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Greg Gumbel, Pioneering Sports Broadcaster, Dies at 78

Greg Gumbel, the esteemed sports broadcaster known for his influential role in college basketball and NFL commentary, passed away on December 27 at his Florida home, aged 78. His family confirmed the news via a post from CBS Sports, where he had been a fixture since 1989, following a battle with cancer. Gumbel's career spanned over 50 years, during which he became the first Black commentator to provide play-by-play coverage of a major sports championship at Super Bowl XXXV. His wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, highlighted his legacy of love and inspiration in a heartfelt statement. CBS Sports president David Berson praised Gumbel as a groundbreaking broadcaster, while fans took to social media to express their sorrow and reminisce about his iconic voice, particularly during March Madness. Born in New Orleans and raised in Chicago, Gumbel began his career in the early 1970s and won numerous accolades, including the 2007 Pat Summerall Award. sources

Published:
Dec 28 2024, 5 pm

Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision Founder, Dies at 98

Charles Dolan, the influential pay-television pioneer and founder of Home Box Office Inc., has passed away at the age of 98 due to natural causes. Known for his maverick approach, Dolan transformed Cablevision Systems Corp. into the fifth-largest cable company in the U.S. after securing the first cable franchise in Manhattan in 1965. He famously outmaneuvered larger rivals to acquire key assets, including Madison Square Garden and its associated sports teams. Despite losing control of his initial ventures, Dolan's vision led to the establishment of groundbreaking services like the first 24-hour local news channel. After selling Cablevision to Altice NV in 2015, he remained active in the media industry until 2020. Born in Cleveland, Dolan served in the U.S. Army Air Forces before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, ultimately amassing a fortune of $5.6 billion by 2021. He is survived by his wife, Helen, and their six children. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 3 pm

South Korea Plane Crash: 179 Feared Dead, 2 Survive

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 people from Bangkok to South Korea, crashed during its landing attempt at Muan airport on Sunday, resulting in the tragic loss of 124 lives, with only two survivors, both flight attendants, rescued from the wreckage. The aircraft was warned of a potential bird strike before its first landing attempt shortly after 9:00 am, leading to a "mayday" call from the pilot. Dramatic footage captured the plane skidding along the runway without landing gear before colliding with a wall and igniting. Investigations are ongoing, with initial suspicions pointing to the bird strike and adverse weather rather than runway length as contributing factors. This incident marks Jeju Air's first fatal accident, occurring amid a political crisis in South Korea, prompting the acting president to designate the crash site as a special disaster zone and convene emergency meetings. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 3 pm

Families in Tears After South Korea Plane Crash

A tragic plane crash involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 occurred early Sunday morning at Muan International Airport, claiming the lives of most of the 181 people on board. As families gathered at the airport, despair filled the air, with many clinging to hope despite the grim updates. Officials confirmed that only one crew member and a passenger were rescued from the wreckage. Former Muan Fire Department Chief Lee Jeong-Hyeon informed the distraught families that the majority were presumed dead, prompting cries of anguish and frustration. Amidst the sorrow, relatives recalled their last conversations with loved ones, expressing heartbreak over missed opportunities. Authorities have denied families access to the crash site for safety reasons, while Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited to offer condolences. The crash has resulted in the cancellation of all flights at Muan Airport, with Jeju Air pledging full cooperation in the ongoing investigation. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 4 pm

UNESCO's Rubab Instrument Faces Challenges in Afghanistan

In Herat, Afghanistan, the craft of making rubabs, the national musical instrument, faces dire challenges under Taliban rule, which has imposed a near-total ban on music. Sakhi, a dedicated craftsman, continues to produce two rubabs a month, emphasizing the cultural heritage they represent rather than the financial aspect of his work. UNESCO has recognized the art of crafting and playing the rubab as an intangible cultural heritage across several countries, highlighting its historical significance. However, the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law has led to the destruction of musical instruments and the closure of music schools, forcing many musicians to flee or abandon their craft. Despite these oppressive conditions, local musicians like Gull Agha and Majid remain committed to preserving their musical traditions, asserting that the spirit of the rubab and its cultural importance will endure, as music is intrinsically linked to the Afghan identity. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 2 pm

