8 attractions ocean park The stars of the latest screen-to-stage adaptation open up to PEOPLE about bringing the Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn film to life again Bruce Glikas/Getty . . . And now, . The two actresses have officially cemented their names among the pantheon of legendary comedic Broadway duos with their performances in , the hilarious new musical which opened to rave reviews on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. Based on the 1992 Robert Zemeckis dark comedy starring and , the stage show follows longtime frienemies Madeline Ashton (Hilty) and Helen Sharp (Simard), whose bitter feud gets deadly when the two take a mysterious potion that gives them eternal youth and beauty. Joining them is Destiny's Child icon , in her first original Broadway role, and Tony nominee as Ernest, Madeline's husband (and Helen's former fiancé). Tony Award-winner Christopher Gattelli directs and choreographs the musical, which features a score from the songwriting team of Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and a book by Marco Pennette. Related: Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Ahead of opening night, PEOPLE caught up with Hilty and Simard to discuss their roles, their friendship and how they've found deeper meaning in the musical's themes. People throw around the term "dream come true" a lot. I've been known to do that myself, and not that I didn't mean it before, but I really, really mean it with this job because it really has been so satisfying. The script is genius. The songs are incredible. The costumes are stunning. There's just a magic to it where you can feel how uniquely special it is. It's almost hard to stay in your body when you think about it, because it can feel like it's happening to another person. I find myself every day going, "When's the other shoe going to drop? This is too good to be true." For me, to have this opportunity as two women is really thrilling professionally, personally, especially in the macrocosm of theater. It's almost as if we're . I hope it's the start of long, long collaboration. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Related: It can be incredibly daunting at first, especially when you frame it like, "Who do I think I am, taking on a role that the greatest actress of all time made iconic? How dare you!" I don't think either of us were like, "Yeah, that's right. We deserve this!" [Laughs] We're far too humbled by this industry to feel that way. But at the same time, I think both of us are just such huge fans of their work and of the movie, we feel lucky to be doing this. Exactly. I love both Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn so much, watched all their movies as a kid, and it's truly an honor and a privilege to be chosen to be one half of that equation. And like I've said many, many times, I couldn't ask for a better partner in Megan. I feel the same about Jennifer. I get to be opposite one of the greatest actresses of our time. [Looks around] That's you, lady! I'm talking about you! I understand that Meryl and Goldie were good friends when they filmed this, and that's very important to me. I told Megan, "You will be my friend. You have no choice. You're going to like me or else. You're going to be stuck with me." And it's just been really lovely to play with her on stage. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman You definitely look at it and say, "What are the things that I can pay homage to and what are the things that I can give an essence of?" It's that fine line. It's very good for any actor who's faced with something like this, or in general, to remember that you have nothing to prove; you only have something to share. And what you're going to share is yourself and pieces of yourself. We're also not here to mimic their performance. Nobody can, nor should they. Right, this isn't . And to those who come after Megan and I, they shouldn't imitate us. Everyone has something special and unique about them, and that informs the character and makes it special and unique to you. I like the word "exaggerated" because it is a theatrical experience, it's not a film. And so we're not recreating the film, but we also have a mandate to make it theatrical. Hopefully we do it in a way that even when it's the most exaggerated with broad brush strokes, it still resonates as being honest. I always says, this is the same story told through the lens of, "What would happen if they were singing and dancing while they were trying to kill each other?" Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Comedy is so deceptively difficult. It's equal parts math and magic. There's a rhythm and a timing and a certain something that you can't really describe in words. And I don't think people really understand how difficult it is, because when it's working, you shouldn't feel the work at all. You know that moment in where Jeff Goldblum has the water on his hand and the water goes this way, and the next time it could go this way? Well, to Megan's point about math, boy, it infuriates me on the stage when, if the science is not right or the math is not right, then the joke doesn't work. So it really is that specific. I feel blessed to have a partner in Jennifer. We have a really special understanding of that math and magic. And like she said, it really takes partners who are listening to each other. It was easy to find the comedy with Megan because we just listen to one another. We talk with our eyes on stage and we're very, in my opinion, extremely generous with one another. It was super fun to figure it all out at first. And we can't give away the secrets, but the magic and illusions are quite active for us both. But the real job is in the maintenance of it and that's something people won't really understand. We're working hard behind the scenes to make it happen! Megan is charged with having to do incredible work in that regard, in my opinion. It's really thrilling and we have to treat ourselves like athletes. I mean, Megan and I do so much to stay healthy, fit and ready for service. If there is a stock in Epsom salts, buy now. Because wow, we are going to be using a lot of it during the course of the show. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Absolutely. And can you believe this is their first Broadway credit? I keep saying, we're very lucky to be in their first musical before they're too famous to speak to us anymore! I think every interview I've done, and this is no exception, I've said the thing that I'm most excited about in this show is how it's going to change our composer and lyricist's lives. They're that good. I'm blown away, not only by what they've created but how they've change it along the way to meet the ever-shifting needs of the show. They're so smart and so adaptive. And how thrilling to hear them write in all of these different voices, too, and to create a score with levels.'SIMARD: Universal did take a chance on them. It's a true testament of meritocracy in action. They called for submissions and Julia and Noel submitted the best material, and they got it. And I love that. This is their first big thing and it's going to be the first of many. I'm blown away, not only by what they've created but how they've change it along the way to meet the ever-shifting needs of the show. They're so smart and so adaptive. And how thrilling to hear them write in all of these different voices, too, and to create a score with levels. [Sarcastically] Nahhh. [Dryly] Pass. [Dismissively] Next question! [Laugh] No, Chris is truly the best. He plays the role Bruce Willis made famous on screen and it's wild how much he feels like Bruce up there. He really does. We actually watched him on stage yesterday — he didn't know we were watching him just sort something out — and he was so focused and we were just, "Look at him go!" He's just so lovely and kind and such a sweet man, which comes across in his Ernest. I can't wait for people to see him try to navigate us two crazies, because so much of his job in this show is listening and reacting. And handing us shovels. He's very good at handling us shovels. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman Related: Pressures? What pressures? I don't feel any of those pressures at all. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm so obsessed with you. [Laughs] No, as a deeply vain person — and one who has been that way since she was a teenager — it's something that I've struggled with for decades. I think, unfortunately, people make a lot of money off of women hating themselves. And so it's kind of ingrained in our brains and our bodies to constantly want to do more to make ourselves desirable. Especially in this industry. It's really, really difficult to separate yourself from that. I agree and , and sort of the dark places that disease [anorexia] took me to. It's something many of us have to face every day. I don't think there's a person out there who doesn't understand the pressure of looking their best. I identify deeply with Madeline. She's a woman of a certain age in an industry that is brutal to women. How dare any of us get older! I don't know how many times, I've heard, "Boy, she's really let herself go." And conversely, "Ooh, she's had too much work done." There's no winning. None at all. We, the collective "we," are in a lose-lose situation. But at the same time, the best comedy is rooted and pain. And I think we're both able to really laugh at it through the course of this show. Completely. That's why I'm really, really thrilled to get to tell this story. While it is really funny, it's funny because it's based in honest truth. And it asks that question: How far are we willing to go to meet these horribly unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection? Franz Szony Related: In a way. I've gotten to a place where, as far as I'm concerned, everyone should do what makes them feel their best. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I love that person" — no matter what you look like, no matter what you've done to yourself or not done? That's a win, right there. What matters is how you feel. It doesn't matter what anyone else says, it's no one's business. I love that answer. And I agree — you know, I have this song in the show called "Falling Apart," and I love it so much because she's listing all of the ways she's tortured herself in an effort to stay relevant and it's still not enough. She still feels cast aside and worthless. And I think it's helped me realize just how ridiculous this all is. It really is. You have to just live for you. I mean, I've already said it but I'm not going to live this whole year of my life without having a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza. Amen to that. The other night I had two slices of pizza and I texted Megan, "I'll be taking no further questions at this time." . . . But listen, I laugh but it's true. I'm not going to make myself crazy to be something that I'm not. And I want to own every curve of my body. I think they're beautiful and if other people don't, who cares? I feel that about the lines in my face, too. I'm no stranger to treatments. I've been doing Botox since my mid-twenties, just little bits to make sure nothing sets in. And there was a point last year where I was like, "I think I'm just going to let it go for a while." Because, first of all, I need my face to move for the show. And second of all, I wanted to take more control over this. For so long, I fed into this game. And who knows, maybe I'll go back one day — don't hold me to it. But at least for now, I'm allowing myself to let go a bit. One of the things I feel by the end of the show is that there's all kinds of different beauty and beauty standards. And I really like appealing to women of all shapes and sizes. That's what I hope we succeed at at the end of the day. That's more valuable than any laugh, or any applause; knowing that we're helping women see their beauty no matter what. are now on sale.This was some response to charges of being shot shy. Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge on foreign trips had been the pre-match talking point but it turned out they had saved up a hiding for the continent’s form team. Sporting had no answer to a masterful first-half display that was reflected accurately by strikes from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhães, all of whom exposed a grievously flaky backline. While the hosts were given hope by Gonçalo Inácio early in a more competitive second period they had too much to do. Arsenal went back through the gears when it mattered, Bukayo Saka’s penalty and a Leandro Trossard header dealing their ambitions of swift passage to the knockout stage a significant boost. If Saturday’s straightforward win over Nottingham Forest had cleared a few heads around Arsenal, they arrived in Lisbon with another slate to wipe clean. Their away record in Europe has been substandard for almost two years and Arteta admitted in the buildup that something, whether it be by luck or judgment, needed to change. They had drawn blanks in their last four trips and, beginning with a 2-2 draw at this venue in March 2023, had won only one of their previous eight. So here was their chance to produce a statement that might look particularly meaningful given Sporting had eviscerated Manchester City here three weeks previously. That night provided the most piquant of farewells for Ruben Amorim; now his successor, the former reserve-team coach Tiago Teixeira, was charged with maintaining such rattling momentum. It was punctured within seven minutes and, having begun the game at some speed, Arsenal had advertised the opener’s arrival. Jurriën Timber was the creator, slipped in on the right by Declan Rice before curving a gorgeous low ball into the six-yard box. The cross was impossible to defend and, while it evaded Havertz, the recalled Martinelli was on hand to sweep in. Martin Ødegaard waved his teammates forward as Sporting got things back under way, evidently keen that they sustain the blend of urgency and potency. The home side had, after all, responded ruthlessly to falling behind against City. They flurried here, the former Tottenham forward Marcus Edwards buzzing purposefully in his first Champions League action of the season, but it would not be long before Ødegaard’s wish came true. This time it was Saka finding space in behind, fed by a clipped pass from Thomas Partey that sent him haring beyond Maximiliano Araújo. The goalkeeper Franco Israel advanced but Saka showed the presence of mind to nudge the ball across him with the outside of his left foot, leaving Havertz with the simplest of finishes from near the line. A noisy venue, rightly buoyant at the outset, had been virtually silenced. As the half-hour passed, the only fireworks in David Raya’s penalty area had been those set off above it by the home support shortly after Havertz’s goal. When the vaunted Viktor ­Gyökeres looked to run beyond Gabriel, the defender kept pace and the ball ­ultimately ran out of play. After a break led by Ødegaard, who was purring, Saka again exploited Sporting’s clear right-sided weakness with a jink inside and shot that Israel held. Rice then blasted wildly after another Saka effort had been blocked. Arsenal were dominant in every area and, moments after a rare moment of Sporting cohesion led to Raya tipping over from Geovany Quenda, they made the game safe. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion There was no time for another Sporting restart after Gabriel rose in characteristic fashion to meet a high, deep left-sided corner from Rice and plant it beyond Israel. Arsenal had produced a near-perfect half of European football. The last thing they needed to do was inject the remainder with unnecessary drama. So it changed the picture when, from a corner awarded when Raya pushed Hidemasa Morita’s shot wide, Inácio escaped Riccardo Calafiori and converted a controlled volley inside the near post. Only two minutes of the second half had passed and now the crowd, remembering how City had been blown away at the equivalent stage, were up again. Gyökeres’ eyes lit up when he was presented with a free-kick well inside the ‘D’ but he blasted his shot into orbit. Then Raya had to prevent an Edwards cross from sneaking in, soon afterwards seeing the same player fire over at the end of a flowing move. Sporting were attacking in waves, neither team bearing the faintest resemblance to its first-half iteration, but from nowhere Arsenal were given the opportunity to restore order. There was no disputing the spot-kick’s award. Ødegaard ran through Inácio far too easily and was clipped from behind by Ousmane Diomande when looking to find Saka. The decision for Szymon Marciniak, the referee, was simple and Saka did the rest. Then Trossard, reacting after Israel had parried his fellow substitute Mikel Merino’s effort, applied further gloss. Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'. If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version. In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications. Turn on sport notifications.

