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Two Virginia legislators – one Democrat and one Republican – plan legislation to limit what debt collectors and creditors can seize. Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, wants to make it easier to limit the amount a creditor or debt collector can take from a family bank account under a court order. Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, wants to rein in Virginia’s unique-in-the-nation law that allows liens to garnish 100% of an erring taxpayer’s wages. Hernandez Virginia House of Delegates Coyner Virginia House of Delegates Under current Virginia law, you can exempt $5,000 of bank accounts or household goods from creditors, but you must file a Homestead Deed and then go to court to claim your exemption. Hernandez wants to make that protection kick in automatically for bank accounts. For many Virginians, the Homestead Deed protection is out of reach, said Jay Speer, chief executive officer of the Virginia Poverty Law Center. “This is virtually impossible for someone without a lawyer. This bill will make it automatic, which we think makes a lot more sense and it makes things easier for a bank that receives a garnishment,” he said. Virginia consumer protection bills meet mixed results in assembly The poverty law center supports the measure. It notes that many Virginians now have their wages deposited directly to their bank accounts. The complicated process of protecting sums in those accounts means state law's limits on how much a creditor can have garnished from wages is rendered moot. And not being able to keep at least some money in a bank account has meant families can’t get at their money for essential bills, for rent, food or medical expenses. Some people have electricity, water or gas cut off because a creditor has effectively frozen their bank accounts, the poverty law center said. “Families shouldn’t have to make the impossible choice of feeding their children or paying off a debt,” Hernandez said. “This necessary bill will create new protections to safeguard funds that are needed for the necessities of life and prevent families from falling into a vicious cycle of poverty," he said. Twenty-six states have higher household good exemptions, and 11 of these have additional, separate exemptions for at least portions of a debtor’s bank account, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch analysis of state exemption laws compiled by the National Consumer Law Center, a nonprofit that tracks consumer protection measures nationwide. Delaware bars garnishment of bank accounts but has no exemption for household goods. While Alaska's household goods exemption is less than Virginia's, its separate exemption for some funds in a a bank account exceeds Virginia's exemption. Coyner is focusing on the court orders that let creditors - as well as state and local tax collectors - take Virginians' wages when they owe money. While most creditors or debt collectors are limited to seizing 75% of a debtor's paycheck, tax collectors can seize the whole amount. “Garnishing 100% of someone’s wages is not just impractical – it’s inhumane,” Coyner said. “This bill allows Virginians to pay their debts while maintaining their dignity and basic livelihood.” Her bill would set the same limit on garnishments for back taxes as applies to any other debt: 25% of disposable earnings for a given week, or the amount by which a delinquent taxpayer’s disposable earnings for a week exceed 40 times the minimum. Fifteen states exempt more of a debtors’ wages from garnishment, including four states that exempt all wages: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. “I believe in paying your taxes,” Coyner said. “But people need a minimum to live on." Virginia lags other several other states when it comes to limiting how much property and wages debt collectors can seize, the National Consumer Law Center review shows. Virginia’s law also exempts $50,000 of a debtor’s home from seizure, while 32 states have higher exemptions. A 2020 law aimed at helping debtors and creditors work out payment plans saw use of settlement services grow last year. The law required debt settlement agencies be licensed and capped the fees they charge. Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, introduced it and argued for it after hearing from the Office of the Attorney General’s consumer protection unit that it was getting a lot of consumer complaints about some debt settlement companies charging exorbitant fees for these services. Virginians entered into 10,559 new agreements during the year; there were 18,586 such agreements in force at the end of the year, a State Corporation Bureau of Financial Institutions report found. The agreements seek to repay or forgive $303 million of debt. Debtors and creditors have come to terms on $104 million, and since the law took effect have repaid $85 million. “We want people to have confidence in these firms,” Willett said. “There were a lot of good firms here, but we wanted to keep the bad actors out. ... A lot of the good ones were with us on this, he said. “It seems to be working," Joseph Face, commissioner at the State Corporation Commission Bureau of Financial Institutions, said he’s not hearing any complaints about debt settlement agencies anymore. Debts are mainly owed retailers and credit card companies he said. The high-interest rate payday, car title and open-end credit lenders that the General Assembly also cracked down on in 2020 do not seem to be involved, he said. The debt settlement bill says debt settlement firms must now be licensed by the Bureau of Financial Institutions. It sets a cap of 20% of a borrower’s debt as the fee a debt settlement firm can charge. A licensed firm must post a surety bond equal to the average amount it receives from Virginians under its debt management plans, up to a maximum of $350,000.
