The peregrine falcon, the bird with the fastest diving speed in the world, and also a rare visitor to Singapore, has been recorded nesting here for the first time. This is significant, as little is known about the breeding habits of this species in tropical areas. This also makes for the first breeding pair of peregrine falcons here, which means that the species might be Singapore's rarest breeding bird. Photo from Max Khoo, NParks Falcons spotted mating In a biodiversity record published in scientific journal Nature in Singapore on Aug. 30, a falcon was spotted flying around the SingTel building along Pickering Street on Jan. 30 earlier this year. Photo from Max Khoo, NParks A day later, a pair of falcons were seen copulating on the One George Street building, and the female then entered a recess 37 floors up on the exterior of the OCBC Centre building later that night. The pair was observed copulating a second time on Feb. 1, and the female then disappeared into the recess. To monitor the falcons' activity, remote cameras were placed on the balcony below the recess, and a telescopic tripod with a camera was raised to the recess to determine the breeding status of the pair. Although two eggs were seen sitting on the bare concrete on Apr. 23, the adult falcons were not seen incubating the eggs or flying to the nest. Several months later, the eggs were still there, with no parents attending to them. Photo from SUTD Unsuitable nesting substrate Although this was the first time that peregrine falcons were seen nesting in Singapore, the breeding unfortunately turned out to be unsuccessful, as the eggs were abandoned. The biodiversity record, which was submitted by National Parks Board (NParks) researchers including Malcolm Soh and Max Khoo from the Wildlife Management Research team, stated that the eggs could have been abandoned due to unsuitable nesting substrate. Peregrine falcons typically nest on loose gravel where they can hollow out a space for the eggs, or occasionally, abandoned nests from other birds. Photo from Malcolm Soh, NParks "It is therefore likely that the absence of suitable substrate in the recess may have impeded nesting success," Soh said in a statement to Mothership . Inspired by claw machines The eggs were retrieved with the help of a team of robotics researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), using a device called the Egg Retrieval and Nesting Enhancement Support Tool (ERNEST). Associate Professor Foong Shaohui, who led the SUTD team, told Mothership that the name ERNEST is a play on the peregrine falcon's species name, Falco peregrinus ernesti . "And the name includes the word 'nest'," he quipped. NParks and SUTD researchers. Photo from NParks The SUTD team initially considered deploying one of their existing devices, a drone which had a grabber attached to it. However, when the team surveyed the balcony area, they said it was too small to deploy a drone and conditions were too windy so high up. Additionally, a permit would need to be acquired to fly the drone. Inspired by claw machines at the arcade and cranes used to pick up containers at ports, the team combined the drone's grabber with a 10m telescopic pole, which can reach the eggs in the recess. ERNEST was thus born after a month of development. Photo from NParks Video by Ashley Tan The extension of the grabber can be controlled by cables on the ground, and the opening and closing of the grabber, by a remote. A demonstration of the grabber with some replica eggs. Video by Ashley Tan Retrieving the eggs was a finicky process. However, it only took around an hour — much faster, safer and efficient than the alternative option of setting up a scaffold for someone to climb up and grab the eggs themselves, Foong said. Video from SUTD And success. Photo from NParks Eggs were badly decomposed The eggs were sent to Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM), Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, where they were examined by Tan Yen Yi, assistant senior curator of birds. Photo from NParks Although both eggs were mostly similar in size, one egg was noticeably heavier and almost twice the weight of the other, Soh said. The lighter egg had a small crack and a strong sulphurous smell, which meant that it had decomposed. Soh shared that the decomposition was likely due to a "bacterial invasion through its compromised shell". The heavier egg meanwhile, was intact and preliminary candling revealed a viable but likely non-fertile egg. Its contents were also decomposed, but to a lesser extent than the lighter one. These observations suggest that the eggs may have been abandoned "due to shell damage", Soh said. Helping to improve the falcons' nesting success Peregrine falcons have been observed around the Central Business District area since 2017, and pairs have been observed copulating in the area in December 2022 and January 2023. This shows that the species has adapted well to urban environments here. Photo from Max Khoo, NParks Evidence of the falcons' presence was observed at OCBC Centre — these were the remains of a pigeon meal on the balcony ledge below the recess, found on Nov. 15. Photo by Ashley Tan Nevertheless, while peregrine falcons might be "one of the most studied avian species in the world, hardly anything is known about its breeding in tropical latitudes," the biodiversity record wrote. "While the peregrine falcon is extensively studied in temperate and cold latitudes, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of its breeding behaviour in tropical latitudes." As such, continued monitoring and research are key to better understanding the breeding behaviour of the species here. To further improve the nesting success of the falcons, Soh recommended placing a nesting tray with loose gravel in the recess of the OCBC Centre building, which will act as a more suitable nesting substrate. The tray has a CCTV attached to it as well. Photo from NParks These were set up in the recess on Nov. 22 by workers who had to scale a scaffold. Photo from NParks Photo from NParks OCBC is also donating S$10,000 to support the installation of the nesting tray and CCTV system, which will monitor the falcons' breeding cycle. Koh Ching Ching, OCBC's head of group brand and communications, said: "It is an unusual instance for wildlife to set up homes within the central business district. We are embracing the wonders of this surprise right outside our office windows. Given our longstanding relationship with NParks, we are happy to play a small part in their quest to learn more about this rare breed of peregrine falcon. It is sometimes said that when a bird chooses to nest at your home, it can bring good luck to the owner.” Hopefully, falcon babies soon The nesting period for peregrine falcons is expected to be between January and early February 2025. If nesting is successful, the eggs are expected to hatch in March 2025, with chicks fledging in April 2025. "The research team will continue to monitor the nest site for subsequent breeding cycles and maintain the nest if needed, such as removing debris and replacing the nesting tray substrate," Soh said. Not only will this help to "provide deeper insight into the breeding biology and foraging preferences" of the species, it can help inform conservation strategies to support the falcons' existence in urban Singapore. Top photo from Max Khoo and NParksplay blackjack 。

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Bengaluru: The second edition of the Get Set, Grow Summit 2024, hosted by Happiest Health, spotlighted the theme of “Digital Detox” to encourage gadget-free moments for children aged 5 to 12 years and foster quality screen-free family time. The event featured interactive workshops, expert talks, and engaging activities aimed at enhancing family bonds, promoting mental wellness, and educating participants on nutrition and physical health. Over 500 attendees participated in sessions designed to help families balance technology use with meaningful, tech-free moments. Unveiling the summit, Anindya Chowdhury, CEO of Happiest Health, emphasized the importance of being present in the moment without digital distractions. He remarked, “In today’s fast-paced world, carving out moments of togetherness is crucial. This summit highlights how small, mindful changes can make a profound difference in strengthening family bonds and fostering well-being.” A panel discussion on “Digital Detox: Challenges and Way Forward” featured doctors and experts sharing insights into the effects of excessive screen time and strategies to promote healthier habits. Dr Santosh Kumar, Senior Consultant at Motherhood Hospitals, stressed the importance of parent-child communication to counteract the effects of gadgets on social and emotional development. He recommended modelling healthy behaviour and engaging children in storytelling, the arts, and meaningful interactions. Dr Arvind Shenoi, Clinical Director at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, highlighted the need for parents to regulate screen time to ensure children prioritise real-world interactions and sufficient sleep. Dr Sowmya R, Senior Consultant at Sankara Eye Hospital, warned of the eye health risks of prolonged screen exposure in young children and urged parents to encourage outdoor activities and monitor signs like squinting or headaches. The summit also featured a range of activities designed to engage children and parents. Workshops highlighted the importance of nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness through cooking classes, yoga sessions, and art projects. Family activity zones offered enjoyable and educational experiences for parents and kids. Competitions and challenges promoted teamwork, creativity, and healthy competition among families.Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chief

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Chandigarh: If you’re one of the many people turning to online platforms to earn money from home, you might want to think twice before signing up for any offers that seem too good to be true. Haryana Police have recently uncovered a fraudulent scheme where companies lured individuals with promises of easy money — only to exploit them in a global captcha-filling scam. The participants were charged a hefty Rs 5,000 registration fee, only to find out that their work was being sold to foreign companies for profit. The scam came to light when the Haryana Police, along with the home ministry’s cyber team, conducted a 10-hour-long raid in Rohtak district on Friday and arrested three people. It has been revealed that the company defrauded 35,000 people through its website, resulting in a total scam worth Rs 18 crore. A Haryana Police spokesperson said two companies named PCL and Money Earn 24 were being run online by Rohtak residents Johnny and Rohit. While the office of one company was at Sheela Bypass in Rohtak, another one was located in Patna, Bihar. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 Results Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Results : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue The companies charged a registration fee of Rs 5,000 from people and asked them to upload their identity documents on the company’s website. After this, the person had to fill the captcha given on the company’s website. A person could only fill 90 captchas in a day from one ID. In this way, he could earn Rs 2,700 per month sitting at home. A person could also create multiple IDs. The companies also offered Rs 500 cashback through the referral system on the website. As many as 1,40,000 people registered themselves on these websites. During the initial investigation, it was revealed that 35,000 people had invested through the company’s website. The money from the payment gateway of this company was sent to Udaipur. The company was also promoting these websites on social media platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. The channel run by the company has 12,000 subscribers. A thorough investigation is being conducted in this matter to find out how many more people are involved in the scam, police officials said. Police join fraudulent website to expose scam To get to the roots of the scam, a plan was prepared under the guidance of additional director general of police, Cyber, Mamta Singh. A member of the Haryana Police team registered himself on the company’s website. The I4C team of the home ministry was also helping out with the investigation. During the raid on Nov 23 at the company’s office at Sheela Bypass, Rohtak, the team, led by DSP Cyber Nodal Police Panchkula, arrested the owner of both the companies, along with their aide from whom a revolver was also recovered. Apart from this, other items, including company documents, bank check books, laptops, QR codes, servers and computers, were recovered from the spot. All three accused were produced in the court on Saturday. The court has the accused to police remand. SP, Cyber Amit Dahiya said the accused would also be taken to Patna and Udaipur on police remand.No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15. All Ohio State has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. Man City routed 4-0 by Tottenham in fifth-straight defeat as crisis deepens for Pep Guardiola What started as an evening of celebration for Manchester City ended with the four-time defending Premier League champion falling to a fifth-straight loss in all competitions and facing a deepening crisis in a season that is threatening to unravel. A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham left City five points behind league leader Liverpool, having played a game more. Two goals from James Maddison inside 20 minutes at the Etihad Stadium stunned the home crowd. Pedro Porro scored a third for Tottenham after halftime. Brennan Johnson added a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time. City manager Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension this week. Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton all won and closed the gap on Liverpool to six points. Florida knocks No. 9 Ole Miss out of College Football Playoff contention, 24-17 in the Swamp GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention. The Gators beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season. Ole Miss lost for the first time in four games and surely will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. Jennings has 3 TDs as No. 13 SMU routs Virginia 33-7 to clinch a spot in the ACC title game CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia 33-7. Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each had two sacks to help the Mustangs extend their winning streak to eight. They would earn an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff by beating 11th-ranked Miami or 17th-ranked Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UVa must beat rival Virginia Tech next week to become bowl eligible. No. 11 Miami pulls away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14 and move one win from the ACC title game MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and threw two touchdowns to Jacolby George on another record-breaking day, Mishael Powell ran an interception back 76 yards for a touchdown and No. 11 Miami pulled away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14. The 10-1 Hurricanes can clinch a berth in the ACC title game with a win at Syracuse next weekend. Ward completed 27 of 38 passes, plus ran for a score. Demond Claiborne had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for 4-7 Wake Forest. No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers. Illinois was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched. Same glitz and glamour for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and perhaps another Verstappen championship LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen returned to the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the defending winner of the Sin City spectacle and a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship well within his reach. The Dutchman needed only to finish Saturday night’s race ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to make it four straight for the Red Bull driver. Verstappen starts fifth and Norris is sixth. Norris can additionally lose the title if he fails to outscore Verstappen by three points on the neon-lit street circuit that zips down the famed Las Vegas Strip. The race is back for a second year and again promoted by Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1. Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Hidalgo had six rebounds and eight assists in front of several WNBA scouts. Olivia Miles added 20 points for the Fighting Irish, who improved to 5-0. Watkins finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Trojans, who fell to 4-1. The Irish came out strong, taking a 20-10 lead in the first quarter, when Hidalgo had 11 points. They never looked back and stayed poised when USC came within three points three different times. Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open Recently retired Andy Murray will team up with Novak Djokovic, working with him as a coach through the Australian Open in January. Murray’s representatives put out statements from both players on Saturday. Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other player in tennis history. Murray won three major trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals who finished 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He retired as a player after the Paris Summer Games in August. Argentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1 ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina’s Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to help give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro.

