Soccer-Corner kings Arsenal beat Manchester United to cut gap to Liverpool
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score, and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. NO. 25 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31: Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending Illinois to a wild road victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. IOWA 29, MARYLAND 13: Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 35 carries, and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter to help Iowa outlast Maryland in College Park. Johnson scored from 2 yards out in the second quarter for his 21st rushing touchdown of the season, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) rebounded from their loss to UCLA in their previous game. Maryland (4-7, 1-7) needed to win its final two regular-season games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but the Terrapins were dominated in the first half and eventually fell behind 16-0. Drew Stevens made five field goals for Iowa, including kicks from 54 yards in the second quarter, then 50 and 49 in the third. LATE FRIDAY MICHIGAN STATE 24, PURDUE 17: Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) held on to beat Purdue (1-10, 0-8) at home. The Spartans are a win away from being eligible for a bowl with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and they play Rutgers at home in the final regular-season game. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Alberta’s Technology Minister Nate Glubish says he’s hoping to see $100 billion worth of artificial intelligence data centres under construction within the next five years. Such centres are filled with computer servers used by companies like Meta to develop and train large-scale artificial intelligence models. Glubish says Meta, as well as other major companies including Google and Amazon, are on the hunt for space to build more facilities, and he wants Alberta to be an option. He says landing some data centres would create jobs and bring in much needed new tax revenue for the province. Glubish also says that since Alberta’s electricity grid regulations allows for off-grid power generation, he thinks the province is an ideal location. He says allowing for off-grid power connections where power generators supply data centres directly also means there’s less risk for Albertans, as there wouldn’t be major drains on the electrical grid.
The recently retired Andy Murray is going to team up with longtime rival Novak Djokovic as his coach, they both announced Saturday, with plans to prepare for — and work together through — the Australian Open in January. It was a stunning bit of news as tennis moves toward its offseason , a pairing of two of the most successful and popular players in the sport, both of whom are sometimes referred to as members of a so-called Big Four that also included Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal . Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other player in tennis history. Murray won three major trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals and finished 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He ended his playing career after the Paris Summer Games in August. Both men are 37 and were born a week apart in May 1987. They started facing each other as juniors and wound up meeting 36 times as professionals, with Djokovic holding a 25-11 advantage. “We played each other since we were boys — 25 years of being rivals, of pushing each other beyond our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in our sport. They called us game-changers, risk-takers, history-makers,” Djokovic posted on social media over photos and videos from some of their matches. “I thought our story may be over. Turns out, it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome on board, Coach — Andy Murray.” Djokovic's 2024 season is over, and it was not up to his usual, high standards. He didn't win a Grand Slam trophy ; his only title, though, was meaningful to him: a gold medal for Serbia in singles at the Summer Games. Djokovic has been without a full-time coach since splitting in March from Goran Ivanisevic. “I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the offseason, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open," Murray said in a statement released by his management team. "I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.” Their head-to-head series on tour includes an 11-8 lead for Djokovic in finals, and 8-2 at Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic beat Murray four times in the Australian Open final alone — in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016. Two of the most important victories of Murray's career came with Djokovic on the other side of the net. One was in the 2012 U.S. Open final , when Murray claimed his first Grand Slam title. The other was in the 2013 Wimbledon final , when Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win the singles championship at the All England Club. Next year's Australian Open starts on Jan. 12. AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