Toronto, Ontario, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capstone Infrastructure Corporation (TSX: CSE.PR.A) (the “Corporation” or “Capstone”) today released its first Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) Report since its transition to a dedicated, renewables-focused independent power producer. “As a fast-growing company in an increasingly complex and dynamic world, our ESG program has been developed and integrated across the organization to help ensure we repeat and improve the “Capstone Way” of doing things – quality and integrity in our endeavours, protecting people and the environment, and building the value of our company,” says David Eva, Chief Executive Officer of Capstone. The release of the inaugural ESG Report highlights Capstone’s dedication to its core values amidst this rapid growth: the company’s ESG program defines, measures, and sets goals for key ESG factors that support our mandate to drive the energy transition forward in North America. A full copy of the 2023 ESG Report is available on Capstone’s website at: Capstone is generating our low-carbon future, driving the energy transition forward through creative thinking, strong partnerships, and a commitment to quality and integrity in how we do business. A developer, owner, and operator of clean and renewable energy projects across North America, Capstone’s portfolio includes approximately 885 MW gross installed capacity across 35 facilities, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and natural gas power plants. Please visit for more information. Certain of the statements contained within this document are forward-looking and reflect management’s expectations regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business of Capstone Infrastructure Corporation (‘Capstone’ or the ‘Corporation’) based on information currently available to the Corporation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of presenting information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements use forward-looking words, such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “could”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “believe” or other similar words. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements and, accordingly, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. The forward-looking statements within this document are based on information currently available and what the Corporation currently believes are reasonable assumptions. The forward-looking statements within this document reflect current expectations of the Corporation as at the date of this document and speak only as at the date of this document. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. This document is not an offer or invitation for the subscription of or a recommendation of securities. It does not take into account the investment objectives. Financial situation and particular needs of any investors. Before making an investment in the Corporation, an investor or prospective investor should consider whether such investment is appropriate to their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances and consult an investment advisor if necessary.

Home | Budlender argues that Ramaphosa did not intend to break the law Legal counsel for President Cyril Ramaphosa has argued that the National Assembly was correct not to adopt the Section 89 independent panel report in the Phala Phala matter as it was fundamentally flawed. Advocate Geoff Budlender has been arguing before the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is challenging the National Assembly’s decision not to adopt the Section 89 report that found that there is a prima facie case for which the president must answer in relation to the theft at his Phala Phala farm. Budlender argues that Ramaphosa did not have the intention of breaking the law. “But even if one assumes, for the sake of argument, that its interpretation is the correct one, that doesn’t answer the question whether the president deliberately and in bad faith adopted the wrong interpretation of the term ‘paid work’,” argues Budlender. “The President’s farming activities have never been a secret. He’s published a book of photographs of the particular breed of cattle in which he has a particular interest. It seems very unlikely that he deliberately and in bad faith ignored the law and then published his activities. Perhaps more likely is that he genuinely thought that he was entitled to act as he did and he lacked dolus and bad faith. Again, the question is not whether the president’s interpretation was right or wrong, it is whether his interpretation was in bad faith,” adds Budlender. Phala Phala Case | EFF pickets outside ConCourt – Natasha Phiri reports: Advocate Andrew Breitenbach for the National Assembly and the Speaker has argued in the Constitutional Court that the legal challenge launched by the EFF is moot due to the time that has lapsed since the Section 89 report on Phala Phala was not adopted by the National Assembly. Phala Phala Case | Unpacking court proceedings – Canny Maphanga reports: Breitenbach has argued that the relief sought by the EFF in the Phala Phala matter if granted, would be a breach of the separation of powers principle. The EFF has argued that when a Section 89 panel finds prima facie evidence against a sitting head of state, the report should be sent directly to the Impeachment Committee instead of being debated in the National Assembly. However, Advocate Breitenbach submitted that this would give a third party the power to encroach on the processes of the National Assembly. He says the relief sought by the EFF falls outside the parameters of judicial authority. Meanwhile, the African Transformation Movement (ATM)’s lawyer has argued that it was irrational for the ANC to rely on the completion of the investigations that looked into the conduct of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Advocate Anton Katz has submitted that it was irrational for the ANC to vote against adopting the Section 89 independent panel report on Phala Phala on that basis. Katz has submitted before the bench of the Constitutional Court that only the National Assembly has the Constitutional mandate, to look into the impeachment of a Head of State and not the other bodies the ANC relied upon. SABC © 2024Who are the favorites to win Golden Globes? | Streamed & Screened podcast

