Myanmar has been facing over 70 years of instable situations, beginning with armed conflicts that emerged alongside its independence. Successive governments have attempted to achieve domestic peace through various means. However, due to ethnic, ideological, pride-driven, and ego-centred divisions, peace has remained elusive, appearing fleetingly like a glimmer of hope before disappearing again — an ongoing loss for the nation. Peace is a fundamental cornerstone for the economic development of the nation, the improvement of the social well-being of its people, the harmony and prosperity of the Union, and the rule of law. Mutual respect and understanding among ethnic groups foster collaboration and cooperation, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts, which can be resolved through negotiation. A relationship based on trust enables the resolution of numerous challenges together, ultimately fostering a more harmonious coexistence and paving the way for durable peace and stability. This is the time for all national brethren to foster mutual trust, free from suspicion and misunderstandings, and to set aside unnecessary ideologies. They must collaborate with mutual respect, trust, and affection to forge durable peace. If so, the Union will remain peaceful and respective regions flourish in harmony. By exercising the rights granted under the Constitution, everybody must work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and sustainable development. Due to the lack of peace, it is well-known that people are living in a state of great worry and concern. The consequences of these conflicts have severely impacted the socio-economic lives of local ethnic communities. Therefore, solutions must be sought through peaceful means to promote the well-being of one’s region and people. If political issues are not resolved through political means but rather through armed conflict, even in an independent nation, the people would find themselves living in poverty-stricken, turbulent lives. Although the nation may be independent, it is everyone’s responsibility to prevent a situation where its citizens are forced to live uncertain and unstable lives. Everybody must ensure that future generations can live peacefully, happily, and securely by making their lives a lasting part of history. The Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is a historic pact for peace, and it is essential for all ethnic armed organizations to respect and adhere to it. The State Administration Council has been engaging in dialogue with political parties and ethnic armed organizations to achieve lasting peace. The outcomes and agreements reached during these bilateral discussions have been documented to ensure they can be deliberated and ratified in future parliamentary sessions. This is the time for all national brethren to foster mutual trust, free from suspicion and misunderstandings, and to set aside unnecessary ideologies. They must collaborate with mutual respect, trust, and affection to forge durable peace. If so, the Union will remain peaceful and respective regions flourish in harmony. By exercising the rights granted under the Constitution, everybody must work together in unity to achieve national stability, peace, and sustainable development.Wooley and Cottle each score 32, Kennesaw State knocks off Brewton-Parker 112-77
Stellantis wants you to know that, even in a premium electric version, a Jeep is still a Jeep. In other words, as the title of the marketing campaign for Jeep’s first all-electric model says: “beautiful things can still get dirty.” The Jeep Wagoneer S EV is slated to arrive at dealerships in January 2025 but parent-company Stellantis aims to launch its marketing campaign on TV during Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL games. A 30-second version of the spot will also run elsewhere on television and on the Jeep brand’s social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. After showing off the luxurious faux-leather-seat interior, and a glimpse of its front three screens (for instrument, infotainment, and entertainment displays), the Wagoneer is seen breaking out of its cocoon and riding through some muddy roads. “Jeep vehicles, even one as stunning as the Wagoneer S, look even better when they’re muddy,” says Bob Broderdorf, senior VP of Jeep North America, in a statement. Jeep’s electric SUV, he says, breaks free from the confines of luxury stereotypes into the great outdoors, while pushing the boundaries of electric capability. The Wagoneer S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and