THE China spy linked to Prince Andrew also rubbed shoulders with British political leaders including David Cameron, Theresa May and George Osborne. Pictures of the espionage suspect at the heart of Britain’s political establishment raised fresh questions about his activities. 3 The alleged spy with David and Samantha Cameron 3 The man with Philip and Theresa May 3 Andrew with the suspected Chinese spy The Chinese networker - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is seen with the top Tories at glitzy events in a string of snaps obtained exclusively by the Sun on Sunday. In one he poses in black tie with a smiling Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip at a Christmas event. Another shows him with David Cameron and his wife Samantha, while a third image shows him in a large group with George Osborne. It is believed to be taken in 2014 when Mr Osborne was Tory Chancellor in charge of Britain's purse strings. Read More UK News 'SPY' SCANDAL China 'spy' linked to Andrew rubbed shoulders with former PMs Cameron and May WHAT HAPPENED? Stacey, 7, strangled to death in woods just two hours after disappearing It came as yesterday the Telegraph reported Chinese money given to the Duke of York is being investigated by MI5 - and that the King was made aware of this prior to the story breaking on Thursday of Andrew’s links to the spy. Chung Ching Kwong, analyst for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said the revelations must be a wake up call for the UK to finally get tough on Beijing. She said: “How bad does it have to get for the Government to take action? “We’ve been warning about Beijing’s infiltration for years, yet we are still having a ludicrous debate over whether or not China will be in the top tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. Most read in The Sun NEXT MAN UP Gers finally appoint new permanent chairman as lifelong fan starts after final TOP TABLE Fans react as Gers legends spotted dining out with TV icon at top Glasgow haunt 'A HELLISH NIGHT' Scots TV couple 'nearly freeze to death' trapped in horror crash 'CRAZY IDEA' Fans rave about Scotland star's Serie A screamer from 45 yards out “Can we put this silly debate to bed now please? China is our biggest threat.” Andrew is likely to have been used by spy pal to merely “open doors” to more powerful figures, China experts told The Sun on Sunday yesterday. The unidentified suspect - dubbed “H6” in bombshell court papers - knew the disgraced Duke of York had no direct access to valuable classified information. But their close association would have helped him forge close ties with figures at the pinnacle of Britain’s political and business establishment. His mission as an agent for the China’s United Front Work Department network was to act as “radar” to identify targets useful to his Communist masters. The snaps alongside top politicians would have been an invaluable tool as H6 sought to appear well connected and credible to contacts in possession of valuable secrets. Ex-UK diplomat and lecturer Charlie Parton who worked for 22 years on Chinese affairs said yesterday: “I doubt if Andrew actually oiled any wheels in this case but he would have been useful to the Chinese. “Being seen to swim in the same pond as a senior member of the royal family could certainly open doors. “The United Front might appear to be dedicated to attempting to influence policy, which is acceptable. “But when its actions are seen to be covert, coercing and corrupting, we have a right and duty to protect ourselves.” One of United Front agents’ key roles is to infiltrate elite groups and flag valuable assets who may eventually betray secret or sensitive information. Mr Parton added: “United Front people move in influential circles in the hope of being able to spot someone - perhaps involved in industry or technology - who may be useful. “The aim is for the Chinese narrative to dominate foreign media but also to collect valuable classified information where possible. “That is where influence becomes espionage.” Rana Mitter, Professor of US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School said China is "certainly spying a great deal on Britain". He said Prince Andrew’s case was "not so much about spying in the sense of trying to find out secrets, it's about trying to influence". "Getting to know the elites of countries like Britain is a useful task not for immediate knowledge but maybe for long term development of links in society. “It seems that's what has been going on here," Former Tory security minister Tom Tugendhat said: "I suspect Prince Andrew was completely oblivious to what he was doing, as he was oblivious to his friendship with Epstein and oblivious to so many other things in his life.” The alleged spy was banned from Britain on national security grounds in 2021 - a decision confirmed and made public earlier this week. The Chinese businessman, 50, became closer to the disgraced prince after withdrawing from public life over his links with paedo pal Jeffrey Epstein months earlier. He was allowed to act for Andrew, 64, in talks with private investors, according to court documents. He visited Buckingham Palace, St James’ Palace and Windsor Castle at the invitation of Prince Andrew, it has been reported. But he was stopped at the border and barred from entering Britain in 2021 under counter terror laws. UK authorities said he was engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the United Front Work Department. He was accused of trying cosy up to leading royals and politicians as part of a strategy known as "elite capture" to wield influence on the country's leading figures. He moved to Britain in the early 2000s, and studied at York University before setting up business here. Glowing reports of him in China boasted that his circle of friends “includes royal nobles and business tycoons”. Prince Andrew has known and worked with him for a decade. The spy has also boasted of being friends with A-listers including Meryl Streep and in his spare time said he unwinds by watching The Crown and Downton Abbey. While hobnobbing with Prince Andrew, he also was cosying up to leading British businesses and politicians including Tory royalty Mr Cameron, Mr Osborne and Mrs May. But in 2021 he was pictured at the China Communist Party HQ in front of the red flag. Speaking at the time, he said: "The personal destiny of each of us is closely linked to the development of the motherland. “Every Chinese works hard and strives for his or her dream, and when put together, it is the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." A spokeswoman for Theresa May said: “Baroness May and her husband, Sir Philip, are photographed at numerous events in any given year. "As such, she doesn’t remember when or where this particular photograph was taken or the man in question.” Mr Cameron was leader of the Conservative Party for over a decade and is understood to have met thousands of people in his role. Mr Osborne does not remember seeing or meeting the alleged spy, The Sun on Sunday understands. The spy scandal plunged Britain’s relationship with China back into the spotlight. David Cameron and George Osborne tried to launch a new “Golden Era” of relations with China - even inviting Xi Jinping for a state visit in 2015. But Britain's relationship with Beijing has cooled, and Rishi Sunak was planning a crackdown on Chinese influence. Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government has been accused of cosying up to China again and Rachel Reeves is visiting Beijing next month. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has already been amid claims Sir Keir has gone soft on China by dropping Tory plans for a Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). Meanwhile, Angela Rayner is expected to overrule council objections and give the green light to a new Chinese super embassy in central London. If it gets the go ahead, a massive China's spy hub would be created in the heart of London’s historic city, critics say. Iain Duncan Smith, the former leader of the Conservative Party who has been sanctioned by China for speaking out about their human rights abuses, accused Labour of being weak on China. Read more on the Scottish Sun XMAS BLOW Dozens sacked by Scots tech firm weeks before Christmas as bosses travel to Spain HAVE A BRAKE Entire Scots town to enforce new 20mph limit in major road shake-up He said: “Labour have kicked everything we were doing on China into the long grass. It is pathetic. “They are on bended knee to Beijing.”

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If you're planning to join Bluesky , you're in good company: The platform has 20 million users as of Tuesday . It continues to rake in a million new users every day, as a big wave of users leave competitor site X, formerly Twitter, following the US presidential election. While the Bluesky platform has seen its fair share of growing pains since it launched in the fall of 2021 and is still missing features you can find on other social networks, it's becoming one of the closest things to the Twitter 1.0 that many people loved. It's increasingly the place where those looking for an alternative to X -- owned by Elon Musk -- are going. But even with Bluesky's growing popularity, performing the switch and ditch isn't easy, especially if you'd spent a long time on Twitter creating a hefty list of accounts you followed. However, there's a browser extension that should soften the blow to find your old friends. Sky Follower Bridge by developer Kawamata Ryo is available in the Chrome Web Store for free, providing a fairly easy way to find your friends from X that have also made the move to Bluesky. Below, we'll show you how to set it up. For more, how to lock down your X posts now that the block function has been changed. How to set up the Sky Follower Bridge extension To set up Sky Follower Bridge, you'll first need to be using the Chrome browser or another Chromium-based browser that supports Chrome extensions. We'll treat this setup as if you have Google's Chrome browser. To get started, download Sky Follower Bridge . Pin the extension to the browser toolbar for easy access later. Create an app password for Sky Follower Bridge After you've installed the extension, you can now create an app password for it. This is a more secure way of handling third-party extensions such as Sky Follower Bridge, and it protects you from having to share your Bluesky account's password with the extension. Here's how to do it. You'll be presented with a password that you should only use for extension. Copy it. Continue the Sky Follower Bridge setup With your app password in tow, it's time to find the people you were following on X. From here, the extension will begin scanning your Following list, and accounts with matching usernames will begin to appear in a list, allowing you to follow the account on Bluesky from there. If you're coming up short, the extension allows you to search specifically for matching handle name, display name and handle name in the profile description -- all of which are enabled by default. If you still can't find an account you're looking for, they may have used a different handle on Bluesky, and the extension won't be much help if that's the case. Also bear in mind that even an identical user name may not be the same person on both sites -- the extension is effectively just guessing that's the case. For more, here's how to delete your X account .Online Gaza chronicles

