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Jeffrey Fleishman | (TNS) Los Angeles Times The national furor in recent years around banning books on race and gender in public schools is intensifying as President-elect Donald Trump threatens to shut down the Department of Education, emboldening conservatives to end “wokeness” in classrooms. Battles over books in school libraries have become emblematic of the country’s larger culture wars over race, historical revisionism and gender identity. A new report by PEN America found book bans increased by nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year, including titles on sexuality, substance abuse, depression and other issues students face in an age of accelerating technologies, climate change, toxic politics and fears about the future. Book censorship has shaken and divided school boards, pitted parents against parents, and led to threats against teachers and librarians . It is part of an agenda driven by conservative parental rights groups and politicians who promote charter schools and voucher systems that could weaken public education. The issue goes to the heart not only of what students are taught but how federal and state education policies will affect the nation’s politics after one of the most consequential elections in its history. “It’s not just about taking a book off a shelf,” said Tasslyn Magnusson, an author and teacher from Wisconsin who tracks book censorship across the U.S. “It’s about power and who controls public education. It’s about what kind of America we were and are. We’re trying to define what family is and what America means. That comes down to the stories we tell.” She said she feared Trump’s return to the White House would further incite those calling for book bans: “I don’t have lots of hope. It could get a lot worse.” Over the last year, PEN counted more than 10,000 book bans nationwide that targeted 4,231 unique titles. Most were books dealing with gender, sexuality, race and LGBTQ+ storylines. The most banned title was Jodi Picoult’s “Nineteen Minutes,” about a school shooting that included a short description of date rape. Florida and Iowa — both of which have strict regulations on what students can read — accounted for more than 8,200 bans in the 2023-24 school year. “This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books,” Kasey Meehan, director of PEN’s Freedom to Read Program, said in a statement. “What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives.” Trump’s calls to close the Department of Education would need congressional approval, which appears unlikely. Although public schools are largely funded and governed by state and local institutions, the department helps pay to educate students with disabilities, provides about $18 billion in grants for K-12 schools in poor communities and oversees a civil rights branch to protect students from discrimination. But Trump’s election has inspired conservative parental groups, including Moms For Liberty and Parents Defending Education, to strengthen efforts to limit what they see as a liberal conspiracy to indoctrinate children with books and teachings that are perverse, amoral and pornographic. Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has criticized schools that she says spend too much time on diversity and inclusion when only about one-third of U.S. children are reading at grade level: “We’re talking about public school libraries and content for kids,” Justice told NewsNation after Trump’s victory. “I think it’s very clear that there are certain things that are appropriate for kids, certain things that are appropriate for adults. We’re just getting back to commonsense America.” Trump’s threat to deny federal funding to schools that acknowledge transgender identities could affect curricula and the kinds of books school libraries stock. During his rally at Madison Square Garden in October, Trump — who has has accused schools of promoting sex change operations — said his administration would get “transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.” Vice President-elect JD Vance has accused Democrats of wanting to “put sexually explicit books in toddlers’ libraries.” Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, told Newsmax that she was excited about Trump’s calls to remake education and “clean up a lot of the mess” he has inherited from the Biden administration. Trump “has centered parental rights back in his platform, which is incredible. He has prioritized knowledge and skill, not identity politics,” she said. “American children deserve better, and it is time for change.” In nominating Linda McMahon to be his secretary of Education, Trump appears to be pushing for more conservative parental control over what is taught and read in classrooms. A former professional wrestling executive, McMahon chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-connected organization that has criticized schools for teaching “racially divisive” theories, notably about slavery and a perspective about the nation’s founding it views as anti-American. “Today’s contentious debates over using classrooms for political activism rather than teaching a complete and accurate account of American history have reinvigorated calls for greater parental and citizen involvement in the curriculum approval process,” the institute’s website says. Culturally divisive issues, including race and LGBTQ+ themes, cost school districts an estimated $3.2 billion during the 2023-24 school year, according to a recent study called “The Costs of Conflict.” The survey — published by the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access at UCLA — found that battles over books and teaching about sexuality and other topics led to increased expenses for legal fees, replacing administrators and teachers who quit, and security, including off-duty plainclothes police officers. “Are we really going to spend our tax dollars on these kinds of things?” asked Magnusson. “After Trump was elected, I saw a bunch of middle-class white ladies like me who were saying, ‘This isn’t America.’ But maybe it is America.” One school superintendent in a Western state told the study’s researchers that his staff was often consumed with correcting misinformation and fulfilling public record requests mainly from hard-line parental rights activists attempting to exploit cultural war issues to discredit the district. “Our staff are spending enormous amounts of time just doing stupid stuff,” the superintendent said. “The fiscal costs to the district are enormous, but [so are] the cultural costs of not standing up to the extremists. If someone doesn’t, then the students and employees lose. ... It’s the worst it’s ever been.” The survey found that 29% of 467 school superintendents interviewed reported that teachers and other staff quit their profession or left their districts “due to culturally divisive conflict.” Censoring books in school libraries grew out of opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. A number of conservative parental groups, including Moms for Liberty, which invited Trump to speak at its national convention in August, turned their attention to lobbying against “liberal indoctrination.” Their protests against what they criticized as progressive teaching on sexuality and race were focused on increasing conservative parental control over a public education system that was struggling at teaching children reading and math. That strategy has led to a national, right-wing effort that is “redefining government power to restrict access to information in our schools,” said Stephana Ferrell, co-founder of the Florida Freedom to Read Project. “This movement to protect the innocence of our children believes if children never read it in a book they won’t have to know about it and can go on to lead harmonious lives. But books teach us cautionary tales. They instruct us. You can’t protect innocence through ignorance.” School districts across the country have removed “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George Johnson, which are about gender identity and include graphic depictions of sex, along with titles by renowned writers such as Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, Maya Angelou and Flannery O’Connor. Related Articles National Politics | Trump promised mass deportations. Educators worry fear will keep immigrants’ kids from school National Politics | Trump team says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal brokered by Biden is actually Trump’s win National Politics | How Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes National Politics | After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff National Politics | Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke Surveys show that most Americans do not favor censorship. The Florida Freedom to Read Project and similar organizations around the country have called for thorough public reviews of challenged books to prevent one scene or passage from being taken out of context. Moderate and liberal parents groups over the last two years have also become more active in school board politics. They have supported school board candidates who have defeated those backed by Moms for Liberty in Texas, Florida and other states. “People say the pendulum will swing back,” said Ferrell. But, she said, conservatives want to “stop the pendulum from swinging back.” Picoult is accustomed to conservatives attempting to censor her. Her books have been banned in schools in more than 30 states. Published in 2007, “Nineteen Minutes” explores the lives of characters, including a girl who was raped, in a town leading up to a school shooting and its aftermath. “Having the most banned book in the country is not a badge of honor. It’s a call for alarm,” said Picoult, whose books have sold more than 40 million copies. “My book, and the 10,000 others that have been pulled off school library shelves this year, give kids a tool to deal with an increasingly divided and difficult world. These book banners aren’t helping children. They are harming them.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Japan data, improved economic growth data from the preliminary reading. USD/JPY little changed. Private consumption came in at +0.7% q/q from +0.9% in the prelim, so that's not a good result. Capex not as bad at prelim at -0.1% q/q from -0.2% Domestic demand +0.5% q/q from +0.6% The better headline will be some encouragement for the Bank of Japan to hike. The December meeting is still looking uncertain for a hike, but political support seems to be firming: ICYMI - Japan's main opposition leader calls for gradual BOJ rate hikes

The United States on Saturday announced a new $988 million security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump's November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be disbursed before he is sworn in next month. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Trump met in Paris earlier Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said any resolution of the war with Russia should be a "just" settlement that includes "strong security guarantees for Ukraine." The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. The latest aid will be funded via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is procured from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from American stocks, meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield. It follows a $725 million package announced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump -- who has repeatedly criticized US assistance for Kyiv and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours -- takes over. Trump's comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the future of US aid, and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further American support. "Our job has been to try and put Ukraine in the strongest possible position on the battlefield so that it is in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Saturday. In the closing weeks of Biden's term, the goal is "a massive surge of assistance and to up the economic pressure on Russia," he said. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday warned that failure to continue opposing Russia's actions would have dire consequences. "We can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let (Russian President Vladimir) Putin have his way -- and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict," said Austin, who like Sullivan was speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice." The defense chief also emphasized the importance of US allies and partners in his remarks -- a contrast to Trump's go-it-alone "America first" world view. "Here is the stark military fact: our allies and partners are huge force multipliers," Austin said. "Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it stands apart," he said. "There is no such thing as a safe retreat from today's interwoven world." The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging a coalition to back Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating aid from dozens of countries. Ukraine's international supporters have since then provided tens of billions of dollars in weapons, ammunition, training and other security aid that has been key to helping Kyiv resist Russian forces. wd/mlm/acbAt least 6 dead in political protests in Pakistan’s capital