features Jeep’s Selec-Terrain options, allowing drivers to switch from auto to sport, eco, snow, and sand modes. With a 100kWh battery pack, the SUV offers 300 miles of driving range, and fast-charging from 20% to 80% in 23 minutes. In some ways, Stellantis’ media campaign for the Wagoneer S echoes similar themes used earlier this month in ads for Dodge’s first-ever EV , the Daytona Charger. That ad, while prominently featuring pro-nature themes associated with EVs, presented the Charger as an all-American “muscle car,” reminiscent of the vehicle’s 1960s version as seen in the classic movie Bullitt and the Dukes of Hazzard TV series.MicroStrategy , the preferred high beta play on the price of bitcoin, will join the Nasdaq 100 index, a move that could further increase demand for the controversial stock that has been on a torrid run this year alongside the price of the cryptocurrency. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are The Nasdaq 100 comprises 100 of the largest nonfinancial companies in the tech-focused Nasdaq Composite index . A stock's addition means that ETFs – including the highly popular Invesco QQQ Trust , which has $325 billion in assets – will become automatic buyers as well. Shares of the bitcoin proxy could be set to gain off the move. They're up more than sixfold this year, compared with bitcoin's nearly 140% gain in the same period. The change, which will become effective before the market open on Dec. 23, was announced Friday after the stock market close. MicroStrategy was widely telegraphed as a potential contender for membership by investors who were looking forward to the index's rebalancing this week. "This would lead to inclusion of MSTR in some of the largest ETFs such as QQQ (5th largest ETF) etc, leading to one-time fresh buying ... and ongoing participation in future inflows," said Gautam Chhugani, an analyst at Bernstein, in a note this week ahead of the reshuffle. Additionally, "the market will likely set its sight on S&P 500 inclusion for 2025," Chhugani said. "Currently, due to profitability of its software business, it may be challenging to be considered for S&P 500 inclusion." The Nasdaq changes the constitution of the Nasdaq 100 index annually. The companies selected for inclusion are based largely on market cap rankings on the last trading day of November, which was Nov. 29 this year. Stocks must also meet eligibility requirements around liquidity and the free float percentage of their shares. MicroStrategy originally sold enterprise software, but the firm has increasingly become a bitcoin holding company. It first added bitcoin to its balance sheet in 2020, with Michael Saylor as CEO at the time, and has been leaning into that strategy in the years since. MicroStrategy now issues convertible notes to leverage its purchases, and its stock's daily trading sometimes looks like a more volatile version of bitcoin. The company now has a market cap of roughly $90 billion despite having less than $500 million in revenue over its previous four quarters, according to FactSet. Saylor told CNBC's " Squawk Box " earlier this month that he sees the company's role as " securitizing bitcoin ." "Primarily, our job is to bridge the traditional capital markets that want bonds, or they want fixed income, or they want equity, or they want options, and we plug that into the crypto economy. And we use bitcoin as the vehicle to do that," said Saylor, who is now the company's executive chairman. MicroStrategy began cranking up its purchases after the U.S. presidential election. The victory of pro-crypto President-elect Donald Trump — specifically his promise to establish a national strategic bitcoin stockpile — has propelled bitcoin to new all-time highs, achieved in part by the company's purchases. MicroStrategy now owns 423,650 bitcoins. It bought 149,880 of them in four different purchases over the past month, beginning Nov. 11. As part of MicroStrategy's hot streak this year, activists have been pushing bitcoin investing as an agenda item in shareholder meetings at companies like Microsoft and Amazon. Mining stocks like Mara Holdings have also begun employing Saylor's bitcoin yield strategy . Palantir Technologies and Axon Enterprise will also be joining the Nasdaq 100 later this month. Illumina , Moderna and Super Micro Computer will be removed from the index. Last year, the Nasdaq 100 added six companies in its annual reconstitution, including DoorDash. Five of those six stocks rose the Monday after the announcement, with an average move of 1.21%. —With reporting by Jesse Pound.
