Peaky Blinders creator teases the upcoming film ‘won’t be the end’ for the dramaSINGAPORE: The casino licence of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), one of two integrated resorts in Singapore, has been renewed for two years – instead of the usual three – with authorities citing "unsatisfactory" tourism performance. Over a period of evaluation from the start of January 2021 to the end of December 2023, an evaluation panel found a number of areas that required “rectification and substantial improvement”, according to the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Asked to elaborate on the assessment metrics for Singapore's integrated resorts, the GRA and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) both pointed CNA to the Casino Control Act. The legislation states that three or more people may be appointed to form the evaluation panel, to look at the visitor appeal of the integrated resort; how it compares with other similar attractions in the world or prevailing industry standards; whether it meets prevailing market demand; and how it contributes to Singapore's tourism industry. MTI said the panel consists of senior business leaders with expertise ranging from corporate governance and finance to hospitality, entertainment, tourism and the arts. The Casino Control Act also lists performance indicators, including: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Sentosa Development Corporation - which manages the island where RWS is located - said they were unable to disclose details of RWS’ performance in relation to its licence renewal. "NOT TOO CROWDED"? Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 20 million people visited RWS annually, the company said. It did not provide figures for more recent years, but said visitor numbers have been steadily recovering in tandem with international arrivals. Pandemic-related border measures and curbs were in place for most of the evaluation period, before they were lifted in early 2023. Apart from its casino, RWS - which opened in 2010 - has four attractions, six signature restaurants and seven hotels. Its Universal Studios Singapore (USS) theme park only resumed daily operations in June 2023, and Adventure Cove Waterpark in September last year. Sentosa Development Corporation, meanwhile, previously told CNA that it received 15 million visitors in 2023, which is around 75 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers. The figure includes both visitors who go to RWS and those who visit other attractions in Sentosa. DBS Group Research analyst Jason Sum found RWS' two-year licence renewal somewhat surprising. “We believe part of its ‘unsatisfactory performance’ can be attributed to disruptions caused by the pandemic,” he said. One local gambler, who only wanted to be identified as Wang TL, told CNA that RWS’ casino was generally less crowded than the casino at the other integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands (MBS). The 50-year-old visits either casino up to two times a month. He said service at RWS seems more personalised, but was unsure if that was due to it being less busy. “Not too crowded is (also) not a good thing, that means their customer base is very small,” he said, adding that he also feels like not much has changed about RWS' offerings for the last 15 years. USS scored 73.7 in Singapore's latest Customer Satisfaction Index in 2022, lower than the average of 74.1 for attractions and the national score of 74.6 across all sectors. The highest rated attraction was the Singapore Zoo at 75.2, followed by the Gardens By The Bay park at 75.1. "LONG-AWAITED REJUVENATION" Asked about its improvement and development plans, RWS owner Genting Singapore pointed to efforts to attract visitors by " creating new and differentiated year-round programming and events that align with the latest lifestyle and tourism trends". The integrated resort is also in the midst of what it calls RWS 2.0, an expansion plan that includes the rebranding of its SEA Aquarium as the Singapore Oceanarium, and opening a Minion Land zone within USS next year. Last month, RWS also broke ground on a new waterfront development that will feature a promenade, a “mountain trail” and an 88m-tall light sculpture. These moves will cost close to S$7 billion (US$5 billion) over eight years and increase RWS' gross floor area by 50 per cent. Mr Brandon Chan, a senior lecturer at the Singapore Institute of Technology, called RWS 2.0 a “long-awaited rejuvenation” but said it remains to be seen if it'll "achieve the desired outcomes of sustained growth and increased returns on investment for its shareholders". STB's executive director of infrastructure planning and management Ranita Sundramoorthy noted that many of the offerings by the integrated resorts "are heavy investments that require significant capital outlay and might otherwise not have come to Singapore”. The government has supported RWS and will continue to do so where necessary to improve its offerings to be a compelling tourist destination, she added. During the evaluation period for RWS' casino licence renewal, large-scale refurbishments – which were not staggered and led to significant closures – may have also contributed to a negative rating, said Mr Sum of DBS. It could also have caused RWS to lag in inbound tourist arrivals, he added, though he reiterated the pandemic's impact on such numbers. Ms Kellie Jubela, 18, who visited USS in November, said part of it was under renovation to prepare for the opening of Minion Land, causing certain routes to be blocked. “Seeing many elderly and mums with their babies – it must be very inconvenient for them to make one whole round around the park to exit," she said. Ms Jubela also said some USS buildings looked mouldy, that there were black stains under some signs, and that some boats in the Jurassic Park ride had algae on their handles. Mr Chan, the lecturer, said tourism operators like RWS needed to balance scheduled, periodic closures for necessary maintenance of facilities with keeping operations running to meet demand. “The risk that the latter brings is the eventual breakdown of operating systems, which could lead to more dire consequences," he noted, adding that management thus needs to evaluate how to align operations with broader business strategies and financial goals. The prospect of rivals emerging in other Asian countries may have been yet another factor behind RWS’ performance being deemed unsatisfactory, said experts and industry figures. STB’s Ms Sundramoorthy noted that regional and international competition was expected to intensify, with newer integrated resorts, attractions and entertainment offerings opening in the next few years. “As an important part of our tourism landscape, our integrated resorts must be held to high standards to fulfil their original intent to boost Singapore’s tourism sector,” she said. A Reddit thread from a year ago had users complaining about the state of USS and comparing it with parks overseas. Among hundreds of reactions, some pointed to Universal Studios in Japan as much bigger, with many more visitors and yet still well-maintained. “It’s a world of a difference,” read one comment.

