VANCOUVER — Superstar Taylor Swift takes the stage tonight for the first of three shows in Vancouver. Here is the latest on the event: --- 1:40 p.m. The barricades are up around BC Place stadium in Vancouver as security tightens ahead of the first of three Taylor Swift concerts tonight. While it appeared many people stayed out of the downtown core in the morning, by early afternoon on Friday traffic on the key thoroughfare of West Georgia Street was backed up for more than a kilometre. Several key streets around the stadium were closed off at noon and will remain shut until midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the concerts. Security has also increased around BC Place, with dozens of guards and several men in military clothing seen walking around the stadium. --- 1:15 p.m. Fans who are still without tickets to tonight's Taylor Swift concert have not given up finding a last-minute seat to the most coveted show in town. Melissa Camp and her 15-year-old daughter from Vancouver Island were in tears outside BC Place today after failing to get tickets, despite 14 months of trying. Camp says she was almost scammed when she tried to buy tickets. But she says the effort is about "making sweet memories" with her daughter and showing her the importance of not giving up. --- 12:50 p.m. TransLink and other transportation service providers are weighing in ahead of Taylor Swift's weekend in Vancouver, with the transit agency posting a number of photos of redecorated SkyTrain stations ahead of the concerts. The agency's X account shows photos from stations at Stadium-Chinatown, Granville, Burrard and Waterfront, adorned with station names on friendship bracelet fonts, Taylor Swift-themed system maps — or both. The post also references the song "You're On Your Own, Kid" from which the friendship bracelet theme was adopted by Swift fans. BC Ferries says it has increased sailings on its route between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, the main link between Vancouver and Victoria, to accommodate the expected crowds. --- 12:20 p.m. While waiting for the concerts to start, many Swifties are taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed scavenger hunt after Destination Vancouver put up 13 installations across the city. Chris Waldman of San Diego, Calif., who calls herself a “senior Swiftie,” is busy exchanging friendship bracelets with other younger fans at Canada Place today. Waldman says she does not have tickets to tonight's show but wanted to familiarize herself with the city before attending Saturday's concert. She says she and her sister's accommodation expenses for one night in Vancouver are more than $1,000. --- 11:40 a.m. Vancouver police have issued a video message to Swifties ahead of tonight's show, even offering to swap friendship bracelets with fans. The video posted on X features two female officers, announcing that Vancouver police will be deploying hundreds of officers to ensure the weekend is "safe and memorable" for fans. The message also includes safety tips such as planning ahead for getting to and from BC Place, as well as setting a meeting point in case people are separate from their group. They say their officers will be wearing high-visibility yellow vests, so anyone can come say hello and perhaps swap a bracelet or two with them. --- 11:20 a.m. Fans are starting to share they experiences online as they make their way to Vancouver for tonight's Taylor Swift concert by air or by land. A video posted on TikTok shows a boarding announcement for a WestJet flight from Calgary to Vancouver, with the airline staff welcoming guests with "Taylor's version" of a boarding call, featuring instructions littered with song titles and lyrics. Boarding fans can be heard cheering loudly as each reference to Taylor Swift music was made in the announcement. Another fan posted on X that her group is driving from Prince George to Vancouver after their flight was cancelled, a distance that would take roughly nine hours to complete. --- 10:00 a.m. A large Taylor Swift Eras Tour friendship bracelet that has been seen at other tour stops hanging from concert venues has now made its way to Vancouver. Several posts made on social media by fans and BC Place management shows the bracelet attached to the side of BC Place, that reads, "Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour." The giant bracelet first appeared at Swift's shows at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in October and has since made its way to tour stops in Indianapolis and Toronto. Swifties have taken on the friendship bracelet trend — created from either beads or braided material and exchanged between fans — after the singer referenced making them in the song "You're On Your Own, Kid." --- 8:00 a.m. Vancouver police say they're ready for one of the biggest cultural events to come to the city in years as Taylor Swift wraps up her Eras tour with three shows. Police say they're expecting more than 250,000 people in the city's stadium district this weekend alone as fans flock to Swift's concerts, as well as Canucks games tonight and Saturday, and the Cirque du Soleil show nearby. Police say 700 officers will be working to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, including the many young concertgoers. --- 7:45 a.m. It's the beginning of the end of the Eras Tour for Taylor Swift tonight in Vancouver. She's in the city for the first of three shows this weekend that wrap up a world tour, bringing thousands of fans and millions of dollars in economic benefits. Security will be tight around the venue, with barricades surrounding BC Place, and ticketless fans