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jili no.1 EDMONTON — Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says as of April 1 the province is ending photo radar ticketing on all numbered provincial highways. The province also plans over the coming months to review "cash cows” – photo radar spots that appear to prioritize money-making over safety -- with the goal of shutting down 70 per cent of the current 2,200 sites. Dreeshen says far too often photo radar penalizes drivers without improving road safety, adding the province doesn’t intend to offer extra cash to make municipalities whole from the lost photo radar revenue. “The whole point of getting rid of these cash cow locations is to make sure that photo radar is used as a traffic safety tool and not as a revenue generator,” Dreeshen told a news conference Monday. Photo radar will continue to be allowed in school zones, playground zones and construction sites, but beyond these areas, local governments will have to submit their case and show evidence of higher collision rates. At intersections equipped with cameras, running a red light could still net a driver a ticket, but speeding on green will not - starting in the spring. Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, applauded the move. “Our communities have called for change, and I’m proud to say that this government has listened,” she said at the government news conference. Alberta Municipalities president Tyler Gandam said his organization supports local governments using automated traffic enforcement for safety reasons, since the data shows it reduces deaths, injuries and property damage. "It's improving safety in the communities, no question," Gandam said in an interview, adding the government's decision is about political points because getting tickets is unpopular. "If you don't like photo radar, just stop speeding," he said. Gandam said forcing municipalities to go through another approval process represents more bureaucracy from a government that prides itself on cutting red tape. He said photo radar revenue makes up a small portion of any municipality's budget. For him, the issue is about safety, including that of the police officers who will need to enforce traffic safety. Dreeshen said the province has seen a "mixed bag" of data measuring photo radar's effect on collision numbers. "There's lots of folks that will say photo radar is needed to keep these streets safe, but we've also seen municipalities, when they remove photo radar, that we've actually seen safer streets," he said. "We're not banning speed limits," he said. Opposition NDP critic Lorne Dach told reporters Dreeshen's move doesn't appear to be supported by evidence. "The decision-making here seems to be basically based on the minister's decision about popularity rather than public safety data," said Dach. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the government is adding red tape, and that municipalities, including Calgary, use photo radar funding to pay for policing. "If this government wants municipalities to increase property taxes for their largest budget item, they should just say so," he said. The United Conservative Party government has been placing restrictions on photo radar sites in stages. All photo radar sites were removed from ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton last December. Dreeshen said that's shown good results, in part because drivers aren't taken off guard by having to suddenly slow down and disrupt traffic. In 2019, the UCP increased the province’s share of photo radar revenue to 40 per cent from 27. That fiscal year, the revenue generated was $203 million across the province. By last year, total revenue was down to $145 million, Dreeshen said Monday. "At the end of the day, this is going to be a hit to the province (financially) as well." Among the top five revenue-generating sites listed by the government in 2023, four are in Edmonton and area, each collecting between $2.1 million and almost $6 million per year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian PressBRUSSELS , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an upcoming EU Reporter interview , M. Shigeo Katsu , Founding President of Nazarbayev University (NU) and a key architect of Kazakhstan's education reforms, will address the escalating scandal surrounding financial mismanagement at the country's flagship higher education institution. The crisis gained public attention following the announcement of the state audit results of Nazarbayev University. The revelations have sparked widespread concerns about transparency and oversight at one of Central Asia's most prestigious universities. Adding to the controversy are allegations of financial mismanagement involving the New Generation Foundation, the Jusan Group — entities originally established to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of NU and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). Questions have also been raised about the state of affairs at NU's Social Development Fund. Reports suggest that funds may have been misappropriated, triggering outrage from students, educators, and civil society. In response, a student initiative group from Nazarbayev University issued an open letter demanding the release of both the state audit and NU's internal audit of the Social Development Fund. The letter also calls for greater accountability, enhanced transparency, and the protection of students' rights. This appeal reflects mounting frustration with the university's leadership and a growing demand for immediate corrective action. Shigeo Katsu's interview will shed light on these unfolding developments. As a former leader of NU, Katsu is uniquely positioned to analyze the root causes of the crisis, critique the university's response, and discuss the broader implications for Kazakhstan's education sector. The full interview can be found here: https://www.eureporter.co/kazakhstan-2/2024/12/23/the-battle-for-nazarbayev-universitys-future-shigeo-katsu-on-financial-mismanagement-and-accountability/ The Battle for Nazarbayev University's Future: Shigeo Katsu on Financial Mismanagement and Accountability In light of recent controversies surrounding the financial governance of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), an open letter from concerned students has surfaced, addressing the troubling mismanagement of funds and alleged conflicts of interest. The letter highlights a series of financial decisions that led to the unraveling of key institutions meant to ensure the long-term stability of NU and NIS. The students are particularly concerned about the fate of the Jusan Group and the Nazarbayev Fund (NGF), which were once positioned to secure the financial future of these two leading educational institutions. Instead, they allege that significant funds were misappropriated and whole organizations lost, leading to the collapse of what was once a promising financial structure. In response, Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, has also written an open letter , received by EU Reporter, addressing the ongoing crisis and providing his perspective on the unfolding situation. In his letter, Katsu outlines the rationale of engagement in the financial sector and the erosion of the initial vision for NU, highlighting the role of key financial institutions like Jusan Bank and the NGF in securing a stable future for the university and NIS. He draws attention to the series of decisions that led to the loss of the former and calls for urgent remedial actions to prevent further damage to the institutions' credibility and financial stability . In this exclusive interview with EU Reporter , Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, sheds light on these pressing issues. He discusses the audit findings, the role of Jusan Bank , and what must be done to restore trust and secure the future of NU and NIS. Bio: Mr. Shigeo Katsu is the Founding President of Nazarbayev University. He held the position of President from December 2010 until June 2023 . He was Chair of the Board of Trustees of an affiliated secondary school system, the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, and of the University's hospital system. Prior to the assignments in Kazakhstan , over the course of a 30-year career at the World Bank, Mr. Shigeo Katsu held various positions including leading financial sector reform support for China , Director for Cote d'Ivoire , and Vice President for Europe and Central Asia . After his retirement from the World Bank, he served for a few years on the US board of a youth-oriented international development NGO. Between 2011 and 2015 he was an Advisory Panel member of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). Questions: - We have exclusively published your open letter and anticipate that it will generate a significant response. What drove you to write it, particularly in light of the misuse of funds intended to ensure the long-term financial stability of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS)? The decision to write the open letter was not