A major legal battle looms for Meta Platforms Inc. META as the company prepares for an April trial, announced Monday, to face allegations from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC claims Meta strategically acquired the platforms in 2012 and 2014 to suppress competition in the social media space, accusations the company strongly denies, Reuters reports. What Happened: The trial, set for April 14, comes after Judge James Boasberg rejected Meta's bid to dismiss the case. The FTC argues that Meta's actions have maintained its dominance in the social networking market at the expense of innovation and consumer choice. The lawsuit suggests that without the acquisitions, Instagram and WhatsApp could have evolved into independent competitors capable of challenging Meta's position. Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Small Caps Hit Records As Expert Says Russell 2000 ‘Still Very Discounted’ Compared To S&P 500 The FTC filed its lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Meta violated antitrust laws by eliminating competition through its high-profile acquisitions. While Meta contends its investments have enhanced user experiences, the agency has expressed concerns over market consolidation and potential abuse of monopoly power. Judge Boasberg acknowledged the difficulties of applying traditional antitrust frameworks to evolving digital markets, stating, "The Commission faces hard questions about whether its claims can hold up in the crucible of trial." The judge also noted Meta's arguments regarding competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube warrant examination during the proceedings. Why It Matters: If the FTC succeeds in proving its case, it could set a precedent for tech industry antitrust enforcement, potentially reshaping the digital landscape. Meta's spokesperson argues that the acquisitions, which brought Instagram and WhatsApp under its umbrella, have significantly benefited users through improved services and accessibility. The case builds on past regulatory concerns. The FTC recently alleged Meta withheld critical information during its acquisition reviews, a claim supported by newly surfaced evidence. This follows earlier fines in Europe for similar issues surrounding the WhatsApp deal. Read Next: Thanksgiving Dinner Gobbles Up 19% More Cash This Year, Many Holiday Hosts ‘Already Regret Their Decision’ Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Middle East latest: Israel bombs new central areas of BeirutMEN'S BASKETBALL AP TOP 25: Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke

The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore.Future Hall of Famer Flip-Flops on NFL Future

The government is today demanding "immediate, mandatory" housing targets from councils as part of its plans to build 1.5 million houses by the next general election. During its election campaign Labour promised to build swathes of new housing to address lack of affordability and supply. And it will today release its latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), setting out the government's homebuilding plans. Under the NPPF, councils will have just 12 weeks to commit to a timetable for providing new homes in their area. And if they fail to do so, ministers will "not hesitate" to impose a plan upon them, the government said, after less than a third of local authorities accepted a plan in the past five years. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "Our Plan for Change will put builders not blockers first, overhaul the broken planning system and put roofs over the heads of working families and drive the growth that will put more money in people's pockets. "We're taking immediate action to make the dream of homeownership a reality through delivering 1.5 million homes by the next parliament and rebuilding Britain to deliver for working people." More on Angela Rayner Angela Rayner says newts can't be more protected than people who need housing Sir Keir Starmer 'welcomes' Assad being deposed Angela Rayner criticises 'scaremongering' over inheritance tax changes for farmers Related Topics: Angela Rayner Housing Keir Starmer Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: "I will not hesitate to do what it takes to build 1.5 million new homes over five years and deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. "We must all do our bit and we must all do more. We expect every local area to adopt a plan to meet their housing need. The question is where the homes and local services people expect are built, not whether they are built at all." Labour's plans involve an annual target of 370,000 new homes in England, in a bid to find living space for 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists. Councils with the most unaffordable housing and "greatest potential for growth" will have increased targets for building - and "stronger action" will be used to make sure plans are up to date. What is the 'grey belt' Part of the plans also includes a presumption that building on brownfield land will be approved. However, Labour is also looking to target building on the green belt - including on the so-called "grey belt". According to Ms Rayner, this includes "disused car parks, petrol stations and low quality green belt". Read more: Newts can't be more protected than people Councils to get £68m to build thousands of homes Construction industry 'roaring' after rebound in house building Councils will also be required to "review their green belt boundaries to meet targets, identifying and prioritising lower quality 'grey belt' land". Building on the green belt will have to abide by Labour's so-called "golden rules": Brownfield first, grey belt second, affordable homes, boost public services and infrastructure, improve genuine green spaces. As part of the scheme, there will be an extra £100m available for local authorities to hire staff and consultants - and more resources to carry out studies and site assessments. This comes on top of a previous increase in planning fees to cover extra planning officers. Councillor Adam Hug, the housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said housebuilding must take a "collaborative approach". He called for "any national algorithms and formulas" to be "supplemented with local knowledge". Mr Hug added that housing reform needs to be supported with work to "tackle workforce challenges" as well as the costs of construction. Follow our channel and never miss an update. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative's shadow housing secretary, says Labour have "consistently failed to deliver on housebuilding". "Labour will bulldoze through the concerns of local communities," he said. "If Labour really want homes to be built where they are needed, they must think again."Village People founder Victor Willis is once again tackling two issues surrounding the disco band’s 1970s smash hit “Y.M.C.A.”: Donald Trump’s use of the track in his 2024 presidential campaign and the characterization of the song as a “gay anthem.” In a lengthy Facebook post on Monday (Dec. 2), the 73-year-old singer-songwriter doubled down on why he chose to let the president-elect play “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies and events leading up to his win in November, with Willis saying he “didn’t have the heart” to block the usage — despite originally asking Trump to stop in 2020 — upon realizing that the politician seemed to “genuinely like” and was “having a lot of fun” with “Y.M.C.A.” Plus, as Willis noted, the dance tune has only “benefited greatly” in terms of chart placements and sales since the twice-impeached former POTUS incorporated it into his campaign. “Therefore, I’m glad I allowed the President Elect’s continued use of Y.M.C.A.” the musician wrote. “And I thank him for choosing to use my song.” Willis also pointed out that Trump had, according to him, obtained the necessary license from BMI to play the song. The artist previously noted that the billionaire was legally allowed to use “Y.M.C.A.” in an October press release , in which Willis also stated that — despite supporting Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in the 2024 election — he would not go through any channels to bar Trump from using the track as it would’ve been “stupid and just plain hateful” to do so. Controversy surrounding Trump’s unauthorized use of artists’ music is nothing new, with Village People — prior to Willis’ change of heart — being just one of many acts since the polarizing president elect’s first White House bid in 2016 to ask that he stop playing their songs at campaign events without direct approval. This year alone, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, the Foo Fighters, Jack White and several others issued statements slamming Trump for doing so, while Isaac Hayes’ estate went as far as filing a lawsuit against the politician in August for using the late soul singer’s “Hold On, I’m Coming” at multiple rallies. However, as Willis noted in his post, it can pay to be on Trump’s playlists. In November, “Y.M.C.A.” ascended to the top of Billboard ‘s Top Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart more than four decades after its release, spending two weeks at No. 1. And according to the Village People star, the song “is estimated to gross several million dollars since the President Elect’s continued use of the song.” As for another debacle that has “reached a fever pitch” amid Trump’s continued use of “Y.M.C.A.,” according to Willis, the singer wrote that any branding of the track as a “gay anthem” is “completely misguided” and “damaging to the song.” He also threatened legal action against “each and every news organization that falsely refers” to it as such starting in January 2025, although he personally doesn’t mind if “gays think of the song as their anthem.” “This assumption is also based on the fact that the YMCA was apparently being used as some sort of gay hangout, and since one of the writers [Jacques Morali] was gay and some of the Village People are gay, the song must be a message to gay people,” Willis wrote. “To that I say, once again, get your minds out of the gutter. It is not ... such notion is based solely on the song’s lyrics alluding to [illicit] activity for which it does not.” “Y.M.C.A.” has indeed been widely adopted by the LGBTQ community over the years, with many interpreting the lyrics as references to the gym chain’s reputation as a popular cruising site back in the day — plus, the track comes from a 1978 album titled Cruisin ’. Even so, Willis’ latest post is not the first time he’s sought to distance the track from the gay anthem label, writing in a 2020 Facebook post : “No one group can claim Y.M.C.A. as somehow belonging to them or somehow their anthem. I won’t allow my iconic song to be placed in a box like that.” Clearly, Willis hasn’t budged on his stance in the four years since. “The true anthem is Y.M.C.A.’s appeal to people of all strips including President Elect Trump,” he concluded in his Monday post. “But the song is not really a gay anthem other than certain people falsely suggesting that it is.”