QNA DOHA: Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani and Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE Dr Abbas Aliabadi co-chaired in Doha the 10th Qatar-Iran Joint Economic Commission. From December 10-12, representatives of ministries, government agencies and investors from both sides discussed the progress on the recommendations of the joint technical working team. They deliberated strategies to boost bilateral cooperation, primarily in trade and industry, customs, handicrafts, health sector, scientific research, transportation and maritime shipping, communications and information technology, agriculture, free zones, culture, sports, and labor. The agenda also included increasing the volume of trade exchange through further bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation. In a speech, the Minister of Commerce and Industry hailed the close Qatar-Iran relations, noting that the regular commission meetings manifest the deep bilateral relations and the two sides' keenness to elevate cooperation across various fields. He said the bilateral relations had developed thanks to the mutual official visits and the common will of the leaderships to expand the horizons of cooperation. He voiced hopes the Qatar-Iran Business Council would further enhance trade, industrial and investment cooperation, streamlining the flow of goods and services, and boosting the partnership between the two business sectors. Highlighting Qatar's investment environment, the minister detailed the main sectors identified by the Third National Development Strategy as promising opportunities to enhance bilateral partnership, especially in renewable energy, logistics, small and medium enterprises, food and agriculture, and strategic projects related to food security. He also called on Iranian investors and companies to explore the great opportunities in the Qatari market, stressing the importance of diversifying and strengthening the economic and investment partnership to serve common interests. Copy 12/12/2024 10Over 65s should hand over their voting rights – the young have much more to lose
Growing up in the small Gaeltacht region of Baile Ghib in Co Meath, Lisa Murray always knew she was musical. “I started playing the piano when I was seven. By the time I was 11, I was meandering off and making up little tunes rather than practising my scales.” As a teenager, Lisa took part in musical theatre productions, sang in her local choir and learned to play the guitar and ukulele. However, when it came to deciding what to study in college, Lisa was torn, as she really enjoyed science in school. She considered studying biology, but in the end, she chose music. “Music was the one thing that set my soul on fire. At the time, I got pushback because I got a lot of points in my Leaving Cert. People considered music a ‘waste’ of those points, which was just ridiculous.” Read more: Clare woman Laura O'Connell competes in first-ever global Formula Woman race in Dubai Read more: Meath woman says anxiety 'spread like mould' in her life before reaching out for help She studied music at Trinity College and discovered she loved the production side of things. “I specialised in music technology and I really love producing pop music specifically. Pop is my passion, I love producing records you’d hear on the radio.” Lisa was then awarded a scholarship to study music production, technology and innovation at Berklee College of Music’s campus in Valencia in Spain. “That was my first time in a proper studio. The facilities were world class. I learned so much about audio engineering, producing and collaboration there,” Lisa adds. In 2019, the singer received an Outstanding Woman Scholarship to pursue her Masters degree in Music Production, Technology and Innovation. Lisa was mentored by American music producer Sylvia Massy, who has worked with Johnny Cash and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. “That was incredible, I learned so much, but in March 2020, everything went online due to Covid,” Lisa explains. “Suddenly, instead of being in the studio, I was back home in the countryside in Meath with just my laptop to work with, so I got into producing EDM [electronic dance music] during that time.” After celebrating her graduation over Zoom in her back garden with her parents, she worked for Camden Recording Studios in Dublin before moving to London to work for Sony Music. “I had an audio engineering job with Sony. My team bridged the gap between the mastering engineers and the label. Once the master recordings were complete, they would be sent to us and we would check the raw files to make sure there were no technical issues, like glitches or drop outs. “We sent the songs for distribution and prepared the music for physical release, that being CDs, records and tapes. We also oversaw Dolby Atmos projects, we would bring the artists and their teams into the studio to ensure they were happy with how their immersive mixes were sounding.” Lisa really enjoyed her time with Sony. “It was very technical work, but not necessarily that creative, so that’s why I left — to pursue my own sound.” While Lisa was always making her own music, she feels now is the right time to pursue pop stardom. “I have a lot of music that will be released over the next few months. I want to connect with the people who love it, play some shows, and build up a community. It’s an amazing time to be an artist because with social media we can directly communicate with our listeners.”NoneUNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Jackie Johnson III led Fordham with 29 points and Joshua Rivera hit the game-winning 3-pointer with eight seconds left as the Rams knocked off Bryant 86-84 on Saturday. Johnson added four steals for the Rams (7-5). Rivera scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Japhet Medor shot 5 for 12 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 17 points. The Bulldogs (6-7) were led in scoring by Kvonn Cramer, who finished with 23 points. Bryant also got 21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals from Earl Timberlake. Barry Evans had 10 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Medor scored 12 second-half points for Fordham. Up next for Fordham is a matchup Saturday with Albany (NY) at home. Bryant visits Towson on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
