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Struggling Coventry families were 'crying tears of joy' when they attended a hugely popular event in the city on Christmas Eve . Thousands flocked to Willenhall Social Club on December 24 as gifts were handed out and children got to meet Santa. Organiser Clel Sneddon came up with the idea 11 years ago to help disadvantaged families in Willenhall . It has since 'spiralled' into one of the biggest free-to-attend events in the West Midlands. Families from Willenhall , Binley , Whitley , and Ernesford Grange were given Cadbury Selection Boxes and Nintendo Switches. Children also had the chance to meet Father Christmas. READ MORE: CCTV captures moment brazen fly-tippers dump mattress in Coventry Clel, who runs the Pride of Willenhall on Facebook , said the idea for the hugely popular event stemmed from giving away a food hamper in 2013. Over 1,400 nominations were received, which the 51-year-old described as 'staggering.' It then 'spiralled' into the hugely popular event, which is held every year on Christmas Eve . Clel said the free-to-attend event is always a team effort which comes together with the help of Angela Odea, Rob O'Toole, Dougie Walton, Martin Carolan, and Katie Jonas. Queues at the Willenhall Social Club this year were said to be 'unbelievable.' Clel said: “We just thought there is a need for this, the community needs this, and each year, it has just grown to what you saw on Christmas Eve .” Children from disadvantaged backgrounds had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, with many saying they were just 'blown away.' Around 1,500 brand-new toys were handed out on the day, including Nintendo Switches. Gifts were also donated to University Hospital Coventry in Walsgrave . One woman who won a bicycle for her son was in such disbelief that she started crying. Clel said: “She just could not believe that she was taking away a new bike to give to her son for Christmas .” Clel told CoventryLive that he started the event to bring Christmas joy to disadvantaged families in Willenhall . He said: “You will have people turning up who that might be their only opportunity to actually see Father Christmas.” He added: “Again, there are people who will turn up, and it might be the only presents they receive this Christmas . We made sure kids left fully stocked up with presents, chocolates, and everything else! It shows the good in Willenhall .” Sign up for our FREE daily newsletter here for all the latest news about Coventry .
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With Nigeria ranked 110 out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) in 2024 after it ranked 119 amongst 125 countries in 2023 and also placed 6th out of 11 nations in terms of food insecurity there is indeed cause for serious concern. And more importantly actions to be taken to remedy the scary situation. But good enough, there is one governor taking the right steps and lessons have to be learnt from his actions taken so far. He is none other than Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state. But what really has he done for others to learn from? That is the million-naira question. The piece of interesting news is that the state has secret a huge grant of $280,000 from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in partnership with the state Ministry of Agriculture, with its own$27,000 to supply the implementation of the policies on increasing food security across the value change. According to the AGRA Coordinator in Niger state, Godswill Aguiyi the objectives include the strengthening of agric policies which are on ground in the state. It is also meant to enhance data management. Under the new initiate the agric section into four subsections. It should be noted that so far, the Bago-led administration has allocated 250,000 hectres of land out of the 76,373 square kilometers of land available in the state to boost sugar cane farming. The well-articulated master plan encapsulates the production, processing, preservation, packaging as well as marketing and export. In addition, another 1.2 million hectares of land has been made available for pasture production, ranching and livestock farming. Beyond the fact that Niger state currently boasts of the country ‘s largest livestock population the forward -looking governor has amplified the vision with the partnership with the Brazil based JBS Project on livestock production. Notably, with these modern framing practices in place the “Farmer Governor” will achieve the feat of creating a million new jobs, build 100, 000 new homes in the farm estates in addition to developing 100 agric facilities. That perhaps, explains why the House of Representatives has praised these remarkable achievements through one of the members, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos State). That came through a motion moved by him on November 26, 2024. According to him he was inspired by the call he had from a military general from Cameroon studying at Harvard University, with commendations for Governor Bago for the notable projects embarked upon which will definitely bear positive impact on food security in the state. This is one good example to remind us about the huge agric potentials Nigeria boasts of but which was more effective during the First Republic back then in the ’60s. It would be recalled that between 1960 and 1970 agriculture was responsible for 63% of the export earnings and 55.