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XION Launches $12.6M Anti-Grant-Grant Program With Thrive ProtocolSun, fun and theme parks – what more could you want in a destination? But in Anaheim, California, there is more – much more – for travellers of all ages, with all budgets and preferences. In this week’s Take 5, we sit down with Kathy Abrams, Director, Tourism Development of Visit Anaheim, who shares with us selling tips for travel advisors, new offerings that all travellers will love, and top recommendations for things to see and do beyond California’s famed theme parks. 1. . How do Canadians get to Anaheim? “Anaheim’s central location in Southern California makes it easily accessible from numerous airports like LAX, SNA, LGB, and ONT. The closest airport to Anaheim is John Wayne Airport (SNA) which is only 19 kms from the Anaheim Resort. What’s great is that Canadians can fly into SNA with direct flights from Calgary with WestJet and from Vancouver with Air Canada. John Wayne Airport makes traveling to Anaheim easy with its proximity and transportation options and was even ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among large airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.” 2. Who should travel advisors sell the destination to? “The best part about selling Anaheim is that it is great for a variety of travellers – from families, to couples, to friends looking for a fun getaway. Anaheim has a wide variety of hotel accommodations like family-friendly hotels, upscale luxury accommodations and more. Families will enjoy creating lifelong memories at our theme parks including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and Knott’s Berry Farm. Those looking for nightlife fun can enjoy the views from one of our rooftop bars or enjoy local hot spots like our hidden speakeasies, live music venues, and craft breweries. Also, sports fans can watch their favourite hockey team play at Honda Center or catch a baseball game at Angel Stadium – both venues just minutes from the Anaheim Resort.” 3. What would you suggest as something to do outside of the theme parks? “One tip is to space out theme park days to allow time to rest and relax before heading back for a full day. Guests can visit Anaheim GardenWalk and channel their inner pilot at Flight Deck where guests can experience flying a fighter jet in one of their simulators or make their own rug at 528 Entertainment. Downtown Anaheim is also a great place to visit for some delicious eats at the Anaheim Packing House and on Center Street Promenade. Another option is for guests to take a day trip to Catalina Island or to one of the beach cities in Orange County.” 4. What’s new in the pipeline for 2025? What are you most excited about? “There are so many things to be excited for in 2025. The Disneyland Resort will be celebrating its 70 th anniversary with a special celebration that starts May 16. With this comes so many things to look forward to like a new nighttime spectacular ‘World of Color Happiness!’ that will take place in Disney California Adventure Park and ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ that will make its debut at Disneyland Park featuring the first ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney, and so much more.” 5. How do travel advisors learn more about the destination and to stay up-to-date on new offerings? “Travel agents can check out our website for updates and inspiration for their clients at visitanaheim.org . We also have a resources page just for Canadian travel agents available at visitanaheim.org/ca-resources . Here, we have tools for travel professionals like our Anaheim Specialist destination training, itinerary ideas, blogs, a digital version of our guide and more.” For more information go to www.visitanaheim.org .Late pop star Liam Payne allegedly contacted hotel staff "constantly," requesting alcohol and inquiring about where to obtain cocaine shortly before his death, according to reports. Now, text messages alleged to be from Payne to an escort have surfaced, in which he allegedly offered her $5,000 (£3,900) to "party." Argentine journalist Mauro Szeta shared messages on his website VíaSzeta, which appear to show a southeastern Florida phone number sending WhatsApp texts to an escort. These messages reportedly included a link to Payne's Instagram profile and an invitation to "play." The text, that was reportedly from Liam , read: “'I have all day... I'd gift you $5,000... US dollars,' the message reads. 'You come to my hotel, we party, just me and u." The woman’s WhatsApp profile picture reportedly featured her and a friend, to which he is said to have replied: “Who's your friend, do you want to bring her?” The escort replied: “Let's go Noe (sic) until 7pm, 5000 USD both, it's the whole day the two of us together.” The individual sending the messages, allegedly Payne, responded: "Ok fine, but bank transfer." Another incident at the hotel was also reported. According to a senior employee, Liam frequently called receptionists to request alcohol and inquire about where to purchase cocaine . A bellboy who took him a courtesy platter of fruit shortly after he checked into the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires also told bosses the artist had insulted him after asking him whether he could get him cocaine and receiving a 'no' for an answer. Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist who made a 999 call requesting urgent medical assistance for Liam before his drink and drug-fuelled balcony plunge and is now under formal investigation along with four other suspects in an ongoing court probe, made the stunning claims. Respected Argentinian news portal Todo Noticias published WhatsApp messages it said Grassi, one of the three men pictured carrying Liam back up to his third-floor room from the hotel lobby shortly before he died, had handed in to court investigators. One of the text exchanges, from a person registered in Esteban's phone as Santiago Benitez Bellboy AM, said: "Hello Esteban how are you? Sorry for bothering you but I wanted to let you know about a little situation I had with the person in room 310. When I went to hand him a guest amenity and welcome him to the hotel and Argentina, he invited me into his room (which was a complete mess) and asked me if I could get him cocaine. "I told him, 'I'm sorry sir, but neither I or any other staff can help you with that type of service' to which he replied that I was useless and told me to get out of his sight. I felt a bit threatened because he didn't behave very politely." Appearing to reference another hotel worker identified locally as one of the five men under investigation, head of security Gilda Martin, the message from the bellboy continued: "I'm going to tell Gilda this too so you’re both aware and there's no misunderstandings in case this man mentions my name again at some point in his stay, because he asked me what my name was. I'm just telling you and Gilda this." The exchange ended with Mr Grassi trying to reassure the junior hotel worker by telling him “not to worry” about what Liam had said. Mr Grassi also told investigators of Liam’s stay at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in the Argentinian capital, according to Todo Noticias: “I understand he was more active at night, that he ran reception repeatedly to ask for alcohol all the time and ask where he could get drugs, specifically cocaine.” He went on to claim he acted as a translator for the two female escorts Liam spent time with before he died because they didn’t speak English and the singer didn’t speak Spanish. Confirming earlier claims that the former One Direction singer asked for 300 dollars and alcohol when they went up to his room, Mr Grassi said: “Liam asked me to act as translator. “That’s when they tell me he had to pay them but they didn’t specify why. They told me he owed them 5,000 dollars but it seemed strange to me because he had asked me previously for 300 dollars and although I’m not an expert about these things, the amount of money they were asking for seemed a bit excessive to me.” Screenshots of WhatsApp messages exchanged with one of the women said to have come from Liam’s phone, an American mobile phone number with the 561 southern Florida area code, were also published by Todo Noticias which said the sex worker had showed Mr Grassi the conversation to prove he owed them the money. Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
STRIKES could cause travel chaos for Brits across Europe this winter, including one at a major UK airport. Disruption is scheduled at a range of European airports, with some airlines also at risk of pilots and other employees striking . Tanker drivers employed by North Air at Edinburgh Airport are set to walk out for over two weeks, according to Scotland's largest union Unite. The strike will begin at 5am on Wednesday, December 18 and will end at the same time on Monday, January 6. The routes most likely to be affected include United Airlines' flights to New York, as well as Emirates' to Dubai, according to the union . It added that Loganair's domestic routes to the Scottish islands could also be "directly impacted". Read More on Travel Disruption However, a spokesperson for the airport told The Independent that it is "working with airlines to understand their contingencies to minimise passenger disruption." United and Emirates are likely to be affected as they cannot store enough extra fuel from their incoming flights, due to their long distance, without exceeding safe landing limits. Loganair may be able to load extra fuel at locations such as the Isle of Man , Stornoway, Orkney, and Shetland to reduce the impact the strike may have on its flights. However, its more than 350 mile route to Southampton could prove more difficult due to runway payload restrictions. Most read in News Travel When fuel has not been available at an airport, long-haul carriers have previously flown short distances, such as London Heathrow to Stansted , to refuel. Those due to travel to Italy are also expected to suffer from disruption on and around Sunday December 15. Techno Sky employees, who manage the technological infrastructure for Italy's air navigation service, are set to strike for the entire 24 hours of Sunday. In addition, Techno Sky personnel at Milan Control Center, Linate Airport Center and Monte Settepani CRT will strike for four hours, from 13:00 to 17:00, on Sunday too. The company oversees operations at 45 Italian airports, and the industrial action is also being backed by two of Italy’s major transport unions: FILT-CGIL and UILT-UIL. Also joining the four hour walkout are air traffic controllers operating across Milan's three airports and Palma Airport, as well as workers from Aviation Services at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. Finland has already been hit by strikes this winter , with walkouts on December 9 and 13 affecting 33,000 people after around 300 flights were cancelled. Action by the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association caused major disruption to Finnair operations, with one in three of its flights being cancelled on Friday. A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. Since September, EasyJet employees in France have been striking in protest against the closure of the operator’s Toulouse hub, scheduled for March 2025. It’s thought that 125 employees could be affected, and the strike is set to continue until Monday December 16. This comes as Brits have been warned to brace for busy Christmas travel period which could cause chaos. Heathrow Airport has said it is preparing for its busiest ever Christmas Day. It expects the number of passengers travelling through its terminals on December 25 to be 21 per cent higher than on the same day last year. The airport also predicts that passenger numbers for the month as a whole will exceed the previous record of 6.7 million in 2023. It made the forecast after confirming it served 6.5 million passengers last month in the "busiest ever November". Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “As we embrace the festive season, our focus remains on ensuring smooth, joyful journeys – whether it is helping passengers get away for Christmas to reunite with their loved ones, or making sure cargo reaches its destination on time.” 'SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION' Meanwhile, those travelling by rail may also face delays after West Coast train managers voted to strike for three days over the Christmas period. The RMT union said that walkouts have been scheduled for 22, 23 and 29 December for Avanti services after rejecting the train company's proposals for "rest day working arrangements". Train managers usually work a 41-hour week but due to staff shortages can be asked to work on their days off - but the RMT said that the current arrangements were "unacceptable". A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said that at "one of our busiest and most important times of the year" customers "will now face significant disruption because of these strikes ". Rail services on all three days are expected to be limited. A revised timetable for 22 and 23 December should be made available from today. Around 300 train managers are expected to join the walkout. Drivers travelling over Christmas have been warned to check their preferred route before setting off - with delays expected at five major motorways. It is expected that some 16 million cars will take to the roads on December 23 and Christmas Eve. READ MORE SUN STORIES Brits could be forced to queue for hours, while demand for electric vehicle charging stations is set to soar. As the festive period gets ever-closer, the M1, M5, M6, M60 and M25 are all expected to be hit by severe traffic - especially on the final weekend before Christmas.The question of whether global warming is accelerating is hotly contested among climate scientists. While some have argued that the current rate of warming — which hit an all-time high last year — is strictly correlated with increased fossil fuel emissions and therefore aligned with current climate models, others have cautioned that the Earth is far more sensitive to fossil fuels than previously thought and that humanity is hurtling toward tipping points from which there can be no return. In a recent study , a group of researchers from the University of Melbourne complicated this debate with an analysis of warming rates across the globe and possible causes for regional differences. Their principal finding: The globe is getting hotter at a faster rate, but this acceleration is occurring unevenly. Surprisingly, densely populated areas with large concentrations of poverty — megacities like Cairo and Mumbai — are warming more slowly than urban centers in Europe and North America. Why? The researchers found that the large quantity of aerosol particles in the air of highly polluted cities reflect sunlight back out into space and, at least in the short term, can have a net cooling effect on populations. “It’s a brain-twister,” said Edith de Guzman, an adaptation policy specialist at the University of California at Los Angeles Luskin Center for Innovation, who commended the researchers for their work. The authors of the paper emphasized that the finding should hardly be taken as a good sign. For one, it’s likely only temporary. And secondly, the protection, such as it is, only comes from harmful pollutants. De Guzman concurred, saying accelerated warming means that “populations that are already grossly vulnerable to a variety of environmental and climate injustices will be more vulnerable.” As countries develop economically, their governments tend to adopt policies to clean up pollution, and as the air clears, vulnerable populations will be at a high risk of dangerous heat exposure. Christopher Schwalm, the Risk Program Director at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, offered the example of China, where the government has begun to equip its coal-fired power plants with emissions reduction technologies like scrubbers, to prevent soot from escaping the facility. Such measures are good for the quality of the air, he said, but they will allow more heat from the sun to seep in. The hardest hit will be those without access to air conditioners and shaded areas. “The poorer you are the hotter it gets, where heat is a metaphor for all forms of climate disruption,” Schwalm said. “It’s really hard to do good for not doing bad.” Schwalm explained that the scientific community has about three dozen highly sophisticated climate models that are collectively thought of as a “panel of experts” on the trajectory of global warming. He believes that examining accelerated warming is useful because it can help countries plan for climate adaptation measures and understand how realistic their current climate policy goals are — or aren’t. Last year, the world blew past the emissions targets from 2015’s Paris Agreement , and is on track to do the same this year. Scientists are increasingly vocal about the so-called death of the Paris Agreement’s commitment to keep the world below a temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), in attempts to force policymakers to contend with the inevitability of worsening heat waves and extreme weather events to come. The authors of the Melbourne paper offer much-needed insight about what that future will look like and how nations should prepare: Their findings should encourage “targeted climate adaptation strategies” directed at the poorest urban communities around the world. This article originally appeared in Grist at https://grist.org/climate-energy/some-cities-are-so-polluted-theyre-warming-slower/ . Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org.
