Explainer: What you need to know about the 2024 US presidential election
Fact: Former President Donald Trump is on the cusp of winning the Republican nomination for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
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BAFTA Film Awards: Will lead nominee ‘Oppenheimer’ be the big winner?
The historical drama film “Oppenheimer” has received the most nominations for the BAFTA Film Awards in London. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan, is about the making of the atomic bomb during World War Two. It has already won several prizes and is expected to win multiple awards at the BAFTAs. “Oppenheimer” dominated the Golden Globes and leads nominations for the Academy Awards as well. The film will compete for best film alongside “Poor Things,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” and “The Holdovers.” Cillian Murphy and Emma Stone are leading the betting odds for the leading acting categories. Da’Vine Joy Randolph is expected to win the supporting actress category for her role in “The Holdovers.” The film “Barbie” has received five nominations but was not included in the director category, which has raised some questions. The BAFTAs will take place on Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
They’re changing directions, they should change behaviours as well
The initial finding of the Minister of Energy was a lack of cooperation among public entities managing energy matters. The Minister prioritized restoring cooperation with the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) and efforts were made to improve relationships. However, there were failures in cooperation between the EAC and the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA). The recent change in the board of directors of EAC is expected to improve cooperation. Concerns were raised about the potential influence of the dinner between the Minister, the president of CERA, and the new president of EAC. Unions of EAC targeted the president of CERA, accusing him of causing uproar over potential electricity price increases. The President of the Republic also played a role in the situation by sending a message to the new EAC board to avoid price increases. The unions’ statement did not contribute to rectifying the situation. The column hopes that the Minister’s policy directions for the role of EAC in the green transition and energy security will be adopted by other public players.
Book your spot for , ‘Flavors of Life’ to fight childhood cancer
The culinary event “Flavors of Life” is organized by the School of Life and Health Sciences of the University of Nicosia, in collaboration with the Yale School of Public Health. It will take place on March 12, 2024, at LOFT Restaurant, located on the 12th floor of UNIC’s SIX Residences. The event is held under the auspices of President Nikos Christodoulides and aims to support the Karaiskakio Foundation’s Childhood Cancer Centre. The event will feature dishes and drinks made from local Cypriot ingredients and will include a historical perspective, nutrition and health information, and Cypriot melodies. The event details are as follows: the date is March 12, 2024, at 8 pm, the location is LOFT Restaurant, the price is €65 per person, and reservations can be made by emailing Maria Nassif or Marina Georgiou. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Karaiskakio Foundation.
Book your spot for , ‘Flavors of Life’ to fight childhood cancer
– The culinary event “Flavors of Life” is organized by the School of Life and Health Sciences of the University of Nicosia, in collaboration with the Yale School of Public Health.
– The event will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 8 pm at LOFT Restaurant, which is on the 12th floor of UNIC’s SIX Residences.
– The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, is supporting the event.
– All proceeds from the event will go to the Karaiskakio Foundation to support its Childhood Cancer Centre.
– The event will feature dishes made from locally-produced Cypriot ingredients and spirits based on the aromas of Cypriot flora.
– The event will include a historical perspective on each dish and drink, as well as nutrition and health information emphasizing the Mediterranean diet.
– Authentic Cypriot melodies will be played during the event.
– The ticket price for the event is €65 per person, payable at the entrance.
– Reservations can be made by emailing Maria Nassif or Marina Georgiou and providing contact details and the number of attendees.
US families begin to embrace weight-loss drugs for their children
Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy saw a significant increase in usage among U.S. adolescents in 2023, with 1,268 children aged 12 to 17 starting treatment with the drug. In 2022, only 25 children were prescribed Wegovy. The use of the drug is still relatively small compared to the number of children with obesity in the U.S., which is estimated to be around 14.7 million. Wegovy is the first highly effective treatment for obesity, but its long-term risks and benefits are still not well understood. Some families are embracing the drug as a way to prevent disease in children and adolescents. Another weight-loss drug, Saxenda, also saw a decrease in usage among adolescents in 2023. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are testing their weight-loss drugs in children as young as 6.
Explainer: What is the space-based nuclear weapon the US says Russia is developing?
The United States has warned Congress and allies in Europe about new intelligence related to Russian nuclear capabilities that could pose a threat. The warning is specifically related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon. The exact nature of the weapon is unclear, and it is uncertain whether it actually exists. The United States does not have the ability to counter such a weapon. Russia has dismissed the warning as a “malicious fabrication” and a tactic to secure more funding from Congress.
Julian Assange’s appeal against US extradition is life or death, wife says
Julian Assange’s wife, Stella, stated that his last-ditch legal challenge to prevent his extradition from Britain to the United States is a matter of life or death. Assange is wanted by U.S. authorities for releasing confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables through WikiLeaks. His lawyers will fight to overturn Britain’s approval of his extradition at the High Court next week. Stella Assange expressed concern for her husband’s declining physical and mental health, stating that he would not survive if he were sent to the U.S. In January 2021, a judge ruled against Assange’s extradition due to his mental health, but the decision was reversed after an appeal by U.S. authorities. If the challenge at the upcoming hearing fails, they will apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction. WikiLeaks gained prominence in 2010 for releasing classified files and diplomatic cables, with U.S. prosecutors claiming that the leaks endangered their agents. Assange has been held in a maximum-security prison in London since 2019.
Voters go to polls in double test for PM Sunak
– Voters cast their ballots on Thursday to elect two new British lawmakers.
– The opposition Labour Party was expected to win parliamentary seats in central and southwestern England.
– The by-elections were seen as a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party.
– The Conservatives have not made significant efforts to win over voters in Wellingborough and Kingswood.
– The by-elections were expected to increase criticism of Sunak, with concerns about a potential Conservative wipe-out in the upcoming national election.
– Sunak hopes to close the poll gap with Labour and capitalize on Labour’s issues with anti-Semitism allegations and a retracted green spending target.
– Bookmakers predicted Labour victories in both Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections.
– The by-election results were expected to be announced early on Friday.
– Labour sent many lawmakers and activists to campaign in both areas, while the Conservative presence was more subdued.
– The Wellingborough contest was triggered by a bullying and harassment scandal, and the Kingswood contest followed Chris Skidmore’s resignation over climate change policies.
– Labour leader Keir Starmer faced criticism for not immediately censuring a Labour candidate who espoused conspiracy theories about Israel.
– The UK economy entered a recession in the second half of 2023, presenting a challenge for Sunak, who prioritized economic growth before the national election.
– Labour aimed to manage expectations during the voting process, acknowledging the difficulty in winning the by-elections and focusing on the cost of living crisis.
What makes something , ‘cute’?
The text is an article by Hui-Ying Kerr, an Associate Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, discussing a new exhibition at London’s Somerset House that examines the phenomenon of ‘cute’. The exhibition features a section celebrating the 50th birthday of the Hello Kitty brand with a glittering kitty disco and showcases a variety of products adorned with the Hello Kitty theme. The show explores the concept of ‘cute’ across different times and places, demonstrating its widespread appeal and versatility. It includes sections titled ‘cry baby’, ‘play together’, ‘sugar-coated pill’, ‘monstrous other’, and ‘hypersonic’ that attempt to categorize ‘cute’, but the term resists a strict definition. The exhibition also plays with scale to create immersive experiences and includes works by hyper-feminine singer and visual artist Hannah Diamond. The curator, Claire Catterall, suggests that the exhibition hints at the meaning of ‘cute’ rather than dictating it, leaving visitors to ponder its impact on society and its manipulative nature. The article concludes with Kerr’s personal reflections on the exhibition.