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it fell to as low as 28.4% on the average between 1971 and 1980 mainly due to the discovery of crude oil. The attendant negligence of the sector with mass rural -urban migration of the agile youths, leaving antiquated and rustic farming practices to the old men and women was definitely responsible for that. What it all means is that this moment calls for a return to our farmlands with modern technologies to boost production, harvesting, processing, preservation, packaging, marketing and export with focus on organic farming. The states should be allowed to have full control of their God-given agric potentials through holistic restructuring as it was during the First Republic. Such opportunity was what it possible for the then Northern Region to boast of massive production of hides and skin, cotton, sorghum, maize and of course, the popular groundnut pyramids. Similarly, the old Western Region was engaged in the mass production of cocoa, coffee, cassava and yams while the Eastern Region was well known for the production of rubber, oil palm and the root crops. Going forward we have to go back to the reliable and well-articulated blue- print on agricultural revolution as highlighted by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina President of the African Development Bank AfDB when he was the Minister of Agriculture during the President Goodluck Jonathan – led administration. He was able to identify the areas of the core competence of each of the states and geopolitical zones. If done, Nigeria will become the food production hub of the African continent which he predicted has the huge potential of reaching $1 trillion by the year 2030. Now us therefore, the best of times for each of the state governors to borrow a fresh green leaf from the hands of Bago, identify the areas of core competence and unleash such potentials through pragmatic, purposeful and productive partnerships with the international donor agencies, waiting in the wings to breathe life into such potentially vibrant visions.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone a successful prostate surgery, according to an announcement from Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Centre. The center reported that the prime minister had his prostate removed late Sunday, and he was placed under full anesthesia for the procedure. By Sunday night, Netanyahu was awake and in the recovery phase. Doctors decided on the operation after an infection was detected in the past week. While Netanyahu recovers, he is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. During the surgery, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, known as a close ally, served as the acting prime minister. (With inputs from agencies.)
American warplanes pounded Syria with airstrikes as the Assad regime fell on Sunday. They hit dozens of targets in support of the anti-ISIS mission, which officials say will continue. The US isn't the only military conducting strikes amid the uncertain situation in Syria. The US military has carried out extensive airstrikes in Syria since the Assad regime collapsed over the weekend, and it's not the only country on the hunt for targets in this uncertain moment. American, Israeli, and Turkish forces have all been involved in bombing targets across Syria over the past few days in actions said to be in support of their respective national security interests. For the US, this means continuing to go after the Islamic State, as it has done for years, but with an intensity to keep the group at bay. The Biden administration has stated that this mission will continue despite uncertainty about the future of Syria's leadership. The US has repeatedly said that it is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS. "We don't want to give ISIS an opportunity to exploit what's going on," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday, adding, "They love nothing more than ungoverned space." As rebel forces reached Damascus on Sunday and Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country, US Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, and A-10 attack aircraft . The widespread strikes hit the terrorist group's leaders, operatives, and camps, said US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations. A senior administration official, speaking to reporters, described the combat operation as "significant" and said the American warplanes dropped around 140 munitions to hit 75 targets. The US military said the goal of the strikes was to prevent ISIS from reconstituting in central Syria. Jonathan Lord, a former political-military analyst at the Pentagon, told Business Insider the US military is "rightly worried that ISIS could slip through the cracks in the chaos," so it is hitting as many targets as possible. The widespread bombing since Sunday has, however, not been limited to just the US. Israel has across neighboring Syria, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor. Israel has targeted the remnants of Assad's former military, including aircraft, ammunition depots, weapons storage facilities, warships, radar systems, and additional assets, the SOHR said. Israeli officials have said these strikes are from falling into the hands of potential foes. "Israel is taking no chances with their security and not waiting to find out if the new Syrian government is friendly or hostile," said Lord, who is now the director of the Middle East Security program at the Center for a New American Security think tank. The Israeli military has also the Syrian border beyond a United Nations-monitored buffer zone that separates the two countries. The UN has criticized the move, which Israel said is a measure to protect its citizens amid the uncertainty in Damascus. Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, told BI that the actions are a "combined effort to try to minimize as much as possible the risk of growing military challenges following the current situation in Syria." He said the Israeli approach likely includes diplomatic efforts to complement the airstrikes and buffer zone operation. Meanwhile, a Turkish drone a military site in an area held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the SOHR said on Tuesday. Ankara, which views the nearby SDF as a terror group, has targeted Kurdish forces for years. The US frequently works closely with the SDF on counter-ISIS operations. "The Turks have a legitimate counter-terrorism threat that they, too, have a right to deal with," Kirby, the White House spokesperson, said in response to a reporter's question about action against Kurdish groups. The widespread military actions come on the heels of the shock collapse of the Syrian Army amid a stunning, only that removed Assad from power. The longtime dictator had relied extensively on military support from Russia, Iran, and Lebanese Hezbollah to keep opposition forces in check. US officials are blaming on the reality that these three actors have been weakened and distracted lately by their respective conflicts with Ukraine and Israel. Russia, in particular, used to exercise significant control over Syrian airspace, but the in the country is now unclear. Read the original article onTDH Holdings, Inc. ( NASDAQ:PETZ – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 81,700 shares, a decrease of 14.3% from the November 30th total of 95,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 305,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Currently, 1.2% of the company’s stock are sold short. TDH Price Performance PETZ stock opened at $1.20 on Friday. TDH has a 1 year low of $0.98 and a 1 year high of $1.74. The company’s 50-day moving average is $1.21 and its 200-day moving average is $1.23. About TDH ( Get Free Report ) Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TDH Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TDH and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
A small asteroid was visible in northern Siberia on Tuesday, as it closed in on its collision course with Earth. It's first of two expected flybys this week. The European Space Agency issued an alert for the 27-inch asteroid at 4:27 a.m. ET, with the agency saying the celestial rock would create a visible fireball in the sky but that "the impact will be harmless." The asteroid, temporarily named C0WEPC5, has become Earth's fourth detected asteroid strike of the year and just the 11th of all time. Detected strikes are known as "imminent impactors," according to the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, which identified the fast-moving asteroid ahead of its arrival. The space rock entered Earth's atmosphere at 11:15 a.m. ET over Yakutia in northeastern Siberia, creating a massive fireball witnessed by people in the region, according to the agency. Video posted to social media on Tuesday shows the bright, fast-moving fireball darting through the sky before dissipating. It's currently unknown how much, if any, of the asteroid debris landed on Earth. Flyby asteroids are common, and astronomers' ability to detect them has rapidly increased with technological advancements. According to NASA , 132 known asteroids have passed closer to Earth than the moon is since October 2023. Overall, there have been upward of 36,000 asteroid flybys, the agency reported. Adding to the solar system show this week, another asteroid, known as 2020 XR, will fly by Earth at 12:27 a.m. ET on Wednesday, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory . Significantly larger but much farther away from impact than Tuesday's asteroid, 2020 XR is approximately 1,200 feet in diameter -- roughly the same as the height of New York City's Empire State Building -- but will pass Earth at a comfortable distance of 1.37 million miles, according to NASA. While the massive asteroid will unlikely have any impact, and is not considered a threat by officials, NASA designates any object that comes within 4.6 million miles of Earth as "potentially hazardous."
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Percentages: FG .444, FT .864. 3-Point Goals: 7-24, .292 (Lowe 4-7, Austin 1-4, Cummings 1-5, Leggett 1-5, Corhen 0-1, G.Diaz Graham 0-2). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 6 (G.Diaz Graham 4, Corhen, Leggett). Turnovers: 12 (Lowe 4, Leggett 3, Dunn 2, Austin, Corhen, Cummings). Steals: 10 (Leggett 5, Lowe 3, Austin, Cummings). Technical Fouls: Lowe, 00:04 first. Percentages: FG .373, FT .700. 3-Point Goals: 5-21, .238 (V.Miller 2-3, Fountain 1-1, Reed 1-1, Sears 1-4, Collins 0-1, R.Miller 0-1, Givens 0-2, Bailey 0-3, Carter 0-5). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Reed). Turnovers: 15 (Sears 6, Carter 2, Givens 2, V.Miller 2, Bailey, Chest, Fountain). Steals: 5 (Bailey 2, Sears 2, V.Miller). Technical Fouls: Carter, 5:01 second. A_1,112 (2,000).Well, it’s Tuesday. And during the NFL season , that means rosters are being adjusted across the league. For the Minnesota Vikings , that didn’t mean any moves for the 53-man roster. That’s good news for Stephon Gilmore, who is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered on Sunday vs the Arizona Cardinals. Minnesota Vikings cut veterans Myles Gaskin and Jake McQuaide Instead, all we saw from the Vikings this afternoon was movement on the practice squad. After the signing of Daniel Jones , and what appears to be the imminent activation of 37-year-old Pro Bowl long-snapper Andrew DePaola , Minnesota released veteran running back Myles Gaskin and waived replacement long snapper Jake McQuaide from the team’s practice squad. The #Vikings have waived LS Jake McQuaide and released RB Myles Gaskin from the practice squad. Myles Gaskin as active for five Minnesota Vikings games this season , but only saw the field for six total snaps on offense. In those very limited snaps, the 27-year old former 7th round pick got just three carries (-1 yard rushing). He also caught one pass for 11 yards. Most of Gaskin’s time on the field in purple came on special teams, where he totaled 85 snaps, mixed between both punt and field goal coverage/return. The longtime Miami Dolphin, who was drafted out of Washington in 2019 did not record a tackle, according to PFF , where he carried a 59.8 special teams grade. Andrew DePaola likely to be active vs Atlanta Falcons Jake McQuaide ‘waives’ goodbye, after four games with the Minnesota Vikings. The 12-year NFL veteran snappped the ball 33 times, and never stood out for causing a special teams mess. His 48.8 PFF grade, however, was his lowest since 2015. With McQuaide’s release, the assumption is that Andrew DePaola will be active on Sunday vs the Atlanta Falcons . This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.
From the season’s outset, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota would leave itself the flexibility to close games with whatever lineup the coaching staff felt was needed to secure a victory. ADVERTISEMENT Sometimes, he noted, he’d get the choice right. Surely, there would be other times when he wouldn’t. “Hopefully, I do way more than I don’t,” Finch said this week. Sunday evening, however, was a checkmark in the “not right” column, at least based off the result. The Timberwolves didn’t score in the final 4:47 of their loss to Golden State. Finch said this week that Mike Conley’s inclusion in the closing lineup would’ve added organization to the equation. But he was quick to add that, with the ill-advised shots Anthony Edwards was taking, may not have mattered. ADVERTISEMENT Finch also reiterated what he said after the game, that Nickeil Alexander-Walker was playing “so well,” so he was hesitant to take him off the floor. “Maybe the other thing I could’ve done was go small,” Finch said, “but we’ve not really done that a ton.” That was the cry of many Wolves’ followers on social media on Sunday. Minnesota has proven rather inept at late-game offense when Conley isn’t on the floor. But all recognized Alexander-Walker had also earned the opportunity to close. You certainly won’t take Edwards off the floor in those situations, and the Wolves wanted Jaden McDaniels on the floor to guard Steph Curry. That left Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as the only options to take off the court in favor of Conley, and that would’ve left Minnesota small. And, as Finch noted, the Wolves simply haven’t gone small this season. Like, at all. None of Naz Reid, Randle or Gobert have played more than 17 minutes this season without another big man next to him. ADVERTISEMENT It’s not something the Wolves practice, either. McDaniels said he’s only repped minutes at the four in practice when one of the bigs have been unavailable. Still, Finch said it wasn’t that he was “uncomfortable” rolling out a small-ball look Sunday. “But I worry a lot about rebounding. We struggle to rebound with our bigger lineups, at times. So, I know our smaller lineups have really struggled,” Finch said. “That’s some of the reason not to go small is really rebounding issues. But I think our guys are comfortable playing in all different combinations. But I haven’t really thought about going small, necessarily.” ADVERTISEMENT Indeed, Minnesota is just 12th in the NBA this season in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 71.3% of opposing missed shots. The glass was especially an issue Sunday, as Golden State grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. But it’s worth noting many of those came by guards in situations in which size was no factor on the play. McDaniels said he’s comfortable playing any position, including the power forward slot. And Minnesota certainly has the wing depth to roll out more small ball lineups if the situation ever called for it. There could be a playoff matchup that does just that, though Finch noted it could also go the other direction where the Wolves’ advantage would be to lean bigger. Versatility rules come April and May. But the Wolves don’t seem overly urgent to trot out any small-ball looks just to see how they perform at this juncture in the campaign. ADVERTISEMENT “Usually, it’s better with Naz at the four (than me),” McDaniels said. There is, however, at least one proponent of doing a little experimenting: Conley. “I think (small ball) kind of promotes a different level of spacing and speed to the game. You’re going to have to rely on guard-guard situations, guard pick and rolls,” Conley said. “Maybe me setting the screen and roll, Just creating different advantages for ourselves, as opposed to our typical offense or typical flow of things. I would love to see it, maybe — see how it works.” ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Transport Dept. rebuts Kejriwal’s allegation of probe against AtishiUConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley insists he’s not overvaluing Wednesday night’s game between his 25th-ranked Huskies and No. 15 Baylor in Storrs, Connecticut. Sure, it comes on the heels of the two-time reigning national champion Huskies (5-3) responding to losing all three games during the Maui Invitational with a blowout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday. UConn, which had won 17 consecutive games entering the Maui tournament, fell 23 spots from No. 2 to nearly out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday. “I think it’s such a long season and we’re eight games in,” Hurley said when asked about facing the Bears. “Our performance in Maui shocked the college basketball world and the sports world, and obviously a lot went on there.” “I don’t think it’s a must-win game in game nine of the season, but it’s an opportunity to play in Gampel (Pavilion), where we play great and are very comfortable, and we know we’re gonna have a great crowd. “We also know we’re playing a top-level team, so it’s a big game for us and it’s a big game for them.” Wednesday’s game signifies the start of a tough stretch in UConn’s schedule. The Huskies will visit Texas on Sunday and challenge No. 7 Gonzaga in New York on Dec. 14 before beginning Big East play on Dec. 18 against Xavier, which fell from No. 22 to out of the poll on Monday. But let’s go back to Saturday’s 99-45 dismantling of the Hawks. Jaylin Stewart started in place of the injured Alex Karaban (head) and joined Liam McNeeley by scoring 16 points to put UConn back in the win column. Solo Ball contributed 12 points, Aidan Mahaney had 11 and Tarris Reed Jr. (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Jayden Ross (10 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded a double-double. ”This experience they’re getting, (Stewart), Jayden Ross, Solo Ball, these guys are going to keep getting better and better,” Hurley said. “Jaylin Stewart has flashed. That Memphis game (in which he scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting), he flashed a lot in that one. .”.. These sophomores are just going to keep getting better and better. That’s why I do think we do need the grace and support of our people here at UConn. Because they’re going to be such different players in January and February.” On Tuesday, Hurley told reporters that Karaban would remain out for Wednesday’s game. Coming off a split in the Bahamas, Baylor (5-2) bounced back from a 77-62 setback to then-No. 11 Tennessee on Nov. 22 with a decisive 91-60 victory over New Orleans last Wednesday. “I know we’re all a little tired,” Bears coach Scott Drew said. “Whenever you come back from the Bahamas and a trip like that, the first game, you can be playing in mud. And I think the guys did a pretty good job, for the most part.” Jayden Nunn drained six of his seven 3-pointers in the first half and finished with a season-high 23 points to power Baylor past the Privateers. Robert Wright III scored 18 points, Jeremy Roach had 17 and Miami transfer Norchad Omier recorded his third consecutive double-double after finishing with 12 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
By Lea Skene | The Associated Press Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential impacts, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the development of Gore-Tex , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with DuPont , arguing that information about the chemicals’ dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs. DuPont has faced widespread litigation in recent years. Along with two spinoff companies, it announced a $1.18 billion deal last year to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with forever chemicals. The Maryland lawsuit seeks to hold Gore responsible for costs associated with the state’s ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts, among other damages. State oversight has ramped up following litigation from residents alleging their drinking water was contaminated. Until then, the company operated in Cecil County with little scrutiny. Gore announced in 2014 that it had eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from the raw materials used to create Gore-Tex. But it’s still causing long-term impacts because it persists for so long in the environment, attorneys say. Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm to conduct testing in the area and provided bottled water and water filtration systems to residents near certain Maryland facilities, according to a webpage describing its efforts. Recent testing of drinking water at residences near certain Gore sites revealed perfluorooctanoic acid levels well above what the EPA considers safe, according to state officials. Attorneys for the state acknowledged Gore’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address the problem but said the company needs to step up and be a better neighbor. “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement. “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.” Related Articles Business | Land movement leads list of top 5 biggest stories on the Peninsula in 2024 Business | Addicts trafficked cross country by ‘army of fraudsters,’ new lawsuit alleges Business | FTC sues largest wine and spirits distributor, saying it discriminates against smaller stores Business | LA prosecutor suing over alleged demotion during Gascón era tentatively settles Business | Embattled addiction treatment empire countersues Aetna in $40 million tug-of-war
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COVER STORY The year 2024 brought groundbreaking innovations across tech industries, from sleek devices redefining portability to cutting-edge advancements in AI and home automation. Here’s a roundup of the year’s most impressive gadgets, showcasing their unique features and why they stood out... Apple iPad Pro The Apple iPad Pro continues to lead the tablet market with its high-end features and exceptional performance, making it a top choice for professionals and creatives. Powered by the M2 chip, it delivers lightning-fast performance, making multitasking, video editing, and rendering seamless. The Liquid Retina XDR display on the 12.9-inch model offers stunning visuals with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a high refresh rate, ideal for media consumption and creative work. Its compatibility with the Apple Pencil 2 makes it a standout for artists and note-takers, offering precision and low-latency input. The iPad Pro boasts 5G connectivity, robust battery life, and the versatility of iPadOS, with features like Stage Manager and improved file management enhancing productivity. The Magic Keyboard transforms it into a laptop-like device, catering to diverse user needs. However, the iPad Pro comes with a premium price tag, and its reliance on iPadOS may not fully replace a traditional laptop for some users due to software limitations. Additionally, accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are sold separately, increasing the overall cost. Apple Vision Pro The Apple Vision Pro is a groundbreaking mixed-reality headset that seamlessly combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Its immersive spatial computing capabilities are powered by advanced M2 and R1 chips, offering exceptional performance for professional and personal applications. The dual 4K micro-OLED displays deliver stunning visuals, while advanced sensors and eye-tracking enable intuitive interactions. It supports productivity tools, entertainment, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem. However, the Vision Pro comes with notable drawbacks. Its high price places it out of reach for most consumers, limiting accessibility. The bulky design, though sleek for its category, may be cumbersome for extended wear. Battery life is limited to two hours when untethered, reducing portability. Additionally, its app ecosystem and content library are still expanding, potentially limiting its immediate utility for some users. Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 SPE The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 SPE offers a blend of portability, performance, and efficiency, powered by Intel’s Core Ultra processors. It features a sleek design with a lightweight chassis and boasts a 13.3-inch high-resolution display, making it ideal for professionals on the go. Equipped with up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, the laptop delivers impressive multitasking capabilities, although its non-upgradable RAM might limit future scalability. Pros include its compact form factor, high processing power, and energy-efficient integrated Arc graphics. The 74Wh battery supports fast charging and provides decent endurance. However, its lack of a dedicated GPU limits high-performance graphics applications, and its integrated RAM may not satisfy all users. While the ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 excels in productivity and portability, it may not be the best fit for users seeking robust gaming or graphic-heavy performance. ASUS Zenbook Duo UX8406 The ASUS Zenbook Duo UX8406 stands out with its innovative dual-screen design, featuring a 14.5-inch OLED main display and a 12.7-inch secondary touchscreen called the ScreenPad Plus. This layout is ideal for multitasking, offering a seamless experience for creative people and professionals who need extra workspace. Its Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card deliver solid performance for productivity tasks and light gaming. The laptop's sleek, durable build and long battery life make it an excellent portable option. However, the Zenbook Duo UX8406 isn't without drawbacks. The dual-screen design, while unique, can lead to ergonomic challenges, such as an unconventional keyboard and trackpad placement. It also runs slightly warmer due to the additional hardware. While the ScreenPad Plus is a boon for multitaskers, its practical utility depends on user-specific needs and compatibility with certain software. Additionally, the laptop's price point may be higher than comparable single-screen alternatives. Tesla Cybertruck The Tesla Cybertruck is a groundbreaking electric pickup known for its futuristic design, made of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel and Tesla Armor Glass. With up to 500 miles of range on the tri-motor variant, it offers impressive performance, including a 0-60 mph time of under 2.9 seconds and a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds. Its angular design maximizes durability and utility. However, its unconventional look has polarized opinions, and its large size may pose challenges in urban areas. Delays in production and limited early availability are also drawbacks. LG Signature OLED T Transparent TV The LG Signature OLED T Transparent TV is a cutting-edge marvel that blends