PENN Entertainment PENN received a Wall Street upgrade Friday on a positive outlook for both its casino and sports betting segments. The PENN Analyst: JPMorgan analyst Joseph Greff upgraded shares of Penn from Neutral to Overweight and raised the price target from $19 to $27. Read Also: PENN Entertainment Stock Climbs Despite Q3 Earnings Miss: What’s Going On? The Analyst Takeaways : Penn has a favorable risk-reward going forward, Greff said in a new investor note. The analyst said there is a sightline to the "bottoming of its regional land-based casino cashflow generation" and a path to modest growth for its retail projects. "In addition, we see reasonably set expectations for near-term Interactive (OSB and iGaming) losses for the 4Q24 and 2025 with buy-side expectations for modestly positive EBITDA generation in 2026," Greff said. Greff said ESPN Bet continues to be one of the biggest drivers for the stock. "We see a scenario of modestly positive segment EBITDA as not priced in the shares and, importantly, is not that much more than PENN's estimated annual market access fees." Penn pays Walt Disney Co DIS for the rights to the ESPN name and brand. Greff said if ESPN Bet is not profitable, the company could shut it down and "milk the $60m-ish of market access fees." The analyst said company commentary said monthly active users were up 144% year-over-year for ESPN Bet with average handle per user up 64% month-over-month. Enhancements made by Penn to further integrate the ESPN brand into the platform ahead of the NFL season look to have paid off, the analyst added. The analyst said if ESPN Bet isn't successful, there is still value of the company's land-based casinos and market access fees that sportsbooks pay the company, assigning a value of $26 for this segment. Penn's $850 million being spent in 2024 and 2025 on four retail growth projects is highlighted by the analyst, which includes replacing a riverboat facility with a land-based casino and hotel, developing a new land-based casino and adding hotels for the Hollywood Columbus and M Resort properties. "Net-net we see a favorable fundamentally driven risk-reward given improving free cash flow ... and shrinking Interactive losses." PENN Price Action: Penn stock is up 3.60% to $20.73 on Friday versus a 52-week trading range of $13.50 to $27.21. Penn stock is down 20% year-to-date in 2024. Read Next: Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev Says Sports Betting Comments Taken ‘A Little Bit Out Of Context,’ But He Also ‘Wouldn’t Rule It Out’ Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano is Erupting AgainDALLAS and VANCOUVER, British Columbia and ROME, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AleAnna, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “AleAnna” or the “Company”), an emerging leader in Italy’s energy landscape, announced the completion of the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) between Swiftmerge Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: IVCP) (“Swiftmerge”), a special purpose acquisition company, and AleAnna Energy, LLC (“AleAnna Energy”). Concurrent with the completion of the Business Combination, Swiftmerge has changed its name to AleAnna, Inc. Commencing at the open of trading on December 16, 2024, the Class A shares of common stock and warrants of AleAnna are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbols “ANNA” and “ANNAW”, respectively. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Swiftmerge and was approved at an extraordinary general meeting (the “Shareholders Meeting”) of Swiftmerge’s shareholders on December 12, 2024. Former equity holders of AleAnna Energy rolled 100% of their equity interests into the combined company. Prior to the execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 6, 2024, AleAnna Energy's equity holders contributed over $60 million in cash, bringing the company's total cumulative investment to nearly $175 million. This infusion of capital enabled the completion of the Longanesi Field tie-in and the acquisition of initial renewable natural gas (“RNG”) assets, both finalized in Q3 2024. Additionally, the investment covered expenses related to the business combination and provided funding for general corporate liquidity. As of the transaction close, AleAnna had approximately $28 million in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet and no debt. This disciplined approach to financial management has empowered AleAnna to allocate significant capital to innovative exploration and development projects while preserving financial flexibility. Long History In Developing Resources in Italy AleAnna has a distinguished history in Italy, having been a leader in energy exploration and development for over a decade. Since its founding in 2007, the company has been dedicated to unlocking the significant potential of Italy’s natural gas reserves through the application of cutting-edge seismic imaging and environmentally responsible practices. AleAnna holds one of the largest portfolios of exploration permits and production concessions in Italy, spanning over 2.3 million acres. By combining advanced technology with a deep respect for Italy’s cultural and environmental heritage, AleAnna is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering the nation’s energy independence and economic growth, earning its reputation as a trusted partner in Italy’s energy future. Positioning itself as a leader in both onshore conventional natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) production, AleAnna