France-based SNF, the world’s leading manufacturer of water-soluble polymers, has announced plans to set up a polymer production project in Oman. The announcement comes eight months after the company revealed a major expansion plan in Oman, worth $250mn, involving self-financing and partnerships. SNF has already received approval from the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) for the project, which is set to be established in Salalah by next year. With a capacity of more than 1.5mn tonnes of active content, SNF is the leading global supplier of integrated solutions for chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Jimmy Nesbitt, General Manager of SNF Oman, said, “Oman is emerging as a key player in the Middle East polymer market, and I am delighted to inform that Madayn has recently given the company the go-ahead to set up the plant. With more than 20 years of presence in the sultanate, this project is a testament to the company’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and In-Country Value.” Nesbitt explained that the facility, designed to produce high-performance anionic polymers, will play a crucial role in enhancing chemical EOR capabilities and meeting the fast-growing needs of regional clients. “The plant is also expected to create local employment opportunities, generate In-Country Value, and establish Oman as a key player in the Middle East’s polymer market. This is an extraordinary step forward,” he said. “We have moved from concept to tangible progress on the ground. The support from the Omani government and our local partners has been instrumental in reaching this stage,” he added. Earlier this year, SNF also announced plans to open its Regional SNF Technical Centre in Muscat, to be known as RSTC Oman, which will serve as SNF’s R&D hub for the entire Gulf region. Nesbitt confirmed on Thursday that RSTC Oman is now in its final stages of development and is set to open in the first months of 2025, fulfilling its vision of serving as SNF’s GCC R&D hub. The centre will support oil and gas innovation in the region, focusing on polymer research for EOR, specialising in carbonate reservoirs, water shut-off, and other cutting-edge technologies. It will also provide critical technical support throughout the lifecycle of SNF’s projects, ensuring efficiency and sustainability. Nesbitt added, “In line with our commitment to In-Country Value, SNF has prioritised local recruitment and talent development. Through collaborations with Omani universities and institutions, SNF is helping to foster the next generation of experts in oilfield technologies and sustainability practices. The RSTC Oman is more than just a technical facility – it is a hub for knowledge exchange and skill development, creating long-term value for Oman’s workforce and industry.”JACKPOT — Jackpot Combined School officials announced the school has received two grants totaling $61,565 from the state of Nevada Office of Science, Innovation and Technology. The school, which received a Developing STEM School rating earlier this year from the Governor’s Office of Science and Technology, was awarded the grants to raise the its rating, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The rating can be raised to an Established or Model STEM School by integrating STEM into lessons, the school culture and the community. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “This funding allows us to create unique opportunities for our students to learn STEM concepts through hands-on, real-world applications,” Principal Stormi McCarthy said. Jackpot Combined School staff celebrate their designation as a Developing STEM school during a ceremony in March. The first grant, a $25,000 award, will fund the Skill Struck STEM learning platform and teacher professional development, according to an announcement from the Elko County School District. The learning platform includes the launch of a student-run school store in which students will manufacture and sell products, gaining practical experiences in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, the district said. The second grant of $36,565 will support the Jackpot Community Greenhouse Project, which aims to build a commercial-grade greenhouse and provide related materials and professional development. The greenhouse will serve as a year-round outdoor classroom where students will cultivate plants, conduct research and collaborate with local industry partners, the district said. Students will gain skills in landscape design, plant science and problem-solving while addressing real-world challenges. Both initiatives align with the school’s strategic goals of improving STEM education, fostering community partnerships and preparing students for careers, according to the district. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