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NoneThe icon indicates free access to the linked research on JSTOR. Running from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica, through Beverly Hills, the Millionaire's Mile, and the Miracle Mile, Wilshire Boulevard has been called the "Champs-Élysées of the Pacific." Norma Desmond's home in Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder's 1950 dark valentine to Hollywood, was actually a real mansion on Wilshire. The house was owned by the Getty family until it was demolished in 1957. Harrison Gray Otis, the very conservative publisher of the Los Angeles Times, was another of the city's powerbrokers who had a mansion on Wilshire. Today, the tallest building in the US west of Chicago is the Wilshire Grand Center at 900 Wilshire Boulevard in downtown LA. The irony in all this is that the boulevard was named after a socialist, Henry Gaylord Wilshire (1861–1927). Gaylord Wilshire, as he was called, is better remembered today as a real estate developer and pioneer of billboard advertising. He was born rich, got richer, and then went bust, ending his business career in stock fraud and medical quackery. A typical capitalist biography, right? As historian Mark W. Nelson writes, Wilshire was also "a Marxist, a self-described revolutionary socialist, possessed with an inveterate conviction that his economic and political analysis amounted to an objective—indeed thoroughly 'scientific'—understanding of a historical process." "I classify all men into two great classes—Fools and Socialists," declared Wilshire, who had a portrait of Karl Marx above his desk. No stranger to declarations, Wilshire also had an "ostentatiousness and high-flown sense of self," Nelson writes, noting that everyone who has written about Wilshire gets his "egoism and flamboyance" right. But Wilshire's... Matthew Wills

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what is insurance in blackjack WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soonSoccer-Ancelotti hopes Mbappe injury not serious after Champions League win at AtalantaMickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby

What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industryNEW YORK - If the endless news cycle of the NFL provides any lesson, it’s that people love getting mad about anything that graces their phone screen in the form of a tweet or push notification. For weeks, the football world called for the New York Giants to bench quarterback Daniel Jones. On Monday, the Giants did just that, opting for Tommy DeVito the rest of the way. The most reasonable course of action, both for Jones and the team, was to then release Jones . Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports With a $23 million injury guarantee, his demotion was inevitably permanent. Drew Lock is still the backup, and the team signed veteran Tim Boyle to be the emergency quarterback. New York no longer needed Jones. And Jones serves little purpose as the scout team safety. A release - made official on Saturday - offered Jones the relief of being away from the team and the media, while also giving him the chance to carve out a role elsewhere. Given the fact that other teams can benefit in the compensatory pick formula if they sign Jones and he leaves in free agency, there should be a handful of suitors. And yet, national media outlets, talk show hosts, and social media aggregators would lead one to believe that this is somehow disrespectful. Related: Giants' Tommy DeVito Must Improve One Skill The Giants are 2-8, Jones is the culprit, and he clearly wasn’t going to see the field again. In amicably splitting, this is easily the next-best outcome for the quarterback. It’s not like New York cost him money by benching him, either. It’s clear Jones had fans in the locker room. He’s seen nothing but full-throated support from every player that’s spoken publicly about the situation. Those same players may feel he gives the Giants the best chance of winning. However, Jones has had 10 games to prove himself this season and five years worth of stagnation prior informing the team’s decision. This was not a spiteful maneuver, ousting an otherwise deserving quarterback for the sake of tanking and a hypothetical $23 million-dollar check. It was an appropriate formality that made things easier on everybody involved. Now there is speculation and predictions about Jones’ next move. ... and he could very well land on his feet. But in the end? New York did not humiliate its quarterback. It merely took him out of his misery. Related: WATCH: Daniel Jones Says Goodbye

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blackjack calculator Photo: The Canadian Press This photo provided by the Syrian Civil Defence White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian White Helmets civil defence workers carry a victim after the Syrian government forces hit Idlib city, Syria, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Syrian Civil Defence White Helmets via AP) The recent rapid advance by opposition fighters in Syria shows that Syrian President Bashar Assad must reconcile with his own people and hold dialogue with the opposition, the Turkish foreign minister said Monday. At a joint news conference in Ankara with his Iranian counterpart, Hakan Fidan said Turkey and Iran, which support opposing sides in Syria’s civil war, have agreed to resume diplomatic efforts along with Russia to restore calm days after insurgents launched a lightning offensive and captured almost all of the country’s largest city, Aleppo. The swift advance by fighters that Turkey supports was a huge embarrassment for Assad and it comes at a time when his allies — Iran and groups it backs and Russia — are preoccupied with their own conflicts. The push is among the rebels’ strongest in years and raises the prospect of another violent front reopening in the Middle East when U.S.-backed Israel is fighting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both Iranian-allied groups. Fidan, whose country has backed forces opposed to Assad, blamed the recent flare-up of the conflict on the Syrian government’s refusal to enter a dialogue with the opposition that Turkey supports. “Recent developments show once again that Damascus must reconcile with its own people and the legitimate opposition,” the Turkish minister said. “Turkey is ready to make all the necessary contribution toward this.” Fidan’s comments emerged amid Turkish frustration that recent efforts toward a reconciliation with Assad have fallen flat. The comments indicated that the shock offensive launched by opposition fighters could be aimed at pressuring the Syrian leader to engage in political talks. Turkey has been seeking to normalize ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than 3 million Syrian refugees. Assad has insisted that Turkey’s withdrawal of its forces from northern Syria be a condition for any normalization between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who visited Assad on Sunday before traveling to Ankara, reiterated Tehran’s full support for the Syrian government. Iran has been one of Assad’s principal political and military supporters and has deployed military advisers and forces after 2011 protests against Assad’s rule turned into an all-out war. Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have deployed in Syria to back the government’s counteroffensive against the insurgents, an Iraqi militia official and a war monitor said Monday. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition war monitor, some 200 Iraqi militiamen riding on pickups crossed into Syria overnight through the strategic Bou Kamal crossing. They were expected to deploy in Aleppo to support the Syrian army’s pushback against the insurgents, the monitor said. Meanwhile, Associated Press video showed armed insurgents at Aleppo's international airport, one of them standing on a Syrian government flag and others tearing down a poster of Assad. Insurgents were also seen mounting abandoned aircraft and walking around airport grounds strewn with weapons and ammunition boxes. The rebel offensive in Syria has caused concern among neighboring countries that the conflict could spill over. In Iraq, Interior Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Miqdad Miri said security forces have deployed in greater numbers to protect their large border with Syria. Fidan reiterated Turkey’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity, but suggested that Turkey would not hesitate to intervene against Syrian Kurdish militia groups that Turkey considers to be terrorists if they “exploit the environment of instability.” “It was a mistake to ignore the legitimate demands of the opposition and for the (Syrian) regime not to sincerely engage in the political process,” Fidan said. Turkey, he added, "will never, ever allow terrorist organizations that seek to exploit the environment of instability," Fidan said. “We will eliminate any threat to our national security and our people wherever it emerges.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the instability in Syria would come to an end “in line with the legitimate demands of the Syrian people.” He spoke Monday at a joint news conference with the president of Montenegro. Both Fidan and Araghchi said Turkey, Iran and Russia would convene a new three-way meeting to address the conflict in Syria. "We have decided to hold closer consultations and dialogue, and with God’s permission, we will cooperate to further improve the situation toward peace and stability in our region,” Araghchi said. Russia, whose intervention in Syria’s civil war on behalf of Assad was crucial in turning the conflict in his favor, has said it will continue to support him. “We continue our contacts at the appropriate level,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday. “A position will be formed regarding what is needed to stabilize the situation.” The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the Assad regime has ignored Security Council resolutions and refused to come to the table. “We are watching that situation very closely, and we will continue to engage with partners in the region to find a path for the situation to go back to calm,” she said. As Syrian and Russian jets continued pounding targets, two airstrikes hit a group of four hospitals and the health directorate building in Idlib city, the Syrian Civil Defense force that operates in opposition-held areas, known as the White Helmets, said. Two people in Idlib University Hospital died after their oxygen machines turned off following the strikes. Ceiling panels and doors at the hospital were blown off, while ambulances and vehicles outside were severely damaged according to footage taken by journalist with The Associated Press at the hospital. At least 15 civilians were killed in Idlib city and province, according to the White Helmets. Syrian Kurds were fleeing the fighting in large numbers after Turkish-backed rebels seized Tel Rifaat from rival U.S.-backed Kurdish authorities. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces largely withdrew and called for a humanitarian corridor to allow people to leave safely in convoys toward Aleppo and later to Kurdish-led northeast regions.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel. The resolution -- adopted by a vote of 158-9, with 13 abstentions -- urges "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," and "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" -- wording similar to a text vetoed by Washington in the Security Council last month. At that time, Washington used its veto power on the Council -- as it has before -- to protect its ally Israel, which has been at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack. It has insisted on the idea of making a ceasefire conditional on the release of all hostages in Gaza, saying otherwise that Hamas has no incentive to free those in captivity. Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood repeated that position Wednesday, saying it would be "shameful and wrong" to adopt the text. Ahead of the vote, Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon said: "The resolutions before the assembly today are beyond logic. (...) The vote today is not a vote for compassion. It is a vote for complicity." The General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council, which has been largely paralyzed on hot-button issues such as Gaza and Ukraine due to internal politics, and this time is no different. The resolution, which is non-binding, demands "immediate access" to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, especially in the besieged north of the territory. Dozens of representatives of UN member states addressed the Assembly before the vote to offer their support to the Palestinians. "Gaza doesn't exist anymore. It is destroyed," said Slovenia's UN envoy Samuel Zbogar. "History is the harshest critic of inaction." That criticism was echoed by Algeria's deputy UN ambassador Nacim Gaouaoui, who said: "The price of silence and failure in the face of the Palestinian tragedy is a very heavy price, and it will be heavier tomorrow." Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. That count includes hostages who died or were killed while being held in Gaza. Militants abducted 251 hostages, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 44,805 people, a majority of them civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry that is considered reliable by the United Nations. "Gaza today is the bleeding heart of Palestine," Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said last week during the first day of debate in the Assembly's special session on the issue. "The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare," he said, calling for an end to the "impunity." After Wednesday's vote, he said "we will keep knocking on the doors of the Security Council and the General Assembly until we see an immediate and unconditional ceasefire put in place." The Gaza resolution calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present "proposals on how the United Nations could help to advance accountability" by using existing mechanisms or creating new ones based on past experience. The Assembly, for example, created an international mechanism to gather evidence of crimes committed in Syria starting from the outbreak of civil war in 2011. A second resolution calling on Israel to respect the mandate of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and allow it to continue its operations was passed Wednesday by a vote of 159-9 with 11 abstentions. Israel has voted to ban the organization starting January 28, after accusing some UNRWA employees of taking part in Hamas's devastating attack. abd/sst/jgc/nro/des