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Standard Motor Products Releases 2,367 New Numbers in 2024Manchester City's struggles continued as Pep Guardiola's side remarkably blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave the French club in danger of elimination. There were also big wins for Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, while Inter Milan went top of the standings after five games and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski reached a century of Champions League goals. However, the biggest drama came at the Etihad Stadium, where City were cruising early in the second half with a three-goal advantage as they sought to end a run of five successive defeats in all competitions. Erling Haaland opened the scoring from a penalty just before half-time, and Ilkay Gundogan's deflected shot made it 2-0 in the 50th minute. Haaland struck again to make it 3-0, but Feyenoord's comeback began on 75 minutes when Anis Hadj Moussa took advantage of hapless defending to round goalkeeper Ederson and pull one back. Substitute Santiago Gimenez bundled in to make it 3-2 on 82 minutes and the equaliser arrived a minute from the end. Ederson was again caught out with Igor Paixao going around the goalkeeper and crossing for Slovak international David Hancko to head in. "We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable," complained Guardiola. "We lost a lot of games lately. We are fragile and of course we need a victory." It is the first time that a team has gone into the last 20 minutes of a Champions League game trailing by three goals and still avoided defeat, as the point boosts the Dutch side's hopes of progressing. City are two points outside the top eight places which offer direct qualification for the last 16, while Bayern moved above them by beating PSG 1-0 in Munich. South Korean defender Kim Min-jae scored the only goal seven minutes before half-time, heading in after goalkeeper Matvei Safonov failed to clear a corner. PSG had Ousmane Dembele sent off in the second half and the French champions have just four points, and three goals, from five games. They are a lowly 26th in the 36-team league, a point adrift of the positions which offer a place in the play-off round in February. "We need to win our last three matches, otherwise we risk being eliminated," admitted PSG coach Luis Enrique. - Lewandowski century - Lewandowski notched his 100th goal in the competition with an early penalty in Barcelona's 3-0 home win over French side Brest. Dani Olmo netted midway through the second half before Lewandowski sealed Barca's win at the death, his 101st goal in the Champions League -- only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored more. Inter lead the standings with 13 points, a point ahead of Barcelona and Liverpool, after a 1-0 win at home to RB Leipzig which means they are also still yet to concede a goal. Castello Lukeba's own goal made the difference at San Siro, and Leipzig are one of only three teams to have lost five games out of five. Arsenal romped to a 5-1 victory away to Sporting in Lisbon, as the Portuguese side adapt to life without coach Ruben Amorim, who has departed for Manchester United. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes all scored in the first half for Arsenal, before Goncalo Inacio pulled one back shortly after the restart. Bukayo Saka converted a penalty on 65 minutes after Martin Odegaard had been brought down, and Leandro Trossard headed in to seal Arsenal's win late on. - Atalanta, Atletico hit six - Atalanta romped to a 6-1 win over rock-bottom Young Boys in Switzerland, with Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both scoring braces. Sead Kolasinac and Lazar Samardzic also netted for the Italians, with Silvere Ganvoula getting the hosts' reply. Florian Wirtz struck twice, including a penalty, as Leverkusen crushed Red Bull Salzburg 5-0, with Alejandro Grimaldo scoring a superb free-kick and Patrik Schick and Aleix Garcia also netting. Julian Alvarez and substitute Angel Correa each scored twice and Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann once as Atletico romped to a 6-0 win away to Sparta Prague. Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham were the scorers in AC Milan's 3-2 win at Slovan Bratislava, whose goals came from Tigran Barseghyan and Nino Marcelli. Marko Tolic saw red at the end for Slovan, who are without a point. as/nf Originally published as Man City blow three-goal lead in Champions League, Bayern beat PSG Breaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Breaking News Thousands impacted as blackout hits city More than 1,000 residents are waking up to darkness as one of Australia’s biggest cities experiences another blackout due to a burst water pipe. Read more Breaking News Thousands still queuing to vote after Namibia polls close Thousands still queuing to vote after Namibia polls close Read morePhiladelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. The 30-year-old Cameroonian-born big man, who wore a left knee brace, also added four assists and two blocked shots in 33 minutes in only his fifth game of the season. "He caught fire there," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid. "Certainly he gave us a lot of confidence." Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey contributed his first career NBA triple-double with 25 points and career highs of 14 assists and 11 rebounds. "It was good," Maxey said. "The offense flowed really well. Pick and roll was really good. I was able to get everybody involved, get Joel going and get myself going too." "He turned on the jets and got to the rim at some pretty opportune times," Nurse said of Maxey. Embiid was a welcome court presence for the 76ers. "He creates so much space for us on the floor, gets the attention," said Maxey. "I didn't see one pick and roll double team for the first time in a long time." Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points. At New York, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bucks over the Brooklyn Nets 118-113. Damian Lillard added 15 points and 11 assists while reserve Bobby Portis contributed 23 points and Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 off the Milwaukee bench. Germany's Dennis Schroder led the Nets with 34 points. js/mlm

