Officials in Florida have pinpointed where they will sink a famous ocean liner that spent nearly three decades docked in Philadelphia. Okaloosa County officials announced Tuesday that the historic liner will be scuttled off the Gulf Coast early next year, creating the world’s largest artificial reef. After being towed south earlier this year, the SS United States now awaits its final voyage. For years, the ship was the subject of repeated failed restoration efforts while docked indefinitely at the Camden Waterfront. With a court order pressuring stewards to relocate the ship, it was sold to the Florida county and later taken to Mobile, Alabama. The ocean liner’s February departure created a spectacle, luring thousands to the shores of the Delaware River to watch the ship pass by. A sinking date was not announced in Okaloosa County’s latest update on the project. Originally, officials expected to scuttle the ocean liner by the end of the year. County officials said it will be sunk about 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin East Pass and 32 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. The SS United States remains docked in Alabama as workers prepare it for deployment. Okaloosa County purchased the ship last year for about $1 million, part of a roughly $10 million project. The project includes $1. 5 million in contributions from Pensacola tourism officials and Florida’s chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). Visit Pensacola, a marketing organization for Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, is contributing $1 million, while the CCA provides the remaining $500,000, Okaloosa officials said. “This collaboration will foster amazing adventures for generations of visitors and create a tourism economy that will benefit the state and the entire Northwest Florida region,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said in a statement. “The contributions will be used for the deployment of the SS United States as an artificial reef, with a portion being used for a multi-year marketing campaign to promote the SS United States as a worldwide premier diving destination,” he added.
https://www.nj.com/news/2025/11/thousands-watched-this-ship-leave-philadelphia-it-is-about-to-get-a-surprising-second-life.html
Tag Archives: contributions
4 Greatest Movies of All Time, According to Pope Leo XIV
Hollywood got a holy spotlight on Saturday, November 15. In an event organized by the Vatican’s culture ministry, Pope Leo XIV gave a special speech on the impact of cinema, both past and present. Pope Leo is the first American-born Pope and was inaugurated on May 18. In attendance at this special event were some of the industry’s leading filmmakers and contributors, including Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, Adam Scott, Viggo Mortensen, Judd Apatow, and organizers from TIFF and Sundance. Pope Leo had inspiring observations about the performance art of moving pictures, saying, “Entering a cinema is like crossing a threshold. In the darkness and silence, vision becomes sharper, the heart opens up and the mind becomes receptive to things not yet imagined.” He referred to the art form’s advent with pioneers like the Lumière brothers, who invented one of the first motion picture cameras, the Cinématographe. As the cinema celebrates its 130th anniversary, the beautiful blessing and special attention from Pope Leo are the best gifts it could have asked for. If you would like to read his address, it is available online, and you can also watch the footage on YouTube. For this article, we will take a look at the four films Pope Leo specifically mentioned as being his favorites (in no particular order). 4 ‘Ordinary People’ (1980) The only rated R film on the list, Ordinary People, is a drama directed by Robert Redford. The story is deeply profound as it involves the tragic death of the eldest son of a family that struggles to cope afterwards. Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore are phenomenal as the parents, and Timothy Hutton delivers a tour de force performance as the remaining son, Conrad. Judd Hirsch is essential as the psychiatrist Tyrone Berger, and there are many high-stakes scenes within the film. Ordinary People won four Oscars, including the prestigious Best Picture. Redford won for Best Director and Hutton for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Moore was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and her break from comedic performances, which she is most known for, proves she was a versatile and well-rounded actor. Ordinary People is a powerful examination of grief, guilt, and the desperate need for love and affection. As Pope Leo mentioned in his address: “One of cinema’s most valuable contributions is helping audiences consider their own lives, look at the complexity of their experiences with new eyes and examine the world as if for the first time.” 3 ‘The Sound of Music’ (1965) Pope Leo is in good company in choosing The Sound of Music; it was also a favorite of former US President Ronald Reagan. The 1965 Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein musical follows a young woman named Maria (Julie Andrews), who is tasked with caring for the seven children of a widowed naval officer after she struggles to acclimate to life at a convent. Maria had no intention of falling in love with Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). They were almost enemies after she first arrived, with her free-spirited and joyful exuberance clashing with his resolute and disciplined demeanor. As she falls in love with not only Captain von Trapp but also his precious children, they all forge ahead together as a new family, full of love and appreciation for one another. Based on a true story, The Sound of Music is one of the best family movies of the 20th Century. It spent four years in cinemas, breaking records and surpassing the run of Gone with the Wind. It is also one of the only family films ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture to have won. There are truly impactful and resonating themes within the story that make it timeless. Good versus evil, right versus wrong, love versus hate, and many more. Not only does The Sound of Music feature an engaging cast, catchy music, and spectacular filming locations, but it also weaves in subplots about faith, courage, and hope. The nuns in the film play a pivotal role as they hide the von Trapp family and help them escape to safety, harkening back to the days when churches were sanctuaries for those seeking physical safety and political asylum. 