innovative design with exceptional performance. Its transparent OLED screen, when not in use, seamlessly integrates with the environment, offering a modern and sleek aesthetic. It provides vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios typical of OLED technology, ensuring an outstanding viewing experience. This TV also supports advanced features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, enhancing both visuals and sound. Its unique design makes it a standout piece, ideal for minimalist or futuristic interiors. However, the transparency feature comes with limitations. The image quality may be affected in brightly lit environments or when objects are visible behind the screen, potentially reducing immersion. The price point is also a significant drawback, as it is positioned in the ultra-premium segment, making it inaccessible for most consumers. Furthermore, its niche design may not appeal to those looking for conventional TV setups. While the LG OLED T is a technological showpiece, its practicality is limited compared to more traditional displays. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 continues to push the boundaries of foldable smartphone innovation. Its large, seamless inner display offers a tablet-like experience, making multitasking and media consumption highly enjoyable. The outer screen is more functional than ever, featuring improved usability for single-handed operations. The Fold 6 boasts top-tier performance with cutting-edge processors, robust RAM, and versatile camera systems that cater to both professional and casual photography. Enhanced hinge durability and water resistance add to its appeal, addressing concerns from earlier iterations. However, the Fold 6 is not without drawbacks. Its premium price tag makes it inaccessible for many consumers, while its foldable design results in a thicker and heavier profile compared to traditional smartphones. The inner display, despite improvements, remains prone to crease visibility, which can detract from the immersive experience. Battery life can also be a concern, especially when using the expansive inner screen extensively. Additionally, the durability of foldable displays, although better than before, may still raise longevity concerns for some users. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 excels in innovation and functionality but comes with trade-offs in cost, portability, and long-term durability, making it a choice for tech enthusiasts rather than the average user. Sony A9 III Camera The Sony A9 III camera is a powerhouse for professionals, offering unmatched speed and precision. Its 24.1MP stacked CMOS sensor ensures exceptional image quality with accurate color rendering and impressive dynamic range. The upgraded autofocus system, featuring advanced AI-based tracking, delivers unparalleled subject recognition and tracking performance. The camera excels in sports and wildlife photography with its 30fps burst shooting and blackout-free EVF. Video capabilities have been enhanced, supporting 4K 120fps recording and advanced codecs, making it versatile for hybrid creators. However, some drawbacks include its high price, which may deter enthusiasts. The absence of a fully articulating screen might limit vlogging potential. While battery life has improved, extended shoots could still demand extra batteries. Additionally, its compact design might feel less ergonomic for photographers with larger lenses. MSI Claw Gaming Console The MSI Claw Gaming Console aims to bridge PC-level gaming with console convenience. Key features include high-end hardware for smooth gameplay, customizable RGB lighting for an immersive setup, and compatibility with a wide range of games and peripherals. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort for extended gaming sessions, while exclusive MSI software optimizes performance. However, the console has its challenges. Its premium price may deter budget-conscious gamers. Additionally, while versatile, the reliance on a PC-like setup may complicate the experience for console purists. Limited first-party gaming titles also restrict its appeal compared to traditional consoles like PlayStation or Xbox. The Acer Nitro Blaze 7 It is a budget-friendly gaming laptop offering good performance for casual gamers. Equipped with an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor and NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs, it handles modern games efficiently at medium to high settings. Its 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, and the laptop includes features like a well-optimized cooling system and RGB keyboard customization, enhancing the gaming experience. Its lightweight design adds portability, appealing to users on the go. However, the Nitro Blaze 7 has limitations. The build quality feels less premium, with a predominantly plastic chassis that may not withstand heavy use. Battery life is another drawback, as it struggles to last through extended gaming sessions without plugging in. Additionally, the laptop’s speakers deliver mediocre audio, making headphones a better option for immersive gameplay. While it offers decent performance, hardcore gamers might find its hardware insufficient for the most demanding AAA titles at ultra settings. These gadgets not only embody the pinnacle of innovation but also set new benchmarks for their respective categories. From productivity to entertainment and security, 2024 has been a remarkable year for technology enthusiasts! - Compiled by S