made lightly. It was driven by a profound sense of responsibility to the students, faculty, and broader community of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). These institutions were established with a vision to create world-class educational hubs in Kazakhstan and establish a center of excellence for academic research. Ensuring their financial independence and long-term stability is a core requirement to achieve the two institutions' mission. However, recent developments revealed through state and internal audits have exposed serious breaches of trust. The misuse of funds from entities like the University's Social Development Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group directly threatens the sustainability of NU and NIS. These funds were meant to build up and guarantee the financial security of the institutions. Instead, we now see signs of embezzlement, mismanagement, and a concerning lack of accountability. The role played by key figures like the directors and executives of NGF, of Aslan Sarinzhipov (Executive Vice President of NU, a former Minister of Education) and Kadisha Dairova (Vice President for Student Affairs and International Cooperation, Nazarbayev University) only adds to the gravity of the situation. By writing the letter, my goal was to bring transparency to the issue and to mobilize public attention and international scrutiny. NU and NIS were founded on principles of meritocracy, transparency, and academic freedom. If we allow these values to be compromised, we risk undoing more than a decade of progress. The letter serves as a call for accountability, reform, and most importantly, protection of the future of Kazakhstan's youth. - Many students and alumni of NU have expressed their concern over the lowering of admission standards and the shift away from international standards. How do you assess these changes, and do you see them as diverging from the original vision for NU? NU was conceived as a model of excellence , designed to meet international standards in research, teaching, and governance. One of its founding principles was merit-based admission , which ensured that students were selected solely based on their ability and potential. This meritocratic foundation was not only an academic principle but a reflection of NU's mission to transform Kazakhstan's education system. Students, alumni, faculty and staff have worked hard to build NU's name. Now students, alumni and parents are rightly concerned that the lowering of admission standards undermines this mission and risks eroding the university's reputation both domestically and internationally. Such changes create the perception that NU is moving away from its original vision of being a world-class institution. To restore confidence, NU must reaffirm its commitment to international standards, transparency, and academic rigor. Reverting to merit-based admissions and prioritizing excellence will send a clear message that the institution remains steadfast in its mission. In the Open Letter, I stated that in theory, a policy of opening the entry door wider, but then be resolutely strict in terms of progression and graduation based on academic integrity and merit could work. There are some cases globally. However, it can only work if there is a full commitment to integrity and merit, openness and transparency, and NU's original values are upheld. But unfortunately, what I have observed and heard about recent developments at NU does not make me optimistic. While administration is supposedly in a belt-tightening mode, new senior positions were created and filled with scant regard for a proper hiring process and qualification. Conflict of interest and restrictions on hiring family members have been discarded. These are just a few of the institutional changes that will inevitably bleed over into the academic fabric as well. Is this the example that senior management wants to present to our students? - Do you believe the current situation, where the financial foundations like the Social Development Fund and New Generation Foundation were mismanaged, reflects a broader crisis within Kazakhstan's governance and democracy? Absolutely, but to be fair, this corporate governance crisis is not just limited to Kazakhstan . The findings of the internal audit conducted by NU on the Social Development Fund (SDF) reveal a systemic absence of check and balances and accountability that extends beyond these institutions. Mismanagement and theft, such as those involving Aslan Sarinzhipov , have not only undermined NU and NIS but also shaken public trust in Kazakhstan's leadership. The financial institutions linked to NU and NIS—Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group — were designed to guarantee long-term financial stability for education in Kazakhstan , securing the futures of NU and NIS for decades. However, NGF and Jusan Group's systematic depletion and dismantling highlight the country's struggle with accountability and the need for deep structural reform. This mismanagement reflects broader governance failings—particularly a lack of oversight, transparency, and mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest. I cannot pronounce myself on the current status of the NF, but I would not be surprised if one discovers similar shortcomings there as well. I had called for an audit for some time until my departure but was not successful. The impact extends beyond education, affecting the economic and social fabric of Kazakhstan . Addressing these issues requires not just reforms within these organizations but also a renewed commitment to governance, accountability, and emphasis on establishing the rule of law. - With the financial stability once promised by entities like the NGF now in jeopardy, how do you envision NU's future without those foundational guarantees? The original intent of the Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group was to provide NU and NIS with long-term financial stability. These entities were carefully designed to ensure that Kazakhstan's leading educational institutions could eventually operate in a manner less affected by state budget fluctuations. However, as the audits reveal, these institutions have been systematically mismanaged and looted, jeopardizing the financial future of NU and NIS. NU's survival and success now depend on a bold and transparent strategy. The first step is to rebuild trust with the public, students, and alumni by publishing the findings of both the state audit of NU and the internal audit of SDF. Then, those responsible are held accountable. Financially, NU must re-establish a diversified funding model. This includes rebuilding its endowments and enhancing additional revenue streams, such as a logical and sound tuition policy, executive education and collaboration with industry and business in the form of contract research. Transparency and governance reform will be key to attract donors and investors who believe in NU's mission and potential. - The Supreme Audit Chamber of Kazakhstan , in its state audit, reported the mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge at Nazarbayev University , as well as allegations of half a billion tenge being used illegally. What is your opinion on this, and how should the university address governance and corruption issues? I have not had the opportunity to access the state audit report, thus it is difficult to comment. If the cited amount in mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge over six years is true, it is scandalous. However, we do not know what the auditors' definition and criteria of mismanagement is. So, let's first find out what the report actually says. What is clear, however, is the outcome of a 2023 internal audit of NU's Social Development Fund (SDF) , and it is sobering. This SDF audit reveals a blatant disregard of corporate governance principles, where individuals entrusted with university resources prioritized personal gain over the mission of NU. The audit revealed that SDF management led by current NU Executive Vice President Aslan Sarinzhipov constructed an intricate web of subsidiary entities, including abroad, to systematically evade the oversight and control of the University. Funds ( over 14 billion tenge ) meant to assist students and faculty were used for personal gains of Aslan Sarinzhipov and questionable deals. Unfortunately, NU senior officials such as Vice President Kadisha Dairova participated in such schemes. When I voiced my concern earlier over the developments at NU, it is largely because of the track record of senior officials there. For NU to move forward, it must adopt zero-tolerance policies for corruption, demand accountability from those responsible, and reform its governance structures to ensure transparency. - Why do some claim there is a lack of funds for NU and NIS, despite the promises of financial stability from their endowment funds? The claim of a lack of funds is a direct consequence of the systematic looting of resources from the New Generation Foundation and Jusan Group. These entities were explicitly designed