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy's dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country's General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix's platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it's not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry's evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.” Baraa Anwer, The Associated PressThe HondaJet, first developed as the HA-42 model, is a very light business jet manufactured by the Honda Aircraft Company in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It was first developed in the 1990s and has some interesting design features. It first flew in December 2003 but Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification was not achieved until December 2015, when deliveries also started. As of February this year, 200 HondaJet have been produced and it still remains in production today. Let's find out more about the HondaJet series. A basic rundown The aircraft has space for six or seven passengers and has a composite fuselage and an aluminum wing, It has two GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines attached to pylons above the wing and produce 2,050 pounds of thrust. In the cruise, the aircraft can reach speeds of 422 knots or 782 kilometers per hour. The HondaJet HA-42 has a range of 1,547 nautical miles or 2,865 kilometers. The aircraft manufacturer has received awards for the HondaJet's innovative design. Still in production today, Honda first looked at the development of a small-size business jet in the late 1980s and assembled the MH01 turboprop and the MH02 prototypes at the Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. Flight testing continued until 1996, when the aircraft was moved to Japan. The aircraft was designed by Honda Aircraft's founder, Michimasa Fujino, who interestingly designed the aircraft's nose, influenced by shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, or so he said. Another unusual design feature is the Over The Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) and is unique to Honda Aircraft. It maximizes cabin space by removing the structure that is normally used to mount engines near the fuselage and is considered to be one of the most unusual features of the aircraft. Doubts over production In October 2000, Honda R&D Americas built their research facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Although the first flight took place in December 2003, Honda Aircraft was still unsure of the commercial potential of the aircraft. To understand further, Fujino displayed the aircraft at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow in 2005. After attracting much interest, they decided to announce that the aircraft was going into production, at the same event, the following year. They planned deliveries of the aircraft for 2010 with an asking price of $3.65 million. The first flight of a production aircraft took place in June 2014. It was certified by the FAA in December 2015, by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in May 2016 and in Japan in December 2018. The estimated cost of the HondaJet program was between $1.5 and $2 billion. During 2015, Honda Aircraft hoped to produce 40 aircraft and upped that to 60 aircraft in the following year and 20% of the aircraft were bound for Europe. Honda Aircraft planned to up production further to 80 aircraft per year from 2019. The HondaJet soon was to become the top-selling aircraft in the very light category. The HondaJet Elite - an introduction The HondaJet Elite was introduced in May 2018 with a better performance envelope, updated flight deck and improved interior. The FAA amended the certification, as did EASA. The Elite's takeoff roll was reduced and its range increased, an auxiliary fuel tank was added and the aerodynamics were improved. Vibration and noise in the cabin were reduced and the lavatory was fitted with a seatbelt allowing a seventh passenger to travel. There was a small galley and the cockpit was fitted with the Garmin G3000 avionics suite. The payload was increased and it had a speed of Mach 0.676 or 720 kilometers per hour. In 2019, a medivac version was introduced and in the same year, the HondaJt first flew on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). It was certified in Canada, China and Turkey and cost $5.28 million. In 2020, EASA certified the aircraft for steep approaches and the galley was removed to add an extra seat, so it could now take eight passengers. It now costs $ 5.75 million. The original HondaJet could be upgraded with the Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) at a cost of $250,000 for modifications. The HA-480 Echelon Honda Aircraft unveiled the Echelon in 2021 as the HondaJet 2600 concept, which could feature up to eleven seats in the cabin. Its range is 2,625 nautical miles or 4,862 kilometers and it has a cruise speed of 450 knots or 830 kilometers per hour and can reach a ceiling of 47,000 feet. It costs between $10 and $12 million and will be the longest-range single-pilot business jet. The Echelon has the same configuration as the original variant but has a stretched fuselage and a larger wingspan. In June 2023, Honda Aircraft announced the production of the Echelon. Assembly of the aircraft is due to start in 2025 and certification is projected for 2028 or 2029. The aircraft has Williams FJ44-4C turbofan engines which produce 3,450 pounds of thrust, a carbon fiber fuselage and a larger cabin. It is also 20% more fuel efficient than its competitors, the Embraer Phenom 300, the Pilatus PC-24 and the Cessna Citation CJ3/CJ4. HondaJet Elite II The HondaJet Elite II was introduced in October 2022, with improved aerodynamics, more fuel capacity and an increase in gross weight. It has a range of 1,547 nautical miles or 2,865 kilometers and has a cruise speed of 422 knots or 782 kilometers per hour. The flight deck is fitted with the Garmin G3000 avionics suite and features autothrottles and emergency autoland. The aircraft has a new paint scheme and upgraded interior. It was certified by the FAA in November 2022 and costs $6.95 million. Aircraft deliveries Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 All Deliveries 2 23 43 37 36 31 37 17 22 248 Billings (million $) (est.) 9 103.5 209.2 183.1 179.5 164.3 199.3 104.8 152.9 1,305.6 Average (million $) (est.) 4.5 4.5 4.87 4.95 4.99 5.3 5.39 6.16 6.95 5.26 In 2018, deliveries were on the slow side, partly due to delivery timings and customer schedules as well as the transition to the HondaJet Elite. Again, deliveries slowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Other issues include a lawsuit with fractional aircraft operator Jet It, after a runway incursion and consequently, Jet It sold their fleet of HondaJets and replaced them with Embraer Phenom 300s. This was settled out of court. There were some safety concerns from the HondaJet Owners and Pilots Association, after eight accidents occured in a twelve-month period. Aircraft specifications comparison (Data from Wikipedia, Honda Aircraft Company) Variant HondaJet Elite Elite II Echelon Cockpit crew 1 or 2 Typical seating 4 or 5 passengers 6, 8 or 9 passengers Maximum seating 7 passengers 10 passengers Length 42 ft 7 in (12.99 m) 57 ft 10 in (17.62 m) Wingspan 39 ft 9 in (12.12 m) 56 ft 9 in (17.29 m) Height 14 ft 11 in (4.54 m) 15 ft 11 in (4.84 m) MTOW 10,600 lb (4,808 kg) 10,701 lb (4,854 kg) 11,100 lb (5,035 kg) 17,550 lb (7,938 kg) Cabin height 4.83 ft (1.47 m) 5 ft 3 in (1.59 m) Cabin width 5 ft (1.52 m) 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) Engine (× 2) GE Honda HF120, 2,050 lbf (9.1 kN) Williams FJ44-4C, 3,450 lbf (15.3 kN) Cruising speed 422 kn (782 km/h; 486 mph) at FL300 450 kn (830 km/h; 520 mph) Range 1,223 nmi (2,265 km; 1,407 mi) 1,437 nmi (2,661 km; 1,654 mi) 1,547 nmi (2,865 km; 1,780 mi) 2,625 nmi (4,862 km; 3,021 mi) Awards and accolades for the HondaJet Designer and Honda Aircraft Company CEO Michimasa Fujino won: Business and Commercial Aviation Vision Award (2008) American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Aircraft Design Award (2012) SAE International Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson Aerospace Vehicle Design and Development Award (2015) International Council of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) Award for Innovator in Aeronautics (2017) Living Legends of Aviation Industry Leader of the Year Award (2017) AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award (2021) The HondaJet aircraft awards include: Robb Report: Best of the Best Business Jets (2007) Aviation Week and Space Technology: Techs to Watch (2015) Popular Science: Best of What's Now (2014) Flying Magazine: Flying Innovations Award (2017) AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence (2018) Aviation International News (AIN) Top Flight Award (2021) Read More: What Makes the HondaJet 2600 So Special? In conclusion The HondaJet Aircraft Company uses advanced technology to build safe and efficient aircraft such as the original HondaJet, the HondaJet Elite and the upcoming HondaJet Echelon. They like to defy the norm in the industry and produce aircraft that can meet a variety of different missions. They want to make private aviation more accessible and enhance the benefits of travel by private jet. Their aircraft are suited to business or private owners, entrepreneurs, charter operators and for special missions and medivac services. The aircraft are designed to be safe, comfortable and fuel-efficient through aerodynamic performance. Their aircraft emit less CO2 without inhibiting performance and have lower operating costs than comparable aircraft of a similar class. Over 200 aircraft are in service and have a 99.97% dispatch reliability rate and have logged more than 98,000 flight hours. Related: A Complete Pricing Guide To The HondaJet Elite IIWe all know what happens when voice acting goes wrong. There’s a reason your brain still reads "It's-a-me, Mario!" in Charles Martinet’s legendary voice, not whatever Chris Pratt’s doing (or isn’t doing) in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog family flicks are playing the same adaptation game, but avoid making the same mistakes when it comes to gimmick casting that doesn’t benefit the role. That's the problem with celebrity stunt casting in animated movies and why it should be avoided — you sacrifice quality for a (hopeful) box office cheat code. Everyone's favorite Parks and Recreation brat isn't just Ben Schwartz-ing through Sonic's dialogue. The actor strives to honor Sonic's voice in past SEGA video games while putting his spin on a more juvenile character interpretation. There's an art to Schwartz's voice acting and acknowledgment of Sonic's prior iterations. Like Mario, Sonic's voice appears in television shows and video games when speech became more than 8-bit garble or speech synthesis. Why would you want to erase all that history and relation? The difference in quality between The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise depicts the stark contrast between memorable and forgettable revamps. Universal and Illumination's mushroom-eating adaptation opts for the aforementioned celebrity stunt castinga cold and transactional method focused on maximizing profits at all costs. Sonic the Hedgehog invests in transformative voice acting, where the draw isn't who's behind pixelated recordings but the characters on screen. It's an animated film's job to immerse audiences in fantastical worlds, which the hybrid live-action Sonic movies accomplish whether in the fictional town of Green Hills, modern-day Tokyo, or a digitized mushroom planet. That’s because no matter the backdrop, Schwartz and company want you to believe Sonic, Tails, and the whole gang are real. They don’t want the credit themselves. The Super Mario Bros. Movie boasts a stacked cast, but what do they bring to their character personalities? Jack Black grumbles and croons as a serviceable Bowser (Black himself is a cartoon character, so that checks out), but even impressionist Keegan-Michael Key's Toad is oddly flat. Luigi sounds like Charlie Day but vaguely New Yorker, Donkey Kong is straight-up Seth Rogen, Princess Peach is an unaltered Anya Taylor-Joy — there's no passion behind vocal development. It's the equivalent of dialogue cosplay if purchased on Temu, like slapping a novelty mustache on Chris Pratt while he holds a plunger. Meanwhile, Ben Schwartz has a motormouth zip about his words that matches Sonic's hyperspeed lifestyle. Schwartz can be hilarious as Sonic does his best Quicksilver from X-Men impression during slow-motion action scenes, but also heartfelt and emotional when Sonic faces insurmountable odds or learns everlasting lessons. There's depth to Schwartz's vocal performance that speaks to the values of professional voice acting, which is infinitely harder than it looks. You’re reading lines off scripts in silent isolation, unable to interact with co-stars who’ll share scenes with your pixelated and dubbed role — yet Schwartz makes it look easy. Sonic never feels out of place next to James Marsten or Jim Carrey, as Schwartz’s range, through sound only, hits more dimensions than live-action actors benefitting from all their theatrical tools. What's distracting and frustrating about The Super Mario Bros. Movie is how all the film's voices have countless reference points, none of which the studio cares to duplicate or reward. When novels or comic books are adapted to film, there's a freedom to cast without direct audible comparisons. But a video game series with hours upon hours of line readings from voice actors who are still readily available for role reprisals? It's not only disrespectful to the artists who've mastered their crafts and helped galvanize a studio's brand, but distracting from a fanbase standpoint. Slaslfilm’s BJ Colangelo makes a compelling case to "stop screwing with legacy characters," and she's right. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 takes its reverence for its source material a step farther,, introducing beloved animal buddies Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna. Now, Tails has one of the more unique voices in the Sonic universe — so Paramount went right to the source by hiring Tails' voice actress since 2010, Colleen O'Shaughnessey. Knuckles eventually went to Idris Elba, but not as stunt casting. Elba's take on Knuckles understands the fight-first character, echoing his Drax-like barbarian mannerisms with a gruff warrior's tone. There's even a video of Elba wearing personalized Knuckles gloves during recording sessions so he can disappear into the role, which helps us forget there's an Englishman in a box somewhere reading lines. Then there's the casting of Keanu Reeve as Shadow in Sonic The Hedgehog 3. A handful of voice actors have put their spin on Shadow as a baddie and anti-hero, which Reeves manipulates into his John Wickian hedgehog. You can hear Reeves in Shadow's bluntness and gravel, but there's a more profound parallel. Shadow's history is one of coldness and tragedy at the hands of G.U.N., which Reeves handles with empathy. Reeves himself has dealt with unthinkable hardships throughout his life, tying this sympathetic bond between actor and character. Keanu Reeves isn’t playing Shadow the Hedgehog, he is Shadow the Hedgehog, and the parallels between actor and character help develop a well-rounded alien who is himself on screen, not the man behind the words (even if he sounds just like him). Each actor's connection to their colorful counterparts is the secret sauce that's elevated Paramount's Sonic franchise above other video game adaptations. The Super Mario Bros. Movie sold itself on the backs of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and the entire ensemble cast. Sonic the Hedgehog has enlisted equally impressive stars, but these movies aren't about Keanu Reeves or Idris Elba. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow are the stars — the characters are who we’re talking about after after the credits roll. When you watch any Sonic the Hedgehog after or before The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the debate over celebrity stunt casting falls apart. As an Italian, I laughed when Chris Pratt was announced as Mario but kept an open mind only to be proven wrong. As a Sonic fan who saw those nightmare first renderings of Sonic with teeth, I entered even more nervous — once again proven wrong. Paramount's voice cast choices have been aces thus far, endearing these movies to Sonic fans instead of pushing them away. Let's give kudos where appropriate — the fantastic voice actors selflessly bringing Sonic and his buddies to life on the big screen.