Border plan features round-the-clock aerial surveillance, drug detection supportARLINGTON, Texas — A father and son celebrated a moment they have waited years to happen on Friday afternoon. Dr. Rohit Sharma helped his 85-year-old dad put on his graduation robe at the University of Texas at Arlington’s commencement ceremony. "Really proud, very, very proud of what he's done," said Rohit. Dr. Ramesh Sharma’s accomplishment comes years after retirement and both men now share the same title. Earning his doctorate fulfills a lifelong promise Ramesh made to himself and his family. "This is my commitment that I will do something which brings a name to my parents, my ancestors, and my generations to come," Ramesh said. Ramesh was born in Narowal, Pakistan, and raised in Ludhiana, India. In Punjab, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras in 1967. Following several years in the civilian Indian naval forces, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1976. His career landed him in Texas, Michigan, and Connecticut before he settled in Fort Worth in 1986. Ramesh joined other graduates receiving their degrees at Globe Life Fieldhouse during UTA’s commencement ceremony. After retiring from his career as a mechanical engineer, Dr. Sharma returned to school, earning a master’s degree in 2014, but he had bigger education dreams. He achieved his Ph.D. in mathematics after 10 years, taking one class at a time. "It's certainly a source of inspiration for me just watching his entire story," said Rohit. His father's story involves challenges, but Dr. Sharma credits much of his success to his wife of 51 years. "I am very grateful to my wife who bears all those things, me staying out in the university in the night," said Dr. Ramesh Sharma. Standing by his side on stage, his wife joined him in celebrating receiving his doctorate in math.By DAVID BAUDER Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg The fact-check accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine’s journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn’t a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it during his only debate with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump’s claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

Unique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazineUnique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine

Pune: In an age where internet and devices are the core of human existence, young children are being exposed to the dark side of the very technology that otherwise makes life easy. Kids are increasingly exposed to inappropriate online content — leading to concerns of porn addiction and its dire consequences. Experts said curiosity is not the problem, but absence of open, honest and age-appropriate conversations about sex at home and in schools is. A combination of moral policing, hyper-sexualised media and lack of dialogue has created an ecosystem where children seek answers in unsafe spaces, unaware of and susceptible to lurking dangers. Dr Sadhana Natu, professor and head of the department of psychology at Modern College, Ganeshkhind, has worked in sex education for over three decades. "There are hardly any efforts towards sex education. Children have unanswered questions, leading to repression and, eventually, addiction. When ecosystems are conducive to open conversations, children can ask questions and receive age-appropriate answers without fear or shame," she said. Natu said a lack of distinction between pornography, erotica and healthy discussions on relationships makes matters worse. "In our ‘Disha Speak Out' programme, we have facilitated non-judgmental dialogues on love, attraction, sex and sexuality for 32 years. Such conversations allow children to develop equal and gender-sensitive relationships, rather than turn to harmful influences." Dr Vishal Harpale, a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, spoke of the need for digital awareness and supervision. "There's very little awareness and prevention regarding porn consumption among children. Solutions include increasing digital literacy in parents, introducing school programmes on harmful online content and implementing technological tools like parental controls," he said, while highlighting the larger role of the society in building a vigilant and supportive ecosystem for children. Experts said children's exposure to sexual content often begins unintentionally — on a parent's phone or through peer influence. Sonali Kale, a psychologist at Muktangan Rehabilitation Centre, said, "A nine-year-old child who tries something they've seen online does not understand the consequences. It's critical for parents to monitor what their children are watching and to ensure that the content on their own devices is appropriate when shared." Psychologist Kinjal Goyal said society fails to protect children with access to smartphones and internet without safeguards. Goyal called for stronger laws, age-based content limits and open conversations at every level and said, "Children are overexposed to violence and sexual content, but we're ignoring the problem instead of addressing it. We need to enforce rules, take collective responsibility as families and schools and talk when things go wrong. It's time to create a safer and healthier future for our children." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .RCMP union applauds planned federal spending on border security

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said Thursday that he is "absolutely" confident that Ryan Day will be back as football coach in 2025. Calls to fire the sixth-year coach rose among Ohio State fans after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan for the fourth straight year. Bjork, in an interview on 97.1 The Fan, said Day is the man for the job, regardless of how the Buckeyes perform in the College Football Playoff. They host Tennessee in a first-round game Dec. 21. "Coach Day is awesome," said Bjork, who came from Texas A&M to replace the retiring Gene Smith last summer. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye. So, we're going to support him at the highest level." The 13-10 loss to Michigan followed by an ugly melee between the teams put the coach in a precarious spot. He and his team were booed off the field by the home fans. Bjork ended up releasing a statement expressing his support for the coach. "The reason we had to say something after (the Michigan) game is, we're still breathing, we're still alive," Bjork said. "The season's not over. The book is not closed." Thanks to the playoff, Day has a chance to redeem himself with Ohio State's huge fanbase with a win against the Volunteers — and perhaps more in the 12-team tournament. Regardless of what happens, Day will be back next year, according to Bjork. "Coach Day and I just hit it off so well," Bjork said. "I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I talked to him, I learn something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff." Day wouldn't directly address his job status last weekend. "When you first come off those types of things, there's a lot of emotion," he said, referring to the Michigan loss. "And then as time goes on, you've got to get refocused because you know what you've done in the past does not affect what's going on moving forward. Everything is out in front of us." Failing to consistently beat Michigan is one of the few flaws in Day's coaching record. Hired as a member of coach Urban Meyer's staff in 2017, Day was the hand-picked successor when Meyer retired after the 2018 season. Compiling an overall 66-10 record, he is widely admired in the coaching community. "Great respect for what he's done in his coaching career, what he's done there at Ohio State and the success that they've had year-in and year-out," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. Day is in trouble now because losing The Game is considered an unforgiveable sin by Buckeyes fans. "What we have to do is this whole 'championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process," Bjork said. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently."