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r777 stable OR eager to sell shares of underperforming businessesKanguva Disaster: Producer’s shocking confession - TrackTollywoodNetflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos described last month’s Jake Paul – Mike Tyson fight as a triumph despite the live event’s technical glitches. “We hate to disappoint a member for one second,” he said during an appearance at the UBS Media and Communications Conference in New York. Even though many tuning in wound up frustrated by buffering and sound issues with the live stream, Sarandos said the “want-to-see was off the charts.” For employees at the company, “all that was left” in the aftermath was “imagination and what’s next.” While he didn’t dwell on the specific elements of the 5 1/2-hour livestream, Sarandos chuckled that it was “some combination of sports and circus,” capped by Paul’s decision over the 58-year-old Tyson. He said he “heard a lot of great stories” about subscribers “going to a high school football game and everybody was watching the fight on their phone instead of watching the game.” Concerns have arisen since the fight about Netflix’s technical capabilities heading into a Christmas Day doubleheader of NFL games. The audience for those games, even with a Beyoncé halftime show, is likely to be smaller than the 60 million households the company said watched the fight. Sarandos didn’t directly address questions swirling about the company’s debut with the NFL, but instead took the long view. Considering that “we broke down” with the finale of Love is Blind in April 2023, the company’s live events business has achieved “a lot of positive trajectory in a very short period of time,” the exec said. Streaming live for five-plus hours for tens of millions of concurrent viewers “required expertise,” Sarandos said. “We were stressing out own technology,” he said. “We were stressing the limitations of the internet itself that night.” Asked whether the results of the fight have stoked any appetite for broader sports rights licensing, Sarandos said full seasons of live sports are less appealing than hyper-specialized, singular attractions. “Not every game is an event,” he said, and the cost of rights remains steep.

These clever finds level up your life without breaking the bank. Finding the best deals when shopping online can take a ton of time. This is definitely true when it comes to browsing Amazon, where there are loads upon boatloads of brilliant things. I’ve done the legwork by compiling this clever collection — all of which are genuine bargains — for you to check out below. These deals are so good that they may not stick around for long, so feel free to add a few to your cart. 01 Adorable tea bag holders shaped like little snails Don’t lose your tea bag string inside your mug. Instead, let one of these little snails hold onto it. They hook onto the side of your mug so that it looks like they’re climbing their way up — and since each one is made from silicone, you can wash and reuse them dozens of times. 02 An adjustable phone stand that’s easy to take with you Holding up your phone to watch videos can be annoying — but that’s where this stand comes in handy. Its small size makes it easy to take with you when traveling. The gripper hands also stretch to fit phones of almost any size, and it works just as well when holding your phone horizontally as well as vertically. 03 This History Channel trivia game that’s fun yet educational With more than 2,000 questions inside, you’re almost guaranteed not to wind up with repeats anytime soon when playing this History Channel trivia game . The questions span across five categories: art, sports, science, geography, as well as notable people/events. “This was a challenging game that was fun for our family from our 16 year old all the way up to a 55 year old,” wrote one reviewer . “This game provides hours of fun.” 04 A soothing ice pack hat that can help ease migraine pain Keep this ice pack hat inside your fridge or freezer, and it’ll always be ready to deliver soothing cold therapy whenever you feel a migraine coming on. It’s large enough that you can also pull it down over your eyes to block outside light when napping. Choose from six colors: pink, black, and more. 05 The selfie ring light that helps you look good during video calls Make sure you look as good as possible during video calls with help from this selfie ring light . It’s compatible with computers, phones, and tablets, as the clamp stretches to fit onto nearly all of them. The brightness is also adjustable up to 10 levels — and the battery lasts for up to two hours on the brightest setting before it needs to be recharged. 06 This clever fidget toy that doubles as a gel pen This fidget toy is just as useful as it is fun to play with. Not only can you use it as a gel pen when writing notes, but you can also use the magnetic pieces to build all sorts of structures — just in case you need to blow off some steam at work. 07 An ultra-slim toaster that takes up hardly any counter space Don’t have a ton of kitchen counter space to work with? Not a problem when you have this toaster . Its ultra-slim profile takes up hardly any room — yet there’s still enough room inside to heat up to two slices of bread. Plus, six adjustable shade settings let you choose just how brown your toast comes out. 08 A glowy oil that helps hydrate chapped lips Dry, chapped lips are no match for this oil . Apricot and avocado oil work to help hydrate your lips, while the nonsticky formula won’t leave you feeling gooey. It also comes in a variety of tints to give a subtle hint of color that’s perfect for everyday wear. 09 This affordable electric toothbrush with a handy whitening mode Still using a manual toothbrush? Now’s your chance to upgrade to this electronic one for a budget-friendly price. It produces 40,000 vibrations per minute, helping scrub away coffee stains, plaque, and more. You also have four brush modes to choose from: clean, soft, whiten, or massage. And since each order includes eight replacement heads, you won’t have to spend money on one anytime soon. 10 The kinetic fidget toy that lets you spin away stress A light spin is all it takes to make the stripes on this fidget toy look like they’re gravitating upwards. It’s made from durable aluminum — not plastic — and the small size takes up hardly any space on your desk. Choose from 12 colors: rainbow, red, gold, and more. 11 The brilliant bendable neck light that lasts up to 80 hours per charge Don’t squint at those book pages when reading in poor lighting. Instead, grab this neck light . Three light temperature modes give you options when deciding which looks best splashed across your pages: yellow, warm white, or cool white. The battery lasts for up to 80 hours before it needs to be recharged — and you can even bend the arms so that they point in nearly any direction. 12 Space-saving hangers that hold 8 bras or tanks in the place of 1 Running out of space inside your dresser? Consider transferring all your bras onto this hanger . It holds up to eight bras in the space of one — though you can just as easily use it to hang up strappy camisoles, scarves, and more. Plus, the metal frame is so sturdy that it can support up to 13 pounds. 13 A cupholder phone mount designed to be ultra-stable on the road Not only is this phone mount designed to fit into nearly any cupholder, but the neck can also be adjusted so that it’s easy to see your phone screen without having to crane your neck downwards. It’s suitable for use with just about every smartphone. Plus, nonslip pads on the base help keep it from shaking while you drive. 14 This squishy cordless light that looks like a little cowboy Ditch that crummy night light you have plugged into an outlet and upgrade to this cordless version . Not only is it cute to look at, but it’s also made from durable silicone — it has an on/off button while you adjust the brightness via touch. The battery lasts for up to 12 hours before it needs to be recharged. 15 The portable phone charger that can power an iPhone 15 almost 2 times Few things are as annoying as having your phone run out of power while you’re out — but that’s where this portable charger comes in handy. It can power an iPhone 15 almost two times, whereas most Androids can recieve at least one full charge. Plus, the compact size takes up hardly any space inside your bag. 16 A breathable sleep mask that won’t put pressure on your eyes Unlike some sleep masks , this one features molded cups that won’t put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes as you’re trying to relax. The breathable cotton material also helps keep you from growing sweaty — and its adjustable strap makes it easy to fit onto heads both large and small. 17 Moisturizing heel socks infused with vitamin E & jojoba seed oil When no amount of lotion seems to help soften your heels, it may be time to try out these socks . They’re infused with vitamin E, jojoba seed oil, as well as olive oil, all of which work to help deliver a nourishing dose of hydration to dry heels. The best part? You can wash and reuse them multiple times. 