A MUCH loved car garage is closing down permanently after 40 years as locals reminisce over "first class" service. Devoted customers were devastated to hear the team at Briggate Service Garage in Whittlesey, Peterborough will be shutting up shop imminently. The popular garage has provided "excellent service" for more than four decades but will see it's last motor on December 20. It comes as owner Paul heads into "well deserved retirement", his dedicated staff announced on social media . In a statement on Facebook they wrote: "Briggate Service Garage is closing on 20th December 2024. "We would like to extend our thanks to all of our loyal customers over the years for their support, it has been a pleasure to serve everyone and Paul is now heading into a well deserved retirement. Read More "I’m sure all our customers past and present would join us in wishing Paul and his very able team all the best for whatever is next, and in extending our thanks to him for working so hard at Briggate Service Garage for the last 40 years." Fans of the garage were disheartened to hear of the impending closure, but showered Paul with well-wishes. "Years of excellent service for all the family over the years Paul enjoy your retirement you will all be missed," wrote one customer. Another added: "Thank you Paul to you and your team over the last 25+ years. A truly exemplary service. Most read in Motors "You have worked hard and deserve many happy years not worrying about opening up. "Although a lot of people in Whittlesey will really miss you, your team and the service you provided. Happy retirement." A third agreed: "Happy retirement Paul. Thank you for your service over the years . You and your team have always been first class. Take care." "Thankyou for everything you have done for me and mum over the years. Sooo many years you have fixed our cars, towed us home . All the best," penned someone else. This comes as a beloved family-run car dealership has apologised to customers after closing down with no warning. Customers will now have to go five miles out of their way to get hold of cars from one of the world's biggest brands. Locals of Newton Abbot, Devon , were left baffled late last month when the Swanson Motor Company suddenly closed its doors. Elsewhere, a major dealership was forced to close down five showrooms after the business fell into administration. READ MORE SUN STORIES Marsh Holdings Limited, based in Exeter, Devon, has been forced to shut up shop - just months after it sold its Kia franchise. Meanwhile, another dealership cleared the forecourt after 30 years of business - blaming a popular car brand's failures. Dacia Sandero - £13,795 Citroen C3 - £13,150 Fiat Panda £14,750 Dacia Spring (EV) - £14,995 Dacia Sandero Stepway - £15,295 Kia Picanto - £15,595 Hyundai i10 - £16,030 Toyota Aygo X - £16,140 Fiat 500 Hybrid - £16,800 Dacia Duster £17,295

Longwan Rural Commercial Bank Delegation Visits ZHEJIANG GENO ELECTRICAL to Explore New Opportunities for Development 12-19-2024 10:52 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire On November 19th, a delegation led by Mr. Lin Tianjing, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Longwan Rural Commercial Bank, visited ZHEJIANG GENO ELECTRICAL for an in-depth exchange and discussion on financing and credit services. Accompanied by senior executives from the bank, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Sun Yonggui, Chairman of GENO, and other company leaders. The visit culminated in a fruitful meeting aimed at fostering mutual development and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/2-29.jpg A Comprehensive Tour of GENO's Facilities At 2:00 PM, the delegation arrived at GENO's branch factory on Binhai Twelfth Road. The visit began with a guided tour of GENO's four major business divisions showroom, where staff enthusiastically introduced a variety of innovative products. This provided the visitors with a deeper understanding of GENO's technological advancements and market offerings. Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/3-25.jpg Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/4-23.jpg Following the showroom tour, the delegation proceeded to GENO's headquarters on Binhai Fifteenth Road. Here, they explored the company's spacious and modern production workshop, gaining first-hand insight into the manufacturing process. From the meticulous selection of raw materials to stringent production controls and rigorous quality testing, every step highlighted GENO's commitment to excellence and innovation. Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/6-10.jpg Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/7-6.jpg Roundtable Discussions on Strategic Cooperation During the roundtable meeting, Mr. Sun Yonggui extended a warm welcome to the delegation and provided a detailed overview of GENO's development history, current business operations, and future strategic plans. Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/1-28.jpg Mr. Sun emphasized that GENO Electrical, as a key contributor to the local economy, remains dedicated to driving industrial upgrades and achieving breakthroughs in multiple fields. He noted the longstanding and successful partnership between GENO and Longwan Rural Commercial Bank and expressed his hope for further collaboration. "This meeting is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our ties," Mr. Sun said. "We look forward to working closely with Longwan Rural Commercial Bank to leverage its financial support for local industries and contribute to the region's economic growth." Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/8-5.jpg Commitment to Shared Growth and Success In response, Mr. Lin Tianjing reaffirmed the bank's unwavering support for local enterprises and expressed enthusiasm for strengthening the partnership with GENO. "We are committed to fostering closer communication and cooperation," Mr. Lin remarked. "Moving forward, Longwan Rural Commercial Bank and GENO Electrical will explore more areas of collaboration, creating a brighter future of mutual success." Image: https://ecdn6-nc.globalso.com/upload/p/1718/image_product/2024-11/9-3.jpg A Milestone in Collaborative Development This visit by Longwan Rural Commercial Bank not only brought new development opportunities for GENO Electrical but also deepened mutual understanding and strengthened the bond between the two institutions. Looking ahead, GENO will continue to uphold its values of innovation and pragmatism, enhance its core competencies, and contribute more to the growth of the local economy. Media Contact Company Name: ZHEJIANG GENO ELECTRICAL CO,. LTD. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=longwan-rural-commercial-bank-delegation-visits-zhejiang-geno-electrical-to-explore-new-opportunities-for-development ] Phone: 8617705027151 Address:No.519, 15th Road, Binhai industrial Area City: Wenzhou State: Zhejiang Country: China Website: https://www.gog-elec.com/ This release was published on openPR.Hypo Toilet Cleaner, a leading advocate for toilet hygiene in Nigeria, has reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring clean and germ-free toilets for Nigerians by reaching over 10,000 households nationwide. In commemoration of World Toilet Day 2024, the brand launched a nationwide activation aimed at addressing hygiene challenges in public spaces. The impactful initiative spanned multiple states, including Lagos, Ibadan, Rivers State, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Benin City, and Edo State. In markets and motor parks within these regions, Hypo provided access to clean and germ-free toilets by renovating and disinfecting facilities, ensuring they were free for everyone throughout the day. Additionally, the brand distributed hygiene kits to users, empowering over 10,000 households to maintain better hygiene practices. Speaking on the initiative, assistant brand manager at Hypo Homecare, Olamide Olopade, in a press statement,made available to LEADERSHIP, highlighted its significance: “At Hypo, we recognize the importance of clean and accessible toilets in improving public health. This World Toilet Day, we reaffirmed our mission to fight against poor sanitation by providing solutions where they are needed the most—in our public spaces. Beyond offering effective products, we see it as our duty to drive positive change through meaningful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, such as our longstanding toilet rescue program, where we renovate dilapidated toilets nationwide.” Adding to this, assistant brand manager for Hypo Toilet Cleaner, Emmanuel Inyang, emphasised that: “World Toilet Day is not just about raising awareness—it’s about collective actions in the fight against open defecation and the use of unsafe toilets by providing free access to clean toilets and empowering the public with proper awareness of the harmful effects of poor sanitation practices.” The activations underscored Hypo’s vision to promote good hygiene practices and create lasting impacts in communities. Influencers and brand ambassadors played key roles in the campaign, leading hygiene awareness sessions that educated the public on the health risks of poor toilet hygiene and the importance of adopting proper sanitation habits. By transforming public toilets into germ-free, clean spaces, Hypo is actively helping to curb the spread of diseases caused by unsafe sanitation practices. These efforts align with the brand’s overarching mission to make cleanliness accessible and achievable for every Nigerian household. As Nigeria continues its journey toward improved sanitation, Hypo Toilet Cleaner remains a trusted partner in the fight against germs, offering products designed to keep toilets cleaner, fresher, and healthier for all.

The Fine Gael leader was asked about the controversy in the first question posed during the second and final TV leaders’ debate of Ireland’s General Election campaign. Mr Harris apologised over the weekend for his handling of the discussion with Charlotte Fallon while canvassing in Kanturk in Co Cork on Friday evening. The Taoiseach was accused of dismissing concerns that Ms Fallon raised about Government support for the disability sector during the exchange filmed by RTE in a supermarket. Mr Harris rang Ms Fallon on Saturday and said he unreservedly apologised for the way he treated her, however focus has since shifted to Fine Gael’s interactions with the national broadcaster about the social media video. At the outset of Tuesday’s TV debate, co-host Miriam O’Callaghan directly asked the Fine Gael leader whether a member of his party contacted RTE to ask for the clip to be taken down. “I have no knowledge of that whatsoever, because this clip was entirely appropriate,” said Mr Harris. “It was a very important moment on the campaign. “And RTE and indeed many media outlets have been with me throughout the campaign, covering many interactions that I’ve had with many, many people right across this country.” The Taoiseach said the approach by his team member was part of the “normal contact that happens between party politics and broadcasters on a daily basis”. Mr Harris’s partner-in-government in the last coalition, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, said he was not aware of the approach to RTE by Fine Gael. “I didn’t realise this had happened,” he said. “I think Simon has given his explanation to it. I’m not sure it’s as normal or as usual. I just get on with it every day. But, again, I think, you know, I’m not au fait with the details behind all of this, or the background to it. “The video didn’t come down, and it was seen by many, many people. “And I think it illustrates that out there, there are a lot of people suffering in our society. “Notwithstanding the progress we’ve made as a country, a lot of people are facing a lot of individual challenges, and our job as public representatives and as leaders in travelling the country is to listen to people, hear their cases, to understand the challenges that they are going through in their lives. “And when we go about in election campaigns, we have to open up ourselves to criticism and to people calling us to account.” Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald had earlier in the day described reports of the Fine Gael approach to RTE as “chilling”. However, at the start of the debate, she was asked about a media-focused issue related to her own party, namely the controversial manifesto proposal for an independent expert review of RTE’s objectivity in its coverage of the war in Gaza and other international conflicts. Mr Harris previously branded the proposal a “dog whistle to conspiracy theorists” while Mr Martin said it was a “dangerous departure”. Ms McDonald defended the idea during the RTE Prime Time debate on Tuesday. “Politics and politicians should not try to influence editorial decisions or try and have clips taken down because they are inconvenient to them,” she said. “There has to be distance, there has to be objectivity. But I would say I am struck by the very defensive reaction from some to this (the review proposal). “The BBC, for example, a peer review looked at their coverage on migration. Politicians didn’t put their hands on it, and rightly so. “I think in a world where we have to rely on quality information, especially from the national broadcaster, which is in receipt of very substantial public funding, that has to be the gold standard of reliability. I think peer reviews like that are healthy.”