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AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:34 p.m. ESTNoneJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia's decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia's commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia this week, Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi activist with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of Vision 2030, an ambitious reform plan unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy's dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with Viola Davis and Priyanka Chopra Jonas also picking up awards Thursday.) The country's General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been Telfaz11, a media company founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 signed a partnership with Netflix to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix's platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it's not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry's evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.”
India to play Champions Trophy games in Dubai after team denied Pakistan tripPat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 “Freedom Convoy” in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order. A judge in an Ottawa courtroom Friday said the Crown proved beyond a reasonable doubt that King was guilty on one count each of mischief, counselling others to commit mischief and counselling others to obstruct police. He was also found guilty of two counts of disobeying a court order. The Alberta resident was found not guilty on three counts of intimidation and one count of obstructing police himself. King could be facing up to 10 years in prison. The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin on Jan. 16. The Crown is seeking “significant” incarceration time in a penitentiary while the defence wants King to be sentenced to time served and a period of probation. King’s attorney Natasha Calvinho said right now she is focused on the sentencing hearing and will determine if any other action, such as an appeal, will be pursued at a later date. Calvinho said she and her client are disappointed with the ruling, but she said it was well reasoned. “I think what the more important takeaway here, and what we’ve been saying from the very beginning, Mr. King was acquitted of all charges related to inciting any form of violence, specifically intimidation of Ottawa residents,” Calvinho said outside the courthouse. “So yes, he was convicted, a couple counts of mischief for his social media posts, as the judge found, and will continue to fight another day.” The maximum sentence for mischief in this instance is 10 years. In January 2022 the convoy attracted thousands of demonstrators to Parliament Hill in protest against public-health restrictions, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the federal government. The event gridlocked downtown streets around Parliament Hill, with area residents complaining about the fumes from diesel engines running non-stop, and unrelenting noise from constant honking of horns and music parties. The federal Liberal government ultimately invoked the Emergencies Act to try and bring an end to the protests, which had expanded to also block several border crossings into the United States. Ottawa Police brought in hundreds of officers from police forces across Canada to force the protest to an end. King’s defence argued that King was peacefully protesting during the three-week demonstration and was not a leader of it. But the Crown alleged he was a protest leader who was instrumental to the disruption the protest caused the city and people who lived and worked nearby. The Crown alleged King co-ordinated the honking, ordering protesters to lay on the horn every 30 minutes for 10 minutes at a time and told people to “hold the line” when he was aware police and the city had asked the protesters to leave. The Crown’s case relied mainly on King’s own videos, which he posted to social media throughout the protest to document the demonstration and communicate with protesters. The court proceedings paused for about 10 minutes when King requested a short “health break” after the first verdicts on the mischief charges were read. Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland described the honking as “malicious conduct” intended to disrupt residents, workers, businesses and others from lawfully enjoying downtown Ottawa. Hackland also said that the videos show King was seen as and accepted the leadership role. He pointed to a quote from King, finding it “hilarious” that residents could not sleep for 10 days as “gleefully” aiding and abetting mischief. This evidence also played a role in determining King’s guilt in disobeying a court order and counselling others to do the same. These charges relate to the original Feb. 7, 2022 injunction against using air and train horns in downtown Ottawa which was launched by residents. The city successfully filed a similar injunction days later. As for counselling others to obstruct police, Hackland found King’s call to “hold the line” was telling people not to move from the protest site despite police orders. The judge said that phrase can be seen as a greeting between supporters of the convoy protest, but said there was no other logical interpretation in the context of King’s videos. In the days before a multi-day police removal operation began, King called on people to link arms and sit down with their backs to police if officers tried to move them. On the intimidation charges, Hackland said that a consistent theme of King’s videos were calls to remain peaceful and non-violent. He said that the target was always the federal government and COVID-19 policies, and specific individuals were not targeted by or through King’s actions. As for an intimidation charge related to blocking highways, Hackland said that finding guilt in this instance would be an “overly broad” interpretation of the Criminal Code as the blockade was done as part of a political protest, which is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His trial was heard over several weeks between May and July. King still has charges of perjury and obstruction of justice that need to be dealt with which is a separate matter stemming from an April 2022 bail review hearing. Details of the testimony that led to the charges are protected under a publication ban, which exists for all information that arises during a bail hearing.
Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins
SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smodin, a trailblazer in AI-powered tools for students, educators, and professionals, is thrilled to announce an exciting development: www. contemplativeinquiry.org and www. freshu.io now redirect to Smodin.io, creating a single, unified hub for innovation and productivity. This move marks a significant step forward in Smodin's mission to make advanced AI tools more accessible than ever. By integrating these domains into Smodin.io, users will enjoy seamless access to a broader range of resources, from AI writing assistance to content analysis, all on a single platform designed to meet diverse needs. "This isn't just about redirection—it's about transformation," said the founder of Smodin. "By bringing everything under the Smodin umbrella, we're creating a one-stop solution for anyone seeking smarter, faster, and more effective tools to achieve their goals." Visitors from contemplativeinquiry.org and freshu.io will now have direct access to Smodin's continually expanding suite of features, including plagiarism detection, essay generation, and tools tailored to enhance productivity and creativity. This evolution ensures users can focus on what truly matters: creating, learning, and growing. The consolidation is part of Smodin's vision to innovate and deliver an unparalleled user experience while solidifying its position as a global leader in AI technology. Discover the future of AI-driven solutions at www.smodin.io . About Smodin Smodin is a leading AI-powered platform dedicated to empowering users worldwide with smart tools for writing, research, and productivity. With a focus on innovation and accessibility, Smodin transforms the way students, educators, and professionals work and create. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smodin-unites-powerful-domains-to-deliver-an-all-in-one-ai-platform-302314508.html SOURCE Smodin'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Big Lots reaches deal to keep hundreds of US stores open The discount chain Big Lots has reached a deal that will keep hundreds of its stores open. Big Lots said it will be sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which specializes in distressed companies. Gordon Brothers will then transfer Big Lots’ stores to other retailers. Variety Wholesalers, which owns more than 400 U.S. discount stores, plans to acquire between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores and operate them under the Big Lots brand. Big Lots filed for bankruptcy protection in September, saying inflation and high interest rates had cut back on consumer demand for its furniture and other products. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. Trump's request Friday came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The brief said Trump opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing lower as Wall Street ends a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62%. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as January 14th, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. The department has taken such action in the past. But once those measures run out the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Canadian Cabinet ministers meet with Trump's nominee for commerce secretary in bid to avoid tariffs TORONTO (AP) — Two top Canadian Cabinet ministers have met with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary at Mar-a-Lago as Canada tries to avoid sweeping tariffs when Trump takes office. New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, as well as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department. The meeting was a follow up to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping tariffs if Canada does not stem what he calls a flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States.
Penix, the eighth overall pick in this year's draft, was supposed to serve as Cousins' understudy for a year or two, a plan that was scuttled when Cousins quickly lost the zip and accuracy on his passes and his grip on the starting job. It was hard to argue with making the change after Cousins had nine picks and one touchdown pass in his last five starts — but it was a daring move nonetheless with the Falcons trailing first-place Tampa Bay by a single game with three weeks left. Penix made the move pay off with a solid first NFL start in the Falcons' 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday that bolstered Atlanta's playoff hopes , and the Falcons (8-7) moved back into first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers' loss at Dallas on Sunday night. The left-hander was not at all overwhelmed by the moment, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards — numbers that would’ve been better if not for at least three dropped passes, one of which Kyle Pitts bobbled right into the hands of a New York defender for Penix’s lone interception. “He went out and played almost flawless football,” coach Raheem Morris said. Cousins will almost certainly be looking for his fourth team in 2025. If the Falcons cut ties as expected, they'll have paid Cousins $90 million for 14 games. Cousins' career earnings are about $321 million and his record is 84-77-2, including a 1-3 mark in the playoffs and 7-7 this season. In the spirit of expedited judgments, let's take a gander at how other quarterbacks have fared with their new teams in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers landed the biggest bargain of the season in Wilson, whom they signed for the veteran's minimum of $1.21 million, leaving his former team, the Denver Broncos, on the hook for the remaining $37.79 million of his 2024 salary. Wilson's calf injury in camp forced the Steelers to start Justin Fields, who went 4-2 before Mike Tomlin made the risky switch to Wilson, who's gone 6-3 with 15 TD throws and four interceptions. With the Steelers (10-5) playoff-bound, Wilson will make his first postseason appearance since 2020. The only question is whether it'll be at home as AFC North champ or on the road as a wild-card. They're tied with the Ravens atop the division but currently own the tiebreaker. This was expected to be a rebuilding year in Minnesota after the Vikings lost Cousins in free agency. They signed Darnold, the third overall pick in 2018, to a $10 million, one-year contract and drafted national champion J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener and has undergone two surgeries, opening the way for Darnold's breakthrough season. Darnold brought a 21-35 career record with him to Minneapolis and all he's done is go 13-2 while setting career highs with 32 touchdown passes, 3,776 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage. The Vikings are tied with the Lions atop the packed NFC North and the division crown could come down to Minnesota's season finale at Detroit on Jan. 5. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract and he beat out incumbent Aidan O'Connell for the starting gig. But he only went 2-7 and sustained a season-ending broken collarbone in a Week 12 loss to the Broncos, opening the door for O'Connell (1-4) to return. The Raiders' 19-14 win over Jacksonville on Sunday snapped a 10-game skid but might have taken them out of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes. They are 3-12, a game behind the Giants (2-13), who jettisoned QB Daniel Jones less than two years after signing him to a four-year, $160 million contract and have gone with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito instead. The Chicago Bears had high hopes after drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, but it might turn out that the second QB taken — Washington's Jayden Daniels — is better than the first as was the case last year when C.J. Stroud outperformed Carolina's Bryce Young. Williams has a terrific TD-to-INT ratio of 19-5, but the Bears are 4-11 and have lost nine in a row. Their last win came way back on Oct. 13 against Jacksonville. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU has led the Washington Commanders (10-5) to the cusp of their first playoff appearance since 2020. His bolstered his Rookie of the Year credentials with a five-TD performance Sunday in leading the Commanders to a 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. For the year, Daniels has 22 TD throws and eight interceptions. The former Auburn and Oregon star hasn't looked much like a rookie after starting an NCAA QB record 61 times in college. The Broncos (9-6) could snap an eight-year playoff drought with a win Sunday at Cincinnati thanks to Nix's steady play , Sean Payton's exhaustive guidance and Denver's traditionally stingy defense. Nix was drafted 12th overall after the Broncos released Wilson despite a a whopping $85 million dead money charge on top of the $37.79 million they're paying Wilson to play for Pittsburgh this year. With 22 TDs and 11 interceptions, Nix has almost matched Russell's win total (11-19) in his two seasons in Denver. AP Sports Writer Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed to this report. Behind the Call analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL during the season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflTYLER, Texas , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartDrone Corporation, "The U.S.A. Drone Company" ® , is excited to announce the acquisition of the drone operations of Skytec, LLC, a Chattanooga -based leader in remote sensing and GIS technology. This acquisition allows SmartDrone to expand its UAV service offerings while continuing to support Skytec's clients with high-precision aerial data collection across industries, including landsurveying, construction, and environmental management. Skytec, founded in 2015, has built a reputation for excellence in geospatial technology, combining satellite imagery, drone platforms, and GIS expertise to deliver scalable, high-resolution data solu ti ons . "Skytec has been at the forefront of remote sensing, providing unmatched insights and precision to clients worldwide," said Rob Cammack , CEO and Founder of SmartDrone. " Integrating their drone operations with SmartDrone's lidar and imaging technology enables us to serve Skytec and their clients across the United States with the speed, accuracy, and quality that hundreds of our existing clients depend upon." "Skytec is growing , and this allows us to focus on our core strengths in geospatial data analysis and satellite-based monitoring while ensuring our clients continue to receive the high-quality UAV services they rely on," said Bill Rogers , CEO of Skytec. "SmartDrone's exper tise and market reach make them an ideal partner to support our mission." Through this acquisition, SmartDrone will provide ongoing UAV services to Skytec's existing client base, ensuring a seamless transition and access to best-in-class aerial data collection. With Skytec's operational excellence in geospatial data analysis and its excellent UAV services carried forward by SmartDrone, clients can expect to benefit from a fully integrated approach to data-driven decision-making. About SmartDrone Corpora tion Based in Tyler, Texas , SmartDrone Corporation designs, engineers, and manufactures LiDAR and imaging drones and provides nationwide Professional Services. As "The U.S.A. Drone Company" ® , SmartDrone leads the way in the American Drone Revolution. SmartDrone's Website About Skytec Founded in 2015, Skytec is a global leader in remote sensing and GIS technology. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee , Skytec uses a combination of satellite imagery, drone technology, and GIS expertise to deliver scalable, high-impact data solutions for sustainable resource management and informed decision-making. Skytec's Website For more information, please visit www.smartdrone.us or contact Bailey Franklin at baileyfranklin@smartdrone.us . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartdrone-acquires-drone-operations-of-skytec-expanding-uav-service-capabilities-302321699.html SOURCE SmartDrone Corporation"Of course, we will encourage any effort for a ceasefire in Gaza," Farhan Haq said while responding to reporters about US President Joe Biden's announcement that he would make "another effort" with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar and Israel to reach a ceasefire agreement and exchange of prisoners in Gaza. We have been talking about for a long time that a ceasefire must be established. We need to release all the prisoners and want humanitarian access in Gaza, he said. Asked whether the UN is in contact with Gaza peace negotiators, Haq said the UN has been in touch with all parties and is “trying to get more information” regarding the ceasefire efforts. US national security adviser Jake Sullivan also told American media on Wednesday local time that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed with US President Joe Biden to “take another step towards achieving a good ceasefire agreement.” Biden intends to start doing this by engaging his representatives with Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, as well as other regional players, Sullivan revealed, adding that “there have been ongoing and indirect contacts with Hamas through mediators in recent weeks.” He continued by saying that he cannot predict the exact timing of a ceasefire agreement but said the US will do its utmost to achieve the deal and release “the hostages”. Egyptian delegation travels to Tel Aviv to discuss ceasefire Meanwhile, a security-political delegation from Egypt headed to Tel Aviv to discuss the Gaza ceasefire with Zionist officials. IRNA on Thursday morning cited Palestinian media as saying that the delegation is scheduled to enter the occupied territories in the next few hours. Some media outlets reported that the Egyptian delegation's plans include the announcement of some proposals regarding the post-war phase in the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian proposal that will be shared with Israeli officials reportedly talks about an administration under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority once the war on Gaza ends. The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has repeatedly said that it will not submit to the pressures to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza that does not meet the conditions of the Resistance. Hamas and other resistance groups are against the Zionist regime's plan to occupy 50 km of Gaza land under the pretext of creating the so-called “safe zones”. The resistance groups insist on the complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Gaza, the establishment of a complete ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza as a condition for the release of Israeli prisoners. 4399Lest we forget