18 A stylish & absorbent mat that hides coffee drips Place this absorbent mat underneath your coffee maker, and it’ll catch any stray drips that fall its way. The dark color hides dark coffee stains to help keep it looking clean no matter how dirty it may be — and since it dries quickly, there’s no need to worry about it developing mildew. 19 Rechargeable hand warmers that deliver up to 8 hours of heat Stop wasting money on disposable hand warmers and upgrade to these rechargeable ones . Their ultra-slim profile won’t add much bulk to your pockets — and the batteries last for up to eight hours before they need to be recharged. Choose from eight colors: blue, orange, pink, and more. 20 The handy phone & tablet holder that lets you watch on the plane You’ll be glad you grabbed this clever phone and tablet holder before your next flight. It’s compatible with just about any smartphone, tablet, or e-reader, and can be set up so that it stands upright on your tray table, or hangs from the upper pocket on the seat in front of you. Plus, the foldable design makes it easy to take with you. 21 Travel-friendly toothbrush covers that help keep the bristles clean Letting your toothbrush jostle around inside your suitcase is an easy way for it to get dirty. Instead, protect the bristles using these covers . They’re dustproof as well as waterproof, and feature an adhesive backing so that you can mount them to your bathroom walls if you want. “My family loves these toothbrush holder caps for traveling and home use,” wrote one reviewer . “Keeps all germs off the toothbrush.” 22 This pocket-sized flashlight that’s surprisingly bright Don’t head out for that camping trip before you’ve packed this miniature flashlight . It’s made from durable aluminum, with a skidproof as well as water-resistant design — just in case you get caught in the rain. But if that isn’t enough? An attached clip lets you hook it onto your pants pocket so that it’s always within reach. 23 Slim & colorful silicone bookmarks built to last Retire that old paper bookmark (or whatever random item you might be using). Instead, grab this set of three silicone bookmarks . They clip onto your pages without leaving behind creases — and their slim profile won’t create lumps in your book. Choose from more than 15 colors. 24 A memory foam backrest pillow that’s perfect for reading in bed With its ultra-soft cover and memory foam filling, this backrest pillow is an undeniably comfy addition to any bed or couch. Armrests on both sides give you somewhere to rest your elbows when reading. Plus, a handle on the top makes it easy to carry from room to room. 25 The handy splatter screen that helps keep counters clean While frying food is delicious, it can also be incredibly messy. Enter: this splatter screen . It’s made from heat-resistant silicone that won’t melt when placed on top of hot pots and pans, with ventilation holes throughout so that your fried foods come out crispy — not soggy. Once you’ve finished cooking, you can even place it into the dishwasher for an easy clean. 26 This foldable cover that transforms the sink into counter space Ever wish your bathroom counter was a little larger? Then this cover is worth a look. It unfolds overtop of your sink, transforming it into usable space where you can place hot tools, makeup, and more. Choose from seven colors: silver, emerald green, pink, and more. 27 A handled pumice stone that scrubs away hard water stains Limescale and hard water stains are no match for this pumice stone . It effortlessly scrubs away all sorts of unwanted buildup from tile, ceramic, and more — all without leaving behind any scratches. Plus, the built-in handle makes it easy to maneuver around toilets, shower walls, or even pool tile. 28 A quirky timer that lets you know when you’ve been on the toilet for too long Know someone who spends way too much time on the toilet? Give them this timer as a fun gift. It takes about five minutes for the sand to trickle from top to bottom, making it easy to keep track of how long you’ve spent in the bathroom. “If you have a husband like mine who stays in the bathroom 30-40 minutes at a time, this is a great practical joke item,” wrote one reviewer . 29 The tea infuser shaped like a little Loch Ness monster This little Loch Ness monster tea infuser is just as useful as it is cute to look at. The infuser holes on its backside are small enough to keep loose leaves from leaking out — and four small feet on the bottom allow it to stand upright inside your mug. It’s also BPA-free as well as dishwasher-safe. 30 A thickening spray that helps add volume to limp hair Anyone with limp strands can appreciate this spray . A few spritzes is all it takes to help volumize flat, thin roots, giving them a texturized look that lasts for hours on end. Plus, the non-sticky formula won’t leave behind any residues or buildup over time. 31 Colorful, ergonomic knives that won’t stick to ingredients Unlike the knives you’ve likely been using, these ones are made using high-carbon stainless steel that’s both ultra-sharp as well as resistant to rust. The blades also feature a nonstick coating to help keep ingredients from latching onto them. But if that isn’t enough? Each knife comes with a matching sheath to help keep it protected while in storage. 32 These versatile pens that take the place of 8 common tools Don’t tackle that DIY project until you have one of these multitool pens at your side. They combine eight tools into one handy gadget, including a retractable pen tip, bubble level, ruler, flathead/Phillips screwdriver bits, stylus, and more. Each order also includes two ink refills to get you started. 33 A magnetic cup holder that can support up to 50 pounds Not only is the magnet on this cup holder so strong that it can support up to 50 pounds, but the stainless steel frame is also resistant to rust. It’s large enough to fit most tumblers up to 30 ounces in size. One reviewer wrote, “I used this on my fridge for my son's water cup, so he would always know where to find it. Not only is it super sturdy, but it matches my appliances perfectly.” 34 The wooden cutting board shaped like a cartoon pirate Home and professional chefs alike can appreciate this cutting board . The pirate’s peg leg pulls out to reveal a convenient knife — and a series of magnets work to secure it in place, so there’s no need to worry about it sliding out on its own. Though if you aren’t into pirates? You can also grab it as a bat or ninja. 35 Nutrient-rich mushroom complex powder that mixes seamlessly into drinks Coffee, smoothies, tea — this mushroom complex powder mixes seamlessly into all sorts of drinks. It contains a variety of nutrient-rich mushrooms, including lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, and more, all of which can help boost your immune system as well as improve your ability to focus. The best part? It’s completely vegan, certified organic, as well as gluten-free. 36 This LED dog collar that can be seen from up to 1,000 feet away Make sure your dog is visible during nighttime walks with help from this LED collar . It’s so bright that it can be seen from up to 1,000 feet away — and the battery lasts for up to eight hours before it needs to be recharged. Plus, the waterproof design ensures that it won’t break should your dog get caught outside in the rain. 37 This leakproof tumbler that helps keep cold drinks chilled for more than 24 hours Not only is this tumbler leakproof, but its insulated walls can also help keep cold drinks chilled for more than 24 hours. The tapered base allows it to fit into most cupholders. And with 14 colors to choose from, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one that suits your style. 38 Cushy eyeglass holders in stylish faux leather Knocking your glasses to the floor is almost too easy if you leave them sitting on your desk. Luckily, these holders are an easy fix. Their wide bases help keep them from tipping over, while the faux leather exterior gives them an upscale look no matter where you place them. The best part? The faux fur lining helps keep the lenses safe from scratches. 39 Super-wide chip clips that help create an airtight seal Regular chip clips do an alright job at sealing your snack bags shut — though these super-wide ones are undeniably better. They close tightly enough that they create a waterproof as well as airtight seal, helping keep your snacks fresher for later. And since they’re made without any metal, you won’t have to worry about them corroding or weakening over time. 40 A mouse jiggler that makes it look like you’re actively working from home If you have an annoying boss who monitors whether you’re away or present at your computer, consider grabbing this mouse jiggler . It prevents your computer from going to sleep or displaying an “away” status, making it great for anyone who uses Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Lync, or any other productivity software. But if that isn’t enough? There’s no software required in order for use, making it virtually impossible for your boss to find out you have it. 41 A flower vase that looks like a weird carton of strawberry milk Whether you fill this vase with real or faux flowers is up to you — but either way, the unique milk carton design is sure to look good no matter where you decide to place it. The sleek ceramic frame also makes it appear more expensive than it is. Choose from three colors: red, yellow, or white. 