2 ‘Life is Beautiful’ (1997) Life is Beautiful seems like a misnomer for a movie about one of the worst human atrocities in history. But it is exactly that unwavering hope and ability to look for the silver lining in the worst of situations that is the magic of the movie. Roberto Benigni stars as Guido, a husband and father who is taken with his young son Giosué (Giorgio Cantarini) to a Nazi concentration camp. In a deeply anguished and painfully exquisite stroke of genius, Guido decides to not only protect his son from the physical horrors around them, but the psychological ones as well. He invents a guise that they are playing a military game, and certain actions get them points, like being quiet and staying hidden. Life is Beautiful was nominated for seven Oscars and won for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Music, Original Dramatic Score, and Benigni won for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He was also nominated for Best Director, and the film was nominated for Best Picture in addition to winning for Best Foreign Language Film. Life is Beautiful has some truly amazing and profound acting moments. It conveys a message of hope and perseverance through the tenderest of lenses, and the precious and touching love of Guido for his son is nothing short of inspiring. It exemplifies the qualities that Pope Leo mentioned of the power of cinema to “rediscover a portion of the hope that is essential for humanity to live to the fullest.” 1 ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946) One of the best movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, It’s a Wonderful Life, proves that you should be careful what you wish for. George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) wishes he had never been born after reaching the end of his emotional and financial tether. In a unique and specific exercise of power, his guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers) grants him his wish, and George immediately experiences a world that existed without him. This deliberate exercise teaches George the valuable lesson that he really did have a wonderful life, and how far-reaching a single person is, affecting others’ lives in ways they could never imagine. It’s a Wonderful Life is essential viewing, not just at Christmas, but any time of the year. It is a great example of the enduring quality of cinema. Nearly 80 years later, It’s a Wonderful Life is still as poignant and impactful as ever. Its themes of grace, forgiveness, and redemption are some of the best portrayed on the silver screen. It is also an example that while Hollywood is a lucrative industry, money isn’t everything. It’s a Wonderful Life bombed at the box office, and if you were merely looking at monetary gain, it would have been considered a failure. However, much like the main character, life took an unexpected turn, and success and richness were not measured in dollars, but in emotional influence and truths that resonated so soundly, they still ring true today.
https://collider.com/best-movies-of-all-time-pope-leo-xiv/
Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI board after release of emails with Epstein
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said Wednesday that he will resign from the board at OpenAI after the release of emails between him and the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Summers had announced Monday that he would be stepping back from all public commitments, but it was not immediately clear whether that included his position at the artificial intelligence startup. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company, and look forward to following their progress,” Summers said in a statement to CNBC. OpenAI’s board told CNBC it respects Summers’ decision to resign. “We appreciate his many contributions and the perspective he brought to the Board,” the OpenAI Board of Directors said in a statement. Details of Summers’ correspondence with Epstein were made public after the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released more than 20, 000 documents it obtained pursuant to a subpoena from Epstein’s estate.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/19/larry-summers-epstein-openai.html
Meet the 73-year-old who splits his time between Panama and the U.S.: ‘$500 is my cost of living, plus food’
**Retiring Abroad: How One American Found a Simpler, More Affordable Life in Panama**
Alan Wells, 73, counts himself among an increasing number of Americans who’ve looked abroad for a simpler, more affordable retirement. Retired for 14 years, Wells took up permanent residence in Boquete, Panama, in 2015. A year later, he purchased what he describes as a modest 900-square-foot house in a neighborhood about 30 miles from the Costa Rican border for around $100,000. After moving in, he immediately expanded the home’s size to around 2,000 square feet.
“It’s probably worth a couple of hundred thousand dollars today,” Wells said.
As many retirees debate whether or not to move abroad, Wells recently shared his experience with Fortune, offering insights into retirement overseas.
**Why Make the Move to Panama?**
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wells had never visited a foreign country before moving to Panama. Yet, he called his experience “magical.” His daughters’ weddings in Panama introduced him to the local community, and after meeting a widow at one of the receptions, Wells began to consider a move to Central America as a single retiree.