Trae Young, Hawks hoping to win big in Vegas at the NBA Cup semifinalsApartments are in high demand Families priced out of Brisbane’s red-hot housing market are driving a surge in apartment demand, with units costing as little as a quarter of the median house price. Exclusive data has pinpointed the suburbs where units deliver the best value — not only slashing costs compared to freestanding houses but also offering generous living space. Research by SuburbData also highlighted a divide between luxury suburbs, where apartments were far cheaper than houses, and more affordable areas, where unit prices were as much as 70 per cent of houses but had comparable floor space. This Auchenflower unit sold for $741,000 Leading the list of 29 suburbs was ritzy Teneriffe, where a typical unit priced at $908,000 was just 22 per cent of the jaw-dropping median house price of $4.11m. Buyers in Paddington and Auchenflower also benefitted, with units priced at 34.6 and 33.8 per cent of houses, providing proximity to the city without the hefty outlay. SuburbData’s analysis shows units in key family-oriented areas still delivered on space, with those in Taigum and Highgate Hill offering 38.5 and 36 per cent of the typical house block size. In Taigum, units averaged 2.4 bedrooms compared to 3.6 for houses, with a typical buy-in of 71.6 per cent of the median house price of $809,000 — a balance attracting young families seeking space without breaking the budget. A three-bedroom apartment in Kedron sold for $675,000 More affordable markets were Redbank Plains in Ipswich, where units cost $513,000 and typically offer one quarter of the space of freestanding houses, and Michelton, where the average apartment value of $597,000 was half the price of a house. The research considered relative house and unit prices in each suburb, as well as typical floor space or house block size and number of bedrooms in the respective dwelling types. The growing preference for units reflected broader lifestyle changes, according to industry experts. PropTrack’s latest Home Price Index showed Brisbane apartment prices surged 17 per cent over the past year to a median value of $670,000 in October, outpacing houses which were up 12 per cent to $970,000. A three-bedroom apartment in Kedron sold for $675,000 MORE NEWS ‘Unfair’ bank policy stopping thousands from owning a home Surprise factor making homes 10pc cheaper Revealed: the lifestyle hotspots in line for 100 new homes SuburbData analyst Jeremy Sheppard said the research showed where some of the best unit buying opportunities were in the current market. “There’s the potential for buyers to get good value in a location where they want to live but can’t afford a house,” Mr Sheppard said. He noted that the gaps between unit and house prices were at record highs in some areas, suggesting apartment buyers could get more value than usual. A common theme among the markets where units were selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars less than similarly-sized houses in the area was a long history of house subdivisions nearby. Highgate Hill apartment sold for $825,000 “Unit sizes tend to be fairly similar across areas, while houses can vary,” he said. “Often the best value units are in established areas where most of the houses are on smaller blocks.” But Mr Sheppard also cautioned buyers to be highly selective in the types of units they targeted. “One of the problems with units is that oversupply can be a real killer of the long-term value,” he said. “It’s best to try to avoid units in high-rise buildings and rather focus on boutique blocks where there are only a few apartments there. “A good sign is if there’s no lift. It means there will be less apartments jammed into the same building and the strata fees are often lower.” Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said inner-city unit markets were leading growth. Picture: Supplied Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said the trend mirrored other states, with inner-city areas leading the charge. Bowen Hills was recognised as Australia’s top Supercharged Suburb by the Hotspotting Spring 2024 Price Predictor Index, indicating potential for future price growth. “In areas like Newstead, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, and the Brisbane CBD, units are in high demand and often preferred over houses,” Mr Ryder said. “This precinct is desirable for its close proximity to the CBD and is benefitting from ongoing improvements to connectivity and amenities, such as the $6.3b Cross River Rail project.” TOTAL Property Group managing director Adrian Parsons said younger, high-net-worth buyers aged between 35 and 45 were leading demand for luxury apartments, while working families were drawn to convenience, lifestyle and affordability. ABS figures show 32 per cent of interstate arrivals were aged between 25 and 44 years. Total Property Group director Adrian Parsons said younger buyers were active in the luxury apartment sector. Picture: Glenn Hampson. “The market in southeast Queensland has matured and there’s now a significant focus on apartment living, which has become more desirable because of the high level of luxury amenities developers are adding within the apartment buildings,” Mr Parsons said. “The way people are living has changed. Technology has given us the freedom to live and work where we want to, while on the other hand we have become increasingly busy. “People in their prime working years either don’t have time, or do not want to maintain a house and yard and this has changed the way younger people view their living environments. “The introduction of larger, two and three-bedroom apartment residences in key locations is attracting young families, who traditionally would have purchased a house with a yard. It makes sense these days as children are spending less time outdoors and when they do go outside, they are happy to play at a local park or the beach,” he said. Elisa McMahon said house-sized apartments were selling fast. Picture: Josh Woning McMahon Estate Agents principal Elisa McMahon has just settled 11 house-sized apartments in Park Lane Residences, a project in Lutwyche — all to owner-occupiers. “The majority of apartments are three-bedroom plus a multi-purpose room, or four bedrooms,” Ms McMahon said. As well as downsizers, the buyers were made up of families with school-aged children looking for a more affordable option in an inner-city market, she said. “What I’m finding interesting is apartments seem to be accelerating in price growth at the same pace as houses, or actually outperforming them in some markets.” Ms McMahon said many young, professional singles and couples were also opting for an apartment over a house because of affordability and lifestyle preferences. “Since 2014, we’re really seeing people starting to make the downsizing move (to an apartment) earlier as Brisbane’s lifestyle and entertainment precincts improved,” she said. “We’re now delivering beautiful, owner-occupied stock compared to the investor-driven apartment product on the market 10 years ago.” Unit in Teneriffe sold for $810,000 TOP VALUE UNIT MARKETS Suburb/units typical value/unit prices as % of houses TENERIFFE/$908000/22.1 KANGAROO POINT/$821000/39.8 HIGHGATE HILL $903000/ 44.5 PADDINGTON $789000/ 34.6 AUCHENFLOWER $691000/33.8 WEST END $790000/ 47.4 WOOLLOONGABBA $709000/ 46 GORDON PARK $667000/ 39.6 CLAYFIELD $696000/ 36.7 WINDSOR $614000/ 38.6 KEDRON $635000/ 45.3 CANNON HILL $651000 /53.4 ALDERLEY $744000/ 49.6 SHERWOOD $690000/ 44.4 LUTWYCHE $656000/ 56.2 TAIGUM $580000/ 71.6 NORMAN PARK $776000/55.8 WOODY POINT $780000/ 103.6 WYNNUM $801000/ 64.8 MITCHELTON $597000/ 54.1 NUNDAH $629000/ 55.7 GREENSLOPES $673000/ 51.5 WYNNUM WEST $666000/ 70.5 MORNINGSIDE $714000/ 77.7 REDBANK PLAINS $513000/ 73.5 CARINA $809000 /72.6 REDCLIFFE $712000/ 83.8 COORPAROO $698000/ 52.5 ANNERLEY $662000/ 61.3 * source: SuburbData