42 This under-the-cabinet jar opener that works on nearly any lid From small nail polish bottles to jars of peanut butter, this opener is designed to work on lids both large and small. Each order comes with screws so that you can mount it underneath your cabinets — though if you’d rather not use any tools, you’ll also receive double-sided adhesive. “Only used it one time so far but it was a breeze opening a pickle jar,” wrote one reviewer . “Not even a full turn and pop, the lid easily came off!” 43 Tasty vegan protein powder that’s rich in vitamins & minerals Infused with organic coffee, salted caramel, and organic coconut milk, this protein powder is a vegan-friendly option that you can mix into everything from shakes to water. One serving contains 20 grams of protein with only 150 calories and six grams of net carbs to go with it. And if caramel isn’t your favorite? You can also grab it in six other flavors. 44 Handy pizza scissors with sharp stainless steel blades Regardless of whether you prefer thin crust or deep dish pizza, these scissors make it easier than ever to cut yourself a slice. The sharp stainless steel blades easily cut through crusts of any thickness — and the built-in spatula platform helps the bottom blade slide underneath your pizza. 45 This ergonomic mouse that can help prevent strain on your wrist Computer mice that require you to keep your wrist flat can lead to soreness over time. Instead, opt for this ergonomic mouse . It lets you keep your wrist at a 52-degree angle, which can lead to less fatigue and discomfort. The battery lasts for up to three months before it needs to be recharged — and the automatic shut-off kicks in after eight minutes to help preserve the battery. 46 A stylish spice container with a tight-sealing swivel lid Salt, pepper, tea leaves — this little bamboo container is great for storing all sorts of dry ingredients. The swiveling lid is attached, so there’s no need to worry about accidentally misplacing it. You can also use this to store Bobby pins, loose change, or any other small items. 47 This handy rod that helps you shave the awkward spot in the center of your back Having trouble shaving that awkward spot in the center of your back? Not a problem when you have this rod . The curved design helps you apply just the right amount of pressure — and at 17 inches long, you shouldn’t have any trouble using it no matter how tall you may be. 48 The upholstered headboard panels that easily mount onto your bedroom wall From peacock blue to vintage leather, these headboard panels come in so many colors that you’re basically guaranteed to find one that suits your bedroom. They’re available in full, queen, king, and California king sizes. Plus, installation is so easy that there’s no need to locate any studs or use complicated wall anchors. 49 Unique “spy” paper that dissolves in water Whether you’re creating a fun spy game for your kids or playing a practical joke, this pack of dissolvable paper is worth a look. It only takes about 30 seconds to dissolve once it comes into contact with water — and it won’t leave behind any adhesive residue once it’s gone. “We used waterbased markers to write wishes on the paper,” wrote one reviewer . “Placed in water and immediately dissolved! Great fun!” 50 A car charger adapter that can power 2 devices at once This adapter is a smart buy for anyone whose car doesn’t have a built-in USB port. It plugs into your cigarette lighter, and features two USB ports so that you can power multiple devices at the same time. The best part? Quick-charge technology detects the optimal charging speed for your devices so that it can power them up as fast as possible. 51 This fun koozie that looks just like a little puffer jacket Insert any 12-ounce can or bottle into this koozie , and it’ll help keep your drink cold while your hands stay comfortably warm. The looped arms give you somewhere to insert your fingers so that you can keep a firm grip when sipping. And if you aren’t into red flannel? You can also grab it in blue, pewter, or tan. 52 This Bluetooth speaker that you can decorate with your own custom pixel art Not only is this Bluetooth speaker great for listening to your favorite songs, but you can also add your own custom pixel art design to the screen using the downloadable smartphone app. But if that isn’t enough? You can even set it up so that it works as a table clock, bedside alarm, or indoor thermometer. 53 These sheepskin seat belt covers that make things comfier Not a fan of how your seat belt chafes against your shoulder? Then this cover is worth a look. It’s made from authentic Australian merino sheepskin that feels oh-so soft when rubbing against your shoulder. And with 11 colors to choose from, don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to grab more than one. 54 The beanbag stand that’s compatible with just about any tablet Regardless of whether you have an iPad or Kindle, this stand is designed to fit tablets of nearly any shape or size. The beanbag base allows it to sit comfortably on your lap, sofas, beds, and more. Or, you can even remove the tablet arm and use it as a lap desk in a pinch. 55 The teeth whitening kit that delivers results after just 10 days Having your smile professionally whitened can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead, use this kit . The whitening serum that comes with it is vegan, as well as made without any sulfates, GMOs, or gluten. Results are typically visible within just 10 days or less — and unlike some whitening kits, this one comes with low-sensitivity serum that won’t leave your teeth feeling irritated. 56 Macaron pill cases that come in fun, vivid colors Ditch that crummy plastic pill container and upgrade to these adorable macarons . They come in a variety of fun colors — from pastel pink to bright red — and each one is the perfect size to hold pills, Bobby pins, or any other small item you’d like to keep with you. 57 Clever pockets that help keep items from falling between the car seats Tired of having to fish items out from between your car seats? Then these pockets are worth a look. They fill up that gap, replacing it with storage space where you can keep phones, glasses, cash, and more. Plus, the universal fit makes them suitable for use in just about any vehicle. 58 The cool hand-shaped ring holder that looks like glass Looking for somewhere to keep your rings? Search no further than this hand . All five fingers are angled upwards, making them perfect for holding rings, bracelets, or even hoop earrings. Plus, the ultra-clear plastic frame looks just like glass — even when up close. 59 A delicious superfood powder loaded with turmeric, mushrooms, & more Ginger, red reishi mushroom, and ginger are only a few of the nourishing superfoods you’ll find inside of this powder . The gingerbread chai flavor mixes into milk, yogurt, oatmeal, or even pancakes, giving all sorts of meals a nutritional boost. One reviewer wrote, “I use a spoonful of this in my coffee with a dash of cinnamon everyday. It’s a much healthier choice to the liquid soy based, sugar loaded creamers I had used before.” 60 The soft strap that lets you hold tablets one-handed You don’t have to hold your tablet up with both hands when reading books or watching videos. Instead, grab this strap . It attaches to the back of your tablet using two easy-to-remove brackets, making it easy to hold up your tablet using just one hand. Plus, the added padding helps keep the strap from chafing against skin. Money

President-elect Donald Trump promised to expand oil drilling in the U.S. — good news for political leaders in Alaska, where oil is the economic lifeblood and many felt the Biden administration obstructed efforts to boost the state’s diminished production. A debate over drilling on federal lands on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope likely will be revived, particularly in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which environmentalists long sought to protect. The largest wildlife refuge in the U.S. covers an area of northeast Alaska roughly the size of South Carolina. It boasts mountains and glaciers, tundra plains, rivers and boreal forest, and it is home to wildlife including polar bears, caribou, musk ox and birds. The fight over whether to drill in the refuge’s coastal plain along the Beaufort Sea goes back decades. Drilling advocates say development could create thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in revenue and spur U.S. oil production. While the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said the coastal plain could contain 4.25 billion to 11.