Timo Meier Suspended One Game For Cross-Checking

Trump threatened to impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.

Donald Trump nominates Ronald D. Johnson as US ambassador to Mexico

NFL MVP race wide-open after Saquon Barkley's history-making performance

Anyone with a spare $250 who wants to hire U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert to record a personalized video message may have to wait after the Colorado Republican, who joined Cameo over the weekend, deactivated her account Monday afternoon amid questions about whether charging for the service could violate House rules. Boebert appears to have been the first sitting member of Congress to attempt to hawk made-to-order video clips on the popular platform, though some of her former colleagues, including Republicans George Santos and Matt Gaetz, offer their customized videos on the website. "It's your girl from Colorado, Lauren Boebert," said Boebert, who was elected to a third term this month after moving across the state into a new district, in an introductory video posted to the site on Saturday. "I am so excited to be joining another platform where I can connect directly with supporters from all over the world." Initially listing herself as an "influencer" and "political commentator," Boebert's Cameo page said she charged $250 and up to record a range of messages, with suggested possibilities including, "Say happy birthday," "Ask a question" and "Receive a pep talk." "Whether you or someone you know needs an America First pep talk. if you want to surprise friends or family with a message for a special day, or if you just want to know my thoughts on whatever's on your mind, Cameo is the place to connect with me," Boebert said in the video. "You can book a video now on my Cameo profile, and I will be seeing you and talking with you soon." Boebert's page didn't refer to her status as a member of Congress, describing her instead as: "Not your typical Republican politician. Jesus loving, Constitutionalist, America first, freedom fighter." By late morning, Boebert's Cameo page had stopped accepting bookings and by mid-afternoon it had disappeared. Boebert's office declined to comment. Experts in congressional ethics suggested that Boebert's bid to cash in on her celebrity might run afoul of House rules that limit lawmakers' outside income and prohibit sitting members from receiving payment for giving speeches. Aaron Scherb, senior director of legislative affairs at Common Cause, told Colorado Politics on Monday that Boebert appeared to have been the first current member of Congress to set up a Cameo account. He noted that the House Ethics Committee hasn't yet weighed in on the question. "Until they provide some sort of formal guidance, the expectation is that members would probably be allowed to sign up for it," Scherb said, adding, "It seems like it could potentially violate the ban on honoraria, but it’s untested." Under the ethics panel's description of governing laws, rules and standards of conduct , House members and senior staff are prohibited from receiving any honoraria, which is defined as “a payment of money or a thing of value for an appearance, speech, or article." Additionally, the rules define a speech as "an address, oration, talk, lecture, or other form of oral presentation, whether delivered in person, transmitted electronically, recorded, or broadcast over the media." Scherb added that Boebert would have to report any income from the endeavor. "Even if the House Ethics Committee provides guidance that sitting members of Congress may appear on Cameo, the maximum outside income limit for House members is $31,815 currently, so she would have to abide by that limit," he said. Santos and Gaetz both signed up for Cameo soon after they left office. Santos, who represented a New York district, was expelled from the House late last year over allegations of campaign finance improprieties. Gaetz, meanwhile, resigned from Congress last week after President-elect Donald Trump announced he planned to nominate the Florida lawmaker as attorney general, but Gaetz withdrew amid allegations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl. He joined Cameo the next day.None

Mexican president slams Trump and threatens to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S.DisposeRx Celebrates Pharmacy as a Key Player in Decline of Overdose Deaths

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service is seeing a surge in private support bigger than anytime in its 108-year history, as it also faces a maintenance backlog of more than $23 billion, made worse this fall by hurricane damage to its most popular location. Three years after setting a goal of raising $1 billion, the Park Service’s official charitable partner, the National Park Foundation, is almost there, having raised $840 million since 2021, the foundation’s outgoing president and CEO Will Shafroth said. That fundraising under the Campaign for National Parks is in addition to efforts of park partners across the country — such as the Trust for Public Land, American Battlefield Trust, Conservation Legacy and the Student Conservation Association — that collectively want to raise another $3.5 billion. Visits to national parks rose from about 275 million in 2010 to 325 million last year. Shafroth said many of these visitors, inspired by the beauty of places like Yellowstone National Park, say the parks and staff have “created an amazing experience for me and my family. I want to give back.” Hundreds of thousands more give back by volunteering, whether rebuilding trails, clearing trash, serving as docents or organizing