“They [my daughters] decided they preferred the U.S. to Panama; I decided I prefer Panama to the U.S.—so we switched,” Wells joked. “I tell them, ‘Thank you for your welfare contributions to my Social Security fund so that I can live down there.’”
Throughout his career, Wells spent most of his time in Memphis, Tennessee, working at FedEx. After moving to Panama, he would travel back to Louisville, Kentucky, for just a week each year. Life changes—such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of grandchildren—have since turned him into a snowbird. Today, Wells commutes between Louisville and Boquete twice a year, spending six to nine months in Panama annually.
**Can You Afford More in Panama Than in the U.S.?**
The answer depends on where in the U.S. you’re comparing, according to Wells. Panama isn’t drastically different, spending-wise, compared to Louisville, where housing costs about 20% less than the U.S. average. The typical American household spends $61,334 a year and roughly $1,784 a month on housing. In larger cities like Miami or Los Angeles, where the cost of living is up to 49% higher than the national average, the difference is significant.
Wells shared that he has friends who moved to Panama from Los Angeles because they couldn’t afford to live there anymore—and are now living “very nicely.”
“I can afford a great deal more in Panama than I can in the U.S., but I do maintain residences in both countries,” Wells explained. “$500 is my cost of living, plus food, in Panama.”
Here’s a look at his monthly expenses in Panama:
– Home insurance: $300 per year
– Car insurance: $250 per year
– Electric bill: $40 per month
– Trash and water: $11 per month
– Internet (including cable): $70 per month
One important factor is the climate: Wells doesn’t pay for heating or air conditioning because “the climate is perfect.” By comparison, his U.S. expenses are three to four times higher, including about $1,000 for homeowners insurance, $1,500 in property taxes, and roughly $1,000 for car insurance annually.
**Obtaining Residency in Panama**
The process to become a permanent resident took Wells about seven to eight months, and included paperwork, background checks, income verification, and flights to Panama City for government appointments. Experts note that recent shifts in visa rules, tax policies, and local costs have made the process more complicated for retirees.
To qualify for residency, Wells had to demonstrate a minimum monthly income of $1,000, which he receives from Social Security payments, investment returns, and required minimum IRA distributions.
**Daily Life: Then and Now**
During his first few years in Panama, Wells enjoyed exploring the country’s mountains. Today, he spends his time going to the gym and managing his computer systems as an IT specialist, linking operations between Kentucky and Panama. The culture in Panama reminds him of his Southern lifestyle back home.
“Panama’s the size of Tennessee, so in the first few years you travel a lot—there’s a lot to see,” he said. “It’s a very small, very narrow country, but you go from plains to mountains to coastline; it’s awesome.” In fact, he can reach the Pacific Ocean in about an hour and the Caribbean in about three.
**Language Barriers and Medical Care**
Wells said medical care in Panama is affordable and sufficient for minor needs, but admits that “good and cheap is not really a thing.” If something serious happened, he says, his kids would fly him back to the States.
On the language barrier, Wells is disappointed he hasn’t learned as much Spanish as he’d hoped. Thankfully, he says, most educated Panamanians learn English as a mandatory second language, and most adults he meets speak at least some English.
**Expert Advice for Retiring or Moving Overseas**
A successful retirement abroad requires careful planning, thorough research, and flexibility to adapt to evolving financial, legal, and lifestyle challenges. Wells’ advice: “Don’t jump in. You really want to take a couple of sample trips before you make any decisions.”
“People come down here, take a tour, buy a house, and then realize they’re 4,200 feet up a mountain and freezing every night,” he warned. “We stayed in a little casita just to see how things were and to look around at the real estate to find something we could actually live in.”
Planning ahead, visiting multiple times, and seeking out a community that fits your needs are key steps for anyone considering retiring abroad.
https://fortune.com/2025/11/15/retirement-living-costs-panama-living-costs-housing-americans-affordablility-abroad-expats/
Diaspora Jews: Israel’s ignored partners in supporting the war – opinion
Diaspora Jews: Israel’s Ignored Partners in Supporting the War
As Israel celebrates the return of hostages, the powerful support of the Jewish Diaspora often goes unacknowledged. Their contributions have been instrumental in financially sustaining Israel’s war effort.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks to Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border, October 9, 2025. (Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
By GILAD GANTZ
Vidarbha in prime position to win Irani Cup 2025: Details
**Vidarbha in Prime Position to Win Irani Cup 2025**
*By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 04, 2025 | 07:59 pm*
Vidarbha have put themselves in a commanding position to win the Irani Cup 2025 by setting Rest of India a challenging target of 361 runs. The match is currently underway at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Starting the day at 96 for two, Vidarbha faced some tough bowling from Anshul Kamboj and Saransh Jain. However, crucial contributions from their lower-middle order helped Vidarbha reach a total of 232 in their second innings.