is at the forefront of building a secure and reliable domestic energy supply for Italy and the broader European market. The company stands on the cusp of a major milestone, with the first phase of natural gas production from the Longanesi Field projected to commence in Q1 2025. Alongside this, additional gas discoveries at Gradizza and Trava, 13 development prospects in various permitting stages, and leases covering approximately 2.3 million net acres underscore AleAnna’s commitment to future exploration and development. AleAnna is also helping drive the European Union's clean energy transition through its innovative approach to RNG. Leveraging the strategic overlap between its conventional and renewable assets in the Po Valley, AleAnna is transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy. With three RNG facilities operational and over 100 additional opportunities identified, AleAnna is poised for significant expansion in this sector. Guided by a commitment to corporate responsibility and a vision for a sustainable future, AleAnna integrates conventional and renewable energy solutions to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint and advance its clean energy objectives. By delivering innovative energy solutions, AleAnna continues to shape Italy’s energy landscape and support the EU’s transition toward a greener future. Experienced Management And Board Of Directors The combined company will be led by William Dirks as Executive Director and Marco Brun as Chief Executive Officer, supported by a seasoned and highly skilled executive team. AleAnna’s leadership team brings extensive expertise gained from top-tier energy companies, including Shell, Eni, and Exxon. This seasoned group combines in-depth knowledge of energy technology, operations, and business development with well-established regulatory and industry networks in Italy. Their collective experience equips AleAnna to effectively navigate the dynamic and rapidly evolving energy landscape. The Board of Directors, which will include Graham van’t Hoff, William Dirks, Marco Brun, Duncan Palmer, and Curtis Hébert, collectively brings a wealth of experience spanning global energy markets, technical and operational expertise, European energy development, financial management, governance, and regulatory policy. This diverse set of skills and perspectives ensures comprehensive strategic oversight and positions AleAnna for sustained growth and success. With over 15 years of investment and operational experience in Italy, AleAnna has a competitive advantage in securing critical permits and approvals, positioning it ahead of its peers. The company’s approach integrates cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading practices with strategic capital allocation to maximize the value of its conventional and renewable natural gas (RNG) assets. AleAnna is dedicated to sustainable, low-cost growth while maintaining strict capital discipline. By prioritizing innovation, efficiency, and long-term shareholder value, AleAnna is well-positioned to lead the next phase of Italy’s energy transformation. Management Commentary Bill Dirks, Executive Director of AleAnna, commented, “Our investment in state-of-the-art subsurface technology has been a game-changer for AleAnna. By leveraging advanced seismic imaging and cutting-edge data analysis, we have achieved unparalleled accuracy in identifying and developing Italy’s natural gas resources. This technology not only enhances our operational efficiency but also ensures that our exploration and development activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.” Marco Brun, AleAnna’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “We stand at a pivotal moment in AleAnna's journey. As we gear up for production at Longanesi and scale our renewable natural gas (RNG) operations, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving a sustainable energy future. This strategy not only delivers value to AleAnna shareholders but also plays a key role in reshaping the energy landscape for generations to come.” About AleAnna, Inc. AleAnna is an innovative energy company dedicated to unlocking Italy's extensive natural gas reserves and advancing renewable energy solutions to address the country's energy needs and support Europe's sustainability and energy security goals. With a vast portfolio encompassing over 2.3 million acres of potential resources and state-of-the-art technologies, AleAnna is poised to lead Italy's energy transition. Guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence, AleAnna is shaping a sustainable and secure energy future. The company operates regional headquarters in Dallas, TX, and Rome, Italy, serving as strategic hubs for its global and local initiatives. Forward-Looking Statements The information included herein contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, AleAnna’s future financial performance following the Business Combination, as well as AleAnna’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on AleAnna management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events. They are based on current information about the outcome and timing of future events. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, AleAnna disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. AleAnna cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of AleAnna. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination and any transactions contemplated thereby, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AleAnna to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its management and key employees; AleAnna’s need for additional capital to execute its business plan and support its anticipated growth; costs related to the Business Combination; the risks associated with the growth of AleAnna’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; AleAnna’s ability to identify, develop and operate new projects; the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the natural gas market; delays in acquisition, financing, construction and development of new projects; decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects; the ability to obtain necessary regulatory and governmental permits and approvals; uncertainty regarding the EU’s clean energy transition, including existing regulations and changes to regulations and policies that affect AleAnna’s operations; the ability to maintain the listing of AleAnna’s securities on a national securities exchange; and the effects of competition on AleAnna’s future business. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any statements made in connection in addition to these occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that AleAnna does not know or that AleAnna currently believes are immaterial that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact AleAnna’s expectations and projections can be found in filings it makes with the SEC, including the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by Swiftmerge and AleAnna Energy with the SEC on November 21, 2024, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AleAnna. SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . Investor Relations Contact For AleAnna, Inc.: Bill Dirks wkdirks@aleannagroup.com
The Reform UK leader pushed back against reports suggesting that legal action would be the next step, saying he would make a decision in the next couple of days about his response if there is no apology for the “crazy conspiracy theory”. Mr Farage also said the party has “opened up our systems” to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, in the interests of “full transparency to verify that our numbers are correct”. His remarks came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of “fakery” in response to Reform claiming they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage, on whether he was threatening legal action or not, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. “I haven’t said whether it’s legal or anything.” He added: “All I’ve said is I want an apology. If I don’t get an apology, I will take action. “I will decide in the next couple of days what that is. So I’ve not specified what it is.” Mr Farage, on the move to make membership data available to media organisations, said: “We feel our arguments are fully validated. “She (Mrs Badenoch) has put out this crazy conspiracy theory and she needs to apologise.” The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News & FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. I am now demanding @KemiBadenoch apologises. — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 27, 2024 On why Mrs Badenoch had reacted as she did, Mr Farage said: “I would imagine she was at home without anybody advising her and was just angry.” Mr Farage, in a statement issued on social media site X, also said: “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. “Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News and FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. “I am now demanding Kemi Badenoch apologises.” A Conservative Party source claimed Mr Farage was “rattled” that his Boxing Day “publicity stunt is facing serious questions”. They added: “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to taking on the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year.” Mrs Badenoch, in a series of messages posted on X on Thursday, said: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. Elsewhere, Mr Farage described Elon Musk as a “bloody hero” and said he believes the US billionaire can help attract younger voters to Reform. Tech entrepreneur Mr Musk met Mr Farage earlier this month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, amid rumours of a possible donation to either Mr Farage or Reform. Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe. Elon makes us cool – Elon is a huge help to us with the young generation, and that will be the case going on and, frankly, that’s only just starting. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote. The youth vote is the key. Of course, you need voters of all ages, but if you get a wave of youth enthusiasm you can change everything. “And I think we’re beginning to get into that zone – we were anyway, but Elon makes the whole task much, much easier. And the idea that politics can be cool, politics can be fun, politics can be real – Elon helps us with that mission enormously.”
