MUNICH (AFP) – Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane hit back at criticism levelled at him, saying he would do his “talking on the pitch” after becoming the fastest to 50 goals in Bundesliga history. Kane scored a second-half hat-trick in a 3-0 home win over Augsburg which sent Bayern Munich eight points clear, bringing up his Bundesliga half-century in 43 games. The England captain beat the previous record set by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in 2021, then at Borussia Dortmund, who reached his half century in 50 games. Kane’s hat-trick was his seventh in the league since arriving in the summer of 2023. Two of Kane’s three goals came from the spot and he has now scored 25 consecutive penalties for club and country in all competitions since missing against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. The milestone comes after the 31-year-old was criticised during the international break, with some saying he should step aside for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. Kane, who was also criticised for some lethargic performances at Euro 2024, told reporters he was “used to that now”, adding he was “experienced enough to know that comes with being one of the top players, one of the top strikers”. Saying he felt “in the best form of his career”, Kane said “all I can do is do my talking on the pitch, like I did tonight”. He said he was yet to talk to incoming England coach Thomas Tuchel, who also lives in Munich, but said “I’m sure we’ll have a conversation on the experiences I’ve had, the good and bad things, and what we can improve.”Capital project: plugging in profits from a big battery
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a delivered a message to the people of Darwin on Christmas Day, as the Northern Territory capital paid its respects on the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. The cyclone left a devastating mark on Darwin when it hit on Christmas Day in 1974, leaving 66 dead and hundreds more seriously injured. A day after reflecting on the tragedy following his arrival in the city on Christmas Eve, Mr Albanese spoke at the 50th commemoration of the national disaster. "The sound of torrential rain gave way to the screech of corrugated iron. The sheets ripped from roofs, hurled through the sky and scraped across the ground at over 200km an hour. Windows shattered. Trees uprooted, cars upended. An entire city almost wiped off the map," the Prime Minister said as he painted the picture of the storm. "Across Darwin, families huddled fearfully in the safest places they could find, whispering prayers, holding each other tight, waiting for the howling darkness to pass. When at last an eerie silence fell and the sun rose. It was a scene of utter devastation. Cyclone Tracy's trail of destruction rendered tens of thousands of Territorians homeless and tragically, it claimed at least 66 lives." Mr Albanese noted the loss of life for many First Nations people in the cyclone "wasn't recorded" as families returned to their traditional homelands. He also cracked a joke about wearing a tie "for the first time" on a visit to Darwin, as a "sign of respect". The Prime Minister said the impacts of Tracy were still felt half a century later and he made sure to honour those who responded to the tragedy at the time, including the Australian Defence Force and emergency services personnel. He recalled an appeal led by the service clubs of Alice Springs which raised more than $100,000 within just two days, while the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England raised further charity after players from both sides collected donations from the crowd. " Above all, we pay tribute to the great resilience of the great city of Darwin and the proud people who call it home. Because the hard work of rebuilding homes, communities and lives is always an act of profound courage," he said. "The three year reconstruction of Darwin was an unprecedented national effort and I believe an unprecedented international effort as well. It set new standards for quality and safety in construction, meaning that when Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Yasi hit North Queensland just in recent years, there was nowhere near the sort of damage that we saw to homes and nothing like the terrible loss of life that we saw here." Mr Albanese said the spirit of the Darwin community had been restored powerfully over the last 50 years, proving a Canberra Times reporter wrong who claimed at the time "the casual, friendly and somewhat independent way of living can never be put back together again". "Well, 50 years later, visitors and locals alike can take pride in just how wrong that was, because while the modern city of Darwin has grown and thrived, changed and evolved, the unique character of this place and the special warmth of the people who call it home endures stronger than ever," he said. "The monument that we unveiled today, stands in tribute to those qualities and to this solemn truth. The story of Darwin and the story of Australia. No matter the challenge, we face it together and we look after each other. We learn from what we've been through. We hold on to what matters most. "The memory of those we have lost, the love of our family and friends. And on this most solemn Christmas morning here in Darwin, the love of our nation. Australia. Merry Christmas, everyone." Watch Sky News Australia's commemorative documentary, Cyclone Tracy: 50 Years On, hosted by award-winning journalist and Sky News Northern Australia Correspondent Matt Cunningham. The documentary is available to watch on-demand at SkyNews.com.au . Subscribe now for just $5 per month.There’s easy way to solve NFL’s dumb MVP debate. Call it Saquon Barkley Trophy. | Commentary
ArcelorMittal Poland in Krakow focuses on hydrogen Linde Gaz Polska, in cooperation with ArcelorMittal Poland, will build a hydrogen production plant on the premises of the Krakow branch, which will supply process gas to two galvanizing plants. The total investment will exceed PLN 100 million. The Kraków smelter will be able to use hydrogen as early as the end of 2026. Since 2018, ArcelorMittal Poland has not used coal as a fuel in its Kraków branch, and since July this year it has not produced coke here. – Our installations: the hot rolling mill and the cold rolling mill, as well as the galvanising and sheet metal painting lines, currently operate exclusively on the basis of natural gas – explains Łukasz Skorupa, COO Flat Products and Quality and director of the Krakow branch. adds The project with Linde, on the other hand, is to ensure a reliable supply of hydrogen for our galvanizing plants. We are increasingly focusing on hydrogen” The plant will be built near the galvanizing plant, producing hydrogen from natural gas. The investment has already begun, and design work is currently underway. In addition to hydrogen fuel for galvanizing plants, the Krakow branch of ArcelorMittal Poland will also gain another environmental effect – it will completely eliminate ammonia from the process, which will increase the level of process safety of the plants , CEO of ArcelorMittal Poland says We are constantly improving the quality of our products, expanding their product range, and at the same time gradually reducing our environmental impact” Hence the elimination of ammonia and the transition to hydrogen. The decarbonization of our company is not only about activities in the area of steel production, but also in the processing part” he concludes. , CEO of Linde Gaz Polska says READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at ArcelorMittal Poland in Krakow focuses on hydrogen, Rio Tinto and GravitHy join forces to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking in Europe LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rio Tinto has entered into definitive agreements with GravitHy, an early-stage industrial... GreenIron signs major delivery agreement with Norwegian Hydrogen GreenIron is about to start operations at its green metals production plant in Sandviken, Sweden, utilizing its patented zero-emissions technology with... Blastr Green Steel and Knauf Interfer to collaborate on supplying ultra-low CO2 steel in Europe Blastr Green Steel (Blastr) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Knauf Interfer, a leading European metal...