LUANDA, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden's long-delayed trip to Africa had many of the hallmarks of a traditional state visit: There was a 12-shot cannon salute. A series of warm handshakes with Angolan President João Lourenço. Celebratory music. Photo opportunities. But another issue overshadowed the visit. When reporters tried to question the president about why he gave his son Hunter a far-reaching pardon after repeatedly saying he would not do so, Biden tried to brush aside the questions. He gestured toward Lourenço and laughed, declaring, “Welcome to America.” Biden saluted Lourenço for his efforts to bolster stronger U.S. relations, declared that Africa and its booming youth population would shape the world's future and even indulged his love of trains by championing a major railway project that his administration says could change the way the entire continent does business. Some takeaways from the president's visit: Biden offered the joke about America before his meeting with Lourenço, and he answered a question on Tuesday about the political situation in South Korea, saying only that he'd not been briefed — something that was rectified moments later when advisers filled him in on what was happening as the motorcade sped away from a site where he'd given a speech. Other than that, Biden went the entire trip, which began Sunday night and included two brief stopovers in Cape Verde in addition to Angola, dodging reporters. He did similar during last month's six-day visit to South America . Since Biden announced his pardon decision shortly before climbing aboard Air Force One bound for Africa, it fell to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to spend nearly half an hour offering long and awkward answers to uncomfortable questions aboard the aircraft hours later. Biden said in a statement explaining the pardon that, while he believed in the justice system, he also felt that politics had infected the cases against his son and “enough was enough.” Jean-Pierre maintained that he wasn't trying to have it both ways. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction,” she said. “Two things could be true. You can believe in the Department of Justice system, and you could also believe that the process was infected politically.” She also bristled when it was suggested that such complaints about the Department of Justice smacked of President-elect Donald Trump's promises to dismantle the “deep state” of federal bureaucrats that he's said for years are out to unfairly undermine him and fellow top Republicans. During his meeting with Lourenço at the presidential palace, Biden said, “The United States is all in on Africa,” and extolled how strong Angolan relations were with Washington. His administration has invested billions in Angola, with the centerpiece being promoting the Lobito Corridor, a vast project to revitalize supply chains by refurbishing 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) of train lines in Angola, Zambia and Congo. Given where Angola was barely a generation ago, the alliance is in many ways remarkable. An oil-rich nation on Africa's southwest coast, Angola achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, but spent subsequent years embroiled in civil war, which often featured proxy fighting between U.S.-backed forces and those allied with the Soviet Union. Even today, the country's red and black flag features a yellow machete and half-cog, an insignia resembling the Soviet hammer and sickle. But Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, and Lourenço, like many leaders of African nations, has already begun suggesting that he's looking toward a Trump-dominated future. Biden administration officials say they're hopeful Trump and top Republicans will continue a business-friendly approach to investing in Africa that includes continuing to support the Lobito Corridor. Biden lauded Lourenço for helping boost his country's relationship with the United States, and he said the youth of Africa would change the world. He also visited the country’s national slavery museum, stressing how Angola and the United States — which were once linked by the horrors of enslaved human beings, now could increasingly be linked by economic opportunity. But if Biden came to Angola hoping to cement his foreign policy legacy in this country and throughout Africa, it will actually fall to Trump — the man he beat in the 2020 election and spent much of 2024 running against before bowing out of the race in July — to see it through.The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General has recommended cybersecurity improvements on the IT system of the , or OPTN, under the department’s Health Resources and Services Administration. Simulated cyberattacks on the system revealed 22 vulnerabilities on 16 OPTN cybersecurity controls mostly involving network monitoring, according to an OIG report issued on Monday. The report noted that OPTN’s IT system — which houses its confidential data on organ donors, transplant candidates and recipients, as well as operation outcomes — could be compromised in a cyberattack with moderate sophistication. It added that the system’s cybersecurity was only able to withstand certain cyberattack simulations, such as phishing. System Contractor Remedies To address the identified vulnerabilities, the OIG recommended four remedies, with which HRSA has concurred. The recommendations include requiring the OPTN IT system contractor to provide and certify remedies for the that the OIG audit discovered. Some of the weaknesses uncovered were in the identity access management, source code and administrator credentials. In September, HHS announced an initial batch of four composed of Arbor Research Collaborative for Health, General Dynamic Information Technology, Maximus Federal, Deloitte and Guidehouse Digital. Leidos secured in November a spot on the multiple-award OPTN contract, which has a one-year base period and four one-year options for a potential total value of $235 million. Join the Potomac Officers Club’s on Dec. 11. This key event will explore the transformative trends and innovations shaping the future of the U.S. healthcare sector. .