South Carolina is off to an uneven start, but that hasn't obscured the steady rise of Collin Murray-Boyles. The 6-foot-7 sophomore will be the player to watch when South Carolina (6-3) hosts South Carolina Upstate (4-8) Saturday afternoon in Columbia. Murray-Boyles leads the Gamecocks in points (16.2), rebounds (9.4), steals (1.2) and blocks (1.1) per game. As South Carolina struggled to a 75-68 victory over East Carolina on Saturday, Murray-Boyles carried the Gamecocks, making all 10 of his shots from the floor and finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. "He's been working on pivoting towards the basket and getting on balance and then making a strong move through some contact," South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said. The Gamecocks have been highly dependent on Murray-Boyles. In the two games in which he has fouled out, South Carolina lost to Xavier and Indiana. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are unbeaten in the six games in which he has collected at least eight rebounds. "He's still growing and it's exciting to see," Paris said. "He's got phenomenal natural touch." Also emerging lately have been Norfolk State transfer Jamarii Thomas, who had season highs of 22 points and seven assists against East Carolina, and Morris Ugusuk, who has hit 10 of 14 shots from 3-point range in the last three games. South Carolina Upstate has been sparked by a pair of guards who each have won multiple Big South freshman of the week awards. Carmelo Adkins had 31 points and 12 rebounds in wins last week over Division III Brevard and at Western Carolina, while Mister Dean leads the Spartans in points (15.7), rebounds (5.6) and steals (2.0) per game. "He sparks runs because he'll make a dynamic dunk," Spartans coach Marty Richter said of Dean. "He brings energy with how he scores the basketball, in a hurry. He can score in bunches." The Spartans enter on a high as the win over Western Carolina was Richter's first over a Division I team. South Carolina Upstate is 1-8 all-time against South Carolina. This year, the Spartans are winless in four games against power conference schools. In an 85-80 loss a month ago at Wake Forest, however, they led for much of the second half. --Field Level Media
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Tiger Woods may not be seen in action in a PGA Tour event for a few more months, but the 15-time major champion is about to provide the organization a huge boost , according to world No. 7 Wyndham Clark. Woods is set to compete in TGL when the innovative tech-infused league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy debuts in January. TGL will see 24 of the PGA Tour's top stars compete in weekly made-for-TV matches at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It promises to be the first time the 49-year-old has committed to a regular schedule of events since his high-speed car crash in 2021, which left him badly injured and has resulted in a number of lasting physical issues. Tiger Woods' emotional reaction as son makes first-ever hole-in-one at PNC Championship Tiger Woods shares worrying one-word verdict as he makes injury comeback Woods played only the four majors and The Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour this year, and it was apparent that the challenge of walking 18 holes day after day is extremely difficult at this stage of his career. The TGL arena will mitigate those issues, though. The players will hit full shots into a huge simulator screen during the three-vs-three. 15-hole matches before turning their attention to a nearby dynamic short-game area. Woods will represent Jupiter Links Golf Club and is set to play his first TGL match on Jan. 14, and 2023 U.S. Open champion Clark – a member of The Bay Golf Club, who is set to play in TGL's inaugural match seven days previously – believes Woods' return to regular competitive action is a timely boost for the PGA Tour and the sport at large. "It's massive. Regardless of how good Tiger is playing, just having Tiger involved in golf and playing is massive," Clark told Mirror Sports. "And obviously, with his complications with his body and health, it's hard for him to play four rounds in a row, multiple weeks in a row. "And in this, though, it takes away a lot of the physical challenges that he's struggling with. And now he can just hit the shots. And so that's amazing for the game of golf. "It's amazing for TGL. And selfishly, it's awesome for me that I get to play alongside Tiger and compete with him. I've never really had that opportunity as kind of a younger, up-and-coming player." Woods returned to the public eye over the weekend, competing alongside his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship. The Woods finished runners-up to Bernhard Langer and his son, Jason, but Tiger showed once again he is golf's greatest needle-mover with masses of fans tuning in to watch the climax of an exhibition tournament. Men's professional golf has endured a challenging couple of years as a result of the LIV Golf breakaway in 2022, with fans becoming jaded by the off-course politics that have dominated the narrative. The divisions in the game have doubtless played a part in concerning viewing figures for the PGA Tour. TGL is set to give the tour fresh opportunities to attract new fans, though. The weekly matches will be contested mostly on Monday nights live in primetime on ESPN, filling the void left by the end of the NFL regular season. Clark, 30, believes TGL promises to have a hugely positive impact. "Oh, it's amazing," he said. "I'm hoping it's the start of a lot of primetime stuff for golf. I think TGL has been very smart and strategic to plan it right after the NFL season's over. People want to watch sports still and taking over that Monday night slot is massive. "People are home on Monday nights and they want to see sports. And I think that's going to be great for the game of golf. And I hope people love this and want more of it. And then next thing you know, a lot of golf is on primetime."Enter the World of 'Solo Leveling: Unlimited (SL:U)': Where Hunters