Getting whipped by a downtrodden Oklahoma squad came back to haunt Alabama. So did a historic loss to Vanderbilt. That's because the Crimson Tide (9-3) were passed over for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff when the selections were announced on Sunday. Alabama appeared in good shape to make the playoffs until visiting the Sooners and losing 24-3 on Nov. 23. Oklahoma finished the regular season with a 6-6 mark. SMU (11-2) earned the final at-large spot despite losing to Clemson 34-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on Saturday night. "I think it's the right decision," Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee told CBS Sports said. "... We didn't ever have a bad loss." Selection committee chairman Warde Manuel said it was a tough choice to take the Mustangs over the Crimson Tide. "We looked at the number of wins Alabama had against ranked opponents," Manuel, the Michigan athletic director, told ESPN. "We looked at SMU's schedule and they were undefeated in conference. Their losses were to ranked teams. "We also looked at Alabama's losses to unranked teams. It was quite a debate. We value strength of schedule and that's why Alabama as a three-loss team is ranked ahead of teams that have two losses." SMU's loss to then-No. 17 Clemson came on a last-second field goal in Saturday night's Atlantic Coast Conference title game. The Mustangs also lost 18-15 at BYU on Sept. 6. SMU beat then-No. 22 Louisville on the road and then-No. 18 Pitt in Dallas. "Losing on a last-second field goal ... we felt SMU still had the nod over Alabama," Manuel said of the Mustangs' loss to Clemson. "... It's just looking at the entire body of work over both teams." Alabama's other two losses included the shocking 40-35 stumble at Vanderbilt on Oct. 5 that marked the Commodores' first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team. The Crimson Tide also lost 24-17 to then-No. 11 Tennessee on Oct. 19. The Crimson Tide posted three ranked victories, beating then-No. 2 Georgia, then-No. 21 Missouri and then-No. 15 LSU. Alabama will face Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Dec. 31. It is a rematch from last season when the Wolverines defeated the Crimson Tide 27-20 in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Rose Bowl. The second team out was No. 13 Miami (10-2), which saw its chances plummet by losing two of its last three regular-season games. The Hurricanes, who started 9-0, lost 28-23 to host Georgia Tech on Nov. 9 and completed the regular season with a 42-38 road loss against Syracuse. Miami didn't play a Top 25 team this season. Instead of navigating the playoff field, Miami will face No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 28. "Everyone that doesn't get in feels disappointment," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of being passed over. "We will have the onus of just doing better. Go forward and have the opportunity to get better. ... "We have a ton to play for and we'll thankful for the opportunity." SMU plays No. 6 Penn State in its first-round playoff game on Nov. 21. "We're excited about the challenge and the opportunity to prove that the committee made the right decision," Lashlee said. --Field Level MediaJimmy Butler says he's not worrying about his future with Heat amid trade speculation Jimmy Butler knows there are tons of questions about his future with the Miami Heat. He might get traded, he might leave as a free agent next summer, he might exercise a $52.4 million option to return to the Heat or he might get a new contract. He isn't sure what will happen. The Heat forward spoke out about trade speculation Wednesday, telling reporters after practice that he doesn’t mind his name being in the rumor mill. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Reports: North Carolina reaches an agreement with Bill Belichick to become the Tar Heels' next coach Multiple media outlets are reporting that North Carolina has reached an agreement with former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick to become the next coach of the Tar Heels. The Athletic, ESPN and NFL Network reported, based on sources, that Belichick and UNC had agreed on a deal. The Athletic and NFL Network reported that the financial terms of the deal were expected to be for three years and $30 million. Neither North Carolina nor Belichick have announced that a deal has been completed. Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Mets agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. New York agreed to assist Soto’s family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed he gets uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi State’s Van Buren, Cal’s Mendoza enter portal Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State’s Michael Van Buren Jr. and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah is a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining. He told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men’s basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Made in America: McKennie and Weah link up for goal to help Juventus beat City TURIN, Italy (AP) — Weston McKennie waved an imaginary wand and American compatriot Tim Weah joined him in celebration. The pair had just linked up with Weah assisting McKennie for Juventus’ second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City — marking the first time in Champions League history that two players from the United States combined for a goal. That lifted Juventus up to 14th place in the 36-team standings, with the top 24 advancing. It was also important for McKennie and Weah, who are both battling for minutes after recovering from injuries. Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus in the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings and only the top 24 advances. Reaching the knockout stage looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2022 and has won the last four Premier League titles. It's not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 and Barcelona won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund. Lake Placid working with Italian officials as a backup sliding site for 2026 Winter Games Lake Placid would play host to bobsled, luge and skeleton events for the 2026 Olympics if a track currently being rebuilt in Italy isn’t finished in time for the Milan-Cortina Games, officials said Wednesday. There has been no indication from Italian officials that the track — a century-old facility that has been dormant for nearly 20 years — won’t be ready in time. Lake Placid would be serving only as a backup site, just in case. FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info During the I'm A Celeb final on Sunday night, eagle-eyed fans spotted a spoiler in an early show preview. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly unwittingly gave the game away before the tense trial had concluded. As the finale heated up with the win hanging in the balance, some spectators realised that the introductory clip at the episode's start had inadvertently revealed the outcome. The blunder occurred during a nail-biting moment where Ant and Dec cautioned contestant Danny Jones about potentially disappointing fellow campmates Coleen Rooney and Reverend Richard Coles as he battled with knots. Despite the pressure and a dwindling clock, the task was completed within time, offering a full dinner and a choice drink for each participant. However, astute viewers glimpsed the celebrities with their selected beverages in the teaser, indicating they'd triumphed in the trial, bagging all the stars available. Fans took to social media to express their observations, with one remarking: "Well I assume they get these final stars since we saw all of them with their drinks in the preview clips at the beginning." Soap opera devotees were quick to point out a slip-up involving the beverages during a pivotal Emmerdale scene. One astute fan pointed out, "We all saw them with their drinks in the preview, so they probably should of done this first because it just gave it away they do it.", reports the Mirror . Another chimed in, "Well we saw them toast their drinks in the preview so I assume this trial goes well," while yet another viewer noted, "I wonder if they get their drinks, not like it showed it in the opening titles." The episode took an unexpected turn when Ant and Dec rocked up to deliver some shocking news that left the campmates reeling. Upon hearing the announcement, one contestant admitted they "didn't expect it" and emotions ran high with one star notably shaken by the revelation. The plot thickened as show hosts Ant and Dec stepped into the scene to divulge who would be the next to leave, with these moments kicking off Sunday's gripping finale. It was revealed that fan favourite from Strictly Come Dancing , Oti Mabuse, was out of the running, leaving viewers and campmates stunned as she had been a frontrunner to win. As Oti bid farewell to the camp, Ant and Dec unveiled the final trio of campmates: Coleen, Danny, and Reverend Richard, confirming them as this year’s finalists. The announcement left the three both shocked and elated, with emotions running high—Reverend Richard in disbelief and Coleen moved to tears in the Bush Telegraph. McFly's Danny admitted, "It feels amazing, I didn't expect this at all." On the other hand, Richard expressed his astonishment: "I can't believe I'm one of the final three! I never thought I would make it this far." Overwhelmed with emotion, Coleen stepped out to shed some tears, confessing she was "proud" to have reached the finale, as Sunday's show looms where the winner will be revealed.

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On the sidelines of the just concluded African Investment Forum in Rabat, Morocco, The New Times’ Alice Kagina caught up with Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, to discuss about the need for perspective shift, economic potential of sports, and returns on investment in the sector. Below are excerpts. You are almost one year in at NBA Africa, how has it been? It's been a learning curve. Obviously, having come from RDB (Rwanda Development Board) was like a comfort zone since I had spent many years there. I have learnt a lot being at NBA Africa. I knew so much about BAL (Basketball Africa League) because of the partnerships we have in Rwanda but from the inside, I had so much to learn and extremely exciting and I am very energized now that I see and understand much better about how we can actually use sports to transform Africa. I see its possibility. I see it every single day, and I really can't wait to see Africans benefitting from sports and entertainment because this is the future. It’s been one year of learning, but one year of immense appreciation of how crucial sports is for the economy. What is the current landscape of investor interest in the sports sector in Africa? First of all, we are seeing sports as one of the fastest-growing sectors on the continent. In fact, the sports industry is projected to grow by 8 per cent over the next few years, significantly outpacing the continent's average GDP growth. This means there is a lot of opportunity for growth for those who invest in the sports sector. Since NBA investment in Africa, we have [opened] offices in five countries, namely South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria and Egypt. We are investing because we see there is an opportunity not only commercially but also to transform the economies of Africa using sports. We've also invested in a new league that has done four seasons already. We're now going to the fifth season of the BAL. And we've seen it grow. When we started four years ago, it was during COVID. From the first season of Basketball Africa League which took place in a bubble because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the second season in BK Arena had 45,000 people that came to watch the game and the following year, we had 70,000 people, last season, we had about 120,000 people coming to watch the games in-person. The same increase is noticed on our digital platforms; we have about one billion engagements throughout all our social media platforms. The growth is real in terms of BAL but the impact is beyond. If you look at Rwanda, 15 per cent of the revenues from tourism is coming from events, and sports events are a critical part of them contributing directly to bringing millions of dollars to the country. We are seeing more and more investors in teams like Tigers in Rwanda and Nairobi City Thunder which became the first Kenyan team to qualify for BAL because of the investments raised that enabled them to get good players. The investment landscape is growing because companies are seeing opportunities to support teams through sponsorship or equity. The likes of Inyange, RSSB, Summa, and others. For me, all of this shows that we are only scratching the surface because the opportunity is really large and NBA is committed to unlock that. In October, you announced the construction of 100 outdoor courts in Kenya. How do you plan to expand these kinds of facilities across the continent? NBA has announced that we'll build 1,000 courts in Africa. 100 of those will be in Kenya, but the rest will be distributed among 11 countries, including Rwanda. This means increase of access to the basketball game with more kids playing, and we have seen African governments having similar initiatives of investing in courts to breed talent in several countries. Once they have that kind of access at a grassroots level, we begin to give them other opportunities such as participating in Basketball Without Boarder camps, where we bring talent, train them, and put out good talents taken to play professionally. We also have an NBA academy in Senegal where the best identified on the continent are taken. This year, we have our first prospect from the academy drafted into the NBA. NBA Africa is an investment valued at $1 billion, how are the financial returns and how do you get to create partnerships? The more games we have, the more seasons we have, the more funds we have, and as our fans increase, it gives us an opportunity to monetize the sport. So, the more fans, the more the sponsorship, because sponsors want to see how many people can watch their products. Same thing with the media where sports make money by selling broadcasting rights to broadcasters to show the game. We see all of that increasing, there is more media, more sponsorship, and more merchandise. For me, sports and basketball in particular is a story of growth and that demonstrates return. Of course, we are not here to make profit very quickly, NBA is very aware that this is a long-term investment and we know we are going to be here for decades. We are not in a hurry to make money because we are not leaving. The important thing is growth. What challenges are sports development efforts facing in Africa? The challenges are there but the good thing is that we see them improving. One of them is how we perceive new sports, with the perception of sports as a recreation or physical education, more of a by-the-way, yet there is huge economic opportunity for people. Many countries rely on tourism for their economies, sports is as important as tourism in terms of how it can transform an economy and the talent that it has. The second one is even though we see more infrastructure coming up, they're not enough. We need an arena in all the major cities of Africa, a world-class arena that can host big games. We need to see more courts in all schools and communities. Additionally, to consume sports, you need infrastructure like affordable internet and access to smart gadgets. For me, those are the things that will allow sports to grow even more. But this also goes with the increase of disposable income as economies continue to grow so that people can also consume sports and entertainment. You participated in the Africa Investment Forum. Are there some projects that NBA Africa is seeking to make investments deals for? No, our deals are constant in terms of investment sports, sponsoring sports, and investing in teams, and this means that all the things that are discussed here, infrastructure, electricity, and energy are relevant to us. All those provide a platform because you can't watch a game without electricity, internet or good infrastructure. That's why we are here to engage with financiers and leaders, and to preach the gospel of sports being a huge economic opportunity. What advice would you give to an entrepreneur or investor looking to venture into sports investments? Take time to understand sports. Take time to see the opportunity, learn from countries that have made sports such a big opportunity and then go into it, invest, get to know the details. Once you do, there's no turning back because sports is only going to grow. Africa is a youthful continent with an average age of 19. The future is here because this is where the consumer of sports is going to be for the next 20 to 30 years. From an NBA Africa perspective, do you see any efforts towards establishing a continental women’s league? We invest a lot in women and we have programmes like BAL4Her and our clinics are 50-50 gender inclusive but for a women’s league, it is something that we will explore down the road, but for the moment, we started with BAL and we need it to grow and be sustained. Any parting shot? We are coming back to Kigali for our conference in May, though not the finals. As usual, we want to see BAL paint the whole city of Kigali red because that's what we do. The city is so lit, and we see BAL as a part of that. Other cities we will be playing in are Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa. Watch the games on apps, and on TV but also come and watch the games in the arena.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alice Kagina" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Up 1% – Here’s WhyNow that its December, you might be tempted to splurge on that new television marked down for Boxing Day. However, why not buy a quality Canadian stock and own a gift that keeps giving for years (and maybe even decades)? If you choose stocks wisely, they can reward far beyond the life of your television. Likewise, just imagine how many televisions you could buy if your stocks were to multiply by several times? If you’ve got $2,000 and don’t mind deferring some near-term gratification, these Canadian stocks could be big winners. This Canadian stock is in ultra-growth mode It has been an incredible year already for ( ). This Canadian stock is up 197% in 2024! PRL was driven by a combination of great growth and a nice valuation re-rating after the stock was dirt cheap in 2023. Propel provides small loans to non-prime consumers in the U.S. and Canada. With its specialized A.I. lending platform, the company can quickly scale and expand its service offerings. This Canadian stock has a lot of operating leverage. The bigger it gets, the better its margins become. Propel has grown earnings per share by a plus-50% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR). If it completes its recently announced U.K. acquisition, it could certainly keep up that pace in 2025. If it keeps executing its growth strategy, this Canadian stock could still be reasonably priced. A top winner in Canada ( ) trades for almost $4,800 per share. This ultimate Canadian stock has been an incredible compounder for shareholders for years. You don’t want to miss out on the action. Today, many brokerages offer fractional share purchases so you can afford to buy it, even if you only have $2,000 to spend. However, if you don’t have access to fractional shares, you can buy one of Constellation’s smaller spinout entities, ( ) or ( ). Both operate vertical market software businesses, and both are serial acquirers. The difference is that Topicus has a unique geographic focus in Europe. Lumine operates software businesses focused on media and telecommunications. Topicus acquires many smaller businesses. To date, Lumine has focused on larger carve-out opportunities. You can craft your weightings and strategy based on your preference. You can get access to all these businesses by owning the larger parent company, Constellation. There are likely more spinouts to come in the years ahead. The point is, you want to be a part of the Constellation family in one way or another for the years ahead. A Canadian industrial stock with more room to rise Another Canadian stock to add with $2,000 is ( ). It is not a flashy tech stock like the ones above. However, no one can argue with its track record of growing its stock by a 25% CAGR over the past 10 years. TFI is one of the largest shipping and transportation companies in Canada. It has a growing presence in the United States. Like Constellation, it is a serial acquirer. The freight sector is in a recession. While that hurts TFI’s operating income near term, it can still opportunistically acquire transport businesses at attractive valuations. TFI has had some operating issues, especially in the U.S. Yet, it continues to generate substantial free cash flow. As result, its balance sheet has remained strong and should support in 2025. Like the Canadian stocks above, TFI has a highly invested management team with a strong focus on high returns on investments. It is an ideal boring, industrial stock to hold for the next 5 to 10 years.Amid growing demand, Schenectady County food advocates urge for increased benefits