TOKYO , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives from China and Japan shared their insights on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) governance and data sharing at a sub-forum of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo recently. Representatives from China and Japan shared their insights on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) governance and data sharing at a sub-forum of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo recently. AI governance framework The participants agreed that the next 10 years will be a critical period for the development of AI. Gao Wen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), said since China's State Council issued a guideline on developing AI in 2017, the nation has made significant progress in AI research and development and industrial layout, especially in computing power and 5G network construction. By the end of 2023, China had over half of the world's 1.57 billion 5G users, according to the World Internet Development Report 2024. It ranked second globally in AI and computing power scale, which has laid a solid foundation for the rapid development of AI. Tatsuo Yamazaki , project professor at the International University of Health and Welfare, said it was very meaningful for Japan and China to discuss strengthening AI governance rules. Fumihiko Kamio , research director of the Nomura Research Institute, echoed his view. He emphasized that the core goal of AI technology is to improve productivity and eliminate obstacles to social development, and called on Chinese and Japanese experts to work together to build an AI governance framework to cope with the global challenges. Deepening international cooperation China put forth the Global AI Governance Initiative in October last year. In July, the UN General Assembly adopted a China -sponsored resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. The participants spoke highly of the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative recently proposed by China . They agreed that AI governance requires global collaboration, especially in the formulation of international standards and the construction of ethical frameworks, where China and Japan can play an active role. Ding Wenhua, academician of the CAE, said China and Japan have both similarities and differences in technology development and governance priorities, so deepening cooperation will bring unique value to global AI governance. " China and Japan should deepen AI technology cooperation between enterprises, work together in AI security research, talent exchange, and jointly explore more possibilities for the application of technology," Wang Zhongyuan , president of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, said. Balancing development & risks AI governance refers to the guardrails established to ensure AI systems and tools remain safe and ethical and respect human rights. Xu Zhilong , editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, stressed that AI, as a revolutionary technology, has far-reaching impacts on all areas of society and economy. However, its potential risks such as data leakage and the spread of false information should not be ignored. "Technological progress and security ethics should be developed in a balanced way to ensure that AI technology always serves the progress of human civilization," Xu said. AI governance should not only heed the current technological ethics issues, but also prevent possible long-term risks, such as AI going out of human control, according to Toshio Iwamoto , senior corporate advisor of NTT DATA. He said AI R&D and application should abide by the principles of fairness, transparency, safety and availability. Yuan Yue, chairman of Beijing Dataway Horizon, shared his view from the perspective of regulatory models. "Policy choices should be based on the current status and goals of national technological development," Yuan said, adding that China prefers to provide a more friendly development environment for enterprises while ensuring an effective response to risks.Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL DraftOdisha Parba 2024: Day Two-Cultural Bonanza Resonates with Grace and Glory
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Atalanta goes from the Europa League trophy to the top of Serie A. Inter routs Verona 5-0UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York
As wildfires intensify, prolonged exposure to pollution linked to premature death December 12, 2024 Ohio State University Researchers have found evidence that living in areas prone to wildfire smoke may negatively impact an individual's life expectancy. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Researchers have found evidence that living in areas prone to wildfire smoke may negatively impact an individual's life expectancy. In many parts of the contiguous United States, wildfires are rapidly growing more intense, endangering the humans and wildlife that live in the region. Even once fires are doused, serious health risks remain because of the many adverse effects caused by wildfire smoke and the airborne pollution that the blaze releases into the atmosphere. Now, scientists at The Ohio State University have found that not only is wildfire smoke linked to a shortened lifespan, it also greatly diminishes the positive health impacts of local greenspaces, like forests or parks. "When considering the environment's effect on human life expectancy, we have to account for all kinds of factors," said Yanni Cao, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in environmental health services at Ohio State. "Forests, for example, provide essential ecosystem services to mitigate the impact of wildfire smoke because they can purify the air." Generally, greenspaces benefit human health by helping to regulate the local ecosystem and climate through capturing carbon dioxide, oxygen production and air filtration as well as by providing open spaces to foster social and community connection. It's why higher levels of greenspaces are usually correlated with higher life expectancies. But because these lush areas can essentially act as fuel for wildfires, their presence is also tightly correlated with higher wildfire smoke emissions, said Cao. Due to its high toxicity, human exposure to this smoke has been known to cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and an increase in the risk of dementia and hospitalization. The research was presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. To better understand the complex role these factors play in determining the average number of years an individual might live, researchers analyzed more than 66,000 pieces of U.S. census data collected between 2010 and 2015. Their findings concluded that for every additional day of smoke exposure, a person's life expectancy could be expected to decrease by about 0.02 years -- or about one week. Conversely, living in a green neighborhood can be beneficial, as even a 1% increase in these spaces can lead to a slight life expectancy increase. While wildfire smoke can negate the benefits of greenspace, the team's results suggest that sociodemographic factors such as income, population density, age and race also significantly impact future life expectancies. "Families with higher average household income have better living conditions, more comprehensive nutritional intake, and tend to have better sanitary conditions and living habits," said Cao. Widespread inequality for minorities means they are less likely to have those protective factors. People living in areas with extensive greenspaces should carefully consider appropriate health protection measures if they are exposed to wildfire smoke, said Jianyong Wu, co-author of the study and an assistant professor in environmental health sciences at Ohio State. "Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how environmental factors influence public health," he said. "We want our research to offer valuable guidance for future urban planning and public health policies that are aimed at improving life expectancy across the country." Although this study focuses on the U.S. as a whole, researchers note that future work will aim to discover if wildfires have a similar effect on adult and child mortality in regions like Ohio, where the populace often deals with other kinds of environmental extremes, like drought. "The goal of this work is to raise awareness about the health impacts of wildfire," said Cao. "To do that, we need to enhance risk communication with the public and further strengthen research on the effects of these disasters." Story Source: Materials provided by Ohio State University . Original written by Tatyana Woodall. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Cite This Page :Increasingly, society has evolved into one where automation and technology rule the day. In this digital society, IT and cybersecurity risk management must be elevated to the same level as market risk, compliance risk, operational risk, and so on. Another area undergoing considerable change is third party risk management . What does the next year have in store for third party risk management? Considering this for Digital Journal is Brad Hibbert, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Operating Officer at the company Prevalent . Hibbert divides his assessment into two key areas: the maturity of third party risk management and the necessity of transforming the process into ‘third party lifecycle management’ (and with this achieving greater stability). Third party risk management matures from experiment to expectation According to Hibbert, the year has been a record one “for third-party security incidents , with breaches such as MOVEit dominating the headlines.” In response there has been “regulatory pressure from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and several European entities to improve the governance over third-party outsourcing arrangements is also driving the evolution of third party risk management from a project that aims to manage risks to a program that addresses risks across a third-party lifecycle.” In other words, explains Hibbert, “third party risk managementis no longer an experiment; it’s an expectation. This maturation has solidified its position as a table stakes element in organizational risk management decision making.” So what does this mean for an enterprise? Hibbert suspects “despite economic uncertainty, inflation, and labor shortages, investment in third party risk management is expected to remain consistent into 2024. Board-level and executive-level engagement in third party risk management will persist due to continued third-party security incidents and regulatory pressure. While challenges in finding skilled third party risk management practitioners may continue, efficiency and effectiveness in third party risk management programs will improve thanks to generative AI, machine learning, data analysis, enhanced automation, and program outsourcing.” Engagement from multiple internal teams will transform third-party risk management into third-party lifecycle management For the second area of inquiry, Hibberts predicts a transformation in third party risk management. He considers: “It’s not enough to manage risks, you have to manage the lifecycle of a vendor relationship to understand the context of the risks your organization is exposed to. Otherwise, third party risk management devolves into a check-the-box exercise. This will require third party risk management program owners to expand the scope of their efforts to include all parties that interact with third-party vendors and suppliers.” Why a lifecycle-based approach? According to Hibbert: “The third-party lifecycle encompasses all activities related to a vendor from cradle to grave – including vendor onboarding, ongoing monitoring, compliance, risk management, and offboarding. This evolution is driven by different personas and departments, each with their specific needs and interests.” As to internal firm dynamics, Hibbert predicts: “procurement is expected to play a more prominent role in driving third-party lifecycle management. Legal departments will automate clause detection and comparative analysis. Risk management will continue to be a core player, while operations will use data sets from various sources to enhance operational resilience and ensure quality. Audits will persist, as compliance and regulatory mandates become more complex. The involvement of various business areas in third-party lifecycle management is a trend that is set to continue.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.New Year, New Fee Schedule for Trademarks at the USPTO – Big Changes to Application Fees
Actor Aasif Khan , who is widely recognized for his memorable role as Ganesh in the acclaimed web series Panchayat, has tied the knot with his long-time love, Zeba. The couple exchanged vows on December 10, 2024, and the actor delighted fans by sharing stunning pictures from their traditional wedding on Instagram. Khan captioned the post with “Qubool Hai. 10.12.24 – ,” as the photo series captured the joy and love of their union. In the first image, the newlyweds are seen holding hands, their radiant smiles reflecting their happiness. Other snapshots include a candid moment of the couple cherishing their special day, a heartwarming kiss on Zeba’s forehead, and a lively scene where friends share laughs with the pair on stage. Both Aasif and Zeba looked regal in their wedding attire, exuding grace and elegance. Unlike his character in 'Panchayat', who often faces challenges, Aasif’s real-life journey to marriage was smooth and full of love. His fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the actor’s new chapter. Aasif Khan’s acting journey has been remarkable, featuring in shows like 'Mirzapur' and movies such as 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' and 'Pagglait'. Recalling a special memory, Aasif shared his experience of working with Anushka Sharma in 'Pari'. During the shoot, he encountered AirPods for the first time, a detail that still amuses him. “I saw her putting something in her ears during cuts, and that’s when I learned about AirPods,” he said, reminiscing about the shoot. With his personal and professional life flourishing, Aasif Khan’s fans eagerly await his return as Ganesh in ' Panchayat Season 3 '. Meanwhile, his heartfelt wedding photos continue to win hearts online. Dehati Ladke Trailer: Kusha Kapila And Shine Pandey Starrer Dehati Ladke Official TrailerMbappe not at his best, but working to improve - Ancelotti
Belarus has granted asylum to a former Polish judge who faced espionage charges at home following his defection in May to the Kremlin-allied country. A decree published Friday by Alexander Lukashenko , Belarus’ autocratic president, described Tomasz Szmydt as being “prosecuted for political reasons” in Poland. The country is an EU and NATO member that has lent vocal support to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. Szmydt’s defection to Belarus in May trained the focus on Poland as a key target for Russian intelligence activity and ignited a bitter political row over the circumstances of his rapid ascent through the ranks of the Polish justice system. Poland’s prosecutors and special services launched an investigation the same month after Belarus media reported that Szmydt arrived in the country and asked for protection. Warsaw responded days later by putting Szmydt on a wanted list, a step toward an international arrest warrant on spying allegations that would restrict his ability to travel internationally. Polish officials have been working to determine how harmful Szmydt’s knowledge of any classified information might be to the interests of Warsaw and its Western allies. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has publicly called him a traitor. Szmydt fled to Belarus after resigning from his post as a judge at the Warsaw Administrative Court, saying in a public statement that he was doing so in protest against Poland’s “harmful and unjust” policy toward Belarus and Russia. A short time later, he appeared at a press conference in Belarus, praising Lukashenko’s regime and presenting himself as a victim of repression. A Polish court later that month lifted Szmydt’s immunity, allowing him to be tried in absentia for spying allegations that he has denied. Szmydt was notorious in Poland for having engaged in a 2019 online smear campaign against other judges that was sponsored by the Justice Ministry under the previous right-wing government. Three years later, he appeared to switch sides, appearing in a TV documentary to expose what he said was unethical behavior by judges close to the ruling party. Szmydt’s defection came as a shock in Poland, which has a history of distrust of Russia. Belarus has been one of the Kremlin’s few close allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Lukashenko has relied on Moscow's subsidies and support. In return, he has allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into the neighboring state, and to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. Authorities in Minsk have been ratcheting up repressive measures ahead of a presidential election in January in which the strongman leader is seeking a seventh term, including by arresting hundreds of people who have shown solidarity with Kyiv. Authorities responded to massive protests following the widely disputed 2020 election of Lukashenko with a wide-ranging crackdown in which about 65,000 people were arrested. Major opposition figures were either imprisoned or fled the country, and human rights activists say Belarus is holding about 1,300 political prisoners.Companies tighten security after a health care CEO's killing leads to a surge of threats