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On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible, carrying five passengers, lost communication with its support ship about an hour and a half into its two-hour descent towards the Titanic wreck, located nearly two miles beneath the Atlantic Ocean. This loss of contact triggered an extensive search operation, highlighting the challenges faced in deep-sea rescue missions. The search for the Titan, which took place 420 nautical miles from the nearest port and spanned an area of 13,000 square kilometers—roughly double the size of Connecticut—illustrates the difficulties of underwater searches. Such operations often require weeks, particularly in remote areas. Fortunately, a Canadian vessel with a remotely operated underwater vehicle located the Titan debris field just four days later. High-resolution sonar tech In response to these challenges, a research team from MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Ocean Science and Engineering lab is developing a groundbreaking sonar system to revolutionize deep-sea search missions. Named the Autonomous Sparse-Aperture Multibeam Echo Sounder, this new technology could significantly shorten search times from weeks to days. The innovative echo sounder operates from the surface, using a small fleet of autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) that can be deployed via aircraft. This approach allows for vast-area scanning at surface-ship speeds while delivering the high-resolution imagery typically associated with underwater vehicles. According to co-principal investigator Andrew March, “Our array combines high resolution with extensive coverage, enabling us to map the ocean floor much more efficiently.” Traditional sonar systems generally face resolution issues due to the limitations of low-frequency sound waves, which are necessary for deep-sea explorations since water absorbs high-frequency waves quickly. Current methods utilizing large sonar arrays from ships can return low-resolution images, where each pixel could represent an area the size of a football field. In contrast, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that operate at higher frequencies produce much sharper images but are expensive and time-consuming to deploy, limiting mapping capabilities. This new sonar technology promises to combine the benefits of both methods—maintaining high resolution while covering larger areas quickly. The sonar array is anticipated to map the seabed at significantly enhanced resolution and faster coverage rates than currently possible. Deep-sea mapping Understanding our oceans is critical. Oceans remain insufficiently explored, covering about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, with more than 80 percent of the underwater terrain still largely unknown. We have better knowledge of other planets’ surfaces than the depths of our oceans. High-resolution seafloor maps are essential for various applications: they could help locate missing vessels, bolster our understanding of geology, improve ocean current and weather forecasting, reveal archaeological sites, and monitor marine ecosystems. Globally, scientists and governments recognize the critical need for high-resolution seafloor mapping, yet existing technologies need help to achieve the necessary accuracy from the surface. The average ocean depth stands at around 3,700 meters, but most scanning technologies are limited to less than 1,000 meters in range. The current technologies include sonar, lidar, cameras, and gravitational field mapping, all of which have limitations based on depth and resolution. The advancements the new MIT sonar system promised could transform our approach to deep-sea exploration and rescue operations. As we stand on the brink of a new era in ocean science, the potential for improved mapping and understanding of deep-sea environments could lead to significant breakthroughs in many fields. The work illustrates how technological innovation can better prepare us for future maritime challenges and deepen our understanding of the mysteries beneath the ocean’s surface.
