tender and juicy and it paired perfectly with the roasted peanut dipping sauce and spicy cucumber salad. I was also able to try the Beef Wellington and it was tasty, but could have used a bit more sauce and texture. Everything was just a bit mushy. For dessert, I had the Orchard Peach Tart with vanilla sauce and dulce de leche ice cream and it was a nice end to a fun meal! 1923 Is an Celebration of Disney's Past 1923 is the main dining room experience aboard the Disney Treasure and, while it doesn’t have any show component, it celebrates the over 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company with storyboards, sketches, props, and more. I got the California Riesling Risotto and it was surprisingly good. What I love most about cruises is trying food you may have never had before, and this combination of Sweet Green Pea, Fava Bean, Malabar Spinach, and Toasted Pine Nuts was the perfect example of that. It’s also home to the Chocolate Lava Cake, which is always a delight. Marceline Market Is The Gold Standard for a Buffet at Sea Marceline Market, which is named after Walt Disney’s early childhood home, is the cruise buffet restaurant and it is really wonderful. It’s kind of a tradition for guests to make Marceline Market one of the first stops when you get on the cruise as your room usually isn’t quite ready, and that meal is so special because it is delicious and it means your cruise has officially arrived. And what’s a better feeling than that? We had one lunch and one breakfast at Marceline Market on our three-day trip and some of the highlights included the Chicken Tikka Masala, chicken fingers, mac and cheese, POG (Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava) Juice, the charcuterie board, Mickey Waffles, and Eggs Benedict. There are so many options at Marceline Market that I couldn’t even try the raw bar with crab and shrimp cocktail, all the single desserts, plentiful soup and salad options, and much more. On the Disney Wish, where I was able to to eat at Marceline Market multiple times, I will say it did get a bit old as they didn’t change up the dishes all that much. That being said, it’s a great option for those who want a quick and delicious meal! Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods Gives You More Choice on Where to Dine If you leave Marceline Market and head across the pool deck, you will enter Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods. This festival contains Mickey’s Smokestack BBQ, Donald’s Cantina, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill, and Minnie’s Delights, and they are another great option for switching up your dining experiences. Mickey’s Smokestack BBQ was the best of the bunch for me as the ribs and brisket were so tender, fall apart, and delicious. There are a bunch of other options and a few BBQ sauces to try, and I found myself wanting to come back for more A LOT. Donald’s Cantina won second place for me as it is the Disney Treasure’s take on a Chipotle-style meal. You can get a burrito, bowl, or tacos, and there is an extensive salsa and hot sauce bar that gives you a lot of customization options to make the perfect dish. Goofy’s Grill is where you’ll go if your craving a cheeseburger, hot dog, chicken fingers, or some french fries. They are classic and delicious and, like many of these other options, I just wish they were open a bit later. The only stall that is open late is Diasy’s Pizza Pies, and they sadly don’t make the greatest pizzas of all time. It is good as far as pizza goes, but it was probably my least favorite stall. Lastly, we have to talk about Minnie’s Delights, because this shop is the home of the legendary cruise ship soft serve. You can get chocolate, vanilla, swirl, and more and it hits the spot every single time. 10/10. Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement Is One of the Finest Dining Experiences at Sea For those looking for a truly high end dining experience, you all need to look no further than Enchanté by three Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. Lallement is also responsible for the menus of Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy’s Remy, and he returns for this Beauty and the Beast-themed multi-course meal that is adult-exclusive and features French-inspired cuisine. I wasn’t able to try Enchanté this time, but I’ve heard nothing but great things! Palo Steakhouse Is an Adult-Exclusive Meal Worth the Extra Cost Those who have sailed on the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, or Fantasy may be familiar with Palo, the Italian-inspired adult-exclusive restaurant that costs an extra $50/person. However, the Disney Treasure and Wish have Palo Steakhouse, an “evolution” of the original inspired by Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast. My wife and I were very grateful