On the bowling front, Rest of India’s attack, led by Kamboj, impressed on Day 4. Kamboj was the standout bowler for ROI, dismantling Vidarbha’s middle order by taking the wickets of batsmen ranked 3 to 6. He finished with remarkable figures of 4 wickets for 34 runs in just 12 overs.
As Rest of India began their chase of 361 runs, early setbacks came their way. Both openers fell before stumps, with Aryan Juyal bowled by Aditya Thakare and Abhimanyu Easwaran trapped lbw by Harsh Dubey. Easwaran scored 17 off 18 deliveries.
At stumps, Rest of India were 30 for 2, with Ishan Kishan (5 not out) and Rajat Patidar (2 not out) holding the crease. They still require 331 runs with eight wickets in hand heading into the final day.
Vidarbha are aiming to clinch their third Irani Cup title in the last decade, having previously won the trophy in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Despite being bowled out for 232 in their second innings, their first-innings lead of 128 has provided them with a strong cushion.
Now, with a significant target set and wickets in hand, Rest of India will need a remarkable performance on the final day to stop Vidarbha from lifting their third Irani Cup title.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/roi-in-trouble-against-vidarbha-in-irani-cup/story
‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors
**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*
Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the much-acclaimed film *Homebound*, has recently addressed concerns and rumors suggesting that the family whose true story inspired the movie was compensated with only ₹10,000. This controversy sparked discussion on social media, prompting Ghaywan to clarify the situation.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan explained that the ₹10,000 was a personal and symbolic gesture he made to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) years ago during his initial research phase. He emphasized that this amount does not reflect the full remuneration the family received.
> “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture,” Ghaywan wrote.
He further stressed that neither he nor the producers would reduce such a deeply personal and sensitive story to a mere pittance.
> “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”
When asked about the exact compensation amount, Ghaywan chose not to disclose it, saying that sharing such details would disrespect the close bond he shares with Amrit and Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.
—
### About *Homebound*
*Homebound* was officially released on September 26, 2025. The film is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay *Taking Amrit Home*. It narrates the journey of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown, highlighting their struggles and resilience.
The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and has been produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Currently, *Homebound* is India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.
To date, the movie has earned approximately ₹2.9 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
—
Neeraj Ghaywan’s candid clarification aims to respect both the family’s story and their contribution while dispelling misconceptions about the compensation they received.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story
‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors
**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*
Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the critically acclaimed film *Homebound*, has responded to circulating reports claiming that the real-life family whose story inspired the movie was compensated with a mere ₹10,000.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan clarified that the ₹10,000 amount was a personal token given by him during the early stages of his research and does not represent the total compensation the family received.
**A Small Token, Not Full Compensation**
Ghaywan wrote, “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture.”
He further emphasized, “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”
Ghaywan chose not to disclose the full compensation amount, stating, “I personally don’t want to mention the number because that would disrespect the bond I share with Amrit, Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.”
**About ‘Homebound’**
Released on September 26, 2025, *Homebound* is based on journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay *Taking Amrit Home*. The film follows the journey of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown and stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the movie has so far grossed ₹2.9 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.
*Homebound* has also been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.
For further updates, follow Neeraj Ghaywan’s official posts on X.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story
‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors
**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*
Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the critically acclaimed film *Homebound*, has recently responded to circulating reports claiming that the family whose real-life story inspired the movie was compensated with a mere ₹10,000.
In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan clarified that the ₹10,000 mentioned was a personal gesture made during his initial research phase and is not representative of the total compensation offered to the family.
**A Small Token, Not the Entire Compensation**
Ghaywan addressed the concerns directly, writing, “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture.”
He further emphasized, “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers, would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”
Respecting the privacy and personal bond he shares with the real-life heroes of *Homebound*, Ghaywan chose not to disclose the complete compensation amount, stating, “I personally don’t want to mention the number because that would disrespect the bond I share with Amrit, Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.”
**About *Homebound***
Released on September 26, 2025, *Homebound* is based on journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay, *Taking Amrit Home*. The film portrays the journeys of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown, highlighting their struggles and resilience.
The movie stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Garnering significant attention, *Homebound* has earned ₹2.9 crore worldwide so far, according to Sacnilk.
Furthermore, *Homebound* has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards, reflecting its critical and cultural impact.
—
*Read Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s full clarification on X [here](#).*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story