Become Collectors 12-23-2024 10:48 PM CET | Sports Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: ViralPunch Build Your Shadow Army: Collect, Upgrade, and Rise to Power in the World of Solo Leveling Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/76d281964044b30ef0fb46910e78fced.jpg Otherworld will launch "Solo Leveling: Unlimited (SL:U)", a digital collectible platform, and open its first season 'Prologue' to the public on December 23. This platform, based on the globally popular Korean webtoon "Solo Leveling", which has amassed over 14.3 billion cumulative views worldwide. The collectibles platform will operate on the Space Network, an independently constructed Layer 1 (L1) blockchain by OtherWorld, built on Avalanche. SL:U faithfully integrates the original storyline, characters, and style of the webtoon into a digital collectible platform. The immersive experience mirrors the protagonist's journey of opening dungeon gates, hunting monsters, and leveling up. Designed to captivate both existing fans and new users, the platform preserves the essence of the original story. Originally a web novel published in 2016, Solo Leveling gained worldwide acclaim as a webtoon before expanding into animations and games. Known for its unique narrative and compelling characters, the series has been a flagship title representing Korean webtoons globally, with a strong fanbase in regions such as North America and Japan. SL:U is an Interactive Collection and Reward System (C2E: Collect to Earn). SL:U offers a unique twist on collectible card experiences where collectors can open dungeon gates to acquire monster cards and uniquely power them up through upgrades. The platform rewards dedicated users with weekly rewards for those who successfully upgrade their card collections and exclusive Shadow Monarchs (NFTs) for top-ranking collectors each season. Built on blockchain technology, our reward system ensures complete transparency in distribution, eliminating common concerns about unclear reward mechanisms or manipulated algorithms found in traditional digital platforms. While Otherworld has incorporated blockchain technology, it aims to provide services that are user-friendly for the general public. SL:U offers login capabilities through familiar social media accounts, along with convenient payment options including easy payment systems and credit card transactions. Traditional blockchain services have presented barriers with their requirement for blockchain wallet logins and cryptocurrency payments for transactions, creating significant hurdles for mainstream users. These complications often discourage potential users from engaging with such services. To address these challenges, Otherworld collaborates with Crossmint to provide a seamless user experience that eliminates these traditional barriers to entry. Otherworld has built its own Layer 1 Space Network, but the platform isn't limited to a single blockchain. Through partnerships with Nestree and LayerZero, users can freely move their tokens and NFTs across different networks using the Nestree Bridge. This enables quick and flexible asset transfers between blockchains. To target the global market, SL:U has announced a range of partnerships. Joint marketing efforts with Animoca Brands Animation Foundation are in the works, while collaboration with popular Korean cosmetics brand VT-Cosmetic will feature a product lineup incorporating NFTs. The OWN Token, Otherworld's native cryptocurrency, will soon be added as a payment option in SL:U and is expected to gain broader utility across various platforms starting with this initiative. Otherworld holds exclusive Web3 business rights for 26 IPs from popular Kakao Page webtoons, including Solo Leveling and Ranker Who Lives a Second Time. The company plans to acquire more IPs to blur the boundaries between Web2 and Web3, further expanding digital content universes. It also aims to create an NFT-driven ecosystem for K-pop fans through a partnership with Cube Entertainment, utilizing K-pop artist IPs. Media Contact Company Name: Otherworld Contact Person: Mike Lee Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=enter-the-world-of-solo-leveling-unlimited-slu-where-hunters-become-collectors ] Country: South Korea Website: https://sololeveling.space This release was published on openPR.
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The Director of Elections for the Ablekuma North constituency, Daniel Yaw Tornyigah, has vowed to take legal action if the Electoral Commission (EC) attempts to overturn the earlier declaration of Ewura Abena Aubyn as the duly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the area. In a press conference, Tornyigah reiterated that the NDC’s victory in Ablekuma North was the result of hard work and vigilance, reflecting the will of more than 70,000 voters. He emphasized that the party would not accept any attempt to reverse the decision made by the electorate. Tornyigah expressed concerns over the recent coalition of seven constituencies out of nine, which were declared for the NPP by the EC, raising questions about the commission’s impartiality. He accused the EC of potentially favoring the NPP, casting doubt on the transparency and fairness of the process. “We urge the Electoral Commission to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness. The people of Ablekuma North deserve nothing less. We are committed to protecting this mandate and will legally challenge any effort to subvert the people’s choice,” Tornyigah stated.