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as his former domestic policy chief. She is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule reacts to no-call at end of Nebraska-USC game: "I don’t know what else to say" 'Bocephus' is back: Hank Williams Jr. to play Lincoln arena Friday Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death Nebraska's home game against Wisconsin gets time, TV designation As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead in Missouri Mountain lion spotted on trail camera east of Bennet, Sheriff's Office says Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class 'Sophisticated yet simple': How Nebraska's offense changed in Dana Holgorsen's debut Wind-aided fire destroys vacant Village Inn in Lincoln Man dies in northeast Lincoln house fire Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 Blunt as ever, Dana Holgorsen unpacks Nebraska role, struggling run game Nebraska faces $432 million shortfall heading into next budget cycle Rollins, 52, previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Rollins’ pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. ___ Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.Uttarakhand Film Development Council participates in 55th edition of the International Film Festival of IndiaAs we approach 2025, the landscape of business operations is rapidly evolving, driven by new artificial intelligence (AI) automation trends. These innovations are not just incremental improvements; they represent fundamental shifts in how organizations function, interact with customers, and manage their resources. Understanding and using these trends is crucial for businesses aiming to stay competitive and efficient in an increasingly digital world. In this guide by Jono Catliff, explore seven pivotal AI automation trends that you simply can’t ignore as we approach 2025. So, if you’re ready to and embrace a future where efficiency meets innovation, read on to discover how these trends can be your secret weapon in the digital age to get a competitive edge. Life Cycle Automation streamlines client interactions by automating processes from inquiry to contract finalization, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. AI in Automation is advancing with AI assistants handling tasks like email management, reducing human involvement in routine activities and refining business processes. AI-driven Document Processing automates data extraction and analysis, integrating seamlessly with systems to save time and reduce errors, making sure data accuracy. AI Chatbots are evolving to manage customer interactions and automate tasks like invoice dispatch, becoming central to customer service and operational efficiency. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates repetitive tasks, allowing human resources to focus on complex tasks, enhancing productivity and reducing errors. Life cycle automation is redefining how businesses manage client interactions from initial contact to long-term engagement. This comprehensive approach encompasses: Automated lead generation and qualification Personalized onboarding processes Intelligent contract management systems Proactive customer retention strategies By implementing life cycle automation, you can and focus on strategic initiatives. This shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures a consistent, high-quality customer experience throughout the entire relationship. The result is improved customer satisfaction, increased loyalty, and more predictable revenue streams. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of automation, transforming routine tasks into intelligent, adaptive processes. AI assistants are now capable of: Managing complex email communications Coordinating intricate workflows across departments Providing data-driven insights for decision-making Predicting and preventing operational bottlenecks As AI technology continues to advance, expect to see even more sophisticated applications that can and optimize processes in real-time. This evolution will enable businesses to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and responsiveness. Below are more guides on automation from our extensive range of articles. The integration of AI in document processing is transforming how businesses handle information. This technology enables: Automated extraction of key data from various document types Intelligent categorization and filing of information Seamless integration with existing accounting and ERP systems Real-time data analysis and reporting By using AI-powered document processing, you can , minimize errors, and gain faster access to critical business information. This trend not only saves time but also enhances decision-making capabilities by providing accurate, up-to-date data at your fingertips. AI chatbots are evolving from simple query responders to sophisticated interfaces capable of managing complex customer interactions. These advanced chatbots can: Handle multi-step processes like invoice generation and dispatch Provide personalized product recommendations Offer real-time support across multiple channels Learn and adapt to customer preferences over time As AI technology progresses, chatbots will become increasingly , offering seamless, 24/7 customer service while significantly reducing operational costs. RPA is transforming how businesses handle repetitive tasks by deploying software robots to mimic human actions in digital environments. Key applications include: Automated data entry and validation Streamlined file management and organization Efficient processing of financial transactions Automated report generation and distribution By implementing RPA, you can for more complex, value-added tasks. This not only boosts productivity but also reduces errors and improves employee satisfaction by eliminating monotonous work. While automation drives efficiency, maintaining a human element remains crucial for brand identity and customer trust. Humanizing automation involves: Integrating human oversight in automated processes Making sure brand consistency in automated communications Providing options for human interaction when needed Using automation to enhance, not replace, human creativity By striking the right balance, you can while preserving the personal touch that builds lasting customer relationships. Hyper automation represents the pinnacle of automated business processes, combining various technologies into a cohesive, self-improving system. This trend encompasses: Integration of AI, machine learning, and RPA Continuous process optimization through data analysis Automated decision-making based on real-time insights Scalable automation across entire organizations By embracing hyper automation, businesses can achieve and adaptability, positioning themselves to thrive in rapidly changing market conditions. As we move towards 2025, these seven automation trends will continue to reshape the business landscape. By understanding and strategically implementing these innovations, you can position your organization at the forefront of efficiency, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage. The key lies in not just adopting these technologies, but in integrating them thoughtfully into your business strategy to create a more agile, responsive, and successful enterprise. Media Credit: