jili 80 Global Times: China's long, profound pursuit of peace embedded in Hehe culture By Wang QiangRupert Murdoch has been dealt a setback in his bid to steer control of his empire to his son Lachlan after the media mogul dies. Murdoch, 93, had sought to change the terms of his irrevocable family trust to ensure his older son, Lachlan, would have sole control over his media companies News Corp. and Fox Corp. News Corp. owns influential publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, Investor’s Business Daily and Dow Jones. Fox Corp. is the parent company of Fox News and the Fox broadcast network. But a Nevada probate commissioner rejected the request to amend the trust that had been opposed by Murdoch’s other children named in the trust — Prudence, James and Elisabeth. In the current version of the trust, the four eldest siblings, including Lachlan, were set to jointly inherit control of the businesses. That commissioner, Edmund J. Gorman Jr., said in a ruling over the weekend that the elder Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch had acted in “bad faith” in their attempt to rewrite the trust, according to a sealed court filing obtained by the New York Times . “The effort was an attempt to stack the deck in Lachlan Murdoch’s favor after Rupert Murdoch’s passing so that his succession would be immutable,” Gorman wrote in the filing. “The play might have worked; but an evidentiary hearing, like a showdown in a game of poker, is where gamesmanship collides with the facts and at its conclusion, all the bluffs are called and the cards lie face up.” While the Nevada proceedings were behind closed doors, the outcome had enormous implications because Murdoch controls the world’s most influential conservative-leaning media empire. The trust was established following Murdoch’s divorce from his second wife, Anna Torv Murdoch Mann, the mother of Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. As part of that 1998 divorce settlement, Murdoch agreed to set up the trust that would give control of his empire to his then-four adult children after the mogul’s passing. The trust gave Anna’s children and Murdoch’s eldest daughter from his first marriage, Prudence, equal voting shares — in a bid to establish a power-sharing arrangement to oversee his corporate empire. Murdoch’s two daughters from his marriage to Wendi Deng were given economic stakes in the trust, but not voting shares. A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch did not respond immediately to a request for comment, nor did News Corp. Fox Corp. referred comment to Murdoch’s lawyer. Prudence, James and Elisabeth Murdoch said in a statement that “We welcome Commissioner Gorman’s decision and hope that we can move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members.” The elder Murdoch had claimed changing the trust was necessary to preserve the conservative bent of his media properties, which would maintain shareholder value for all the heirs. Lachlan is known for sharing his father’s political views, and since last year has served as sole chairman of News Corp. and executive chairman of Fox. The three other siblings are more politically moderate.

Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang Are Highlighted in an Exclusive In-Game Experience Filled with Nostalgia, Prizes, and Fun! HERZLIYA, Israel , Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This New Year, Solitaire Grand Harvest is bringing joy, nostalgia, and a bit of winter magic with everyone's favorite beagle, Snoopy,! Starting December 29 , players can experience Snoopy, Woodstock, and the Peanuts gang in a special month-long event that's bound to bring back cherished memories while adding a little sparkle to your solitaire game. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/playtika/9222155-en-solitaire-grand-harvest-featuring-snoopy Solitaire Grand Harvest, the #1 highest-grossing solitaire game in the U.S.**, is transforming into a Peanuts-themed winter wonderland just in time to ring in 2025. Whether you're sipping cocoa by the fire or counting down to midnight, the Peanuts ® takeover will warm your heart and make every win feel a bit more magical. Starting December 29 , players will discover Snoopy and his Winter Fair Collection, featuring charming in-game mini-games and exclusive prizes inspired by the classic Peanuts characters. But the fun doesn't stop when the ball drops! Between January 1-12 , players may add Snoopy and Woodstock to their collection, alongside their in-game special pet companions, making it a New Year's celebration that keeps on giving. Players get to keep their favorite characters with them forever with the permanent in-game Snoopy collection. Roi Glazer, General Manager of Solitaire Grand Harvest , shared his excitement, saying: "Snoopy has been a beloved part of so many of our lives for generations. This partnership with Peanuts allows us to combine the nostalgia of Snoopy with the excitement of Solitaire Grand Harvest in a way that brings joy to our players during the New Year celebration." Scott Shillet , Vice President of Global Hardlines at Peanuts , said: "We are thrilled to bring Snoopy and the beloved Peanuts gang to Solitaire Grand Harvest, allowing us to continue our mission of spreading joy through new and engaging experiences. By integrating our timeless characters into the game, our fans will find fresh ways to connect with Peanuts while enjoying the fun world Solitaire Grand Harvest has to offer." Solitaire Grand Harvest is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play (in-app purchases available). To follow along, visit Solitaire - Grand Harvest on Facebook and on Instagram . About Solitaire Grand Harvest ® Solitaire Grand Harvest is the top Solitaire game in the U.S.