to contribute to NU and NIS' long-term financial sustainability against the backdrop of reduced state funding. However, as I described in my Open Letter, these innovative financial structures have been undermined by mismanagement, and outright theft. For instance: Rebuilding financial stability will require recovering stolen assets, reforming governance structures, and restoring public trust through full transparency and accountability. - Given the scale of financial mismanagement, what steps are necessary to ensure accountability for those involved, including senior officials? Accountability must begin with transparency. First, all findings from the audits should be made public, and independent investigations should be conducted to identify those responsible. No individual, regardless of rank or influence, should be above scrutiny. Second, legal consequences must follow where wrongdoing is found. Kazakhstan's legal system must demonstrate its independence and commitment to justice by prosecuting those who exploited these funds. Finally, governance reforms are essential. NU and its associated entities must implement stricter checks and balances, including external audits, whistleblower protections, and oversight committees with independent members. These steps are not just about rectifying past mistakes—they're about ensuring a future where such mismanagement cannot happen again. - The audit findings were just the beginning of uncovering deeper issues. Is there more information you can share about how these financial foundations were exploited and what this means for the future of NU and NIS? The patterns that have emerged—opaque transactions, conflicts of interest, and questionable settlements—are deeply troubling. For instance, the transfer of assets to private hands under unclear terms raises red flags about the intentions behind such decisions. This exploitation puts the futures of NU and NIS at risk. These institutions were designed to be financially independent, insulated from political and economic volatility. The weakening of their financial foundations erodes their ability to deliver on their missions and betrays the trust of the Kazakhstani people, who have invested in these institutions through their taxes. The way forward requires not just recovering lost assets but rebuilding the governance systems that allowed this exploitation to occur. - Nazarbayev University was founded with a mission to serve as a model for higher education in Kazakhstan , supported by funds like those from the Nazarbayev Fund and New Generation Foundation. What was your original vision for the university, and how did these funds play a critical role in realizing that vision? The vision for NU was bold: to create an institution that could compete with the best universities in the world while serving as a model for higher education reform in Kazakhstan . From day one, we envisioned NU as a hub for innovation, research, and leadership development—a place where the brightest minds could come together to solve the challenges of tomorrow. However, one should not forget that universities, in particular research universities, are a long-term endeavor. They are meant to educate and develop generations upon generations of leaders and professionals in a broad range of sectors, and thus contribute to the scientific, economic, and societal wealth of countries. Building a strong institution that can meet the test of time requires long-term and unwavering commitments to foundational values such as integrity, meritocracy, excellence, openness and transparency. But of course, strong financial support from government and other stakeholders is needed, especially in the first decades. Thus, it was understood that NU would be dependent on state funding (through education grants and capital investments) for the initial decades of its existence, while in the meantime it would develop other sources of financing such as through endowment funds, tuition, and contract research. The Nazarbayev Fund, NGF and the Jusan Group were integral parts of this vision. This overall construct allowed us to recruit world-class faculty, develop state-of-the-art facilities, and provide scholarships to talented students, many from underprivileged backgrounds. These resources weren't just financial—they were a vote of confidence in NU's mission and a recognition of the transformative power of education. The loss of these resources is a significant setback, but I do hope that NU can recover. The university must focus on rebuilding trust with its stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, and the public. This starts with transparency in financial management and governance. Diversifying funding sources will be crucial. This includes rebuilding its endowments, engaging with the philanthropic community, and developing innovative revenue streams. But most importantly, NU must stay true to its mission and values. Financial stability is important, but it must never come at the cost of compromising the university's integrity or academic excellence. Restoring NU's credibility begins with transparency. For instance, the university must share the audit report with stakeholders, and openly address any major shortcomings highlighted in the audit, including financial mismanagement and governance failures. An independent investigation, followed by public disclosure of findings, will demonstrate a commitment to accountability. Next, an affirmation of NU's commitment to its foundational values and principles is needed. Next, institutional reforms are essential. This includes introducing stronger oversight mechanisms for financial and administrative processes, ensuring that governance boards are staffed with individuals of the highest integrity and independence, and that management, faculty and staff are recruited on the basis of transparency and merit. Fourth, NU must recommit itself to its founding mission of academic excellence. This means maintaining rigorous admission standards, prioritizing high-quality faculty recruitment, and fostering research that addresses national and global challenges. And finally, engaging the NU community—students, faculty, alumni, and parents—in shaping the university's path forward is critical. A transparent, inclusive process will rebuild trust and reaffirm NU's position as a leader in higher education. Educational reform is not just critical—it is foundational to Kazakhstan's economic recovery and long-term stability. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in education systems worldwide, but it also underscored the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience. For Kazakhstan , investing in education means investing in the future. A well-educated population is essential for diversifying the economy, attracting foreign investment, and fostering innovation. Institutions like NU and NIS must lead the way by setting benchmarks for quality and demonstrating the value of education in driving economic progress. Moreover, reform must focus on equity. Expanding access to high-quality education for students from socially vulnerable backgrounds will ensure that economic recovery benefits all segments of society, not just the privileged few. - How do you see the role of institutions like NU and NIS in not only providing quality education but also contributing to economic growth in Kazakhstan , especially when financial stability is threatened? NU and NIS are more than educational institutions—they are catalysts for economic growth and social development. By equipping students with critical thinking skills, technical expertise, and a global perspective, they prepare the workforce needed to diversify Kazakhstan's economy. Their impact extends beyond classrooms. NU's research contributes to solving national challenges in areas like energy, healthcare, and technology. Meanwhile, NIS fosters innovation and leadership at the secondary education level, creating a pipeline of talent that benefits universities and industries alike. To sustain this role, NU and NIS must secure their financial stability. This includes strengthening governance, diversifying funding sources, and forging partnerships with the private sector and international organizations. These institutions are vital to Kazakhstan's future, and their success is intertwined with the country's broader economic ambitions. - Could the model used by NU and supported by the Nazarbayev Fund be applied in other countries, or does it require a uniquely Kazakh approach to work effectively? The NU model is innovative, but its core principles—integrity, meritocracy, autonomy, and a focus on global best practices—are universally applicable. Many countries could benefit from establishing institutions that prioritize excellence and align with international standards. That said, successful implementation depends on adapting the model to local contexts. Kazakhstan's approach benefited from strong initial financial and political backing, and a vision that emphasized independence from political and state bureaucratic interference. Replicating this requires careful consideration of governance structures, funding mechanisms, autonomy and other values, and cultural factors. In countries where philanthropic traditions or financial resources are limited, the model may need to rely more on public-private partnerships or international collaborations. Ultimately, the NU experience demonstrates that ambitious goals in education are achievable with the right vision, leadership, and long-term commitment support. - What lessons do you hope others will learn from the experience of the NGF, Jusan Bank , and the financial turmoil at NU? The story of NU and its financial affiliates offers a critical lesson: no institution, no matter how noble its mission, is immune to mismanagement and corruption without strong governance. NU and NIS' financial pillars, namely the Nazarbayev Fund, NGF, Jusan Group, but also the SDF and NIS' Corporate Development Fund were designed to guarantee long-term financial sustainability, yet their exploitation demonstrates how quickly trust can be eroded when transparency and accountability are neglected. For any endowment fund or financial institution, the following lessons are clear: NU's experience is a cautionary tale but also an opportunity. By addressing these failures head-on, NU can emerge as a model for how institutions can learn from adversity and rebuild stronger than before. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nazarbayev-university-crisis-shigeo-katsu-demands-audit-transparency-302338886.html SOURCE EU Reporter

A concealed carry instructor in Oregon says he's been unfairly caught in the crosshairs of a social media ban on firearm sales. The popular American gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson says it is still being kept in the dark after its Facebook account was suddenly suspended last month . Though the account has since been reinstated, a representative for the company told Fox News Digital that "despite multiple attempts to reach Facebook to discuss the matter, to date we have not had direct communications with any of their staff members." The gun company , which is headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee, said staff suddenly received a notification from Facebook on Nov. 22 stating that their official Smith & Wesson account had been "suspended indefinitely." "No warnings of a page suspension were previously communicated by Facebook," said the representative. BIDEN-HARRIS POLICIES MAY BE BEHIND SURGE IN REPUBLICAN WOMEN OWNING GUNS, CONCEALED CARRY ADVOCATE SAYS Handguns are displayed at the Smith & Wesson booth at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) The representative said Facebook referenced five posts dating back to December 2023 that they "suggest did not follow their community guidelines." "The posts in question included consumer promotional campaigns, charitable auctions, and product release announcements," the Smith & Wesson representative explained. "While Facebook’s policies are ever-changing, which creates a burden for users to comply with, we do not believe this content violated any of Facebook’s policies or community guidelines, and similar posts have been published in the past without issue." Facebook’s commerce policy prohibits the promotion of buying, selling and trading of weapons, ammunition and explosives. However, according to Facebook’s parent company Meta’s website, there is an exception for legitimate brick-and-mortar and online retailers, though their content is still restricted for minors. ‘SMOKING-GUN DOCUMENTS’ PROVE FACEBOOK CENSORED AMERICANS ON BEHALF OF WHITE HOUSE, JIM JORDAN SAYS Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and founder of Facebook, speaks during the Silicon Slopes Tech Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Jan. 31, 2020. (George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images) According to the representative, the page was reinstated on Nov. 27 after the gun manufacturer made a public statement about the incident on X. In the post, which has 3.1 million views, Smith & Wesson criticized Facebook and thanked Elon Musk and X for supporting free speech amid what it called ongoing attacks against the First and Second Amendments . The company encouraged its 1.6 million Facebook followers and fans to "seek out platforms" that represent the "shared values" of free speech and the right to bear arms. Despite the page eventually being reinstated, the representative told Fox News Digital that the company has still had no contact with Meta and "no rationale was given for the reinstatement beyond a comment on social media from a Facebook representative stating that the suspension had been ‘in error.’" That same Meta staffer, Andy Stone, also directed Fox News Digital to the X post positing that Smith & Wesson’s suspension was an accident. In the post, Stone said "the page was suspended in error and we’ve now restored it. We apologize that this happened." TRUMP FCC PICK SAYS BRINGING ‘CENSORSHIP CARTEL’ TO HEEL WILL BE A ‘TOP’ PRIORITY: ‘IT’S GOT TO END' Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk (Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Through it all, the Smith & Wesson representative said the manufacturer is "grateful to Elon Musk for having created a public square platform that respects the right for Americans to voice their opinions, ALL opinions, and not just those that coincide with one agenda or another – especially as it relates to our constitutional rights guaranteed under the 1st and 2nd Amendments." The spokesperson said that since their account was suspended, they have become aware that many other social media users have been similarly silenced and de-platformed. "While we were encouraged by the reinstatement of our account, we were similarly disappointed by the number of other users reacting to our statement on X that commented that they have had very similar experiences with their accounts being de-platformed without warning," said the representative. "While we obviously do not know the details of those instances, we encourage Meta to continue working towards a more inclusive platform which allows the freedom for respectful dialogue from all viewpoints, which is a hallmark of American society." Founded in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1852, Smith & Wesson is one of the most recognized gun brands in America and reported $535.8 million in sales in the 2024 fiscal year. Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.PITTSBURGH , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, in an amount equal to $0.4125 per share. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 to the holders of record of the common stock at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . In addition, the Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the company's 10.625% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for the period October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 . The dividend is $664.0625 per preferred share, or $0.6640625 per depository share, and is payable on December 31, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . About Wesco Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 ® company with $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations. Contact Information Investor Relations Will Ruthrauff Director, Investor Relations 484-885-5648 Corporate Communications Jennifer Sniderman Vice President, Corporate Communications 717-579-6603 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wesco-declares-quarterly-dividend-on-common-stock-and-preferred-stock-302319822.html SOURCE Wesco International

A large area of land of Bharani canal has allegedly been grabbed illegally in front of the Begum Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mahila Kamil Madrasa in Mirukhali union under Pirojpur's Mathbaria upazila for setting up a market. Locals alleged that Abul Kalam Sharif, former principal of the madrasa, is behind the land grabbing. Kalam also allegedly constructed a permanent road and iron bridge in front of the madrasa and another concrete bridge nearby. He has been encroaching on the canal since 2010, after a cross dam was constructed on the canal around 20 years back by Mosharraf Hossain Akan, former chairman of Dhanisafa union parishad, to connect the Phuljhuri and Patakata villages. Later, Local Government Engineering Department constructed a paved road on the embankment, and another by Roads and Highways Department. A total of four such cross dams have been constructed on the Bharani canal, and several more dams on other connecting canals, which have been hindering flow of water through the canals and thereby causing shortage of water for irrigating the Aman paddy fields there. Despite protests from local farmers, local authorities went on with constructing the dams over the years. The local farmers have since then been facing untold sufferings with their paddy cultivation. "The dams remain closed all year round. During dry season, we don't get any water in the canal, while in monsoon, the dams cause waterlogging in the adjacent croplands. As such, we face difficulties