being told not to gather outside for traditional "Taylgate" parties. The city has asked fans who aren't attending to stay away from the area and advises those who come to the downtown core to use transit, bike or walk. --- 7:45 a.m. Vancouver-area businesses are trying to cash in on Taylor Swift's visit to the area, offering everything from tattoos to Swift-themed ice cream. Jarrett Vaughan, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia's Sauder school of business, says such promotional events offer a "spectacular opportunity" to reach both current and new customers. He says entrepreneurs are often looking for unique opportunities to capitalize on business, and it's not often a whole city comes together to celebrate something. About 160,000 people are expected to attend the three sold-out shows at BC Place, and tourism organization Destination Vancouver has said Swift's economic boom is estimated to bring about $157 million to the city. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. The Canadian Presscaptain Jack Stephens was handed his marching orders after spotted him pulling hair. Stephens had led his team out at St Mary's, only for Axel Disasi to send ahead within the opening ten minutes - Joe Aribo would level the game for the Saints, but they were quickly behind again as Christopher Nkunku found the net. With the Saints trailing, Stephens was involved in a penalty box clash with Cucurella. Referee Tony Harrington initially missed the incident, but he was soon summoned to the pitchside monitor where he was left with no choice but to brandish the red. Come and join The Daily Star on , the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving , but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on , and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a . So what are you waiting for?! Let's "Just unbelievably stupid in the VAR era," one fan fumed. While a second said: "I know it’s naive to do it but I have a hard time feeling that’s worthy of a straight red for Jack Stephens." "Jack Stephens you genius, funniest red card we’ve ever seen," a third shared. And another added: "I will take a last man challenge and get sent off but that is utter madness by Jack Stephens. So stupid!" Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter! From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox. It only takes a matter of seconds. Simply , then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories. You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, It's Stephens' second red card of the season - after he was previously slapped with a three match ban following his sending off against in September. The incident involving Cucurella was not the first time that he had been the at the centre of a hair-pulling incident. defender Cristian Romero escaped a red card for a similar offence in August 2022. "For me it is too clear in the game, on the pitch. I didn't see it on the TV, the video. I think it's very clear, but this is one error of the referee or VAR," Cucurella said. "Sometimes the referees have good decisions, sometimes not. This is not my problem. Maybe we need to work harder to not concede this goal in the last minute. I saw [VAR] checking for a red card in the stadium. For me it is clear. In this moment, I don't know what happened."Exchanging currency is vital to international travel, whether you’re visiting for leisure or business. Understanding the nuances of currency exchange can help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your travel budget. Before you exchange money, you should know how to choose the right place to exchange your money, time your transactions for the best rates and estimate the money exchange fee. Currency exchange involves converting one country’s money into another’s. Because currencies have different values from country to country, exchange rates fluctuate based on factors like political stability, economic performance and global market conditions. Without proper knowledge of currency exchange, travelers risk losing money on unfavorable exchange rates, excessive fees and even fraudulent practices. It’s important to know how currency exchange works and where to do money exchanges so you can get the best deal. Exchanging money abroad often comes with various fees, so it’s important to understand what you might encounter. Some exchange providers charge a flat fee per transaction. These can make smaller exchanges expensive relative to the amount you’re converting. Always ask about any flat fees in advance, and consider exchanging larger sums to minimize the impact of this fee. Many currency exchange providers charge a percentage-based fee on the total amount exchanged. This fee structure can become costly if you’re exchanging large amounts of money, so compare percentage-based fees before making any decisions. If you’re withdrawing money from an ATM abroad, your home bank and the foreign bank may charge withdrawal fees. Some banks refund these fees, while others may partner with international banks to provide fee-free withdrawals. Before traveling, check with your bank to understand what ATM fees you might face and whether they offer any reimbursement options. Foreign transaction fees are often charged when using credit or debit cards abroad. Depending on the card issuer and payment network, these fees can range from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount. Many travel-focused credit cards offer no foreign transaction fees, which can help you save money when making purchases abroad. Check your card’s terms and conditions before you travel to avoid surprises. If your card charges foreign