**, with hundreds of thousands of daily players across multiple platforms. Solitaire Grand Harvest, developed by Supertreat GmbH, allows its community to experience the fun side of farming as they grow and harvest crops, build and design their personal farm and progress through thousands of challenging Solitaire levels. The game provides high value content, and players are exposed to new features and provided with the opportunity to connect with other members of the Solitaire Grand Harvest community online. About Playtika Playtika Holding Corp. PLTK is a mobile gaming entertainment and technology market leader with a portfolio of multiple game titles. Founded in 2010, Playtika was among the first to offer free-to-play social games on social networks and, shortly after, on mobile platforms. Headquartered in Herzliya, Israel , and guided by a mission to entertain the world through infinite ways to play, Playtika has employees across offices worldwide. **According to App Annie , Solitaire Grand Harvest is the highest-grossing Solitaire game in the U.S. based on in-app purchases, from January 2024 – October 2024 . About Peanuts The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment ( Japan ) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz , who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown , Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ring-in-2025-with-solitaire-grand-harvests-new-year-celebration-featuring-snoopy-302338478.html SOURCE Playtika Holding Corp. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The Indian Ocean Tsunami that occured on a Boxing Day like today exactly two decades ago is the greatest natural calamity ever in recent memory. In terms of numbers of people who perished (around 240,000) it is second in living memory only to another natural event – the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, in terms of sheer human tragedy, the tsunami will be etched in our minds in a way that the pandemic never will, in spite of the bigger death toll of the latter. Twenty years on, we are now very much aware of the dangers posed by these massive waves even though most people did not even know the meaning of the word “tsunami” back then. The tsunami arose from a displacement between the India and Burma plates, 70 Km off the west coast of northern Sumatra. The earthquake’s initial magnitude was estimated at 8.0 on the Richter scale. Almost 40 hours after the quake, geologists learned that its true force stayed hidden as it travelled along 1,000 Km of a fault line. The final reading, published in May 2005, indicated that the Indian Ocean quake had one of the highest magnitudes ever recorded at 9.1. It even managed to shake the Earth a bit off its regular orbit. One of the main reasons for the massive loss of life in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami was the lack of an early warning system. Although the US Geological Survey (USGS) tried to warn the Indian Ocean countries, a combination of missteps and other factors prevented the message from going to the right eyes and ears. The result was a tragedy of huge proportions. Today, the situation is much better. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has a sophisticated tsunami information gathering and distribution network that cost billions of dollars called the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System (IOTWS). In addition, there are more than 60 Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) sensors worldwide. Our authorities must assess the viability and readiness of our own tsunami/earthquake warning systems in conjunction with those of other Indian Ocean countries. With the apparent failure of these systems in Indonesia on many recent occasions, all Indian IOR including Sri Lanka must take immediate collective measures to repair and upgrade the warning systems. The tsunami warning mechanism is now ingrained in our minds and the moment coastal dwellers hear about an undersea earthquake somewhere in Asia, they are mentally prepared to reach higher ground. Still, education and awareness are much needed. This should begin in primary grades, taking a cue from countries such as Chile and Japan, where tsunami drills are mandatory for schoolchildren in coastal areas. All local cellular operators have tested their capability to mass broadcast SMS messages on tsunamis to their subscribers. Warning siren towers have been erected in all coastal areas, with the paths to safety clearly marked. Television and radio stations are under instructions to broadcast any warning messages, for those who may not have access to smartphones. While Japan, from where the very word “tsunami” (Big Wave in Japanese) comes, leads the world in tsunami research, many other countries are actively engaged in the field. Japanese researchers recently concluded that rows of green hills strategically arranged along coastlines can help to fend off destruction from tsunamis while preserving ocean