Sun, fun and theme parks – what more could you want in a destination? But in Anaheim, California, there is more – much more – for travellers of all ages, with all budgets and preferences. In this week’s Take 5, we sit down with Kathy Abrams, Director, Tourism Development of Visit Anaheim, who shares with us selling tips for travel advisors, new offerings that all travellers will love, and top recommendations for things to see and do beyond California’s famed theme parks. 1. . How do Canadians get to Anaheim? “Anaheim’s central location in Southern California makes it easily accessible from numerous airports like LAX, SNA, LGB, and ONT. The closest airport to Anaheim is John Wayne Airport (SNA) which is only 19 kms from the Anaheim Resort. What’s great is that Canadians can fly into SNA with direct flights from Calgary with WestJet and from Vancouver with Air Canada. John Wayne Airport makes traveling to Anaheim easy with its proximity and transportation options and was even ranked #1 in customer satisfaction among large airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study.” 2. Who should travel advisors sell the destination to? “The best part about selling Anaheim is that it is great for a variety of travellers – from families, to couples, to friends looking for a fun getaway. Anaheim has a wide variety of hotel accommodations like family-friendly hotels, upscale luxury accommodations and more. Families will enjoy creating lifelong memories at our theme parks including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and Knott’s Berry Farm. Those looking for nightlife fun can enjoy the views from one of our rooftop bars or enjoy local hot spots like our hidden speakeasies, live music venues, and craft breweries. Also, sports fans can watch their favourite hockey team play at Honda Center or catch a baseball game at Angel Stadium – both venues just minutes from the Anaheim Resort.” 3. What would you suggest as something to do outside of the theme parks? “One tip is to space out theme park days to allow time to rest and relax before heading back for a full day. Guests can visit Anaheim GardenWalk and channel their inner pilot at Flight Deck where guests can experience flying a fighter jet in one of their simulators or make their own rug at 528 Entertainment. Downtown Anaheim is also a great place to visit for some delicious eats at the Anaheim Packing House and on Center Street Promenade. Another option is for guests to take a day trip to Catalina Island or to one of the beach cities in Orange County.” 4. What’s new in the pipeline for 2025? What are you most excited about? “There are so many things to be excited for in 2025. The Disneyland Resort will be celebrating its 70 th anniversary with a special celebration that starts May 16. With this comes so many things to look forward to like a new nighttime spectacular ‘World of Color Happiness!’ that will take place in Disney California Adventure Park and ‘Walt Disney – A Magical Life’ that will make its debut at Disneyland Park featuring the first ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney, and so much more.” 5. How do travel advisors learn more about the destination and to stay up-to-date on new offerings? “Travel agents can check out our website for updates and inspiration for their clients at visitanaheim.org . We also have a resources page just for Canadian travel agents available at visitanaheim.org/ca-resources . Here, we have tools for travel professionals like our Anaheim Specialist destination training, itinerary ideas, blogs, a digital version of our guide and more.” For more information go to www.visitanaheim.org .
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Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Middle East latest: Israel expels patients from a hospital in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli soldiers raided a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya on Tuesday, as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning. Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed. The suspect, identified by police as Sebastian Zapeta, was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday. He faces murder charges that could put him in prison for life. Federal immigration officials say 33-year-old Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Amsterdam court sentences 5 men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six months in jail against 5 men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. The riots caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. The violence following a UEFA Europa League match left 5 people in hospital. More than 60 suspects were detained. The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month and one to 100 hours of community service.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. Recommended Videos “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.” ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingUS senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'A new SEC filing reveals that Stephen Lovass , Executive Vice President at Nordson NDSN , made a notable insider purchase on December 23,. What Happened: A Form 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday unveiled that Lovass made a notable purchase of 681 shares of Nordson, valuing at $142,826. The latest update on Tuesday morning shows Nordson shares up by 0.11%, trading at $209.53. All You Need to Know About Nordson Nordson manufactures equipment (including pumps, valves, dispensers, applicators, filters, and pelletizers) used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, and other materials. The firm serves a diverse range of end markets including packaging, medical, electronics, and industrial. Nordson's business is organized into three segments: industrial precision solutions, medical and fluid solutions, and advanced technology solutions. The company generated approximately $2.7 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2024. Key Indicators: Nordson's Financial Health Revenue Growth: Nordson displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 October, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 12.53% . This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Industrials sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers. Interpreting Earnings Metrics: Gross Margin: The company sets a benchmark with a high gross margin of 54.11% , reflecting superior cost management and profitability compared to its peers. Earnings per Share (EPS): Nordson's EPS is notably higher than the industry average. The company achieved a positive bottom-line trend with a current EPS of 2.14 . Debt Management: Nordson's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 0.75 . This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage. Valuation Analysis: Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: With a lower-than-average P/E ratio of 25.81 , the stock indicates an attractive valuation, potentially presenting a buying opportunity. Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a higher-than-average P/S ratio of 4.48 , Nordson's stock is perceived as being overvalued in the market, particularly in relation to sales performance. EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization): With an impressive EV/EBITDA ratio of 17.44 , Nordson demonstrates exemplary market valuation, surpassing industry averages. Market Capitalization Analysis: Below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a smaller scale relative to peers. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity. Now trade stocks online commission free with Charles Schwab, a trusted and complete investment firm. The Impact of Insider Transactions on Investments Insider transactions should be considered alongside other factors when making investment decisions, as they can offer important insights. In the realm of legality, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This includes executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to disclose their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction. Notably, when a company insider makes a new purchase, it is considered an indicator of their positive expectations for the stock. Conversely, insider sells may not necessarily signal a bearish stance on the stock and can be motivated by various factors. Understanding Crucial Transaction Codes Taking a closer look at transactions, investors often prioritize those unfolding in the open market, meticulously cataloged in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C denotes the conversion of an option, and transaction code A signifies a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company. Check Out The Full List Of Nordson's Insider Trades. Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. Click here for access . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
By Jon Dunbar The cover of "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" by Kang Mingoo While everyone was fawning over Han Kang's books, during last month's open house sale at Tongbang Books, I picked up a thick hardbound book titled "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Han, the author of "The Vegetarian," had recently won the Nobel Prize in literature, however, another noteworthy development was that UNESCO was considering Korea's jang-making tradition as a new entry for its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. "Jang," primarily written by chef-restaurateur Kang Mingoo, reads more like a textbook than a traditional cookbook. And that's intentional: the 216-page book offers a deep dive into Korea, exploring everything from its mountains and forests to its pantries and dining tables. Jang, which the book claims rhymes with "song," refers to a variety of fermented soybean pastes. The book lays out the three main jangs — "ganjang" (basically soy sauce), "doenjang" (thick soybean paste) and "gochujang" (red-hot pepper paste) — which Kang says are "are like siblings, and like siblings, they often play together." One important fact I gleaned from this book is that the production method for both ganjang and doenjang is mostly the same, and they are essentially byproducts of each other. About six to nine months into the process, a separation occurs, moving the still-solid bits from the liquid, and the separated bits continue to ferment for several more months or years. It reminds me of the parallel brewing process of traditional Korean alcohols "takju" (a cloudy beverage with white sediment) and "cheongju" (a clear alcohol), which are likewise separated from each other. And there's also the bright-red gochujang, which has a somewhat different recipe due to the inclusion of red pepper powder and takes much less time to complete fermentation. Kang shares a somewhat offbeat theory that the red pepper, or "gochu" in Korean, "was actually introduced by birds millions of years ago," rather than in the 16th century by Portuguese traders through Japan. Going back to the concept of jangs as siblings that sometimes play together, "ssamjang," which I think might be the most popular and widespread of the Korean sauces, at least from what I've witnessed, is a mixture of gochujang and doenjang, along with a little sugar. Chef Kang Mingoo speaks during an interview at Mingles, his restaurant in southern Seoul, June 13. Korea Times file Kang, the owner of Mingles, a popular Seoul restaurant that helped redefine Korean fine dining, presents a vivid narrative of his culinary journey. It's a beautifully produced book, filled with impressive photos — although the photos lacked captions explaining the context and were not clearly illustrative of what was being discussed. Read More Chef Kang Min-koo expands possibilities of Korean food [Michelin star chef] 'Openness to Korean cuisine helped gain star' Korean restaurant Mingles ranked Asia's 11th best restaurant 4 Korean restaurants enter Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list "Imagine trying to understand Italian cooking without olive oil or to unlock French cuisine without butter and cream," he says in the book's introduction. "It would be impossible." He details his travels across the country to meet jang artisans, emphasizing that most of them are women. He is perhaps most fascinated by Jeong Kwan, a master of temple cuisine at Baekyang Temple in South Jeolla Province, describing the epiphany he experienced watching her work. "I marveled that Jeong Kwan didn't cook so much as simply let the earth move through her," as he puts it. Read More Attaining freedom of mind through temple food 'I'm cooking food for the mind' Vens. Jeongkwan, Wookwan named 'Masters of Korean Temple Food' Ven. Jeongkwan brings essence of Korean cuisine to New York On returning to Mingles with his "hair on fire," he describes the effect his dive into the world of jang had on him: "I felt like I had been playing the piano by hitting only the middle C, and now the entire keyboard had been opened to me." He sets out his almost-scientific approach to jang-making, which includes "vertical tastings" of the same jang at different years of fermentation. "Jangs aren't rigid; they reward experimentation," he writes. "They are able to assimilate and adapt to foreign concepts." This foreshadows some of his over 60 recipes later in the book, which range from more-or-less traditional "namul" offerings to some wild-sounding fusion recipes, including tagliatelle with ganjang ragu, doenjang hummus and gochujang chocolate mousse. Also described in extensive detail is the onggi earthenware pottery for storing jang during fermentation, which is specifically called "jangdok." There's so much detail, that it leaves a reader feeling like they could make their own jangdok — though this is probably as unlikely as making decent gochujang on one's own after reading the book. "Jang is more like sourdough than it is like wine: Anyone can nourish a starter, but few can sustain a vineyard," Kang writes. Chef Kang Mingoo introduces his English-language book, "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking." Korea Times file That said, the book is not too interested in walking you all the way through the process of making your own jang, but does helpfully offer guidance on how to stock your pantry with the jangs you can readily purchase. It also emphasizes that not all jang needs to be artisanal: "Not everything can be artisanal, nor is it always worth using (or even a good idea to use) artisanal jang in every dish you make." The book also outlines some important beats in Korean history related to the development, fall and renaissance of jang. This starts over 4,000 years ago with the introduction of soybeans — rich in protein and able to thrive in poor soil — to the peninsula from Manchuria. It also details how the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea threatened to bring to an end the centuries of jang-making traditions, as the imperialists siphoned off most of Korea's soybean production for Japanese use and encouraged the establishment of jang factories, something Kang clearly abhors. Things didn't improve after liberation, which saw periods of famine and the 1950-53 Korean War, a time Kang describes as when "Korea began its superfueled expansion into the modern capitalist world, a movement that almost, but not quite, signaled the end of jang culture." He then goes on to detail how jang-making bounced back beginning in the 2000s, and connects its growth with the global spread of Korean popular culture. He details how the Korean food ministry spent $90 million promoting gochujang to chefs in New York and Los Angeles in the early 2010s. He also talks about how jang-making is being taught in elementary schools. "Today, I'm happy to say we're riding a wave of artisanal jang appreciation," he concludes. Read More Korean 'jang-making' tradition earns UNESCO heritage status [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' has potential to become global favorite [INTERVIEW] 'Jang' is bedrock of Korean existence' Young Korean 'jang' maker hopes to bring back grandmother's taste in Korean traditional soybean sauce The book, published earlier in 2024, laments how jang has not earned the UNESCO recognition that the kimchi-making practice of gimjang itself earned in December 2013. But here we are 11 years later, and we have the perfect book to explain this age-old cultural practice and even help us use various kinds of jang in the kitchen. "Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking" is available through dbbooks.com .All the London fitness studios and gyms that are open over Christmas and New Year
Nobel Peace Prize Forum Breaks Down Nuclear Risks and SolutionsThe New York Knicks have become one of the best offenses in the NBA with the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns. It's why the team was able to win their last four contests including Wednesday night in a blowout win. There has been a clear issue with the team to start the season, though. Towns was never a top defender at the center position. It's a big reason why New York's defense is ranked 13th in the league in points per game. Luckily for New York, there is help on the way. Brad Penner-Imagn Images New York hasn't had defensive star Mitchell Robinson on the court over the last few months due to an ankle injury. For the first time this season, the top defender joined the team on the road trip to Phoenix and has started shooting on the side. It's something that head coach Tom Thibodeau has been pleased to update. “It’s going to be a long progression. So obviously he started but be patient, go step by step," Thibodeau explained. “He hasn’t been cleared for practice but he’s done some shooting and that sort of thing. Can do conditioning in the weight room. “He’s making good progress. Just have to be patient.” Related: Knicks Roll Past Banged-Up Suns, 138-122 Most analysts have expected Robinson to return somewhere after the new year, and it should allow New York to fix their defensive woes. When healthy, Robinson is one of the better defenders in his position. He's been a defensive stalwart against top matchups like Joel Embiid in previous playoff series, and someone New York desperately needs to complete their roster. And his return is coming sooner than later. Related: How Does Mickey Mouse Connect with Knicks?