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutionsCharities facing tax hike have 'nowhere to cut'

Lebanon said Israeli strikes Thursday on the country's east and south killed 52 people, as raids also hit south Beirut and Hezbollah claimed its deepest attack on Israel in over a year. More than 11 months of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah over the Gaza conflict escalated into all-out war in September, with Israel conducting an extensive bombing campaign, primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds, and sending ground troops into southern Lebanon. "Israeli enemy strikes that targeted the Baalbek district" in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley left "40 dead and 52 wounded", a health ministry statement said, listing tolls for 10 different locations. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) said a couple and their four children were killed in a strike on a house in the village of Maqneh, while another couple and their young daughter were among 11 people killed in a raid on nearby Nabha. The ministry also reported "seven dead and 24 wounded" in "Israeli enemy strikes" on south Lebanon's Nabatiyeh district, and "five dead and 26 wounded" in strikes elsewhere in south Lebanon. In Israel, first responders said a man was killed after rocket fire from Lebanon hit the Galilee region in the country's north. In Beirut's southern suburbs, the NNA reported at least 12 strikes throughout Thursday, after relative calm while US envoy Amos Hochstein visited earlier this week, seeking to broker an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on social media platform X issued several rounds of evacuation warnings for Beirut's southern suburbs, as well as areas in and around the southern coastal city of Tyre, but none for east Lebanon. AFPTV footage showed columns of smoke rising from the southern suburbs, usually a densely populated residential district but now largely emptied. Adraee said on X that the Israeli military "targeted a weapons depot, a command headquarters and terrorist infrastructure" belonging to Hezbollah in south Beirut. Amid a series of attack claims, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted "the Hatzor air base" near Israel's southern city of Ashdod, around 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Lebanon's southern border, "with a missile salvo" -- its deepest target in more than a year of hostilities. In 10 separate statements, Iran-backed Hezbollah said its fighters also targeted Israeli troops in and near the south Lebanon town of Khiam, including with artillery, rockets and drones. The NNA said "the enemy army" was "blowing up homes and residential buildings during its incursion into the town". Lebanon's official news agency and Hezbollah have reported fighting and air strikes in the Khiam area ever since Israeli ground troops first entered Lebanon on September 30. Earlier Thursday, United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visited Baalbek's UNESCO-listed archaeological area, after the UN's cultural body this week granted more than 30 heritage sites in Lebanon "provisional enhanced protection" amid the war. Lebanon's health ministry said Thursday that at least 3,583 people had been killed in the violence since October 2023. Most of the deaths have been since September this year. The Israeli military said Wednesday that three soldiers were killed in south Lebanon, bringing to 52 the number killed in Lebanon since the start of ground operations. bur-lg/giv

Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Assad’s rule as he called for peace and the protection of civilians. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said. He said the U.K. was focused on a political solution to restore peace and stability. “We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” he said. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEHRAN, Iran — Iran says the Syrian people should decide their country’s future “without destructive, coercive foreign intervention.” The Foreign Ministry statement issued Sunday marked Iran’s first official reaction to the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, who it had strongly backed through nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad’s government was a close ally of Iran that served as a crucial conduit between it and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The rebels who toppled Assad view Iran as a hostile foreign influence, and the abandoned Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked as they entered the city. The Foreign Ministry statement said Iran supports Syria’s unity and national sovereignty, and hopes to see “the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue” with the participation of all groups. “It is expected that the wise and farsighted relations of the two nations will continue based on mutual ties and interests,” the statement said. TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. MASNAA, Lebanon — At Lebanon’s Masnaa crossing into Syria, the mood was festive Sunday with some local Lebanese residents handing out congratulatory sweets to Syrians lined up to return to their country. Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, “anything is better than Bashar.” He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down. “Look at Aleppo now,” he said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal. Abdel-Latif, a construction worker, said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild. Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said, “This is a feeling we’ve been waiting 14 years for. “You feel yourself psychologically free - you can express yourself,” he said. “The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.” Now, he said, “Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and take care of their country. It’s a new phase.” DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. MOSCOW — Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave “instructions” to “transfer power peacefully.” In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the “dramatic events” in Syria “with extreme concern." It also said Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was “no serious threat” to the security of Russia’s military bases there. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. While Russia now concentrates the bulk of its military resources in Ukraine, it has maintained a military foothold in Syria and keeps troops at its bases there.When Rick Higgins got to Butte in December 2019, facing hard times and homeless, he found warmth and hope at the Butte Rescue Mission. He stayed for seven months, saved up $5,000 during his tenure and moved into an apartment on Main Street where he still lives today. He’s been giving back to Butte and the Rescue Mission ever since. Rick Higgins stands for a portrait inside of the Butte Rescue Mission on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Higgins, a few months shy of his 65th birthday, spends seven hours volunteering at the Mission every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, prepping food, serving lunches, washing dishes, cleaning kitchen equipment — you name it. “We consider him one of the staff,” said Brayton Erickson, a director at the Mission. “He comes to all our staff meetings and really is just a huge benefit to us here. Every day he’s here, everybody’s in a much better mood.” On a lot of days, no matter what the season, Higgins can be seen picking up trash along Harrison Avenue and other parts of south Butte. Sometimes he heads from his place on Main Street all the way to Basin Creek Park. It was just walking at first. Rick Higgins stands for a portrait inside of the Butte Rescue Mission on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. “Then I increased it and increased it and found myself walking to the Lion’s Den (along Highway 2) and back and then I figured, there’s enough trash to give me something to do while I’m walking so I picked it up. “I come up with five to six bags every time I go out there,” he said. “A lot of beer bottles. It just makes me upset to see those.” Higgins is from Maine but ended up in Butte, homeless, in 1981, after serving three years in the U.S. Army. “I came out from California because that’s where the Army dropped me off at,” he said. “I became homeless because I was out of money and I didn’t know anything about the neighborhood. I was strapped at the time and lived with some people I knew in California that came up here.” Higgins said he stayed at the Mission 40 years ago when it was just a house on Second Street. He left after a while, joined the Job Corps, and has worked numerous jobs in different states over the years. “Me and my first wife spent nine months in Alaska,” he said. Higgins said he returned to Butte a few years ago. “I came back wondering if I had left anything or anybody behind,” he said. J.P. Gallagher, Butte-Silver Bow’s chief executive, nominated Higgins as a Local Hero this year. “His willingness to give back, asking for nothing in return, truly embodies the spirit of citizenry and stewardship,” Gallagher said in his nomination. “There is a saying that many hands make light work. If we had more individuals like Rick, the positive impact on our community would be immeasurable.” Erickson offered equal praise. "As far as a local hero goes, Rick is probably one of the best picks in town because of his selflessness and willingness to help others," Erickson said. "If somebody needs something on the street, Rick stops. "He sees people and he’s always there to lend a hand. That’s just the quality of guy he is. So it's an honor and a pleasure to know him and to continue to see him every day, or almost every day." Mike Smith is a reporter at the Montana Standard with an emphasis on government and politics. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Government and Politics Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge

Biden's broken promise on pardoning his son Hunter is raising new questions about his legacy WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to go back on his word and pardon his son Hunter wasn't all that surprising to those who are familiar with the president's devotion to his family. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president has raised new questions about his legacy. Biden has held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns. It was part of an effort to draw a deliberate contrast with Republican Donald Trump. Now, both his broken promise and his act of clemency are a political lightning rod. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

MAN Energy Solutions has announced that the development of its ME-LGIA (Liquid Gas Injection Ammonia) engine has entered a new phase with the commencement of testing of a full-scale, two-stroke engine running on ammonia at its RCC (Research Centre Copenhagen). Ole Pyndt Hansen, Head of Two-Stroke R&D, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “Having already completed more than 12 months of testing on a single cylinder running on ammonia, it’s a significant milestone to be able to step up to full-scale engine testing. We have been busy with the conversion process over the past few months, including ensuring that all safety provisions work according to our requirements. We are now ready for the next phase that will focus on, among other parameters, combustion and emissions, engine-tuning, atomizer testing and control-system verification. This is provisionally set to continue until mid-2025.” Bjarne Foldager, Head of Two-Stroke Business, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The market is hungry for any news related to our ME-LGIA development and this, the beginning of testing on the world’s first two-stroke, full-scale ammonia engine, is a major milestone. MAN Energy Solutions is proud to be a pioneer within the new segment of ammonia engines but it is equally as important for us to show the world that we are moving forward cautiously in a reliable and safety-first way. Now is the time to develop the technology and we look forward to revealing our progress at the appropriate time.” Source: MAN Energy SolutionsConcerns raised over hospitality staff after smoking curbs ditchedThe UN General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture rejected by the United States and Israel. The resolution -- adopted by a vote of 158-9, with 13 abstentions -- urges "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire," and "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" -- wording similar to a text vetoed by Washington in the Security Council last month. At that time, Washington used its veto power on the Council -- as it has before -- to protect its ally Israel, which has been at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian militant group's October 7, 2023 attack. It has insisted on the idea of making a ceasefire conditional on the release of all hostages in Gaza, saying otherwise that Hamas has no incentive to free those in captivity. Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood repeated that position Wednesday, saying it would be "shameful and wrong" to adopt the text. Ahead of the vote, Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon said: "The resolutions before the assembly today are beyond logic. (...) The vote today is not a vote for compassion. It is a vote for complicity." The General Assembly often finds itself taking up measures that cannot get through the Security Council, which has been largely paralyzed on hot-button issues such as Gaza and Ukraine due to internal politics, and this time is no different. The resolution, which is non-binding, demands "immediate access" to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, especially in the besieged north of the territory. Dozens of representatives of UN member states addressed the Assembly before the vote to offer their support to the Palestinians. "Gaza doesn't exist anymore. It is destroyed," said Slovenia's UN envoy Samuel Zbogar. "History is the harshest critic of inaction." That criticism was echoed by Algeria's deputy UN ambassador Nacim Gaouaoui, who said: "The price of silence and failure in the face of the Palestinian tragedy is a very heavy price, and it will be heavier tomorrow." Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. That count includes hostages who died or were killed while being held in Gaza. Militants abducted 251 hostages, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 44,805 people, a majority of them civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry that is considered reliable by the United Nations. "Gaza today is the bleeding heart of Palestine," Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said last week during the first day of debate in the Assembly's special session on the issue. "The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare," he said, calling for an end to the "impunity." After Wednesday's vote, he said "we will keep knocking on the doors of the Security Council and the General Assembly until we see an immediate and unconditional ceasefire put in place." The Gaza resolution calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present "proposals on how the United Nations could help to advance accountability" by using existing mechanisms or creating new ones based on past experience. The Assembly, for example, created an international mechanism to gather evidence of crimes committed in Syria starting from the outbreak of civil war in 2011. A second resolution calling on Israel to respect the mandate of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and allow it to continue its operations was passed Wednesday by a vote of 159-9 with 11 abstentions. Israel has voted to ban the organization starting January 28, after accusing some UNRWA employees of taking part in Hamas's devastating attack. abd/sst/jgc/nro/des

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The market's reaction to positive policy developments and supportive government initiatives is evident in the renewed interest and confidence in growth stocks. As policymakers around the world prioritize nurturing the technology sector as a key driver of economic growth, investors are increasingly turning their attention to companies that are leading the way in innovation.As the new year approaches, a significant announcement has been made regarding the commencement of the military service registration process for all males who have reached the age of 18. Beginning on January 1st, young men are required to register for military service, marking a crucial step in their journey towards fulfilling their civic duty and responsibility to their country. This milestone event serves as a reminder of the importance of national defense and the role that each individual plays in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the nation.

It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?

Despite the euphoria, however, there were whispers of caution among some seasoned market veterans. They warned that the rapid gains could be unsustainable and that a pullback was inevitable after such a steep climb. Others pointed to lingering geopolitical tensions and regulatory uncertainties as potential headwinds that could dampen the market's exuberance in the days ahead. But for now, the prevailing mood was one of unbridled optimism, as investors rode the wave of momentum to new highs.Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, one thing remains certain – Messi's return against Leganés signifies a new chapter for Barcelona. His presence on the field will not only boost the team's morale but also provide a much-needed spark of creativity and brilliance. As Barcelona navigates through their future discussions, they can take comfort in knowing that they have one of the greatest players of all time leading them into battle.

Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds to help Boston post a season-high fifth straight victory. Anthony Edwards had 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost five of its last seven. Julius Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season. Minnesota got within 55-54 early in the third quarter, before a 14-0 run by Boston. The spurt featured four 3s by the Celtics, including two by Tatum. The lead grew to 79-60 with 4:26 to play in the period. But the Timberwolves chipped it all the way down in the fourth, getting within 107-105 with 34 seconds left on a driving layup by Randle. Timberwolves: Minnesota will be looking to for some wins at home, after dropping four of its last five on the road. Celtics: The Celtics have struggled at home at times this season but improved to 6-2 at the Garden. The Timberwolves had the ball with 7.1 seconds and a chance to win. Edwards got the inbounds and tried to drive on Brown. But he was cut off, and the ball swung to Naz Reid, who failed to get off a 3 as time expired. Boston assisted on 25 of its 37 made field goals. The Timberwolves host Houston in NBA Cup play on Tuesday, beginning a four-game homestand. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

The process of military service registration is a pivotal moment in the lives of young men as it signifies their transition into adulthood and their commitment to serving their country if called upon. By enlisting in the military service, individuals demonstrate their dedication to upholding the values of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice that are integral to the defense of the nation. It is a time-honored tradition that symbolizes unity, solidarity, and resilience in the face of challenges and threats to national security.

The 0.2% increase in the CPI indicates a mild uptick in overall inflationary pressures in the country. This rise was primarily driven by increases in food prices, which surged by 1.2% compared to the previous year. Prices of fresh vegetables, in particular, saw a sharp increase due to supply chain disruptions and adverse weather conditions in some regions. In contrast, non-food prices remained relatively stable, with only a marginal increase of 0.1%.

Despite these challenges, the former Foreign Minister also highlighted the many opportunities for cooperation between China and the EU. He pointed to the potential for joint efforts in areas such as climate change, sustainable development, and global security. By working together, he believes that China and the EU can make significant progress in addressing common challenges and achieving shared objectives.

Romania's Presidential Election Shocker: Tight Race Threatens Pro-Ukraine Stance

The leaked images showcase a stunning interior design that exudes elegance and sophistication. The NIO ET9 is expected to feature premium materials such as high-quality leather, brushed metal accents, and exquisite wood trim, creating a luxurious and upscale ambiance for passengers. The attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship are evident in every aspect of the interior, from the ergonomically designed seats to the intuitive layout of the dashboard.

Emma McKeon announces her retirement from competitive swimming having won Australia's most Olympic medalsNoneBaker Mayfield mocks Tommy DeVito's celebration as the Bucs embarrass the Giants 30-7

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North Korea will launch its "toughest" ever strategy to counter the United States , state media said Sunday, reporting on a key year-end party meeting overseen by leader Kim Jong Un . ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for The nuclear-armed state held a five-day party meeting last week as part of a drive to chart the country's course for 2025, the official Korean Central News Agency reported in a lengthy English dispatch. "The US is the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy," the report said. It slammed growing ties between South Korea, the US and Japan, saying it had "expanded into a nuclear military bloc for aggression". It also said South Korea had "turned into an out-and-out anti-communist outpost of the US". 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Against this backdrop, Kim's speech to top officials "clarified the strategy for the toughest anti-US counteraction to be launched aggressively", the report said without providing details. The meeting reviewed the response to widespread flooding earlier this year, and also included a vow to boost ties with "friendly" countries. Such party meetings, and Kim's speeches to officials, are typically used by Pyongyang to make key policy announcements. The KCNA report comes after Seoul's military claimed that more than a thousand North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded since they entered combat in Ukraine as part of a military deal between Pyongyang and Moscow. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A landmark defence pact between Pyongyang and Moscow -- signed in June when Russian President Vladimir Putin North Korea -- came into force this month. Putin hailed it as a "breakthrough document". North Korean state media said Friday that Putin sent a New Year's message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying, "the bilateral ties between our two countries have been elevated after our talks in June in Pyongyang". Ukraine's allies have called Pyongyang's growing involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine a "dangerous expansion" of the conflict. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Joe Biden’s blanket pardon of his son, Hunter, was really a proxy pardon for the whole Biden family that hamstrings ongoing investigations into Biden family influence peddling schemes, according to Peter Schweizer. In the latest episode of the Drill Down podcast, Schweizer points out that the schemes implicated not just Hunter but Joe himself, his brothers Frank and James, and other members of the Biden family. The pardon, “historically unprecedented” in its scope, is “a stunning acknowledgment of how corrupt this family is,” Schweizer says. Every president has used and sometimes abused the pardon power, which is in the Constitution. In recent years, presidents have pardoned former political associates and wealthy supporters for specific crimes. But the only “full and complete pardon” ever issued before was by President Gerald Ford to the disgraced former president Richard Nixon. Joining Nixon in that elite club is Hunter Biden, who was pardoned for any crimes he may have committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024. As Schweizer says in the podcast, that was not only an abuse of the pardon power but the action of a not-great father. In addition to effectively ending investigations into alleged Biden family corruption, The Drill Down notes, six other factors should be stressed about Joe Biden’s unprecedented pardoning of his son. 1. The enormous scope. Not only was this for a family member, but it effectively made Hunter Biden immune anything he might have done for the past 10 years, whether charged or uncharged, convicted or accused. The president made sure his son could not be charged based on the results of investigations that are still ongoing into his influence peddling. 2. This is a proxy pardon that will extend to Joe Biden and other members of the Biden family. By pardoning Hunter, Biden crippled ongoing investigations into influence peddling that also implicated Joe and his brothers Frank and James, who made deals in similar fashion. Schweizer calls it, “a stunning acknowledgment of how corrupt this family is.” 3. The timing matters . Why does it specifically start with Jan. 1, 2014, and end Dec. 1, 2024? Because, Schweizer explains, right after the start date is when the money from China first began to flow. Hunter traveled to Beijing aboard Air Force 2 in mid-December 2013 and made an investment deal with Chinese government and intelligence-connected officials that would later total to about $1.5 billion. In April of 2014 was the Burisma deal, when Hunter Biden was given a seat on the board of a Ukrainian oil and gas company despite having absolutely no knowledge or experience with the energy business. The Spring of 2014 was also when Hunter Biden secured a deal worth $3.5 million with Russian billionaire Elena Baturina. She was hoping to be left off the list of Russian oligarchs that were being sanctioned by the US following Vladimir Putin’s first invasion of Crimea. (She was never placed on the list.) What about the end date? This may have to do with Hunter’s later career as an untrained artist who sold his artworks to art lovers for as much as $500,000 apiece. Although purchasers were not formally disclosed, some of them received ambassadorships from his father’s administration, according to reports. Some of the art was apparently sold to people in China. But through the pardon, any of those transactions would not be subject to investigation and possible prosecution, either. Why does he need coverage through all of November this year? Joe Biden stepped down from the race in July. Could there be money coming his way after dropping out — perhaps negotiated by his key advisor, Hunter — that might have warranted inquiry? 4. A second bite at Hunter’s immunity deal. A prosecutor named David Weiss offered Hunter Biden a plea bargain in which he admitted to the gun charges and the feds dropped the tax charges. This deal was presented to a federal judge who rejected it, and the deal fell apart. Hunter Biden’s attorneys believed it would grant him total immunity from any future prosecution. “This shows how shameless the Bidens are,” Schweizer says. “Their goal was to clear Hunter for everything. With the pardon, that’s exactly what they are getting.” 5. Trump’s election triggered the pardon. Had Kamala Harris won the election, her administration would certainly have shut down any ongoing investigations by the Justice Department of a wide influence-peddling operation by members of the Biden family. But with Trump’s election, the risk was too great of Ukraine furnishing evidence to the Trump administration of a quid pro quo by then-Vice President Joe Biden. Recall that as vice president, Biden threatened to withhold aid money in early 2017 (before he left office) unless the Ukrainian government fired a prosecutor named Viktor Shokin who was investigating Burisma. 6. The criminal justice system does have a double standard , but not based on race or even wealth. It is based on political connections and family connections. “I’m a father, too,” Schweizer says. “I don’t think it’s acceptable that Joe Biden allowed this to happen. Hunter Biden did what he did because his father allowed him to do it. That’s not being a very good father.” 7. The mainstream media is dead . The airwaves and video streams are full of embarrassing examples of supposedly objective reporters and commentators applauding Biden in the past for refusing to pardon his son. Almost everything they told us about Joe Biden has been shown as false. “The curiosity that they once had is completely gone,” Schweizer says. “They didn’t run stories looking into the details of any of this. Even now they continue to carry water for the Bidens. They told us Trump couldn’t be trusted with levers of justice, but look at what Biden did!” For more from Peter Schweizer, subscribe to The DrillDown podcast.