special events. “National parks experienced substantially increased public interest over the past two years,” according to the 2024 Park Partners Report commissioned by the foundation. There are now at least 470 partner groups, many of them “Friends” organizations that coordinate volunteer work with superintendents of individual parks. That community provided nearly 1 million volunteer hours in the park system last year, the equivalent of 122,500 days or 471 full-time employees, according to the report. One of those groups is Friends of the Smokies, which has about 2,000 members who volunteer for projects in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the most popular of the 63 national parks with 13.3 million visitors in 2023. The park, which stretches over 816 square miles, sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Helene in late September, and many roads and trails are still closed to the public, said Dana Soehn, president of Friends of the Smokies. But the group is eager to get to work when the Park Service completes its assessments and makes restoration plans, she said. “We stand at the ready to really push and raise funds,” Soehn said. “The public-private partnership in helping meet these challenging times is something that’s critically needed. Our organization is able to provide $2 million to $4 million of funding each year to help support the national park.” Funding needs The private funding goes a long way to help the cash-strapped National Park Service, with an operating budget of $3.3 billion in fiscal 2024, which supports about 20,000 full-time employees. The Senate’s Interior-Environment Appropriations bill would provide $3.5 billion in fiscal 2025, as the Biden administration requested, but the House version would cut the funding to $3.1 billion. The Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress in 2020 provided up to $1.3 billion per year for five years through 2025 to help reduce $23.3 billion in deferred maintenance projects. Private donations won’t do much to reduce the maintenance backlog because most people aren’t interested in funding infrastructure projects like roads and bridges that are the government’s responsibility, Shafroth said. “We’re never going to be very effective at convincing donors to pay for pothole repair and water systems and things like that,” he said. “So we really need to focus on the things that are resonant to donors and also are a high need for the parks.” When Lilly Endowment Inc. announced a $100 million contribution in August, Shafroth’s foundation said the funds would go toward four priorities: creating environmental stewardship opportunities for young people, protecting fragile ecosystems and diverse species in the parks, developing new technologies to improve visitor experiences, and providing “a more comprehensive historical narrative” about national parks and the communities around them. Many donors to the park system, especially corporate givers, are also motivated by the knowledge that public lands used for recreation are an economic driver. Outdoor recreation generates $1.2 trillion in annual economic activity and supports 5 million jobs, according to a report released in November by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable using data from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis. The ORR is a coalition of more than 110,000 businesses in the sector. The Interior Department reported last year that visitor spending in communities near national parks totals more than $50 billion a year, supporting nearly 400,000 jobs. Other legislation Advocates for the parks are urging Congress to rev up this economic engine by passing a package of bills that would overhaul how public land agencies distribute passes and permits, encourage technology to improve visitor experiences, restore campgrounds and address housing shortages near outdoor recreation areas, among other things. The House passed the legislation sponsored by Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., in April by voice vote under suspension of the rules. Dozens of groups are urging the Senate to pass the measure in the lame-duck session. “Despite the profound and widespread benefits that parks and outdoor recreation offer, they are chronically underfunded with many systems facing a significant backlog of capital improvement projects,” more than 50 organizations said in a Nov. 12 letter to Senate leaders urging them to prioritize the legislation. Aside from their economic importance, Shafroth noted that national parks play a role in uniting Americans. “You know, our country just feels so divided in so many ways, especially politically,” he said. “It feels like those divisions just dissolve when people enter a national park. They’re just citizens of the United States. They’re just lovers of the outdoors, appreciators of America’s story.” Shafroth announced this fall that he plans to step aside as president and CEO of the National Park Foundation and turn over the reins to Park Service veteran Jeff Reinbold, most recently the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington. The pair will work together on the transition in December and January, then Shafroth said he plans to develop a new program at the foundation addressing issues facing the park system, including climate change, housing shortages near parks and development of new technologies.

A new top dog is running Fort Lauderdale's iconic restaurant Hot Dog Heaven, which quietly reopened to the public on Monday after a month closed for cosmetic upgrades.Carrefour rechaza carne sudamericana y enfrenta represalias de Brasil