to Disney for treating us to brunch at Palo Steakhouse, and it just so happened to be one of my favorite meals in years. Beyond offering stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean, this multi-course meal was so fresh, delicious, and inventive that it has me dreaming of my return trip in the future. $50 gets you everything on the menu minus a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and that includes as many portions as you can reasonably handle. While we’ll get to the food in a second, I also have to applaud the wait staff for their INCREDIBLE service, friendliness, and enthusiasm for guiding us through the menu. We honestly let them steer the ship for this brunch and I’m so happy we did. We began with both Antipasti Selections - one seafood-focused and one meat-and-cheese-focused - and they were both fantastic. Some of the highlights included the Jonah Crab Claw, Lemon-Marinated Shrimp, Sliced Bresaola, and the Caciotta a Tartuffo. The Bresaola was an air-dried, salted beef that had so much wonderful flavor, and it paired perfectly with the Caciotta a Tartuffo and its divine cheesy and truffle flavor. We also have to talk about the bread service, because I don’t think I’ve ever had such pillowy soft bread in my life. There was a combination of breads, breadsticks, and more, but the winner was the olive and sun-dried tomato bread that had so many flavors packed into one bite. We then ordered the non-alcoholic Cipriani Bellini, and let me tell you that I instantly went online to see how I can order these at home. They were SO tasty and had a non-artificial-tasting Peach flavor with a carbonated bite that caused me to drink it way too fast. The egg course was next and we tried the Rosemary Ham and Hollandaise Benedict and the Spinach, Asparagus, and Mornay Sauce Benedict and they were very good, even if I wish they had a bit more texture and weren’t as soft. Before our main course we tried the Heirloom Tomato and Basil Soup and it tasted as if the tomatoes were picked right off the vine. There was no filler here, it was delicious tomato flavor that had me looking around for the garden. Finally we reached the Entree course and we split the famous Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast with Creamy Risotto, Veal Saltimbocca, and Lasagna Bolognese. Everyone hyped up the Parmesan Chicken before our brunch, and I’m so happy to report it lived up to it. Chicken Parmesan and Risotto are two of my favorite things in the world and they are somehow even greater when paired together. The Veal had a very strong wine flavor from the Barolo Wine Jus which I wasn’t the biggest fan of, but I did appreciate how inventive it was with the Black Garlic Rapini. What surprised me the most, however, was the Lasagna. It may look simple, but it was hiding so many layers of flavor and cheese and was the dish we finished the fastest. To end, we split the Warm Amaretto Chocolate Fondant with Espresso Gelato and the Limoncello Almost Torte. Much like everything else on the menu, these were wonderful and the mix of chocolate and tart worked wonders. I understand I didn’t have to pay for this particular meal, but I do strongly believe Palo Steakhouse is more than worth the price for the views, impeccable service, as much fantastic food as you’d like, and an excuse to treat yourselves on a beautiful cruise ship day or or night. Jumbeaux’s Sweets Is a Love Letter to Zootopia Jumbeaux’s Sweets is a Zootopia fan’s dream come true and is the place to get a sweet treat when aboard the Disney Treasure. While they don’t yet have the Pawsicle (It’s on its way!), they do have Pawsicle-shaped treats, a ton of gelato and ice cream, and specialty goodies like the Judy Hopps Carrot Cupcake, Nick Wilde Raspberry ‘n Cream Cupcake, and more. The theming is also top notch and features a life-size statue of both Nick and Judy, the adorable Lemmings eating their Pawsicles and hopping up and down their private elevator, and more. What really sets Jumbeaux’s Sweets apart, however, is how much the team really cares about honoring Zootopia. Pastry Chef Greg McClure shared with me how he was most proud of how they developed the unique Sahara Squares - a whole new cupcake/cake hybrid named after a location in Zootopia that brings the world of the film to the Treasure. The Tale of Moana Is One of the Greatest Shows I've Seen for One Very Special Reason I’m not exaggerating when I say my time aboard the Disney Treasure was one of the greatest three days of my life, so I hope you can understand how impressive it is when I say The Tale of Moana was THE highlight of the entire trip for me. This show was not only one of the greatest stage shows I’ve ever seen on land or sea, but it’s truly special because of the story behind it. Much like the film that inspired it, The Tale of Moana is an