transaction fees, consider limiting its use and opting for other methods, like cash or prepaid travel cards. Not all currency exchange options are equal, especially for travelers. Some places offer better rates and lower money exchange fees, while others provide more convenience. Here’s a breakdown of the most common currency exchange options. Banks and credit unions are generally the best money exchange options, offering competitive exchange rates and transparent fees. Many banks provide foreign currency services for their account holders, and some even offer currency at a better rate when you order it in advance. If you have a major bank account, the bank may offer international ATM withdrawals with little to no fees. Banks tend to have the most secure exchange process, so you can avoid the high fees and markups that are common at airport exchange booths. Currency exchange kiosks, often found at airports and tourist destinations, are convenient but have significant drawbacks. They frequently offer lower exchange rates and higher fees, taking advantage of travelers who need quick cash. If you need to use a currency exchange bureau, only exchange a small amount to cover immediate needs and seek out better rates at a local bank or through an ATM once you reach your destination. Always check the exchange rate and fees before completing any transaction at these kiosks to avoid unnecessary charges. Using ATMs to withdraw local currency in your destination country is one of the most convenient ways to get cash while traveling. Many banks are part of global ATM networks, allowing you to withdraw money with minimal fees if you use ATMs associated with their partner banks. However, it’s important to check with your bank ahead of time to understand what fees may apply to international withdrawals. When using ATMs abroad, stick to machines from reputable banks and avoid independent ATMs found in tourist-heavy areas or small shops. These often have higher fees and less favorable exchange rates. It’s also a good idea to notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid having your card frozen for suspicious activity. Prepaid travel cards offer an excellent solution for travelers who want to manage currency exchange with ease. These cards allow you to load multiple currencies before you travel and lock in exchange rates to avoid rate fluctuations while abroad. Prepaid travel cards can be used like regular debit or credit cards but with the added benefit of lower foreign transaction fees. They also help limit spending, as you can only use the funds preloaded onto the card. However, be aware of hidden fees such as inactivity, ATM withdrawal or reloading fees. When exchanging currency for travel, it’s easy to fall into traps that result in unnecessary expenses. Here are some common mistakes travelers make and how to avoid them. While airports and hotels may be convenient places to exchange money, they often have the worst exchange rates and highest fees. Airport kiosks, in particular, are notorious for inflating rates, sometimes marking them up by as much as 10% compared to what you’d find at a local bank or ATM. To avoid these high costs, exchange a small amount of money before your trip to cover immediate expenses like transportation. Once you arrive at your destination, use ATMs or banks for more favorable rates. Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) allows you to pay in your home currency when using a credit or debit card abroad. While this may seem convenient, it usually comes with a much worse exchange rate and additional hidden fees. Whenever possible, always opt to pay in the local currency of your destination to avoid unfavorable rates. DCC also gives merchants more control over the exchange rate, meaning they could use a rate that benefits them more than you. When paying with a card abroad, always make sure you’re being charged in the local currency to get the most accurate rate. Exchange rates fluctuate daily based on global market conditions. If you know you’ll need to exchange a large sum of money, it pays to keep an eye on exchange rates before your trip. Use tools to track exchange rates and exchange your money when the rate is in your favor. For travelers planning ahead, some banks and online services allow you to lock in exchange rates before traveling, helping you avoid losses due to unfavorable fluctuations during your trip. When traveling abroad, currency exchange fees can quickly eat into your budget. You can use certain strategies to help you save, avoid common fees and make the most of your money while exploring new destinations. Before heading overseas, research your destination’s currency and exchange rate options. Many banks allow you to order foreign currency ahead of time, saving you from the poor exchange rates and high fees at airports or in tourist-heavy areas. If your bank offers international ATM withdrawal with low fees, consider using this option to access local currency while traveling. Financial institutions sometimes offer special travel accounts or debit cards with reduced fees for foreign transactions. Check with your bank to see if they offer international-friendly options that can help you save money while abroad. Credit cards that offer no foreign transaction fees can be a great asset when traveling internationally. These cards often offer competitive exchange rates, and some even provide travel rewards or cash back on purchases made abroad. Using a credit card for most of your international purchases can help protect you from currency exchange fees and fraud. When traveling, try to avoid exchanging currency at locations