views and access to the shore. For some communities, they may offer a better option than towering seawalls. Giant seawalls are the conventional approach to mitigating tsunami risk. Japan has built hundreds of miles of concrete walls, taller than 40 feet in some places, at a cost of more than US$ 12 billion since tsunami waves flattened coastal communities throughout eastern Japan in March 2011. Scientists say coastal forests can help put the brakes on tsunami flow speeds in nearby towns and villages. These and other nature-based solutions are increasingly important in plans for coastal risk management. Sri Lankan universities too must take a proactive interest in tsunami research, given Sri Lanka’s increased vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis. Several tremors have been felt in Sri Lanka recently. The lesson is that an earthquake or tsunami can strike anytime without any warning. We must be prepared for bigger earthquakes and tsunamis. Eternal vigilance is the only answer. Any advances that can accurately predict an earthquake or seaquake is welcome. The idea is to give at least a 15-minute head start to coastal residents to get to higher ground. Right now, though, scientists do not have the technology to accurately anticipate earthquakes and tsunamis. But during the intervening 20 years, scientists have learned a lot about tsunamis, so there is hope for such advances. The most enduring legacy of the 2004 Tsunami should be the continuing improvement of disaster response and prevention capacities in our society on the one hand and the pursuit of greater environmental and climate sensitivity on the other. Tsunamis may not have a direct connection to Climate Change per se, but the Earth as a whole is bound by certain processes that take place over millions of years, such as Plate Tectonics. Mankind has disturbed these patterns, as seen from frequent freak weather events. Nature clearly deserves more respect.The biggest technology stories of the year

Sharon Rose Corneil

Experts participating in a roundtable discussion on the second day of the Doha Forum emphasised the critical need for effective governance of technology, particularly AI, to safeguard global peace and security. They called for a comprehensive international approach that ensures technology is harnessed for the benefit of humanity while mitigating its potential negative impacts. The panel, which brought together policymakers, researchers, and experts in technology, governance, and security, underscored the urgency of establishing national, regional, and global frameworks to manage technological advancements. These mechanisms aim to prevent harmful applications such as cyber threats, privacy violations, and the militarization of technology, especially the development of weapons of mass destruction. Dr. Renata Duan, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General and Envoy on Technology, highlighted how rapid advancements in AI are reshaping the global security landscape. She stressed the importance of adopting a global governance model for technology. Dr. Duan also pointed to the United Nations' efforts in this area, including the launch of the Global Digital Compact, adopted by world leaders during their summit last September. She described the Compact as a robust global framework designed to foster international cooperation and promote a secure, open, and inclusive digital future rooted in universal human rights and the principles of sustainable development. Dr. Duan further emphasized the necessity of global AI governance to address the risks posed by the misuse of this powerful technology. At the same time, she highlighted the potential of AI to bridge the development divide between the Global North and South if used responsibly in various sectors. Brigadier General Ng Pak Choon, Head of Policy and Strategy Group and Head of Plans and Transformation Group at the Ministry of Defence in Singapore, delved into the implications of AI in the military domain. He stressed the need for vigilance and regulation to prevent its use in developing advanced weaponry. Adding to the discourse, Mona Khalil, President and CEO of MAK International Law Firm, called for robust international cooperation to tackle the complex challenges arising from technological advancements. She emphasized that collective action is essential to ensure technology is developed and deployed ethically. Libyan politician and academic Dr. Jumaa Qamati focused his remarks on narrowing the technological divide between developed and developing nations. He urged for greater efforts to address the unique challenges faced by countries in the Global South, particularly in leveraging technology for socio-economic development. The roundtable also explored the potential of AI technology and its applications across various sectors. Participants advocated for the establishment of global principles to prohibit the use of AI in creating lethal weapons. Discussions extended to the importance of fostering international collaboration in technology development, financing, and forming partnerships at national, regional, and international levels. Related Story Doha Metro records 200mn in ridership Technology at heart of Qatar’s industry; key growth to come from technology, AI and innovations: says al-Kuwari

Young women more likely to be out of work sick than with children