incredible celebration of the people and culture of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. And this isn’t just lip-service either as Disney went and recruited much of its cast and crew from those islands, and it was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. I was speaking to one of my Disney reps and they shared with me a story about how she was speaking to Jodi Kimura, the Hawaiian actress behind the production’s Gramma Tala, and she asked why she chose to leave Broadway to come perform on a Disney Cruise. The reason was beautiful - it was the first time she was going to be able to perform with her people. And yes, that means she was able to share the stage with Moana herself, Kaenaonālaniowaianuhea Kekoa. Kekoa is another Hawaiian actress and I don’t know how to praise her any better than saying she is Moana. She had such a command of the stage with power, emotion, and joy and it sailed straight into our hearts. I had the chance to speak with Kekoa after watching The Tale of Moana, and here’s what she had to say about when she really felt she was Moana, as I think iy strengthens my points better than I could ever hope to; “It was probably the moment when I'm on the boat with Gramma Tala, right before the song ‘I am Moana’ and she's sings, ‘I'm a girl who loves my island, and a girl who loves the sea,’” Kekoa said. “That really got to me as I am a girl from an island and I love the sea and my people and being able to share that with the world... that's probably the moment I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I am this girl... but we are all this girl! “We all have ancestors whose legacy we have the honor of carrying on and passing down. So I hope that everybody can see that and a piece of Moana in themselves.” I strongly encourage you to check out my full write-up on The Tale of Moana so you can hear from more of the creatives, but I think it’s amazing that I’ve gone this far and haven’t even mentioned how remarkable the show itself was. From people dancing and acting as the ocean and carrying Moana across the stage to the massive and unbelievable Te Ka puppet that transformed back into Te Fiti on stage to Gramma Tala as a manta ray soaring across the theater, there were so many moments that all led up to one of the most impressive standing ovations I’ve ever been a part of. I don’t have enough good things to say about The Tale of Moana, and my only regret is that only those on the Disney Treasure will be able to see it. Here’s hoping one day it is able to sail beyond the reef and make its way to Broadway or elsewhere because the world needs to see this truly fantastic adaptation of Moana. Beauty and the Beast and Disney Seas the Adventure Are Fantastic Broadway-Style Productions The other two shows on the Disney Treasure - Beauty and the Beast and Seas the Adventure, were also very, very good, but I want to start with Beauty and the Beast. We all love the story and music from that classic Disney film, but what made this show special is the cast of The Tale of Moana also performed Beauty and the Beast. Why is this special? I’ll let Jenny Weinbloom, VP of Disney Live Entertainment, tell you. "The Tale of Moana is so powerful, but what I also love about what we do at Disney Cruise Line is that our shows are all performed in rep, which is to say this same cast is performing our other big shows on the ship like Beauty and the Beast,” Weinbloom said. “The first time I saw this cast, who I'd fallen in love in The Tale of Moana, perform Beauty and the Beast, I was struck and I found myself weeping in the middle of that opening number because Belle's little provincial French village looked like Motonui. “I just thought, what a beautiful little sense of connection that both of these little villages now have, no matter what the people look like, no matter where our performers may be from, these little villages have so much more in common than we might think. It really is beautiful.” As for Disney Seas the Adventure, it’s a much shorter show that is the perfect kick-off for a cruise. This show sees Goofy steering a ship and getting swept away to the worlds of our favorite films like The Princess and the Frog, Moana, Frozen II, and more. There are also some numbers where they combine beloved characters and songs together in a mash-up, and those were some of my favorites. AquaMouse Is a Water Slide Ride Starring Everyone's Favorite Mice AquaMouse is the big water slide ride on Disney Cruise Ships and the Disney Treasure features an all-new Mickey and Minnie Mouse short called Curse of the Golden Egg. This is a very fun water slide that isn’t too scary, and will definitely be a highlight for the younger guests. Pools and Water Play For All Ages Speaking of water activities, there are plenty of ways to cool off on a hot day aboard the Disney