Jaguars place QB Trevor Lawrence (concussion) on IRAmmonia Market Industry Overview, Market Share, Leading Players, Regional Overview and Growth Prospects ReportCanucks players visited an Amazon centre in east Richmond last week and made a sizeable donation to the food bank. Vancouver Canucks player Danton Heinen, Abbotsford Canucks' Arshdeep Bains and team mascot Fin paid a visit to Amazon’s YXX2 fulfillment centre in Richmond on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The trio helped Amazon present a $10,000 cheque to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, which has donated more than 40,000 items to the charity since 2021. Employees attended a Q-and-A with the players, who explored a range of topics and experiences, such as playing on home ice in front of thousands of Canucks fans. In a release, Amazon YXX2 senior operations manager Darkhan Urmurzin underscored the pride of supporting the community and hosting Heinen and Bains – highlighting the pair’s experience trying out the facility’s robotics technology by packing a few customer orders backstage. Opened in 2021, Amazon YXX2 was the first robotics fulfillment centre in Western Canada and processes thousands of customer orders daily during the holidays. Operations manager Jas Dhanoa, who hosted the Q-and-A, also explained how these B.C. hockey players are an inspiration to the community, adding their visit serves to showcase the diversity of communities such as Richmond. Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected] . To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter . Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.

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MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPG Photonics Corporation IPGP today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Clean-Lasersysteme GmbH (cleanLASER), a leader in laser cleaning systems. The purchase of cleanLaser strengthens IPG's global position in high-precision laser systems for cleaning applications by bringing additional know-how, complementary market exposure, and product and technology synergies. "The acquisition of cleanLaser aligns with IPG's strategic focus on expanding into promising new markets and applications. This move further differentiates our business by enhancing our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions that provide customers with cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional industrial processes," said Dr. Mark Gitin IPG Photonics' Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of the entire IPG team I want to welcome the cleanLaser team to IPG Photonics and look forward to working closely with them." Founded in 1997 and based in Herzogenrath, Germany, cleanLASER is a leader and pioneer in expanding the usage of lasers for industrial cleaning, with an installed base of approximately 2,000 systems worldwide and approximately $30 million in annual revenue. The company serves a broad range of customers across the automotive, industrial, aerospace, medical, food, and other markets. Contact Eugene Fedotoff Senior Director, Investor Relations IPG Photonics Corporation 508-597-4713 efedotoff@ipgphotonics.com About IPG Photonics Corporation IPG Photonics Corporation is the leader in high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers used primarily in materials processing and other diverse applications. The Company's mission is to develop innovative laser solutions making the world a better place. IPG accomplishes this mission by delivering superior performance, reliability and usability at a lower total cost of ownership compared with other types of lasers and non-laser tools, allowing end users to increase productivity and decrease costs. IPG is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts and has more than 30 facilities worldwide. For more information, visit www.ipgphotonics.com . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:27 p.m. EST

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Tom Werner CIM-A ( NYSE: CIM.PR.A ) is a preferred share from Chimera Investment Corporation ( NYSE: CIM ) that doesn’t seem to be getting much attention in financial analysis circles. CIM-A is a fixed-rate preferred share that comes with an 8% coupon rate. It Want the best research? It’s time to raise your game. Get access to several features you won’t find on the public side. You can get access to everything we have to offer right now. Try our service and decide for yourself. Join our free service or read our blog posts (full articles w/ discount link). Click full bio for links. Contact me if they don't work. I'm known for posting snarky articles. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Norway on Monday where he is expected to tout a "green industrial partnership" on renewable energy and carbon capture to tackle climate change. It comes as Starmer's new Labour government seeks ways to meet its commitments to completely decarbonise the UK's electricity production by 2030, reduce emissions by at least 81 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2034 and become carbon-neutral by 2050. To be formally signed in the spring, the agreement with Oslo would help Britain "seize the opportunities from a new era of clean energy, driving investment into the UK and boosting jobs both now and in the future", Starmer was cited as saying in a statement from his office. Precise details of the partnership's contents were not made available ahead of Starmer's meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store. At the beginning of October, the Labour government announced 22 billion pounds ($28 billion) in investment over 25 years to develop carbon capture and storage on two former industrial estates in the north of England. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage is a technology that seeks to eliminate emissions created by burning fuels for energy and from industrial processes. The carbon is captured and then stored permanently in various underground environments. "Our partnership with Norway will make the UK more energy secure, ensuring we are never again exposed to international energy price spikes ...," said Starmer. Quoted in the Downing Street release, Norway's Prime Minister Store hailed the agreement as "important to facilitate more green jobs both in Norway and the UK, and for advancing the green transition". The two North Sea countries already have extensive energy ties, with Norway being one of the UK's main suppliers of gas. Several Norwegian companies already have a strong presence in the British market. Norwegian energy giant Equinor has partnered with BP in a number of carbon capture and storage projects in the UK, while Vagronn is also involved in a floating wind farm project in Scotland. The UK's ambition to become "a world-leader in carbon capture" comes despite doubts over the technology's effectiveness at tackling global warming given the costs and complexity involved. It has however been advocated by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), especially for reducing the CO2 footprint of difficult to decarbonise industries like cement and steel.The U.S. Navy is transforming a costly flub into a potent weapon with the first shipborne hypersonic weapon, which is being retrofitted aboard the first of its three stealthy destroyers. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of them by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the Hudson Institute. The U.S. has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the U.S. military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added maneuverability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defense department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon previously acknowledged the weapon's development, it had not recognized its testing. One of the U.S. programs in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the “Conventional Prompt Strike." It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a $7.5 billion warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The USS Zumwalt is seen at the Huntington Ingalls shipyard Nov. 21 in Pascagoula, Miss. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an Advanced Gun System with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155 mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was canceled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Despite the stain on its reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warship in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimize radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The Zumwalt arrived at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in August 2023 and was removed from the water for the complex work of integrating the new weapon system. It is due to be undocked this week in preparation for the next round of tests and its return to the fleet, shipyard spokeswoman Kimberly Aguillard said. A U.S. hypersonic weapon was successfully tested over the summer and development of the missiles is continuing. The Navy wants to begin testing the system aboard the Zumwalt in 2027 or 2028, according to the Navy. The U.S. weapon system will come at a steep price. It would cost nearly $18 billion to buy 300 of the weapons and maintain them over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Critics say there is too little bang for the buck. “This particular missile costs more than a dozen tanks. All it gets you is a precise non-nuclear explosion, some place far far away. Is it really worth the money? The answer is most of the time the missile costs much more than any target you can destroy with it,” said Loren Thompson, a longtime military analyst in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Navy intercepted Houthi missiles and drones targeting two warships and three merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden. But they provide the capability for Navy vessels to strike an enemy from a distance of thousands of kilometers — outside the range of most enemy weapons — and there is no effective defense against them, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Ray Spicer, CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, an independent forum focusing on national security issues, and former commander of an aircraft carrier strike force. Conventional missiles that cost less aren’t much of a bargain if they are unable to reach their targets, Spicer said, adding the U.S. military really has no choice but to pursue them. “The adversary has them. We never want to be outdone,” he said. The U.S. is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to U.S. national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities,” said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defense department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said. Image Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock The financial challenges facing U.S. military households are a significant concern throughout the year. Holidays such as Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, or Veterans Day highlight the ongoing struggles that service members face, particularly amid rising costs for everyday essentials. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey shows a troubling trend: Military personnel and their families are finding it more difficult to cover basic household expenses such as food, housing, and transportation than the average American. Our analysis examines how service members are faring in today’s economy compared to civilian households, highlighting the states where military families report the greatest challenges in managing their finances. As we enter Giving Season, we’ve also highlighted meaningful ways to support service members and their families through charitable contributions, offering an opportunity to make a direct impact on those who serve our nation. Service members are struggling more financially than the average American. Image Credit: Upgraded Points According to recent Household Pulse Survey data, members of the armed services are experiencing financial strain at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Over 40% of service members report difficulty covering their usual household expenses, compared to 36.6% of all U.S. adults. The data also shows heightened anxiety among service members regarding rising prices. Nearly 80% of military personnel express stress about recent price increases, significantly higher than the 71.8% of all U.S. adults who share similar feelings. Furthermore, 81.8% of service members are concerned about future price hikes, reflecting widespread uncertainty about inflation’s long-term impact on household budgets. More than half of service members in certain states have difficulty covering basic household expenses. Image Credit: Upgraded Points Across the U.S., the financial burden on service members varies significantly from state to state, primarily influenced by local economic conditions. According to the most recent data, Utah leads with 53.7% of service members reporting difficulty covering basic household expenses, closely followed by Louisiana (52.9%) and Alaska (52.8%). Other states where over half of service members are struggling include Indiana (52.0%), Tennessee (51.2%), New York (50.8%), and Florida (50.3%). A key issue service members frequently raise is that their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has not kept pace with the rapidly rising cost of housing. In states where service members face the greatest financial difficulties, such as Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, and Florida, home price increases have far exceeded the national average, exacerbating the strain on household budgets. Another critical factor affecting military families is the employment challenges military spouses face. According to the Department of Defense, the military spouse unemployment rate was 21% in 2023, compared to a national rate of 3.6% that year. Many military bases are located in rural or remote areas, limiting job opportunities for spouses, particularly in specialized fields. Additionally, frequent relocations make it difficult for spouses to sustain long-term careers, especially for those in professions requiring state-specific occupational licenses that can be difficult to transfer. Service members are also more likely to report financial struggles in states with higher-than-average unemployment rates, such as Louisiana, Alaska, and New York. Conversely, the state unemployment rate is below average in 9 of the 10 states where service members report the least financial difficulty. This suggests that strong local employment opportunities, particularly for spouses, significantly ease the financial burden on military households. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock One of the most impactful ways to support service members, veterans, and their families who are facing financial hardships is through donations to reputable charities. These organizations are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by military families and veterans, providing vital assistance in areas like housing, medical expenses, scholarships, and career training. To help guide your generosity, we’ve compiled a list of top-rated charities based on scores from Charity Navigator , CharityWatch , and GuideStar , which assess organizations on criteria such as impact, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Here are some of the best charities supporting military families and veterans in need: 1. USO For over 80 years, the USO has provided crucial support to active-duty service members and their families. From financial assistance programs to community-building initiatives, the USO helps service members stay connected to loved ones while addressing their most pressing needs during deployments and transitions. 2. Homes For Our Troops This charity is focused on providing specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. It helps veterans regain independence. Homes For Our Troops also provides financial planning and household budgeting to ensure long-term stability for the recipients. 3. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Dedicated to advocating for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, IAVA works to improve government policies and programs that support military families. Its advocacy ensures veterans have access to financial resources, healthcare, and education opportunities. 4. Fisher House Foundation This foundation builds “comfort homes” near military and VA medical centers, allowing families to stay free of charge while a loved one is hospitalized. By reducing travel and lodging expenses, Fisher House eases financial stress during difficult times. 5. Hope For The Warriors Offering a range of programs focused on financial stability, wellness, social support, and education, Hope For The Warriors provides critical support to service members, veterans, and their families. Its services include direct financial assistance for transitioning service members and veterans in need, career training and job placement, and scholarships for spouses. 6. Semper Fi & America’s Fund Semper Fi & America’s Fund assists wounded, ill, and injured service members and their families through direct financial assistance and case management during hospitalization and recovery. The organization also provides educational support, career assistance, and health and wellness services. 7. Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) WWFS supports families of those wounded or killed in combat through programs like medical travel grants, meal and housekeeping assistance, in-home care services, and family retreats. By addressing these families' immediate and ongoing needs, WWFS alleviates the financial burdens of those suffering from recent tragic events. For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points . Photo Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock Upgraded Points conducted the analysis using the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey Phase 4.0–4.2 , covering the period from January 9, 2024, to September 16, 2024. Service members were defined as adults currently serving in the U.S. armed forces (Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard) and their spouses. This analysis focuses on 3 key questions from the survey: Statistics with fewer than 50 survey responses were omitted from the analysis. Additional statistics on home prices were sourced from Zillow’s Home Value Index , and unemployment rates were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates . For complete results, see Rising Costs Hit Military Families Hard: Here’s How You Can Help on Upgraded Points. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Christian McCaffrey’s backup lands on IR as 49ers lose 2 running backs in roller-coaster season