that charge high fees, like airports, hotels or currency exchange kiosks. These places often inflate exchange rates and charge large commissions, reducing the value of your money. Instead, stick to local banks or ATMs for better rates and lower fees. If you have to exchange currency at one of these places, try to exchange only what you need immediately and find a better location later. Currency exchange is an essential part of international travel, and getting it right can save you a lot of money. By planning ahead, avoiding high-fee locations and choosing the right method for exchanging money, you can stretch your travel budget further and minimize unnecessary costs. When traveling internationally, avoid airport kiosks and hotel exchange desks, opt for ATMs and reputable banks and consider using prepaid travel cards or credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to simplify your currency management. With a little preparation, you’ll be able to get the most out of your money while exploring the world. (Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.). ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.jili win
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Hundreds of Toronto cyclists rally against Ontario bike lane bill
Reeling after exposing widespread waste and mismanagement, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives are scrambling to do damage control. Auditor general Shelley Spence castigated the Tories for an redevelopment conducted in a way that was “not fair, transparent or accountable” with a $2.237-billion price tag five to six times original estimates. In her annual report to the legislature Tuesday, the independent watchdog also found near schools and daycares was made “without proper planning.” Spence’s 941-page audit revealed government advertising tripled to $103.5 million in 2023-24 from $33.7 million in 2022-23 with ads designed “to promote the governing party” that would not have been approved before rules were loosened by former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne in 2015. NDP Leader Marit Stiles said “in opposition, the Conservatives railed against” Wynne’s watering down of the advertising restrictions that Liberal Dalton McGuinty had introduced in 2004, but have changed their tune since winning power six years ago. “We remember that — the Minister of Health (Sylvia Jones) even tabled a bill on it. But in government, they’re more than happy to follow the Liberals’ lead,” Stiles said Wednesday. Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli made no apologies for the advertising binge. “Let me tell you about some of those ads that are running internationally as well. Our job is to bring business into Ontario, and we are marketing Ontario around the world — whether you are at an airport in Munich or watching a television station in the U.S.” said Fedeli. “As a result of that media and our push last year, 137 international companies landed in Ontario. They ... invested $11 billion into Ontario and hired 12,200 people,” he said. (On Monday, stateside against the backdrop of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to slap 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican products.) Pressed by reporters on the ad spending increase, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy bristled. “I wouldn’t say shameless at all. I’m very proud of Ontario,” said Bethlenfalvy, touting S&P Global’s upgrading of the province’s credit rating to “AA-.” But Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said Ford’s “tax and spend Conservatives” are wasting money for partisan purposes. “They’re out of control. They’re spending money to promote themselves,” said Crombie. With Ford skipping the legislature’s daily question — and avoiding an onslaught of opposition criticism about the audit — the health minister was forced to defend the Tories’ opioid strategy. Jones insisted closing 10 of 17 Ontario’s supervised consumption sites in favour of 19 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs is the right approach. “What our government will do is offer hope ... hope for people who are addicted to these deadly opioids,” she said. “We are offering a pathway out of addiction — and the auditor general actually said, ‘investing more in treatment, recovery, and housing is a positive development toward addressing the opioid crisis.’ We will get this done, because we know that you cannot simply ensure or allow people to continue to use drugs. We need to give them hope and a pathway out.” Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma was under the weather, so her parliamentary assistant, MPP Amarjot Sandhu (Brampton West), took the questions on the Ontario Place imbroglio that the NDP dubbed “the premier’s vanity project.” “For far too long, Ontario Place was neglected, left to deteriorate and underutilized. Our government took on the challenge to revitalize this iconic site and make it a thriving, accessible space for families, tourists and for future generations to come,” said Sandhu. The auditor pointed out the project, which will include a relocated Ontario Science Centre and a Therme waterpark and spa, was supposed to cost as little as $335 million and the tab has jumped sixfold in a process that appeared to be poorly supervised. While Stiles accused the Tories of propping up “a broke Austrian luxury spa company,” Therme rejected that assertion. “Therme Group is in a strong financial position. The lease requires Therme Group to have a net worth of $100 million,” the company said in a statement, referring to its , noting the audit shows it “met this financial test.”