Treasure. You can hop into one of the 10 pools and play areas inspired by Mickey Mouse and his friends, the younger guests can enjoy the delightful Toy Story Splash Zone, and the whole family can hop on the Slide-a-Saurus Rex slide for a thrilling few moments of fun. And yes, there are adults-only pools for those times you want some peace and quiet. Hero Zone Is an Incredible Excuse to Have Fun The Hero Zone is an Incredibles-themed room that transforms and offers a ton of fun experiences for guests of all ages. One of the best times to visit is when the Incred-Games are happening, which encourages families to come and compete in challenges in an inflatable obstacle course. Some of the obstacles include busting through a “brick wall,” getting through Jack-Jack’s Whack-A Rac, testing your flexibility in Elastigirl’s Stretch-O-Rama, and much more. Hero Zone is also home to the ADORABLE Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash, Tink’s Neverland Challenge, and Free-Play Sports. Sarabi Is a Lion King-Themed Theater With So Many Great Options Sarabi is just one of the many lounges aboard the Disney Treasure, and it is home to musical performances, comedy acts, family game shows, trivia, dance parties, and so much more. While there are other venues that offer similar activities, the Lion King-themed Sarabi is the main theater for these events that can fill out your cruise day. The best show I saw during our cruise was the brand-new ‘Choose Wisely! An Indiana Jones Comedy Adventure.’ This show not only went through the events of all the Indiana Jones films and tastefully made fun of them, but the INCREDIBLE and HILARIOUS hosts - Sage and Coriander - led guests through a choose your own adventure. There would be a choice one of the characters would need to make, and the hosts would be “whipped” back to reality to ask guests in the audience to “choose wisely” and make the right choice. Of course, a lot of the fun happened when we didn’t choose wisely! Strongly recommend this show! Wonderland and Never Land Cinema Brings the Newest Movies to the Disney Treasure Considering Disney has created some of the most beloved films of all time, it only makes sense that Disney Cruises would have a way to watch some of them in the middle of the ocean. However, what makes these theaters special is they oftentimes include the newest movies that are still in theaters. During our trip, Moana 2 was showing multiple times and you could bring your loved ones or yourself, grab some popcorn and treats, and enjoy a film at sea! The Haunted Mansion Parlor Is the Perfect Extension of the Disney Parks Attraction One of the things that makes the Disney Treasure so special is it is the first time Disney has brought Disney Parks experiences aboard a Disney Cruise Ship. We’ll get to the Jungle Cruise-inspired Skipper Society shortly, but I can’t wait to talk about The Haunted Mansion Parlor. This is, simply put, the perfect extension of The Haunted Mansion itself and may just be one of the best lounges/bars I’ve ever been to in my life. Listen, I know I’m making some grand statements here, but these spaces are just that good. The Haunted Mansion just screams (pun intended) authenticity, from the iconic ticking clock sound to a floating Madame Leota to eerily familiar paintings that hide dark secrets to hitchhiking ghosts and the always wonderful 'Grim Grinning Ghosts,' there is so much love and care put into every inch of this lounge. It also has its own story with a nautical twist, and that makes everything happening around you a little more meaningful. The centerpiece of The Haunted Mansion feeds into this story and it is the ghost fish aquarium. This is a feat of Disney Imagineering marvel and its history is just as impressive as the aquarium itself. The piece is an homage to Imagineer Rolly Crump and his Museum of the Weird that was set to be a walkthrough experience next to The Haunted Mansion. While it never saw the light of day, this aquarium now lives on in The Haunted Mansion Parlor. This wasn’t an easy thing to build either, as it came down to the wire to get the effects working properly, especially considering you can approach the aquarium from all sides. The tributes to Crump didn’t end there, however, as there is also a bust of the Imagineer in the parlor that is a nod to the Haunted Mansion and his Museum of the Weird. "Another character we all loved from the Museum of the Weird was Rolly Crump's Candleman," Joseph said. "Sadly, Rolly passed away during the development of the Haunted Mansion Parlor and we were all saddened by that and the fact he'd never get to see it completed. "So, we knew we wanted to do a bust in there no matter what just like you'd find in the Haunted Mansion, but we then knew the perfect choice was to make it of Rolly. To make it even more special, one of our team members suggested we do Rolly partially as the Candleman and make sure the side of his head that's melting is next to the fireplace. This was a huge honor and another really detailed thought and the authenticity of the design that follows suit with everything else in the Mansion parlor." It’s all these little details that make this lounge so special, and that obviously extends into the drinks. I don’t really drink alcohol, but I loved that references the drinks made, from The Chilling Challenge to Regions Beyond to the Happy Haunts IPA and Pallor Mortis Pale Ale to the Spirit-Free Bottled Soda ‘Potions.’ There’s also an awesome secret menu that guests can discover for themselves. I won’t spoil it here for you, but I will say that sometimes the answer requires a different perspective. Skipper Society Brings the Jungle Cruise to This Disney Cruise As I previously mentioned, Skipper Society is a lounge inspired by the Jungle Cruise and it’s one of the Disney Parks attractions that now has a home on the sea. Much like The Haunted Mansion Parlor, there is so much love and care put into this lounge that would make even the most die-hard Jungle Cruise fans proud. One detail that I love is they used exact replicas of the greenery from the actual Disneyland attraction to adorn the ceiling, making it feel even more as if you are in queue getting ready to hop on a Jungle Cruise boat. Another special addition is the nameplate of the EMS Express Boat in the bar. Many may not realize it, but this is a nod to the Ems river in Germany where the Disney Treasure first sailed to the sea after its construction was finished. I could go on and on about the radios that feature Skipper talking with their very specific brand of humor, the ‘Missing’ poster for the infamous playwright cat, the stage with a beautiful wooden-carved wall of animals, the art piece that is a map of the Disney Treasure attractions if they were on the river, and so much more, but a lot of the fun is discovering these surprises for yourself. I will mention the delicious drinks and food on offer at Skipper Society, and some of the notable ones are the Apple Cinnamon or original waffles, the Hippopotomai-Tai, Safari So Good, and Jungle Juice. Scat Cat Lounge Is a Piano Bar with an Aristocat Flair The Scat Cat Lounge is a piano bar themed after 1970’s The Aristocats and it is just so great. It’s very classy lounge that has the feel of an old-school jazz club with the little touches that add the Disney Magic. I particularly like that paint-covered paw prints left by Toulouse on the piano, the ‘Ev’rybody wants to be a cat’ light fixture on the wall, and the poster that features cats from the team that helped bring the Scat Cat Lounge to life. What also makes this lounge special is that it is right next to the Agrabah-inspired Grand Hall and it takes the Aladdin and Aristocats theming to heart and blends them together wonderfully so the transition isn’t so jarring for guests. Periscope Pub Is a Wonderful Excuse to Go 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Periscope Pub is such a cool area that honors 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and the now-closed attraction inspired by the film at Disney World, and it’s meant to make you feel as though you were underwater in a submarine. You can see fish, sharks, and even giant squid swim above you as you are enjoying a drink or grabbing a bite, and can enjoy sporting events and more in this mostly adult-exclusive space. There’s also a fun Easter Egg to lookout for in Periscope Pub as you can see the number 718 on a pressure gauge. This number is in reference to what Meyer’s Werft shipyard calls the Disney Treasure - 718. The Rose Is a Beautiful Place to Share a Drink and a View Right outside of Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté sits The Rose, which may be one of the most gorgeous lounges I’ve ever been in. This Beauty and the Beast lounge, much like Palo, has incredible views of the ocean and it’s all adorned in gold and features artwork inspired by that famous rose from the film. However, the true star of The Rose is the hallway, which has you walk past portraits of characters from Beauty and the Beast until you get to the rose itself under glass. It’s simple, but so, so beautiful. Jade Cricket and Heihei Cafes Are Delightful Walkup Cafes Even the walkup cafes have a touch of wonder, and the Disney Treasure has the Moana-themed Heihei Cafe and the Mulan-themed Jade Cricket Cafe. While they aren’t overly themed, there are some incredible little touches, including a jade sculpture of Cri-Kee in a cup of tea and a statue of Heihei. On the Disney Treasure, there may be no place that has quite as much magic as the Oceaneer Club and ‘it’s a small world’ nursery. These kids clubs are absolutely incredible and there is so much love and care put into them. My son couldn’t get enough of the Oceaneer Club, which is for kids ages 3 to 10, and I learned why when I got a tour of the space. The Oceaneer Club is gated and you need to check your child in, so it’s a great place to drop them off if you want to experience one of the adult-exclusive meals or otherwise, and once you enter you have the choice to go right of left. To the left is both Marvel Super Hero Academy and Star Wars: Cargo Bay, and these are both places to meet characters, build your own Marvel Super Hero Suit, interact with creatures from a galaxy far, far away like a porg and Loth-cat, and much more. When you go right, you can enter Fairytale Hall and visit rooms inspired by Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen. And yes, the characters will show up here and interact with the kids. When I was there, Rapunzel and Flynn showed me around Rapunzel’s room and discussed all her drawings and more. It was wonderful. The Walt Disney Imagineering Lab is next and this was one of my favorites as I love the Imagineers and how they are instrumental in creating real-life Disney Magic. In this room, kids can learn what it takes to build and design experiences and attractions for Disney Parks and Cruise Ships, experience a virtual roller coaster, and even see cool tricks like this butterfly below. The last space in the Oceaneer Club is Mickey and MInnie Captain’s Deck and it’s a wonderful indoor playground themed to Disney Cruise Line. As you can see, there is something for everyone, and we didn’t even mention the dance parties or themed games and activities that happen all throughout the cruise. I was so amazed by the details and care put into this space, and that was all before I wandered into the nursery. The ‘it’s a small world’ nursery literally brought me to tears, especially considering I have a one-year-old. This whole room is themed after the beloved Disney Parks attraction, but this time it features characters from all your favorite Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters. Oh, and Disney lullabies are being played at all times which caused my waterworks to go into high gear. It’s such a beautiful and lovely space and, combined with the outstanding staff, is a place I feel so comfortable leaving my most important little ones. The Disney Treasure has very comfortable staterooms in 4 main categories - Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. We stayed in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah and it had a beautiful balcony that let you sit and enjoy the ocean breeze whenever you desired. The rooms were also pretty spacious and featured a variety of different themes based on Disney movies. We had a Luca room, and there was a beautiful mural above the bed and other nice touches all around. Disney Cruise Lines also have a multi-bathroom set-up, where there is one room with a toilet and sink and another with a sink and shower/bath. This is all designed to let guests get ready in stages and get people going as quickly as possible. While we didn’t get to stay in one, we were able to tour the Concierge-level Tomorrow Tower Suite, and it was a stunning tribute to EPCOT. This two-story suite is placed inside the ship’s forward funnel and has its own private elevator and a two-story window that can be dimmed for extra privacy. The nearly 2,000-sqft suite can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests and features two main bedrooms, a library/bedroom that is fully accessible, and children’s room with a ceiling filled with stars and constellations. There are also 4.5 bathrooms to go with them. The living room is perhaps the most impressive part of the Tomorrow Tower Suite as it features a breathtaking iridescent chandelier that is a kaleidoscope of colors and, when the sun is at the right position, it causes a dance of rainbows to light up the room. In addition to all of this, there is a fully stocked fridge with Mickey Bars and other goodies, the ability to order Palo Steakhouse to the suite, and so many nods to EPCOT including the iconic geodesic sphere, Figment, The Lands, and so much more. You can’t have a Disney experience without a good collection of merch, right? The Disney Treasure obviously understands that and you can check out some of the coolest items in the slideshow below, including inaugural sailing merch and items inspired by the Haunted Mansion Parlor! There is so much more to say about the Disney Treasure, and I encourage all guests to check out its main page to learn more about the ship, where it sails, and so much more. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com . Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.