to cultivate paddy on our lands," said Shahid Farazi, a local farmer. According to locals, Kalam was among those on the forefront demanding construction of the dams. He did so in a planned move to eventually grab the canal's land, they alleged. Mahbubur Rahman, another local, alleged that Kalam used his political influence during the then Awami League government to get the dam constructed with a motive to grab the canal's land. "After the dam's construction, Kalam began grabbing land on the embankment by planting betel nut and timber trees. Now he has taken hold of a good chunk of land to set up a market," he also alleged. Omar Faruq, another local, echoed him. Kalam, who had previously claimed his madrasa will sustain damages due to erosion unless the dams are constructed, later changed his tone after the fall of the AL government. Acknowledging the fact that many people are facing trouble for the dam, he said, "I have requested Mathbaria's upazila nirbahi officer for constructing a box-culvert in place of the dam." Kalam, however, denied grabbing the canal's land, adding that he earlier planted trees to protect the embankment from erosion. Contacted, Abdul Kaium, UNO of Mathbaria, said he was aware of the issue. "We are planning to construct a bridge on the canal to replace the dam. This will keep the connectivity unaffected while mitigate the adverse impact of the dam on agriculture. Higher authorities of LGED and RHD have been informed in this regard," he said. The UNO, however, could not confirm when the plan will be implemented.Imphal: Those 10 killed in the exchange of fire with CRPF in Manipur’s Jiribam district on November 11 along with two others would be laid to rest on December 5 in Churachandpur, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (1TLF) leaders announced on Saturday. The Manipur Police earlier claimed that all 10 ‘militants’ were killed in retaliatory firing by the CRPF after they attacked the CRPF camp and the adjoining police station at Jakuradhor village in Jiribam district’s Borobekra sub-division. Two CRPF jawans also suffered injuries in the gun battle. However, the ITLF, Kuki-Zo Council and Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) have been claiming that all 10 slain ‘Hmar Village Volunteers’ were engaged to protect the villagers. ITLF leaders told the media an emergency meeting was held on Saturday in which it was decided that the ‘10 martyrs’, who were killed in Jiribam on November 11 and other incidents, would be laid to rest with the greatest honour and respect on December 5 in Churachandpur. The ITLF said that the postmortem reports were examined together by a forensic and legal expert. “According to the experts, the postmortem reports are satisfactory. Further legal cases will be taken up by the ITLF legal cell and HSA. The programme for condolences on December 5 will take place at Peace Ground in Tibuong,” the tribal body said. It said that on the day of the burial, a massive silent rally would be taken out. “Student organisations are requested to arrange placards and banners for the rally. There will be a total shutdown on December 5, to mark the respect for our martyrs,” ITLF said. Meanwhile, thousands of people on November 19 took part in a ‘coffin rally’ in Manipur’s Churachandpur in solidarity with the 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal ‘Village Volunteers’. Jointly organised by various tribal organisations, thousands of men and women wearing black attire symbolically carried 10 dummy coffins to pay homage to the 10 slain ‘Village Volunteers’. After the post-mortem of all 10 bodies along with two other bodies was conducted in Assam’s Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the bodies were airlifted on November 16 to Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-Hmar inhabited district.

(TNS) — The state has made nearly $32.5 million available for the next five years for students pursing degrees and certificates in science, technology, engineering and math, and education degrees and certificates with a STEM focus, according to an announcement from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The money will be awarded over the next five years at participating Ohio public and private schools, including Baldwin Wallace, Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State, John Carroll and Kent State universities; the University of Akron; Hiram, Ursuline and Lake Erie colleges; and Cuyahoga, Lakeland and Lorain County community colleges. for a complete list of colleges statewide. Scholarship decisions are made by the schools. Those interested in applying should contact their university, college, or community college. The Ohio Controlling Board, a panel made up of representatives of the legislature and Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration that reviews state spending proposals, approved the funding Monday. The Choose Ohio First program began in 2007 when Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was speaker of the Ohio House. The General Assembly created the Choose Ohio First program to increase the number of Ohio residents completing postsecondary studies in the STEM fields or education degrees and certificates in STEM disciplines, Ohio Department of Higher Education spokesman Jeff Robinson said. More than 17,600 students have received scholarships. Since 2007, there have been multiple funding rounds. The funding announced this week is the sixth during the administration of Gov. Mike DeWine and Husted. In the 2022-2023 school year, the average scholarship at a four-year college was $4,271. The average two-year college scholarship was $2,317. “As Ohio continues to attract new businesses and advance innovation, it’s more critical than ever that we invest in keeping our talented students right here in the Buckeye State,” Husted said in a Department of Higher Education statement. “The Choose Ohio First program strengthens our commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers while ensuring that Ohio’s workforce remains competitive, dynamic, and ready to meet the needs of our growing economy.” ©T his story begins in a fever. It was the spring of 2021 and I’d contracted my first bout of Covid. Confined to bed, I turned to the pile of books that had been staring at me guiltily for weeks, if not months. The one I pulled out was a soon-to-be released noir-ish thriller called The Passenger . It was set in the Germany of the 1930s, following a man on the run from the Nazi authorities, hoping to make his escape by hopping on and off trains crisscrossing the country. As the Gestapo net around him tightens, he plunges into paranoia and breakdown. Perhaps the coronavirus intensified the experience, but I was gripped. I tweeted that it was part Franz Kafka, part John Buchan and completely riveting. But there was a twist. This was not a new book, but one written nearly a century earlier. The author was Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, just 23 years old when his novel was published in 1938 and a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. In 1935, he had made his way across Europe to reach Britain, where he was promptly classified as an “enemy alien” and interned in a camp on the Isle of Man. He was held with more than a thousand other émigrés, among them a remarkable number of artists, musicians, writers and intellectuals on what Simon Parkin has called the island of extraordinary captives . Eventually the British authorities decided that some of these enemy aliens should be shipped to Australia. After a hellish journey, Boschwitz was held in another detention camp, this time in New South Wales. Finally, in 1942, he was reclassified – now deemed to be a “friendly alien”– and allowed to return to Britain. He climbed on board a ship, the MV Abosso, and set sail for what he hoped would be the start of a new life. He was 27. But the Abosso was spotted by a German U-boat and torpedoed. The ship sank, killing 362 of those on board, young, luckless Boschwitz among them. Lost with him was his revised manuscript of The Passenger which, he felt sure, would have made an even better book. But there was another text he had left behind, a story for children that he had dreamed up while held on the Isle of Man. Less than 3,000 words long, it was called King Winter’s Birthday: A Fairy Tale . The original, handwritten manuscript, complete with drawings added by Ulrich’s mother, had lain undisturbed in a New York archive for eight long decades. I learned all this from Adam Freudenheim of Pushkin Press, the publisher who had so successfully resurrected The Passenger , turning it into a belated international bestseller. I had become something of a champion of that novel and now he had an unusual proposal to make. Would I take a look at Boschwitz’s forgotten fairytale and see if it could be brought to a contemporary audience? Might I, a political columnist and sometime writer of thrillers, relish the challenge of writing for children? The answers were yes and yes. I read Freudenheim’s translation from the German and my first instinct was