The team at Goldman Sachs has been busy running the rule over some ASX 200 shares recently. Two that have received big thumbs up are listed below. Here's why they broker thinks they are buys: ( ) Goldman is a fan of this metal detector and communications-focused manufacturer and supplier of electronic solutions. It believes the ASX 200 share is a buy given the growth potential of both its Metal Detection and Communication segments. It explains: We consider Codan to be a high-quality electronics company with multiple levers available to grow both its Metal Detection and Communication segments with our Buy rating centered on: 1) Zetron benefiting from US$10-15bn in required USA government funding for NG911 with annual state expenditure accelerating; 2) Tactical Communications supported by a favourable military spending environment and general industry tailwinds; 3) Metal Detection benefiting from market share gains supported by expansion of distribution points and continued product development; and 4) Codan pursuing accretive bolt-on acquisitions, growing its product portfolio, customer base, and geographical reach in Communications. Goldman Sachs recently initiated coverage on Codan with a buy rating and $18.00 price target. ( ) Another ASX 200 share that gets a big thumbs up from analysts at Goldman Sachs is Pro Medicus. It is a leading health imaging company developing radiology information system (RIS) software and services for hospitals, diagnostic imaging groups, and other related healthcare providers. Goldman likes the company due to its industry-leading Visage platform, which has been winning some major contracts recently. The good news is that the broker believes there's plenty more to come. It said: Key reasons for our positive view: (1) We believe the adoption of Visage is a matter of when, not if, for many US healthcare institutions including academics, IDNs and smaller, independent clinics, with our Visage terminal market share expectations >30% amid increasing competition; (2) As a top 5 US IDN, we expect the Trinity contract to drive a network effect across this cohort which represent >40% of PME's core TAM; (3) We see a significant opportunity to expand customer spend, through existing products (i.e. Cardiology, AI) and new white space products (i.e. other 'ologies'). Amid an intensely competitive AI healthcare market, we believe PME stands out to succeed given its unique partnership with industry KOLs, launching four new solutions with academics at RSNA 2024; and (4) PME has a track record of delivering profitable growth with best in class margins, including >70% under the 'Rule of 40' which we believe is sustainable through the cycle. And while Goldman acknowledges that Pro Medicus shares are not cheap, the broker believes its premium valuation is justified due to its "significant long-term opportunity." The broker has a buy rating and $278.00 price target on the ASX 200 share.Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy weekTimeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024Former President Jimmy Carter , the 39th president of the United States, was honored by multiple lawmakers on social media following the news of his death on Sunday afternoon. Carter’s death, confirmed by his son Chip Carter and shortly after by the Carter Center , comes just under three months after the former president celebrated his 100th birthday . The death of the former president, the nation’s only Georgian to hold the position, was preceded by the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter , who died in November 2023. JIMMY CARTER TURNS 100: SNAPSHOTS OF HIS LIFE BREAKING - Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 Sunday. DETAILS: https://t.co/z08s3SIhO7 pic.twitter.com/J8FFIHBpUt — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) “Today, I join Americans across the country in mourning the loss of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter,” Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) posted on X. “Born in a small town in Georgia, President Carter’s dedication to public service, leadership, humanitarian work, and Christian spirit touched the lives of countless individuals.” Today, I join Americans across the country in mourning the loss of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. Born in a small town in Georgia, President Carter’s dedication to public service, leadership, humanitarian work, and Christian spirit touched the lives of countless individuals.... pic.twitter.com/ri6LuUCBXl — Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) Shortly after Carter’s death was announced, the Empire State Building in New York City announced it would be illuminated in red, white, and blue lights to honor the former president. Tonight we will shine in Red White and Blue to honor the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter 📷: captiv_8/IG pic.twitter.com/xIksQuUp68 — Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) Suzanne and I join our nation to mourn the passing of Jimmy Carter, a devoted public servant and 39th President. He served our country in the Navy, as a Georgia state senator, and as the Governor of Georgia. We are praying for the Carter family during this difficult time. His... — Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) We pray for the peace of the Lord to be with former President Jimmy Carter and his family. We are deeply grateful for his years of sacrifice, including his tireless work building homes through Habitat for Humanity and his dedication to supporting the incarcerated. We also honor... — Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) We disagreed on many issues and how he ran our country, but his humanity is undeniable. Prayers for his family, and may God grant him mercy. Rest in peace, President Jimmy Carter. 🕊️ — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) Rest in peace, President Jimmy Carter. May you be welcomed into the arms of Jesus in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/rNTSxiMBfe — Kari Lake (@KariLake) CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Carter’s presidency , lasting only one-term from 1977 through 1981, was set back by numerous foreign policy events like the Iranian hostage crisis. Despite this, the former president received increased popularity following his time in the White House, specifically for his work with the housing nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity. The former president’s political career started in 1963 as a Georgia state senator, in which he ran on the platform of racial inclusion and integration. Prior to politics, Carter was a Naval Academy graduate, in which he served from his graduation in 1946 until 1953.
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