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Idaho state employees ask lawmakers to raise pay, address high turnoverUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s main airport as a civilian Airbus 320 with hundreds of passengers on board was landing and a U.N. delegation was waiting to leave, the U.N.‘s top humanitarian official in Yemen said Friday. Julien Harneis told U.N. reporters that the most frightening thing about the two airstrikes on Thursday wasn’t their effect on him and about 15 others in the VIP lounge at the international airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, including the head of the U.N. World Health Organization. Rather, it was the destruction of the airport control tower as a Yemenia Airways plane was taxiing in after touching down. “Fortunately, that plane was able to land safely and the passengers were able to disembark, but it could have been far, far worse,” said Harneis, who was with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the lounge . He said one airstrike landed approximately 300 meters (330 yards) south of the VIP lounge and another about 300 meters to the north around 4:45 p.m., while about five members of the U.N. team were outside the building. “Not only obviously did we have zero indication of any potential airstrikes, but we cannot remember the last time there were airstrikes in Sanaa during daylight hours,” Harneis said in a video news conference from Sanaa. The U.N. said at least three people were killed and dozens injured in the strike. Among the injured was a crew member from the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service, which was about to fly the U.N. delegation of some 20 people out of Sanaa. He suffered a serious leg injury from shrapnel and lost a lot of blood, Harneis said. Immediately after the airstrikes, Harneis said, U.N. security officials moved the delegation out of the VIP building and into five armored cars where they waited for approximately 40 minutes to ascertain what happened and help the injured crew member. He was taken to a hospital in Sanaa and underwent four hours of surgery while the rest of the delegation spent the night in a U.N. compound, Harneis said. The U.N. plane with Tedros and the U.N. team, including the injured crew member, was able to depart for Jordan on Friday afternoon – without an operating control tower. The United Nations said the injured crew member was taken to a hospital in Jordan, and Tedros was heading back to Geneva, where WHO is based, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and much of the country’s north, have gone after Israel since it started attacking Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Gaza’s Hamas militants on southern Israel. The Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea, disrupting one of the world’s main maritime routes, and recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on Israel . Israel has escalated its response. The Israeli army said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief or U.N. delegation were at the Sanaa airport on Thursday. Israel said it bombed the airport because it is used by the Houthis and Iran. Harneis responded, stressing that the airport is civilian, not military, and is used for transporting U.N. and other humanitarian workers, and for one civilian flight — Yemenia to and from Amman, Jordan. The flight operates as a result of an international agreement, and thousands of Yemenis have used the flight to get advanced medical treatment abroad, he said. Yemen is the Arab world’s poorest nation and has been engulfed in a 10-year civil war between the Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and much of the country’s north, and the internationally recognized government forces in the south. Tedros was in the country to discuss its worsening humanitarian crisis and to seek the release of about 50 people detained by the Houthis since June from the U.N., nongovernmental organizations and civil society. Harneis said 18 million Yemenis — about half the country’s population — need humanitarian assistance this year, and the U.N. expects the number to increase to 19 million next year because of the worsening economy . In addition to airstrikes on the Sanaa airport, Israel has been attacking the country’s key port of Hodeida, in western Yemen. Harneis said Yemen relies on imports through Hodeida for 80% of its food and more than 90% of its medical supplies to the north. A recent Israeli airstrike destroyed two tugboats and is estimated to have reduced the harbor’s capacity by 50%, the U.N. official said, while damage from Thursday’s airstrikes hasn’t been assessed yet. As for the detainees, Harneis said he joined the WHO chief at meetings with the Houthi prime minister, foreign minister and a member of the group’s Supreme Political Council. He said they received commitments on the detainees’ possible release and a pathway to it, and on conditions under which they are being held.

Mechanicsburg girls basketball continues its hot start to the year with another victory. • Sign up for PennLive’s daily high school sports newsletter Mechanicsburg took it to Hempfield Friday afternoon with a 55-29 victory. Maycee Yanoski led the Wildcats with 12 points. Lauren Lebo (11) and Mia Masser (10) also scored in double figures. Hempfield’s Jazelyn Santiago scored a game-high 15 points. — Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Follow Rymir Vaughn on X — @RymirVaughn ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Bill Oxford Shares of rare disease concern Amicus Therap eutics, Inc. ( FOLD ) are down 15% since producing a profitable Q3 2024 on a non-GAAP basis that compelled management to raise its outlook for FY2024. Entering the black and Live Chat on The Biotech Forum has been dominated by discussion of lucrative buy-write or covered call opportunities on selected biotech stocks over the past several months. To see what I and the other season biotech investors are targeting as trading ideas real-time, just join our community at The Biotech Forum by clicking HERE . Bret Jensen has over 13 years as a market analyst, helping investors find big winners in the biotech sector. Bret specializes in high beta sectors with potentially large investor returns. Bret leads the investing group The Biotech Forum , in which he and his team offer a model portfolio with their favorite 12-20 high upside biotech stocks, live chat to discuss trade ideas, and weekly research and option trades. The group also provides market commentary and a portfolio update every weekend. Learn More . Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of FOLD either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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The Canadiens announced some changes today with their roster, and with that stated that young goaltender Cayden Primeau will be placed on waivers tomorrow. Back on the ice, The Montreal Canadiens had their first practice since Christmas break Friday as they went back on ice at FTL War Memorial in Florida. Head coach Martin St-Louis announced that goalie Jakub Dobes will make his first career NHL start on Saturday against the Panthers. Called up by Montreal earlier in the day, the 23-year-old has been solid in the AHL this season with the Laval Rocket, notching a 9-3-1 record along with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 14 games thus far. Patrik Laine took part in a full practice for the first time since being diagnosed with an upper-body injury following his December 23 game versus Columbus. Of the 23 players on the active roster, 22 took to the ice during Friday's session in Florida. Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble were the extras. Notably absent was young goaltender Cayden Primeau . After practice, Martin St-Louis explained that Cayden Primeau would be placed on waivers Saturday to facilitate a loan to the Laval Rocket in the AHL. The Canadiens will embark on their five-game holiday road trip on Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. ET matinee start against the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. The Canadiens will need their goalies to shine bright going forward if they are to have any hope of staying in the playoff mix, as many of the teams around them are starting to win games. This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

Jack Smith's team preparing now for Trump retribution extending even to spouses: reportWASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling , as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. "Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23," Yellen wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation's debt ceiling — which has been suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. The department has in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. But once those measures run out the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. "I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," she said. The news comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. The bill was approved by Congress only after fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump's demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement. After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025. Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," she said. The federal debt currently stands at roughly $36 trillion — which ballooned across both Republican and Democratic administrations. And the spike in inflation after the coronavirus pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security. Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but debate over how to pay for them.Trump Seeks TikTok Reprieve in Pursuit of Political Solution