Boeing Responds to Jeju Air Crash with 179 Missing

Boeing has expressed condolences to the families of victims following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 in Muan, South Korea, which occurred during landing on Sunday. The aircraft, carrying 181 individuals from Bangkok, attempted a landing after being warned of a potential bird strike but issued a "mayday" call shortly before crashing. Rescue efforts have so far resulted in only two survivors, both flight attendants, with 124 confirmed dead, marking this incident as South Korea's worst civil aviation disaster. Investigations are underway, with initial reports suggesting a bird strike and adverse weather may have contributed to the crash. The runway length has been deemed adequate for the aircraft type. Amidst this tragedy, South Korea is facing a political crisis, with Acting President Choi Sang-mok designating the crash site as a special disaster zone and convening an emergency meeting to coordinate the response. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 2 pm

Syrian Man Exposes Assad's Prison Horrors

Days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Abdullah Al Nofal, a Syrian man now living in London, revealed the harrowing details of his detention in Al-Khatib prison, notorious for its brutal treatment of inmates. In an emotional moment with his wife, Douna Haj Ahmed, he shared his traumatic experiences, which he had kept hidden since his arrest in July 2013. Detained for participating in anti-regime protests, Abdullah endured extreme isolation and torture, witnessing the suffering and deaths of fellow prisoners. "Every minute it's like you're dying," he recalled, describing the relentless beatings and forced confessions. Despite the horrors, Abdullah and Douna, who lost brothers to the regime, now seek to raise awareness about the plight of Syrians. "We finally finished with the regime. We are really free now," he stated, emphasizing the importance of sharing their story. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 12 pm

Final Message to Family Before South Korea Crash

A devastating plane crash in South Korea on Sunday morning has left at least 179 of the 181 people on board presumed dead. The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, en route from Bangkok to Muan, attempted a landing shortly after 9 am but crashed into a fence, bursting into flames and sending thick black smoke into the sky. Eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing flames from the jet's engine moments before the crash. Distressing messages from passengers, including one about a bird stuck to the wing, were received shortly before the incident. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with authorities switching focus from rescue to recovery as they search for bodies in the vicinity. Jeju Air has expressed deep condolences and pledged full cooperation with investigators, while all flights at Muan International Airport have been suspended. The tragedy has drawn international attention, with Thai officials looking into the presence of Thai nationals on the flight. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 1 pm

South Korea's Aviation Disaster Amid Leadership Crisis

A tragic plane crash involving a Jeju Air flight at Muan International Airport in South Korea has left 179 of the 181 people on board feared dead, coinciding with a severe political crisis in the country. Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment on December 14, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who briefly acted as president, was also stripped of his powers, leading Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok to assume the role of acting president just days before the disaster. Choi has mobilized emergency responders and declared the crash site a special disaster zone, pledging a thorough investigation into the incident, which was likely caused by a bird strike and adverse weather. The political turmoil has plunged South Korea into uncertainty, with Yoon facing serious legal challenges that could see him become the shortest-serving president in the nation's democratic history. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 1 pm

China Constructs 200+ Prisons Amid Xi's Anti-Corruption Efforts

China has reportedly constructed or expanded over 200 "liuzhi" detention facilities to bolster President Xi Jinping's extensive anti-corruption campaign, according to CNN. These centres allow for the detention of suspects for up to six months without legal representation or family contact. Since Xi's ascent to power in 2012, his anti-corruption efforts have increasingly targeted not only Communist Party officials but also civil servants and business leaders, with high-profile cases like billionaire Bao Fan highlighting the crackdown. Critics argue that the liuzhi system, established in 2018 as a replacement for the discredited "shuanggui" system, facilitates abuse of power, with allegations of torture and coercive interrogation methods. A proposed amendment to the national supervision law has ignited debate, as it seeks to extend detention periods while neglecting detainees' rights to legal counsel. Observers warn that such practices could ultimately jeopardize China's economic stability. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 1 pm

Mikheil Kavelashvili Becomes President of Georgia

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer known for his time at Manchester City, was inaugurated as Georgia's president on Sunday, despite widespread claims of illegitimacy from the outgoing leader and opposition factions. The ceremony took place in Tbilisi, where Kavelashvili was sworn in as a loyalist of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Outgoing president Salome Zurabishvili, who declared herself the "only legitimate president," expressed her determination to continue opposing the current government. This political turmoil highlights the deep divisions within Georgia's political landscape, as opposition groups contest the legitimacy of Kavelashvili's presidency amid ongoing tensions with the ruling party. sources

Published:
Dec 29 2024, 1 pm

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