“My twin sister Nicola got sick when she was 24 years old. It was determined that she had stomach cancer and passed away two months to the day she was diagnosed.” Natasha Benn lost her sister to a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer in 1993. Before Nicola, her mother had passed away from the same cancer when Benn was two. So did her grandmother, aunt, and great-grandfather. “My dad always thought it might be some kind of hereditary component to the type of cancer that my mom had, but it was never confirmed at the time,” Benn said. Shortly after Nicola's death, a gastroenterologist strongly suggested that Benn undergo surgery to remove her stomach, given the close genetic link between the twins. Nine months later, the young woman decided to go forward with full gastrostomy, unbeknownst to her if she was carrying the same ailment. Grieving the loss of her sister and uncertain if she had made the right decision, Benn received news six years later confirming her choice had been the correct one. After performing a biopsy on the young woman’s stomach, pathologists discovered traces of cancer in the organ’s lining - something that could not have been detected even with an endoscopy. Little did they know, the Benns, along with another family from Detroit, were part of a groundbreaking discovery that transformed the lives of countless families. For the first time in history, researchers identified a genetic mutation in Natasha’s stomach which they named CDH1. This mutation was found to carry an 83 per cent risk of developing stomach cancer and 60 per cent likelihood of lobular breast cancer. Thanks to the technological advances and research, organizations like BC Cancer can find this mutation through risk-free, non-evasive, and efficient ways. A simple sample of saliva, or blood, can be all that’s needed to determine if one carries the rogue gene. “Genetic testing can be helpful in clarifying whether or not you have an increased risk [of cancer] and then determining what's available in terms of screening and prevention for those specific types of cancer,” said Jennifer Nuk, leader in genetic counsellor for the BC Cancer Hereditary Cancer Program. For decades, identifying hereditary cancer solely relied on analyzing one’s family history, without having certainty if members were carriers of the ailment, explained Nuk. In the early days of genetic testing, means were limited, costly, and slow. Today, however, researchers can examine more genes than ever before with greater efficiency, at a higher rate, for a fraction of what it once cost. “We've had families that were seen years ago where it looks like there was something going on in the family... and we didn't find anything,” said Nuk. “Now we go back to test that same family [and] we're actually picking up mutations because the technology has improved so much.” Though many remain to be studied, Nuk and her team can now detect rogue genes causing numerous cancers including ovarian, breast, and colon. The lead geneticist added that the services offered by the program are twofold; genetic testing to identify individuals carrying mutated genes, and the provision of personalized care plans for those at increased cancer risk. “If we can figure out someone's at higher risk... we have a much better chance of offering better outcomes for the patient,” she said. People are provided with comprehensive information and a range of options, allowing them to make informed decisions about their next steps. As prevention is key to combating cancer, Nuk and her team will discuss and propose to their patients appropriate screening options, such as mammograms or MRIs, as well as preventative measures like vaccines and surgeries suited to their respective conditions. In turn, Nuk added that if one treatment can be given over another more invasive one, this will ultimately result in a better quality of life for individuals and benefit the overall health-care system. Since its inception in 1997, the prevention program has not only saved thousands of lives but also reduced health-care costs for taxpayers, freed up time and resources for other cancer patients, and alleviated the burden on B.C.'s hospitals. Benn and her sisters benefited from this very program. “My older sister did have the gene and decided to go through with the surgery and had her stomach removed,” she said. “[It] was riddled with cancer and she's still living today.” Her other sister, luckily, tested negative for the CDH1 mutation. Benn herself, facing a significant breast cancer risk from possessing the gene, opted for a preventative mastectomy. Reflecting on her journey, the self-proclaimed “cancer avoider” acknowledges the challenges she faced, including the grief of losing her sister and the uncertainty that followed her surgery. However, she strongly recommends the importance of prioritizing preventative care. “To have that knowledge and to be willing to [use it] is so important,” said Benn. “I know a lot of people avoid going to the doctor, especially when you might be feeling completely healthy, but you don't know what else is happening in your body. “Having a screening place that you can go to determine if you have a history of any kind of illness that you can prevent it in advance, why wouldn't you go?”