WinGD completes first full-load running of X-DF-M engine on methanol fuel

Christmas is less than one month away and silly, sneaky little elves are starting to appear in children's home. A holiday tradition for many families around the world, it is indeed Elf on the Shelf time. Nearly 20 years old, Elf on the Shelf has gained traction in recent years as parents post extreme displays on social media − from elves getting stuck in the kitchen blender to making a mess in the bathroom with shaving cream . If you're looking to explore the Christmas tradition for the first time, here's everything you need to know about Elf on the Shelf. Need something to watch? 100+ Kids Christmas movies to stream with the whole family this holiday season What's the story behind Elf on the Shelf? As told in the children's book, "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition," 10-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas. Scout Elves are on a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list. Every night, the elves travel back to the North Pole and then in the morning, upon their return, land in a different spot than the nights before. Toward the end of November each year is Scout Elf Return Week − when elves arrive to children's homes. This year's return week is Nov. 24 through Dec. 1. However, Scout Elves may return a bit early, but only with Santa's permission . Who invented Elf on the Shelf and when did it get started? Elf on the Shelf was invented by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell. The mother-daughter duo self-published "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" in 2005. The original book comes with an elf doll, available in several diverse options. Elf on the Shelf gained widespread attention in 2007 when actress Jennifer Garner was spotted carrying the book kit, according to The Lumistella Company , which owns Elf on the Shelf. Shortly after, the book was discussed on NBC's "Today" show. In 2012, the elf got off the shelf and made his first balloon appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade . But perhaps the leading reason why Elf on the Shelf got so popular is thanks to social media, with parents sharing their elaborate and humorous schemes online. Today, The Lumistella Company offers various Elf on the Shelf merchandise. Several animated movies, including Netflix's "The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story," have been inspired by the story of Scout Elves. How does Elf on the Shelf work? Of course, like any holiday tradition, families may put their own spin on Elf on the Shelf, but here are the encouraged steps: There are a few rules worth learning, too: Where can you buy Elf on the Shelf? Elf on the Shelf is available at most major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kohl's, CVS, Michaels, Bass Pro Shops, Barnes & Noble and Macy's. To search a store near you that carries Elf on the Shelf, visit elfontheshelf.com/elf-adoption-centers/ . Elf on the Shelf ideas If you're brainstorming creative ways to make your Scout Elf reappear in the morning, there are several online resources worth checking out for inspiration: Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com .Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.

Manchester City's struggles continued as Pep Guardiola's side remarkably blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave the French club in danger of elimination. There were also big wins for Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, while Inter Milan went top of the standings after five games and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski reached a century of Champions League goals. However, the biggest drama came at the Etihad Stadium, where City were cruising early in the second half with a three-goal advantage as they sought to end a run of five successive defeats in all competitions. Erling Haaland opened the scoring from a penalty just before half-time, and Ilkay Gundogan's deflected shot made it 2-0 in the 50th minute. Haaland struck again to make it 3-0, but Feyenoord's comeback began on 75 minutes when Anis Hadj Moussa took advantage of hapless defending to round goalkeeper Ederson and pull one back. Substitute Santiago Gimenez bundled in to make it 3-2 on 82 minutes and the equaliser arrived a minute from the end. Ederson was again caught out with Igor Paixao going around the goalkeeper and crossing for Slovak international David Hancko to head in. "We concede a lot of goals because we are not stable," complained Guardiola. "We lost a lot of games lately. We are fragile and of course we need a victory." It is the first time that a team has gone into the last 20 minutes of a Champions League game trailing by three goals and still avoided defeat, as the point boosts the Dutch side's hopes of progressing. City are two points outside the top eight places which offer direct qualification for the last 16, while Bayern moved above them by beating PSG 1-0 in Munich. South Korean defender Kim Min-jae scored the only goal seven minutes before half-time, heading in after goalkeeper Matvei Safonov failed to clear a corner. PSG had Ousmane Dembele sent off in the second half and the French champions have just four points, and three goals, from five games. They are a lowly 26th in the 36-team league, a point adrift of the positions which offer a place in the play-off round in February. "We need to win our last three matches, otherwise we risk being eliminated," admitted PSG coach Luis Enrique. Lewandowski notched his 100th goal in the competition with an early penalty in Barcelona's 3-0 home win over French side Brest. Dani Olmo netted midway through the second half before Lewandowski sealed Barca's win at the death, his 101st goal in the Champions League -- only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored more. Inter lead the standings with 13 points, a point ahead of Barcelona and Liverpool, after a 1-0 win at home to RB Leipzig which means they are also still yet to concede a goal. Castello Lukeba's own goal made the difference at San Siro, and Leipzig are one of only three teams to have lost five games out of five. Arsenal romped to a 5-1 victory away to Sporting in Lisbon, as the Portuguese side adapt to life without coach Ruben Amorim, who has departed for Manchester United. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes all scored in the first half for Arsenal, before Goncalo Inacio pulled one back shortly after the restart. Bukayo Saka converted a penalty on 65 minutes after Martin Odegaard had been brought down, and Leandro Trossard headed in to seal Arsenal's win late on. Atalanta romped to a 6-1 win over rock-bottom Young Boys in Switzerland, with Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both scoring braces. Sead Kolasinac and Lazar Samardzic also netted for the Italians, with Silvere Ganvoula getting the hosts' reply. Florian Wirtz struck twice, including a penalty, as Leverkusen crushed Red Bull Salzburg 5-0, with Alejandro Grimaldo scoring a superb free-kick and Patrik Schick and Aleix Garcia also netting. Julian Alvarez and substitute Angel Correa each scored twice and Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann once as Atletico romped to a 6-0 win away to Sparta Prague. Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham were the scorers in AC Milan's 3-2 win at Slovan Bratislava, whose goals came from Tigran Barseghyan and Nino Marcelli. Marko Tolic saw red at the end for Slovan, who are without a point. as/nf

Experts Predict Record Snowfall for Pacific Northwest: Here's How To Make the Most of This Ski Season

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The Rose Bowl is the next stop on No. 1 Oregon's national championship quest. And Ohio State or Tennessee will be the Ducks' opponent in the 111th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All. Oregon (13-0) received the top seed in the first 12-team College Football Playoff on Sunday, sending the Ducks to celebrate the new year in Pasadena for the ninth time in school history as they continue to fight for their school's first national title. “Being on this side of the country, this is a game you dream of the opportunity to coach in,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning, who will be in his first Rose Bowl. “It’s certainly a thrill for me. Obviously, a big fan of our program and influence in our program is Phil Knight, and Phil always told me his No. 1 goal is, ‘Can we get to the Rose Bowl?’ So I’m extremely ecstatic that our team gets to be a part of such a historic game.” But first, the eighth-seeded Buckeyes (10-2) and the ninth-seeded Volunteers (10-2) will meet in Columbus on Saturday, Dec. 21, to determine Oregon's opponent in the Rose Bowl Game, which is also a playoff quarterfinal. Tennessee is in the playoff for the first time, and coach Josh Heupel believes the Vols are ready. “It’s the next step for our program,” Heupel said. “This is something that our players have worked towards since last January, and you earn the right to be in a game like this. Proud of what we’ve done through the course of the regular season. The new season starts here. There was an expectation inside of our program to earn the right to play in a game like this.” As for the idea of an SEC team traveling north to frigid central Ohio, Heupel points out that Knoxville isn't exactly Southern California. “Not sure what the temperature will be up there, and I know it won’t be sunny and 85,” Heupel said. “We played in 30-degree weather a week ago (against Vanderbilt). For us, a lot of our practices are in the morning. (When) we’re outside, it’ll be similar temperatures to what you get up there. Our guys will be able to handle anything that comes at them.” The first-round matchup pits a pair of college football powerhouses with little history together. The Volunteers beat the Buckeyes 20-14 in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1996, in the schools' only previous meeting. Ohio State got home-field advantage despite missing out on a Big Ten title game date with Oregon after a humiliating 13-10 loss at home to Michigan last month. The Buckeyes also lost a 32-31 thriller to the Ducks in Eugene in October, but they might still get that rematch in California. Oregon is clearly the class of this jumbled college football season, finishing as the only undefeated team in the FBS and the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 after holding off Penn State 45-37 to win its first Big Ten championship. The Ducks' road to a title looks fairly daunting with two elite opponents vying for their quarterfinal shot, and social media filled up Sunday with fans and commentators bemoaning the relative difficulty of Oregon's path. The rough road doesn't bother Lanning, however. “What an opportunity, right?” Lanning said on ESPN. “We focus on the things that you can control, and winning a national championship isn’t supposed to be easy. If our path is a little bit tougher, kudos to us if we go through it and take care of business.” For decades, the Rose Bowl cherished its position as a near-annual meeting of teams from the Big Ten and the West Coast conference most recently known as the Pac-12. The breakup of the Pac-12 and the permanent change in the Rose Bowl's postseason position happened simultaneously over the past year, throwing the bowl's future into flux. But Oregon's familiar presence in Pasadena next month will smooth that change significantly — and if the Ducks' opponent is Ohio State, the traditionalists will still get exactly what they crave out of this game anyway. Oregon and Ohio State met in the Rose Bowl in 1958 and again on Jan. 1, 2010, with Terrelle Pryor leading the Buckeyes to a 26-17 victory. Oregon is 4-4 in its previous trips to the Rose Bowl, and the modern Ducks have spent their holiday in Pasadena four times since 2010. They’ve won in their past three appearances in the Granddaddy, most recently beating Wisconsin 28-27 in Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s final game for his hometown school in 2020. Ohio State has made 16 previous appearances in the Rose Bowl, third-most in the game's history behind USC (34) and Michigan (21). The Buckeyes have won their last four games in Pasadena, most recently beating Washington in 2019 and Utah in 2022 . A trip to Pasadena would be a treat for Tennessee's vast fan base. The Vols made two trips to the Rose Bowl during the 1940s, but they haven't been back there since 1945. Oregon and Tennessee have faced each other twice, with the Ducks winning both matchups in 2010 and in 2013. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Jammu, Nov 27: The discussions on J&K budget proposals of Revised Estimates 2024-25 and Budget Estimates 2025-26 Tuesday began with deliberations related to the departments of Planning Development and Monitoring; Fisheries and Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. Budget deliberations will conclude on December 20. Discussions revolved around estimates, both under revenue and capital components including Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and loan components. The departments were already instructed to make provisions for CSSs as per the approved action plan. They were asked not to anticipate (or budget) any creation of posts either in Revised Estimates 2024-25 or in Budget Estimates 2025-26 for the ensuing financial year. The departments, prior to discussions, were instructed to estimate accounts for salaries and the National Pension Scheme (NPS) government contribution for the last six months of the previous financial year from September 2023 to February 2024. In the case of salaries, the departments were asked to provide a number of temporary posts created for regularization of pre-1994 daily wagers and the number of such posts which cease to exist by way of retirement or adjustment of regularized workers against normal vacancies, as the case may be beside the number of vacant posts available during the year indicating separately the number of such posts filled on contractual or consolidated or adhoc basis. “The actual targets under each scheme and projections should be based on scientific calculations. The requirement of the funds should be such as to cover the entire gap in funding of all the Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Projections under all CSS should be made to achieve 100 percent targets under each scheme as per the standard norms of the scheme,” it was stipulated. As per the schedule issued by the Finance department, the discussions pertaining to Tribal Affairs; Information and Revenue departments will take place on November 29 while the proposals concerning Cooperative; Industries and Commerce and Mining departments will be deliberated on December 2. Budget proposals of PHE, Transport and Higher Education departments will be discussed on December 4 and the discussions on proposals of Animal, Sheep Husbandry; Agriculture, Floriculture and Horticulture departments on December 6; those of School Education; Youth Services & Sports, Technical Education and Science and Technology departments on December 9 while deliberations on proposals of Public Works (R&B); Housing and Urban Development and Irrigation, Flood Control (Jal Shakti) departments will take place on December 11. Deliberations on budget proposals of Rural Development and PR; Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Labour and Employment, ARI and Trainings and Stationery and Office Supplies departments will be held on December 13. On December 16, budget proposals of Hospitality and Protocol, Estates; Forest; Tourism and Culture departments; on December 18, those of Health and Medical Education, SKIMS; General Administration and Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs departments and on December 20, the proposals of Social Welfare, Home, Power Development and Finance departments will be discussed. The departments have been asked to ensure that the Budgetary Estimates (BEs) 2025-26 do not contain any lump sum provisions and that the projections are made right up to the last tier of classification – up to detailed head-level budget proposals. They (departments) have been directed to specifically indicate the actual expenditure of the previous financial year and up-to-date expenditure of the current financial year in respect of the Capex including CSS in the work statement of their budget proposals. There should be a clear distinction between ongoing works and new works and the details of ongoing works should include scheme code or work code generated on the BEAMS portal. With regard to linking Capex with SDGs, it was specified that the departments would link the budget requirement with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to assess the requirement of Capital investments for attaining all the indicators and goals defined under SDGs. J&K budget 2025-26 will be presented after a gap of six years in its Legislative Assembly. The new Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the charge of the Finance Minister as of now, has yet to take a final call about the timing of the budget session. Prior to the issuance of the schedule for budget discussions, the Finance Department had directed all administrative departments to project the 2025-26 budget based on an “output-outcome basis” reflecting each activity in it (budget) as a “scheme which has defined targets and deliverables.” It was instructed that besides, ‘Gender specific’ plan and ‘Child Welfare’ plan would be among six categories where under the Capital Expenditure plan would be furnished by the departments. The other four categories will be the Construction Plan; Upgradation and Maintenance Plan; Building Plan and Procurement Plan. In the case of the Capital Budget, the departments were instructed to adopt a scheme-based budgeting system.