that, while I couldn’t exactly adapt the story, I could certainly take inspiration from it. Indeed, the conceit at the core of Boschwitz’s tale – Winter summoning the other seasons, his siblings, to celebrate his birthday – had prompted an idea the instant I read it. Two decisions, apparently contradictory, came to me just as quickly. First, I realised that this story would need to be aimed at children younger than those Boschwitz had seemed to have in mind. Older children might have accepted the idiom of a fairytale – kings and palaces and the like – in the 1940s, but I suspected their counterparts today would be far less patient. Sign up to Observed Analysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers after newsletter promotion At the same time, I had an animating thought for the story that might, at first blush, appear an unlikely theme for the youngest readers. Yes, the structure of my King Winter’s Birthday is straightforward and the words are simple, but the plot turns on a seemingly demanding concept: the need to put right a world that has lost its natural balance. Some might think that too much for a child to take on, but I remembered from my own experience as a parent and, many decades ago, in informal education, that young children are often able to grasp the largest ideas. Indeed, when it comes to philosophical questions that older minds shy away from – why are we here? What happens when we are gone? How do I know this table is real? – there is a refreshing openness, perhaps born of lack of embarrassment, among the very young. There is, too, more of me in this short book than I anticipated. No spoilers, but it is a story about siblings and the ache that comes to those who can no longer be with a much-loved brother or sister, who can only remember them instead. I am in that position myself and I confess I did not expect to find expression for that feeling in a debut title for children. Still, that is what happened. The result is a book that is more beautiful than I ever guessed it could be, thanks to the magnificent illustrations of Emily Sutton. Between us I hope we have done justice to the imaginings of that young man, a boy really, who never stopped running – who was cut down in the spring of his life and who never knew its summer, autumn or winter. King Winter’s Birthday by Jonathan Freedland and Emily Sutton is published by Pushkin (£12.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com . Delivery charges may applyGeorgia Attorney General Chris Carr launches Republican bid in 2026 governor’s race

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NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 1The holiday hiatus offers a natural moment for reflection. The Colorado men’s basketball team isn’t anywhere near where it hopes to be when the calendar reaches March. Yet at the end of nonconference play, with the Buffaloes’ first Big 12 Conference game in nearly 13 years officially one week away as of Monday, head coach Tad Boyle is pleased with the progress his club has made since tipping off his 15th season at CU on Nov. 4. Offensively, the Buffs are shooting well, owning a .472 overall field goal percentage alongside a .372 mark from long range. CU (9-2) has shared the ball well, averaging 17 assists per game while gradually lowering its turnover rate. The Buffs averaged an untenable 18.3 turnovers through the season’s first three games but have averaged 12.6 in the eight games since, matching a season-low with 10 in three of the past four games. Defensively, the Buffs have surrendered enough good looks along the perimeter to allow four of their 11 opponents to make at least 11 3-pointers, but CU’s overall defensive 3-point percentage of .309 is a number the Buffs would be stoked to maintain during Big 12 play. The rebounding has been a group effort — team leader Trevor Baskin averages 6.5 rebounds per game — but the Buffs have posted an average rebounding margin of plus-5.5. “I think we’ve made progress in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively,” Boyle said. “We’ve shown in stretches we can really guard, and we can really defend. That we understand the scouting report and play for each other. I think offensively, we share the ball. We had 22 assists (against Bellarmine) and 10 turnovers. We’ve done a better job of taking care of the ball here lately. Now, that will be tested sorely our first conference game. “But I think we’ve gotten better in a lot of areas. I really do. I still worry about our rebounding when we play a big, physical team. That’s going to be the ultimate test. The one thing you have to understand in conference play, you don’t know where the next win’s coming from. So you’d better try to win the one right in front of you. Which for us right now is Iowa State on December 30th. We know that’s not going to be easy.” Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams was named the Big 12 player of the week on Monday, while Arizona State freshman Jayden Quaintance collected the newcomer of the week honor. Williams recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a win against Lamar, adding 10 points, nine assists and four rebounds earlier in the week against Oral Roberts. Quaintance was named the MVP of the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame Classic as ASU topped Massachusetts. Quaintance posted his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds, adding four blocked shots. Iowa State remained the front-runner among the Big 12 schools in the Associated Press Top 25, maintaining its spot at No. 3 in the latest poll released on Monday. Kansas moved up one spot to No. 7, Houston held steady at No. 15, Cincinnati moved up two spots to No. 17, and Baylor rejoined the poll at No. 25. ... With little movement expected over the holiday week, CU began the week on Monday ranked at No. 77 in the NET and at KenPom.com.

San Francisco (5-5) at Green Bay (7-3) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Packers by 2 1/2. Against the spread: 49ers 4-6; Packers 4-6 Series record: Packers lead 38-34-1 Last meeting: 49ers beat Packers 24-21 in NFC divisional playoff game Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. Last week: 49ers lost 20-17 at home to Seattle; Packers won 20-19 at Chicago 49ers offense: overall (2), rush (7), pass (4), scoring (T-8) Packers offense: overall (4), rush (4), pass (9), scoring (T-8) 49ers defense: overall (6), rush (8), pass (8), scoring (T-16) Packers defense: overall (12), rush (14), pass (13), scoring (10) Turnover differential: 49ers plus-3; Packers plus-5 QB Brandon Allen: With Brock Purdy unavailable due to a sore right shoulder, Allen will make his first start in three years. The 32-year-old Allen has made nine career starts, and his teams have gone 2-7 in those games. His last start came with Cincinnati in the 2021 regular-season finale when the Bengals rested usual starter Joe Burrow to get ready for the playoffs. Allen has thrown three passes in the last three seasons, including none since joining San Francisco in 2023. Allen was a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, when Packers coach Matt LaFleur was that team’s offensive coordinator. RB Josh Jacobs has 838 yards rushing this season to rank third in the NFL entering Week 12. He ran for 76 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 58 yards against the Bears. Jacobs has scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) over his past four games. He has at least 90 yards from scrimmage over his past six games, matching Houston’s Joe Mixon for the NFL’s longest such active streak. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Packers run defense: McCaffrey rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns — including the game-winner with 1:07 left — in the 49ers’ playoff victory over the Packers last season. Green Bay is coming off a performance in which it allowed a season-high 179 yards rushing to the Bears. Purdy isn't playing due to a sore throwing shoulder. ... The 49ers also won't have Nick Bosa after he injured his left hip and oblique against the Seahawks. ... Niners CB Charvarius Ward will miss a third straight game following the death of his 1-year-old daughter. ... Niners LT Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable. ... Niners TE George Kittle is expected back after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury. ... Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) have been ruled out. ... Packers guard Jordan Morgan (shoulder) is on injured reserve. The 49ers have beaten the Packers in the playoffs three of the past five years. That includes a 37-19 victory in the 2019 NFC championship, a 13-10 upset at Lambeau Field in the 2021 divisional round and the 24-21 thriller last season. The past three matchups between these teams — including a Packers 30-28 road victory on Sept. 26, 2021 — have been decided by a total of eight points. This marks the first time these teams have faced off at Lambeau Field during the regular season since a Packers 33-30 triumph on Oct. 15, 2018. Each of the past three Packers-49ers games at Green Bay have been decided by three points. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Packers coach Matt LaFleur worked together as assistants at Houston (2008-09), Washington (2010-13) and Atlanta (2015-16). A loss would give the 49ers a losing record more than 10 games into a season for the first time since going 6-10 in 2020. ... San Francisco has lost a league-worst three games this season after leading in the final two minutes of regulation. ... The 49ers have allowed 36 points in the final two minutes of regulation, second most in the NFL. ... The Niners had only one play from scrimmage go for at least 20 yards last week, tied for the fewest in any game in eight seasons under Shanahan. ... San Francisco is outgaining the opposition through the air by an NFL-best 53.9 yards per game. ... McCaffrey has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in his first two games back from Achilles tendinitis and has five straight games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage going back to last postseason. ... McCaffrey’s 57 games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage are the most for any active player. ... The 49ers are 1-5 this season when Purdy turns the ball over and 4-0 when he doesn’t. ... Purdy’s four rushing TDs are the most in a season for a Niners QB since Colin Kaepernick had four in 2013. ... This is the first of three games the Packers are playing in a 12-day stretch. They host the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving night and visit the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions on Dec. 5. ... The Packers are tied for fourth in the league with 19 takeaways, but they don’t have any over their past two games. ... Packers S Xavier McKinney has six interceptions this season to rank second in the league, behind Detroit’s Kerby Joseph (seven). McKinney has seven total takeaways, putting him in a tie for first with Joseph. ... Jacobs’ 838 yards rushing and 1,024 scrimmage yards this season are the most any Packer has had in his first 10 games with the team. Jacobs’ 1,024 scrimmage yards are the most for any Packer through the first 10 games of a season since Ahman Green had 1,057 at this point in 2004. ... Packers DL Rashan Gary had his 35th sack against Chicago to overtake teammate Kenny Clark for ninth place in franchise history. Clark, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is still seeking his first sack of the season. ... The Packers and 49ers have the NFC’s best regular-season winning percentage since 2019. The Packers are 63-30 and the 49ers 59-34 during that stretch. ... San Francisco’s George Kittle has seven touchdown catches to lead all NFL tight ends. Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft has five touchdown receptions to match Baltimore’s Mark Andrews for the second-highest total among tight ends. ... The 49ers rank 26th in the league with TDs on 48.8% of their red zone drives. Green Bay is 27th in that category and has scored TDs on 48.7% of its drives. Packers WR Christian Watson’s slow start to the season means he might have been stashed on someone’s bench or perhaps even became available on some fantasy football waiver wires. Now would be a good time to try to acquire him. Watson had four catches for a career-high 150 yards against the Bears. After getting targeted just 14 times over his first six games, Watson’s had 17 targets in his past three. He had a catch each of the four times Jordan Love targeted him in Chicago. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLTRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey interim Sen. George Helmy, a Democrat appointed when Bob Menendez resigned after a federal corruption conviction , is stepping down this weekend so Sen.-elect Andy Kim can be sworn in early. The move was expected and confirmed what Helmy and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced during his appointment this summer — that Helmy would resign early so the winner of November's election could get into office before the start of the new session of Congress next month. Recommended Videos Murphy explained the arrangement, saying he wanted the “democratically chosen winner” of this year's election to have a smooth transition into office. Kim defeated Republican businessman Curtis Bashaw on Election Day. He'll become the first Korean-American in the Senate when he is sworn in on Monday. Helmy is a former chief of staff to Murphy and has said he wasn't interested in pursuing elected office. He counted voting to confirm 20 judicial nominations and resolving more than 100 constituent cases as some of his accomplishments in little more than two months in office. Helmy said he's been working closely with Kim since his election in November to “ensure a seamless transition.” Menendez, 70, used his influence to meddle in three different state and federal criminal investigations to protect the businessmen, prosecutors said. They said he helped one bribe-paying friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund and another keep a contract to provide religious certification for meat bound for Egypt. Menendez has vowed to fight the conviction and recently filed for a new trial , citing improper evidence that was put on a computer used by jurors.NEW YORK (AP) — Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner has been fined $2,000 for embellishment during a recent game against the New York Rangers, the NHL said Monday. Skinner was issued a warning after a diving/embellishment incident in an Oct. 22 game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the league said. His second citation, which triggered the fine, came in the second period of a 6-2 victory over the Rangers on Nov. 23. Skinner was being followed by Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller as he had the puck along the boards in the New York zone. Skinner lost his footing and the puck despite minimal contact from Miller. The Oilers forward looked toward the referee as he got up but no penalty call was made on the play. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Common Issues and Troubleshooting for Mobile Signal Boosters 12-02-2024 10:14 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire If you notice that your mobile signal booster [ https://www.lintratek.com/products/ ] is no longer performing as it did before, the issue may be simpler than you think. A decline in signal booster performance can be caused by various factors, but the good news is that most issues are easy to resolve. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/IMG_3605.jpg Lintratek KW27A Mobile Signal Booster [ https://www.lintratek.com/leading-manufacturer-lintratek-kw27a-dual-5g-mobile-signal-booster-agcmgc-80db-efficient-tri-band-commercial-mobile-signal-repeater-for-officehotelfactory-product/ ] In this article, we'll explore some common reasons why your mobile signal booster might not be working as effectively as before and how to correct them. 1. Question: I can hear the other person, but they can't hear me, or the sound is intermittent. Answer:This suggests that the signal booster's uplink isn't transmitting the signal fully to the base station, possibly due to incorrect installation of the outdoor antenna. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/outdoor-antenna3.jpg Solution:Try replacing the outdoor antenna with one that has stronger reception capabilities or adjust the antenna's position so that it faces the base station of your carrier. 2. Question:After installing the indoor coverage system, there are still areas where I can't make calls.Answer:This indicates that the number of indoor antennas is insufficient, and the signal is not being fully covered. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/indoor-ceiling-antenna-300x257.jpg indoor ceiling antenna Solution:Add more indoor antennas in areas with weak signals to achieve optimal coverage. 3. Question:After installation, the signal in all areas is still not ideal.Answer:This suggests that the signal booster's power may be too weak, possibly due to excessive signal loss caused by the building's structure or the indoor area being larger than the booster's effective coverage area.Solution:Consider replacing the booster with a higher-powered mobile signal booster [ https://www.lintratek.com/powerful-repeater/ ]. 4. Question:The phone shows full signal, but I can't make a call.Answer:This issue is likely caused by amplifier self-oscillation. The solution is to ensure that the input and output connections are correct, and that the distance between the indoor and outdoor antennas is more than 10 meters. Ideally, the indoor and outdoor antennas should be separated by a wall. 5. Question:If the above four issues persist after troubleshooting, could it be due to poor quality of the mobile signal booster?Answer:The root cause may be that many low-quality boosters cut corners to save costs, such as omitting automatic level control circuits, which are essential to the booster's functionality.Solution:Switch to a product that includes Automatic Level Control (ALC). Boosters with automatic level control better protect the signal environment. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/Lintratek-Y20P-Mobile-Signal-Booster-3-300x207.jpg Lintratek Y20P 5G Mobile Signal Booster with ALC [ https://www.lintratek.com/y20p-dual-5g-mobile-signal-repeater-product/ ] If your mobile signal booster isn't performing as effectively as before, keep an eye on these four common issues, and you may be able to resolve the problem. 1. Network ChangesYour local carrier may have made changes to their network infrastructure or frequency bands, which could affect the compatibility and effectiveness of your mobile signal booster. If you're experiencing a decrease in performance, the issue might be related to changes in your local mobile towers or signal quality. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/band.jpg Contact your carrier to inquire about any recent changes to the network. If the issue persists, you can check the coverage from other carriers in your area to determine if it's time to upgrade your equipment. 2. External ObstaclesAs economies grow and more buildings are constructed, the landscape changes, and obstacles that didn't interfere with the signal before may start to block the signal. Newly built buildings, construction sites, trees, and hills could weaken or block the external signal. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/House-in-UK.jpg Perhaps more houses have been built around you, or the trees have grown taller. Either way, new obstacles could prevent the outdoor antenna from receiving the signal.Unless you own the surrounding buildings and trees, you can't control them. But if you suspect that increasing obstacles are affecting your signal, changing the antenna's location or raising it higher might help. For example, mounting the antenna on a pole can lift it above obstacles. 3. Antenna PositionProper antenna positioning is critical to achieving optimal performance. Outdoors, check if issues like strong winds have displaced the antenna. Over time, the direction of the antenna may shift, and it may no longer point in the right direction.You also need to ensure that both the outdoor and indoor antennas are positioned according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Is the distance between them adequate? If the outdoor transmitting antenna and the indoor receiving antenna are too close, it can cause feedback (self-oscillation), preventing the mobile signal from being amplified. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/log-period-antenna.jpg Correct antenna positioning can maximize the booster's efficiency and ensure it provides the best signal enhancement. If your mobile signal booster isn't working properly, the first thing to check is the antenna positioning. 4. Cables and ConnectionsEven small issues with cables and connections can significantly affect the performance of your booster. Check for any damage or wear on the cables, and make sure all connections are secure. Faulty cables, connectors, or loose connections can cause signal loss and reduce the booster's efficiency. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/4G5G-Fiber-Optic-Repeater-300x300.jpg 5.Interference If your signal booster operates in the same area as other electronic devices, those devices may emit their own frequencies, causing interference. This interference can disrupt the performance of your mobile signal booster, preventing it from working as effectively as before. Image: https://www.lintratek.com/uploads/disturb-300x252.jpg Consider any other devices you've recently brought into your home. How close are they to your booster components? You may need to reposition some devices to ensure they are far enough apart to avoid interference. This concludes the troubleshooting guide from Lintratek. We hope it helps you resolve any issues with poor mobile signal coverage. Media Contact Company Name: Foshan Lintratek Technology Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=common-issues-and-troubleshooting-for-mobile-signal-boosters ] Country: China Website: https://www.lintratek.com/ This release was published on openPR.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A boat explosion at a South Florida marina has left one person dead and five others injured, officials said. The explosion occurred Monday night at the Lauderdale Marina, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said in a social media post. Rescue workers transported five people to local hospitals, three with traumatic injuries, officials said. A sixth person was found dead in the water several hours later by the Broward Sheriff's Office. Fire rescue officials said they didn't immediately know what caused the explosion.

The Next Stop: London’s New Eco-Friendly Buses Hit the Road!

(BPT) - Has it been a while since you purchased a new TV? You might be surprised by how far TV technology has come since you bought your last set! Today's smart televisions offer dramatic improvements in picture quality and home screens that are far easier to navigate. Plus, they come with a host of cool features like voice control that you may not even know about. It's time to discover what you've been missing — and if you're asking yourself where to start, the Fire TV Buyer Insights Report can help. This independent study surveyed over 2,000 recent purchasers of smart TVs to learn everything from where they did their product research to why they decided to buy. With the holidays almost upon us, the insights in this report can help guide you as you kick off your seasonal shopping. Whether you're buying a gift, hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect game-day screen, read on to find the best TV for your needs. How do you find the right TV? Here's how recent purchasers did it. When it comes to buying a new TV, there are several factors you'll want to consider, starting with who's going to be using it. The study found that spouses (36%), kids (13%), and even grandparents (1%) were involved in the purchase process, so be sure to keep your home's audience in mind. Beyond that, you'll also want to think about: Room size Smart TVs range in size from a 32-inch screen all the way up to a whopping 100 inches or more. To determine the right screen size for your room, follow this guideline: Small rooms: 32"–43" screen Medium rooms: 43"–55" screen Large rooms: 55+" screen As for viewing distance, divide the screen's diameter by 8 to get the ideal viewing distance in feet. For example, a 32-inch screen should be watched from about 4 feet away, while you'll want to be about 8 feet away from a 65-inch screen. Usage How you plan to use your new TV should play a large part in your decision-making process. If you're always looking for the latest show or movie to watch, your smart TV should offer optimal access to the latest streaming services. Gamers will experience better play on a TV with a high refresh rate, while sports enthusiasts will want to watch the big game on a set with smooth motion handling. Connected TV experience One of the most important considerations is how you'll use TV. In the study, 83% of TV purchasers said that easy access to content was one of the things they liked best about their new TV. But beyond being an all-in-one source for entertainment, your smart TV should also play well with other smart home devices. For instance, Fire TV allows you to pair compatible devices seamlessly like video doorbells, smart home devices, and more. And with select models, Fire TV's Ambient Experience can turn the biggest screen in your home into a beautiful, always-on smart display rotating through beautiful art, personal photos, and glanceable information like calendars and reminders. Knowledge is power Before you land on the perfect TV, you'll need to do a little research first. The study found that only 12% of shoppers bought their TV on an impulse, while 65% engaged in some form of product research. Most (82%) respondents conducted some or all of their research online for instant access to smart TV reviews and feature comparisons. In fact, over half of respondents who searched online mentioned digital retailers like Amazon as a great source for honest ratings and buyer reviews. Timing is everything According to the study, the time from research to purchase takes about two weeks, so plan ahead — especially if you're thinking about giving a TV as a holiday gift. There are also some great deals available during this time of year, so keep an eye out for sales and promotional offers. The big picture A new TV is a big purchase, so don't make it an impulsive one. Take the time to do your research and remember that everyone takes a different path to finding the perfect TV. Whether your search begins online, offline, or with a mix of both, it will end with a next-level viewing experience that's just right for the way you watch.Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ third bid to be released on bail won’t be decided until next week

Adapting cities to climate change

Wesco Declares Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock and Preferred Stock