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil, there is limited information about the amount and quality. It’s unclear whether companies will want to risk pursuing projects that could become mired in litigation. Environmentalists and climate scientists pushed for a phase-out of fossil fuels to avert the worst consequences of climate change. The refuge is east of the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where the Biden administration approved the controversial Willow oil project but made about half the petroleum reserve off-limits to oil and gas leasing. An exploration well was drilled in the 1980s on lands where Alaska Native corporations held rights, but little information was released about the results. Still, opening the coastal plain to drilling has been a longtime goal for members of Alaska’s congressional delegation. In 2017, they added language to a tax bill mandating two oil and gas lease sales by late 2024. The first sale took place in the waning days of the last Trump administration, but President Joe Biden quickly called on Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to review the leasing program. That led to the cancelation of seven leases acquired by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation. Litigation is pending. Smaller companies gave up two other leases. The Biden administration released a new environmental review ahead of the deadline for the second required sale. It proposes offering what the Bureau of Land Management said would be the minimum acreage the 2017 law allows — a proposal Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators cast as a mockery of the law. Some Alaska Native communities welcome potential new revenue while others worry about how drilling will affect wildlife in an area they consider sacred. Gwich’in officials in communities near the refuge said they consider the coastal plain sacred. Caribou they rely on calve there. Galen Gilbert, first chief of Arctic Village Council, said the refuge should be off-limits to drilling. Arctic Village is a Neets’aii Gwich’in community. “We just want our way of life, not only for us but for our future generations,” Gilbert said. Leaders of the Iñupiat community of Kaktovik, which is in the refuge, support drilling. They vowed to fight attempts to designate the lands as sacred. Josiah Patkotak, mayor of the North Slope Borough, which includes Kaktovik, said in an October opinion piece that the land “has never been” Gwich’in territory. “The federal government must understand that any attempt to undermine our sovereignty will be met with fierce resistance,” he wrote. Oil is vital to the economic well-being of North Slope communities, said Nagruk Harcharek, president of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, a nonprofit advocacy group whose members include leaders from that region. Responsible development long coexisted with subsistence lifestyles, he said. Trump named Chris Wright — a fossil fuel executive and advocate of oil and gas development — to serve as energy secretary. In a video posted on X by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Trump said he would work to ensure a natural gas pipeline project long sought by state political leaders is built. The project, opposed by environmentalists, floundered over the years due to changes in direction under various governors, cost concerns and other factors. Dunleavy said Trump could undo restrictions imposed by the Biden administration on new oil and gas leasing on 13 million acres of the petroleum reserve. Harcharek’s group sued over the restrictions, arguing the region’s elected leaders were ignored. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100Enghouse Systems (TSE:ENGH) Hits New 1-Year Low – Here’s What HappenedATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.

Soccer-Brugge bounce back to beat Sporting 2-1By David Shepardson, Nora Eckert (Reuters) -General Motors said on Tuesday it will stop funding and exit robotaxi development at its majority-owned Cruise business, a blow to the automaker that had made the advanced technology unit a top priority. GM said it would no longer fund work on the robotaxis “given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market.” The automaker has invested more than $10 billion in Cruise. GM shares rose 3.2% in extended trading on Tuesday. In 2023, GM CEO Mary Barra said the Cruise business could generate $50 billion in annual revenue by 2030. “This is the latest in the series of decisions that GM has announced which underscore our focus on having the right technology for the future of our company and the industry and reflects our commitment to execute with speed and efficiency,” she said on Tuesday. Barra declined to say how many Cruise employees could be moved over to GM. Some of GM’s competitors have already stopped funding autonomous driving businesses, citing the costs and difficulties involved in developing such sophisticated technology. In October 2022, Ford Motor shifted spending away from its Argo AI operation, winding down the venture that was also funded by Volkswagen. Ford is still working on advanced driver assistance systems in-house different from the fully autonomous ones being developed at Argo AI. Last month, Cruise admitted to submitting a false report to influence a federal investigation and agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. The Justice Department said Cruise failed to disclose key details of an October 2023 crash to federal regulators in which one of its robotaxis in San Francisco struck and seriously injured a pedestrian. GM expects the restructuring will lower spending by more than $1 billion annually after the plan is completed by the end of June. GM, which owns about 90% of Cruise, has agreements with other shareholders that will raise its ownership to more than 97% and will pursue the acquisition of the remaining shares. GM in July said it would halt development of a planned robotaxi that would not have a steering wheel or other human controls. In 2022, GM filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seeking permission to deploy up to 2,500 self-driving Origin vehicles annually without human controls such as brake pedals or mirrors. The agency has not acted on the request and GM cited the regulatory risk for its decision. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Nora Eckert in Detroit and Manya Saini in BengaluruEditing by Chizu Nomiyama, Ben Klayman and Matthew Lewis) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Watch gift guide: 15 timepieces under S$200 to S$3,000, from Timex, Swatch, Tudor and more

BUFFALO — The year started with a bang. In January, Gov. Kathy Hochul named UB the home of Empire AI, a new $400 million supercomputing center that will provide UB and partners with breathtakingly powerful resources to harness artificial intelligence for the betterment of society. An avalanche of advancements – all pointing towards UB’s leadership in AI, in New York State and nationwide – followed the governor’s announcement. With interest in AI surging globally, these advancements showcase and build upon UB’s impressive half-century of expertise in AI research and education. They also hint at a brighter future, where AI’s uncanny abilities merge with human ingenuity to tackle society’s greatest challenges. “Traditionally, colleges and universities are at the epicenter of life-changing research and ideas,” said Venu Govindaraju, vice president for research and economic development. “The University at Buffalo is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and data science in fields that are critical to the state’s and nation’s future.” As 2024 comes to a close, here’s a look back at what has been a year of AI at UB. January UB researchers have been laying the groundwork for today’s boom in artificial intelligence for decades. This includes pioneering work creating the world’s first autonomous handwriting recognition system, which the U.S. Postal Service and Royal Mail adopted to save billions of dollars. Those innovations explain, in part, why Gov. Kathy Hochul chose UB to be the home of Empire AI, a consortium of public and private universities, and foundations, that will harness AI for the public good while driving economic development. “We want to make sure New York State is the capital of AI development ... but I need a home for this supercomputer that’ll power the innovation all over our state. And I’m proud to announce that the home will be right here at [UB],” Hochul said Jan. 26 at the Center for the Arts. Earlier in the month, during her State of the State address in Albany, the governor spotlighted UB student Holliday Sims for her work using AI to improve the child welfare system. February UB was chosen to join the federal government’s first-ever consortium dedicated to ensuring that AI systems are safe and trustworthy. Announced Feb. 8, the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) includes government agencies and top research universities, as well as Microsoft, Apple, Google, OpenAI and other tech companies. AISIC will create standards for AI usage that protect Americans’ privacy; advance equity and civil rights; and promote innovation and competition. Weeks later, UB was among 28 new members to join AI Alliance, an international coalition led by IBM and Meta that is dedicated to promoting open, safe and responsible AI. March On a beautiful spring day, engineering professor Chase Murray and students took to the skies at UB’s Structure for Outdoor Autonomy Research, one of the largest outdoor drone-testing labs among the nation’s colleges and universities. Murray uses AI and other technologies to optimize how autonomous vehicles work together – research that has implications in logistics, search-and-rescue, surveillance and more. Elsewhere, researchers in UB’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science kept tabs on their AI system that aims to improve indoor farming and address food insecurity. And another research group began using AI to make algae fuel production more cost-effective. The projects illustrate UB’s commitment to sustainability and social justice. April April brought Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, to campus. The occasion? “Today, we’re here to celebrate something truly amazing: the opening of the new, $20 million, federally funded National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, and it’s going to be housed right here at UB,” said Schumer. Funded by the NSF and Department of Education, the institute will create AI systems that ensure children with speech and language disorders receive timely, effective assistance. The work, which addresses the nationwide shortage of speech-language pathologists, will help ensure that millions of children do not fall behind in their academic and socio-emotional development. May On May 31, UB hosted thought leaders from IBM, M&T Bank, Moog and other institutions for its ongoing chat series on AI and society. “Don’t be an AI user, be an AI value creator,” Dario Gil, IBM senior vice president and director of research, told attendees at the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The event included presentations from UB researchers using AI to make advancements in medicine, medical devices, climate change, materials science, pharmaceutical science and other fields. June An electricity grid that uses AI to identify and fix problems before they cause widespread power outages? It could become reality sooner than you think due to research published June 4 and co-led by Souma Chowdhury, who studies how to apply AI to complex systems. He is among more than 200 researchers at UB using AI to address societal challenges. Also in June, more than 300 scholars from the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, one of the world’s most recognized scientific organizations dedicated to advancing AI research, gathered at UB for a multiday conference. The scholars represented more than a dozen fields – including machine learning, psychology, political science, the humanities and more. July On July 17, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and state lawmakers visited UB for a roundtable discussion on AI. The attendees learned about UB researchers using AI to identify “forever chemicals,” as well as spinoff companies working on technology to improve treatment for strokes and aneurysms. “We are pioneering AI discoveries that will drive progress in research and economic development, demonstrating UB’s commitment to leveraging technology for societal benefit,” Govindaraju said. August The start of the new semester brought record enrollment to UB’s Master of Science program focusing on AI. Launched in 2020 with five students, the number swelled to 73 students this fall, with an additional 50 expected next semester. The program’s growth “shows that we’re providing students with in-demand skills that they can use for the betterment of society,” said Kemper E. Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Graduates have taken jobs at Amazon Web Services, NVIDIA, Visa and other companies. September UB was awarded $10 million from the U.S. Department of Education to establish the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI. The center will create AI tools to ensure culturally and linguistically diverse learners in grades K-2, including those in Western New York, receive transformative early literacy instruction. “We believe that, with the right support, all students — regardless of their backgrounds — can succeed in literacy,” says project leader X. Christine Wang, a professor of learning and instruction in the Graduate School of Education. Later in the month, Rep. Tim Kennedy announced UB would receive $475,000 to equip its wind tunnel with equipment that allows it to leverage the power of AI, among other technologies. UB uses the facility to study and improve the nation’s response to hurricanes, wildfires and other extreme weather. October On Oct. 11, roughly nine months after it was announced, Empire AI went live. Gov. Kathy Hochul flipped the switch on a stack of powerful new computer servers at Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The servers represent a fraction of the eventual power of Empire AI, which will be located at a new building on North Campus. On the same day, UB President Satish K. Tripathi delivered his annual State of the University address. “While today, only the private sector has the computing power needed to seriously advance AI research, Empire AI will put New York State at the epicenter of artificial intelligence innovation. This game-changing initiative will enable us to tap the full power of AI to solve complex issues facing our state, nation and world.” November From fake celebrity endorsements to manipulated videos of politicians, the 2024 election was rife with misleading information. Debunking much of this content was the DeepFake-o-Meter, a publicly available tool used by journalists, law enforcement and others. The tool was created by UB computer scientist Siwei Lyu and students. With AI being added to medical devices, the Food and Drug Administration wants to ensure these products meet public health standards. The agency called upon experts, including UB’s Peter Elkin, for insight at a public meeting. Elkin, professor and chair of the Department of Bioinformatics, said the FDA should allow these devices to learn and therefore improve. “AI-enabled devices are no longer just tools; now they are partners in care,” he said. Back on campus, UB hosted the latest in a series of “AI at UB” forums on Nov. 21. Organizers updated faculty and staff on how UB is implementing AI in its classrooms and labs. Presenters also discussed how AI can be a tool to foster collaboration and enhance learning outcomes. December In early December, UB officials detailed plans to create a new academic department focused on AI and its impact on society. The department aligns with the mission of UB and SUNY, both of which are committed to responsibly harnessing the power of AI for social good. Around the same time, UB computer scientist Nalini Ratha published a series of research papers focused on machine learning and encrypted data. One of the papers suggests a new technique for safeguarding personal medical data as it travels from third-party cloud service providers back to patients and their doctors. The work points to a future where medical diagnostics are quicker and more accurate, and patient medical records remain confidential.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100NEW YORK — The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," two law enforcement officials said Thursday. The words were written in permanent marker, according to one of the officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. With the gunman still at large, police also released photos of a person they said was wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the company's annual investor conference at a Hilton hotel in Midtown. The reason behind the killing remained unknown, but investigators believe it was a targeted attack. This image shows a man wanted for questioning in connection to the investigation of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. The message left on the ammunition echoes the phrase "delay, deny, defend," which is commonly used by attorneys and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for complicating access to care. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. Inside a nearby trash can, they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that they say the gunman purchased from a nearby Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The city's medical examiner was looking for fingerprints. The killing and the shooter's movements in the minutes before and after were captured on some of the multitudes of security cameras present in that part of the city. The shooter fled on a bike and was last seen riding into Central Park. Bullets lie on the sidewalk Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in New York. The hunt for the shooter brought New York City police to at least two hostels on Manhattan's Upper West Side on Thursday morning, based on a tip that the suspected shooter might have stayed at one of the residences, according to one of the law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The photos police released Thursday of a man wanted for questioning were taken in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel. "We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time," said Danielle Brumfitt, a spokesperson for the hostel. Police received a flood of tips from members of the public, many of them unfounded. On Wednesday evening, police searched a Long Island Rail Road train after a commuter claimed to have spotted the shooter, but found no sign of the gunman. "We're following up on every single tip that comes in," said Carlos Nieves, a police spokesperson. "That little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together." Investigators believe, judging from surveillance video and evidence collected from the scene, that the shooter had at least some prior firearms training and experience with guns and the weapon was equipped with a silencer, said one of the law enforcement officials who spoke with the AP. This still image from surveillance video shows the suspect, left, sought in the the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, center, Wednesday outside a Manhattan hotel. Security camera video showed the killer approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the health executive tumbled to the pavement. Cameras showed him fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza before getting on the bicycle. Police issued several surveillance images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face, which wouldn't have attracted attention on a frigid day. Authorities also used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intensive search, but the killer's whereabouts remained unknown. Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in suburban Minneapolis, was with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. The insurer's Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting with investors in New York to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. In the U.S. healthcare system, even the simplest act, like booking an appointment with your primary care physician, may feel intimidating. As you wade through intake forms and insurance statements, and research out-of-network coverage , you might wonder, "When did U.S. health care get so confusing?" Short answer? It's complicated. The history of modern U.S. health care spans nearly a century, with social movements, legislation, and politics driving change. Take a trip back in time as Thatch highlights some of the most impactful legislation and policies that gave us the existing healthcare system, particularly how and when things got complicated. In the beginning, a common perception of American doctors was that they were kindly old men stepping right out of a Saturday Evening Post cover illustration to make house calls. If their patients couldn't afford their fee, they'd accept payment in chicken or goats. Health care was relatively affordable and accessible. Then it all fell apart during the Great Depression of the 1930s. That's when hospital administrators started looking for ways to guarantee payment. According to the American College of Healthcare Executives, this is when the earliest form of health insurance was born. Interestingly, doctors would have none of it at first. The earliest health plans covered hospitalization only. A new set of challenges from the Second World War required a new set of responses. During the Depression, there were far too many people and too few jobs. The war economy had the opposite effect. Suddenly, all able-bodied men were in the military, but somebody still had to build the weapons and provision the troops. Even with women entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers, there was simply too much to get done. The competition for skilled labor was brutal. A wage freeze starting in 1942 forced employers to find other means of recruiting and retaining workers. Building on the recently mandated workers' compensation plans, employers or their union counterparts started offering insurance to cover hospital and doctor visits. Of course, the wage freeze ended soon after the war. However, the tax code and the courts soon clarified that employer-sponsored health insurance was non-taxable. Medicare, a government-sponsored health plan for retirees 65 and older, debuted in 1965. Nowadays, Medicare is offered in Parts A, B, C, and D; each offering a different layer of coverage for older Americans. As of 2023, over a quarter of all U.S. adults are enrolled in Medicare. The structure of Medicare is not dissimilar to universal health care offered in other countries, although the policy covers everyone, not just people over a certain age. Medicaid was also signed into law with Medicare. Medicaid provides health care coverage for Americans with low incomes. Over 74 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid today. The Obama administration was neither the first nor the last to champion new ways to provide health care coverage to a wider swath of Americans. The first attempts to harmonize U.S. healthcare delivery systems with those of other developed economies came just five years after Medicare and Medicaid. Two separate bills were introduced in 1970 alone. Both bills aimed to widen affordable health benefits for Americans, either by making people Medicare-eligible or providing free health benefits for all Americans. As is the case with many bills, both these died, even though there was bipartisan support. But the chairman of the relevant Senate panel had his own bill in mind, which got through the committee. It effectively said that all Americans were entitled to the kind of health benefits enjoyed by the United Auto Workers Union or AFL-CIO—for free. But shortly after Sen. Edward Kennedy began hearings on his bill in early 1971 , a competing proposal came from an unexpected source: Richard Nixon's White House. President Nixon's approach , in retrospect, had some commonalities with what Obamacare turned out to be. There was the employer mandate, for example, and an expansion of Medicaid. It favored healthcare delivery via health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, which was a novel idea at the time. HMOs, which offer managed care within a tight network of health care providers, descended from the prepaid health plans that flourished briefly in the 1910s and 1920s. They were first conceived in their current form around 1970 by Dr. Paul M. Ellwood, Jr. In 1973, a law was passed to require large companies to give their employees an HMO option as well as a traditional health insurance option. But that was always intended to be ancillary to Nixon's more ambitious proposal, which got even closer to what exists now after it wallowed in the swamp for a while. When Nixon reintroduced the proposal in 1974, it featured state-run health insurance plans as a substitute for Medicaid—not a far cry from the tax credit-fueled state-run exchanges of today. Of course, Nixon had other things to worry about in 1974: inflation, recession, a nation just beginning to heal from its first lost war—and his looming impeachment. His successor, Gerald Ford, tried to keep the proposal moving forward, but to no avail. But this raises a good question: If the Republican president and the Democratic Senate majority both see the same problem and have competing but not irreconcilable proposals to address it, why wasn't there some kind of compromise? What major issue divided the two parties? It was a matter of funding. The Democrats wanted to pay for universal health coverage through the U.S. Treasury's general fund, acknowledging that Congress would have to raise taxes to pay for it. The Republicans wanted it to pay for itself by charging participants insurance premiums, which would be, in effect, a new tax. The next significant legislation came from President Reagan, who signed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, in 1985. COBRA enabled laid-off workers to hold onto their health insurance—providing that they pay 100% of the premium, which had been wholly or at least in part subsidized by their erstwhile employer. While COBRA offers continued coverage, its high expense doesn't offer much relief for the unemployed. A 2006 Commonwealth Fund survey found that only 9% of people eligible for COBRA coverage actually signed up for it. The COBRA law had a section, though, that was only tangentially related. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, which was incorporated into COBRA, required all emergency medical facilities that take Medicare—that is, all of them—to treat patients irrespective of their insurance status or ability to pay. As Forbes staff writer Avik Roy wrote during the Obamacare debate, EMTALA has come to overshadow the rest of the COBRA law in its influence on American health care policy. More on that soon. It wasn't until the 1990s that Washington saw another serious attempt at healthcare reform. Bill Clinton's first order of business as president was to establish a new health care plan. For the first time, the First Lady took on the role of heavy-lifting policy advisor to the president and became the White House point person on universal health care. Hillary Clinton's proposal mandated : The Clintons' plan centralized decision-making in Washington, with a "National Health Board" overseeing quality assurance, training physicians, guaranteeing abortion coverage, and running both long-term care facilities and rural health systems. The insurance lobbyists had a field day with that. The famous "Harry and Louise" ads portrayed a generic American couple having tense conversations in their breakfast nook about how the federal government would come between them and their doctor. By the 1994 midterms, any chance of universal health care in America had died. In this case, it wasn't funding but the debate between big and small governments that killed the Clinton reform. It would be another generation before the U.S. saw universal health care take the stage. Fast-forward to 2010. It was clear that employer-sponsored plans were vestiges of another time. They made sense when people stayed with the same company for their entire careers, but as job-hopping and layoffs became more prevalent, plans tied to the job became obsolete. Thus the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, was proposed by Barack Obama's White House and squeaked by Congress and the Supreme Court with the narrowest of margins. The ACA introduced an individual mandate requiring everyone to have health insurance regardless of job status. It set up an array of government-sponsored online exchanges where individuals could buy coverage . It also provided advance premium tax credits to defray the cost to consumers. But it didn't ignore hat most people were already getting health insurance through work, and a significant proportion didn't want to change . So the ACA also required employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to provide health coverage to at least 95% of them. The law, nicknamed Obamacare by supporters and detractors, set a minimum baseline of coverage and affordability. The penalty for an employer that offers inadequate or unaffordable coverage can never be greater than the penalty for not offering coverage at all. The model for Obamacare was the health care reform package that went into effect in Massachusetts in 2006. The initial proposal was made by then-Governor Mitt Romney, a Republican who now serves as a senator from Utah. Despite an onslaught of court challenges, Obamacare remains the law of the land. For a while, Republican congressional candidates ran on a "repeal-and-replace" platform plank, but even when they were in the majority, there was little legislative action to do either. Still, Obamacare is not the last word in American health care reform. Since then, there have been two important improvements to Health Reimbursement Arrangements, through which companies pay employees back for out-of-pocket medical-related expenses. HRAs had been evolving informally since at least the 1960s but were first addressed by the Internal Revenue Service in 2002. Not much more happened on that front until Obama's lame-duck period. In December 2016, he signed the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which was mainly a funding bill supporting the National Institutes of Health as it addressed the opioid crisis. But, just like the right to free emergency room treatment was nested in the larger COBRA law, the legal framework of Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements was tucked away in a corner of the Cures Act. QSEHRAs, offered only by companies with fewer than 50 full-time employees, allow firms to let their employees pick their insurance coverage off the Obamacare exchanges. The firms pay the employees back for some or all of the cost of those premiums. The employees then become ineligible for the premium tax credit provided by the ACA, but a well-constructed QSEHRA will meet or exceed the value of that subsidy. That brings this timeline to one last innovation, which expands QSEHRA-like treatment to companies with more than 50 employees or aspiring to have them. Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements , or ICHRAs, were established by a 2019 IRS rule . ICHRAs allow firms of any size to offer employees tax-free contributions to cover up to 100% of their individual health insurance premiums as well as other eligible medical expenses. Instead of offering insurance policies directly, companies advise employees to shop on a government-sponsored exchange and select the best plan that suits their needs. Employer reimbursement rather than an advance premium tax credit reduces premiums. And because these plans are already ACA-compliant, there's no risk to the employer that they won't meet coverage or affordability standards. The U.S. is never going back to the mid-20th century model of lifetime employment at one company. Now, with remote employees and gig workers characterizing the workforce, the portability of an ICHRA provides some consistency for those who expect to be independent contractors for their entire careers. Simultaneously, allows bootstrap-phase startups to offer the dignity of health coverage to their Day One associates. The U.S. health care system can feel clunky and confusing to navigate. It is also regressive and penalizes startups and small businesses. For a country founded by entrepreneurs, it's sad that corporations like Google pay less for health care per employee than a small coffee shop in Florida. In many ways, ICHRA democratizes procuring health care coverage. In the same way that large employers enjoy the benefits of better rates, ICHRA plan quality and prices improve as the ICHRA risk pool grows. Moving away from the traditional employer model will change the incentive structure of the healthcare industry. Insurers will be able to compete and differentiate on the merits of their product. They will be incentivized to build products for people, not one-size-fits-all solutions for employers. This story was produced by Thatch and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18

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FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the improbable and chaotic 34-26 win at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn't done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an 86-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert's second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback's offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys' biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” What's working Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush's best as a starter, and the NFL's second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. What needs help KaVontae Turpin's electrifying 99-yard kickoff return did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey's attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game's first touchdown. Stock up CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Stock down Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton's position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn't play against the Commanders. He's awaiting his season debut. Injuries The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. Key number 75% — Rush's completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. Next steps There's some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Schuyler Dixon, The Associated PressHail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in Miami

KABUL, Dec 11 — For Saja, studying nursing at a healthcare institute in Kabul was her last lifeline to make something of herself after women were banned from universities in Afghanistan two years ago. But the Taliban government has crushed this ambition by ordering, according to multiple sources, the exclusion of Afghan women from medical training, sparking panic across institutions. When she heard the news, Saja, who had been at university before women were barred, said it felt like “reliving the same nightmare”. “This was my last hope to do something, to become something,” said Saja, not her real name. “Everything has been taken away from us for the crime of being a girl.” The authorities have made no official comment or confirmation, nor have they responded to the numerous condemnations and calls to reverse a decision that further blocks women’s access to education. Since their 2021 return to power, the Taliban government has imposed reams of restrictions on women, making Afghanistan the only country to ban girls from education after primary school. Directors and employees of health training centres have told AFP they were informed in recent days of the order, issued by the Taliban supreme leader and passed down verbally by the health ministry, to expel women students until further notice. Institutes across the country — which many women had turned to after the university ban — were given a few days to organise final exams. But without an explicit announcement or document clarifying the rules, confusion reigns. Some institutions told AFP they would operate as normal until they received written orders, while others closed immediately or scrambled to hold exams before shuttering. “Everyone is confused, and no one is sharing what is really happening,” said Saja, who was in her first year at a private institute. “We have been given two or three exams each day... even though we already finished our exams a few months back,” said the 22-year-old, adding they had to pay fees to sit the exams. 35,000 women students “We received a lot of concerned messages from students and teachers wanting to know what is going on and asking ‘is there any hope?’” said the director of a Kabul private institute with 1,100 students, of which 700 were women. “No one is happy,” he told AFP from his office steps away from women’s classrooms, where the last lesson on the board advised how to manage stress and depression in patients. According to a source within the health ministry, 35,000 women are currently students in some 10 public and more than 150 private institutes offering two-year diplomas in subjects including nursing, midwifery, dentistry and laboratory work. The Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC) non-governmental organisation, which trains 588 women in institutes managed in collaboration with the health ministry, was verbally informed classes were “temporarily suspended”. This has to be taken “equally seriously as a written document”, said NAC country director Terje Magnusson Watterdal, adding that “there are a lot of people high up within the current government that are quite opposed to this decision”. He hopes, at the minimum, public institutes will reopen to women. International organisations like the United Nations, which has said Afghan women are victims of a “gender apartheid”, have already warned of devastating consequences of the plan, in a country where maternal and infant mortality are among the world’s highest. If implemented, the reported new ban “will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary suffering, illness, and possibly deaths of Afghan women and children, now and in future generations, which could amount to femicide”, UN experts warned Monday. ‘Taken everything from us’ Midwifery students are especially passionate about their studies, according to Magnusson Watterdal. “So many of these young women have been motivated to become a midwife because they have lost a mother or an aunt or a sister in childbirth,” he said. “It’s not just a profession that you choose, it’s a vocation. So, of course, there’s great desperation” among students and staff. Small protests have been held in parts of Afghanistan, according to sources and images circulated on social media. Assal, another student using a pseudonym, received an expedited diploma last week, but has little hope of finding a job in a country where unemployment is widespread and opportunities for women are increasingly limited. “I wanted to practise medicine and study further,” the 20-year-old told AFP. “They had already taken everything from us. Next thing we won’t even be allowed to breathe.” — AFP

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”iCorner Launches Redesigned Website to Revolutionize Apple Shopping Experience in Bulgaria 12-10-2024 11:18 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/d85f98ca83c03e68107fe1b9613156ba.png Sofia, Bulgaria - December 10, 2024 - iCorner, one of Bulgaria's few authorized Apple resellers, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, icornerstore.bg. With an updated design and a host of new features, the website aims to offer customers an unparalleled online shopping experience for Apple products and accessories. A Legacy of Excellence Founded in 2006, iCorner has established itself as a trusted provider of Apple products in Bulgaria. Located at Bulgaria Mall in Sofia, iCorner is more than just a store; it's a hub for Apple enthusiasts seeking premium devices and exceptional service. Over the years, the company has distinguished itself through its dedication to quality, exclusive offers, and strong alignment with Apple's standards of excellence. As an official distributor, iCorner plays a key role in making Apple's cutting-edge technology accessible to Bulgarian consumers. Why Redesign? The newly revamped website reflects iCorner's commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. The redesign was driven by a desire to better serve customers, streamline the online shopping process, and align with modern web standards. The new platform not only enhances usability but also ensures that customers can interact with the brand seamlessly, whether on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. "Our goal with the redesign is to create an online space that mirrors the elegance and functionality Apple is known for," said the iCorner team. "We're committed to delivering the best technology shopping experience, and this new platform is a significant step in that direction." Exciting New Features The redesigned icornerstore.bg introduces several key enhancements aimed at making the Apple shopping experience more enjoyable and efficient: Intuitive Navigation: Customers can easily explore the extensive range of Apple products, from iPhones and iPads to Macs, Apple Watches, and accessories. The website's streamlined layout ensures that users can find what they need quickly and without hassle. Responsive Design: Optimized for all devices, the website guarantees a consistent and visually pleasing experience, whether accessed on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Enhanced Security: Cutting-edge security protocols have been integrated to protect user data and ensure safe online transactions. Exclusive Offers: The website features limited-time promotions, including interest-free financing on all MacBook Air and Pro models, as well as free shipping on orders over 300 BGN. Customer Support: A dedicated customer service section allows users to get assistance quickly, reflecting iCorner's commitment to providing top-notch service. Celebrating the Launch To mark the launch of the redesigned website, iCorner is offering exclusive promotions and discounts. Customers can take advantage of interest-free installment plans and free shipping on qualifying orders. These initiatives underscore iCorner's focus on making high-quality Apple products accessible to a wider audience. More Than Just a Store Beyond its role as a reseller, iCorner serves as a bridge between Bulgarian consumers and the Apple ecosystem. From offering guidance on the latest products to delivering personalized support, iCorner ensures that every customer has access to the full range of Apple's innovations. Visit the New Website The new website is live at icornerstore.bg. Whether you're looking to purchase the latest iPhone or explore exclusive deals, the redesigned platform is your gateway to a seamless Apple shopping experience. About iCorner iCorner, established in 2006, is a leading authorized Apple distributor in Bulgaria. With a mission to bring Apple's innovative products closer to Bulgarian customers, iCorner offers a wide range of devices, accessories, and personalized services. The company operates both in-store at Bulgaria Mall in Sofia and online through its newly updated website. Media Contact Company Name: iCorner Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=icorner-launches-redesigned-website-to-revolutionize-apple-shopping-experience-in-bulgaria ] Phone: 088 687 7263 Address:Bulgaria Blvd. 69, Bulgaria Mall City: Sofia Country: Bulgaria Website: http://icornerstore.bg This release was published on openPR.

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Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Saturday, November 23BOSTON — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during a game against Miami on Nov. 23, 1994, sits outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. Michael Dwyer, AP File It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats Miami with a last second touchdown pass on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami. File Photo “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie evades Miami defensive tackle Kevin Fagan during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami, Fla. JOE SKIPPER, AP File “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Santiago Mazzarovich Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Altaf Qadri Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Antonio Calanni Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Brynn Anderson Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Nam Y. Huh India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Themba Hadebe Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Charlie Riedel A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Matilde Campodonico People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Ariana Cubillos Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Tamuna Kulumbegashvili Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Ellen Schmidt Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Luca Bruno Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Carolyn Kaster President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Thibault Camus Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Manu Fernandez St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) Pamela Smith England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Kin Cheung Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Lynne Sladky UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Ben McKeown

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