Stocks likely to move up amid key policy rate cut expectations KARACHI: Stocks increased above 5,000 points, or around 5.0 per cent, and remained the top-performing market in the world in terms of dollar returns for the second consecutive week. The market is likely to keep the upward momentum amid expectations of a higher cut in the key policy rate next week. “The market participants are expected to closely monitor the MPC meeting on December 16 (which will mark the final MPC of CY24),” said brokerage Arif Habib Ltd. “We project a 200bps cut in the monetary policy rate, arriving at 13 per cent. Hence, the KSE-100 index is expected to continue with the bullish streak.” The market remained buoyant throughout the week, with the KSE-100 index crossing the 115,000 points mark. The bullish momentum prevailed amid positive economic indicators coupled with expectations of a rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy committee meeting in the upcoming week. The market closed at 114,302 points, significantly up by 5,248 points or 4.8 per cent week-on-week. With this, Pakistan continues to be the world’s best-performing market in terms of USD-based return for the second consecutive week. Average volumes arrived at 1,362 million shares (down 19.1 per cent WoW), while the average value traded settled at $218 million (up 10.2 per cent WoW). Foreigner selling continued during this week clocking in at $0.9 million compared to a net sell of $14.2 million last week. Major selling was witnessed in fertiliser ($3.7 million) followed by E&P ($3.6 million). On the local front, buying was reported by funds ($40.9 million). Sector-wise positive contributions came from oil and gas exploration (3,175 points), fertiliser (1,767 points), oil and gas marketing companies (589 points), cement (432 points) and technology and communication (403 points). Scrip-wise positive contributors were MARI (1,921 points), FFC (1,193 points), OGDC (592 points), PPL (585 points), and PSO (420 points). The sectors that contributed negatively were commercial banks (2,292 points), automobile parts (18 points), and cable and electrical goods (16 points). Scrip-wise negative contributions came from UBL (465 points), MEBL (392 points), BAHL (350 points), MCB (329 points) and HBL (232 points). Analyst Nabeel Haroon at Topline Securities said the KSE 100 index gained 4.83 per cent on a WoW basis making it the eighth consecutive positive closing as expectations of an interest rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy meeting kept the investor interest robust, and continuous buying by mutual funds provided further stimulus to the market. Wadee Zaman, an analyst at JS Research, said Pakistan’s remittance inflows continued to remain elevated in November, clocking around the $3 billion mark with a 29 per cent year-on-year increase. “With the current run-rate, the $35 billion annual target projected by the finance minister earlier this week appears attainable,” he said. In the recent T-bill auction, the government raised Rs1,256 billion against a target of Rs1,200 billion, with yields decreasing by up to 100bps across different tenors. The finance minister said that the government’s external financing gap had been met for the current year, leaving no urgency to tap international financial markets until Pakistan’s credit rating improves. During the week, the federal cabinet approved settlement agreements with eight bagasse-fired IPPs, this initiative is expected to result in a reduction in electricity prices. Furthermore, passenger car sales recorded a significant jump of 62 per cent YoY in November. Meanwhile, the banking sector’s ADR increased to 47.8 per cent in November compared to 44.3 per cent in October. SBP reserves climbed up by $13 million to $12.1 billion.
Premier League star's 'moment of madness' sees him sent off for hair pulling