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One of the most significant developments for Lincoln in China is the rumor that it will be integrated into Ford's operations in the country. This move is seen as a strategic decision that could help Lincoln capitalize on Ford's existing presence and resources in China to boost its sales performance. By leveraging Ford's established dealership network, manufacturing facilities, and brand recognition, Lincoln may be able to reach a wider audience and increase its market share in China.Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90

His message struck a chord with his followers, who expressed their admiration for his positive outlook and resilience in the face of adversity. Many shared their own stories of career transitions and how they were inspired by Retired Brother's ability to stay true to himself and remain thankful for the opportunities he had.In the meantime, Solskjaer will need to continue to find ways to navigate the injury crisis and ensure that the team remains competitive in all competitions. The United boss will be hoping for a swift return to full fitness for Evans and the other sidelined players, as he looks to field a strong and cohesive lineup in the coming weeks.

In conclusion, the viral video of the woman and her father unintentionally taking flight on an electric scooter may have brought laughter and amusement to many viewers, but it also underscores the importance of safety and caution when it comes to riding any form of transportation. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of urban mobility, let us remember to prioritize safety and responsible travel practices to ensure that incidents like these remain rare and unforgettable moments of laughter and surprise.Why I’m Bearish on Dye & Durham Stock — and What I’m Buying Instead

One of the key highlights of the new release is the enhancement of Yuelingxi AI's natural language processing capabilities. Through advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, the platform is now able to understand and interpret human language with even greater accuracy and precision. This improvement not only enhances the user experience but also opens up new possibilities for applications in areas such as virtual assistants, chatbots, and sentiment analysis.

In the end, the derby match between Real Madrid and Barcelona highlighted the tactical nuances and unpredictability of football. Despite Real Madrid's best efforts to exploit Barcelona's high defensive line, the outcome ultimately hinged on the execution and effectiveness of both teams' strategies on the field. As football fans reflect on this intense and closely contested match, one thing is certain – the derby rivalry between these two powerhouse teams will continue to captivate and thrill audiences for years to come.Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure in Yoon's administration, has also been implicated in the scandal. As a trusted ally of the president, his involvement in the alleged wrongdoing has further tarnished the reputation of the government and its top officials. The decision to include him on the arrest list has sent shockwaves through the military establishment and raised concerns about the country's national security.

Another aspect that makes Exa stand out is its privacy and security measures. In a time where data privacy is a growing concern, Exa ensures that user data is protected and kept confidential. By encrypting user information and adhering to strict privacy policies, Exa gives users peace of mind knowing that their data is safe and secure.

'Something has to happen here' | Road rage death spurs Texas father to push for legislation to curb the problemIt is essential for Barcelona's management and coaching staff to address and resolve these internal issues promptly to prevent any further disruptions to team harmony. Building a supportive and unified environment is key in maximizing the potential of the squad and ensuring that individual differences do not detract from the collective pursuit of success.RaMell Ross considers himself more of a visual artist than a movie director. His second film, , attempts a visual artist’s feat: a feature shot entirely from the first-person point of view. Every decade, it seems, first-person camerawork reemerges in film. Kathryn Bigelow’s dystopian thriller (1995) cut to it when its characters deployed a sci-fi technology to experience other people’s memories; the much-maligned (2005) had a section that paid homage to the POV of its video game origins; (2015) proved doing that at feature-length was exhausting. But if there’s a through line between the works that have deployed the first-person perspective, it’s that they’ve used them for visceral means, often to heighten the intensity of violence. Nearly 10 years later, presents the first person to achieve the opposite: quiet intimacy. Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film alternates between the perspectives of its leads, Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson), two Black teenagers who meet at a brutal reformatory school in the Jim Crow South. Despite the institution’s punishing environment, Elwood continues to maintain an optimistic worldview reflective of the ongoing Civil Rights Movement, while Turner grounds himself through pragmatic survivalism. The audience sees what they see — and believe. The first-person vantage point does something clever: when we’re seeing things through Elwood’s eyes, we’re mostly looking at Turner, and vice versa. The effect is startling and, in its best moments, sublime. And the film is so confident that it almost never relents. commits to the first person for nearly its entire two-hour, 20-minute runtime, except for a few splashes of archival footage and a handful of scenes that flash forward. But the brilliance of is that the camerawork isn’t just a visual gimmick; it’s tied so deeply to the film’s themes that it allows the film to pull off a final act reveal that, before I saw this adaptation, I believed could only be achieved in a novel. The movie arrives in theaters this Friday, but thanks to a strong run at festivals, it’s already being talked about as an Academy Award contender. (As of this writing, column at predicts the film as a Best Picture and Best Director finalist.) A critic , and director Ross just took home honors at the New York Film Critics Circle, an award that tends to be a bellwether for the industry’s biggest prizes. The year’s most celebrated movie might just be its most ambitious. Asking audiences to watch a film from the first-person POV is a big risk, and the technical challenges to pull it off convincingly were no easy ask of the crew or actors. In some ways, feels like an unlikely gambit. Here’s how it got made. A photographer and author, RaMell Ross comes from the art world, a place that, in his experience, embraces and elevates abstraction over explanation. Working in film, he says he finds that people — the regular ones that watch movies and the powerful ones that allow them to be made — tend to ask more questions about intention and meaning. As a director, Ross is best known for his 2018 documentary , which follows the life of two Black high school students in Alabama, where Ross spent five years capturing footage. eschewed the traditional building blocks of narrative — plot through an order of scenes — for a fragmentary, patchwork approach. The result is stunning and resembles less a conventional documentary and more the kind of impressionistic video art you might find at a contemporary art museum. But even with all its formal invention, still earned an Academy Award nomination in the documentary feature category. It lost to , but still: not a bad showing for a movie never expected to be in the running. After, Ross was compelled to return to his work in visual arts, completing a performance piece for the Ogden Museum of Southern Art titled “Return to Origin,” wherein he shipped himself from Rhode Island to Alabama in a large wooden crate — an allusion and reversal of the Great Migration, made a touch funnier when you learn Ross is six-feet, six-inches tall. During that time, he’d also returned to his full-time job, teaching visual arts at Brown University. It’s unsurprising to learn that Ross is a professor — even from our brief encounter, it’s clear he possesses an academic’s curiosity and the enthusiastic engagement of a lecturer. More importantly, teaching gives him the space to be patient. “I get to make art at my own pace. I get to think big and move slow. There’s nothing better than that.” But having come within spitting distance of Hollywood’s highest recognition, the Oscar, surely producers and studios were reaching out to Ross with projects, right? It turns out that no one was calling. Sundance recognition and an Academy Award nod would have to suffice. “I never took a meeting,” he says, appearing content with that outcome. Then, in 2019, a producer reached out about an adaptation of a not-yet-published novel called . Ross had heard of the production company Plan B before. But it wasn’t until they reached out that he looked them up: they’d made and . It was Brad Pitt’s production outfit. High-profile producers Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner were also involved, but honestly, Ross wasn’t familiar with the kind of names that circulate among Hollywood regulars. He’d made little effort to penetrate that world because, well, he liked his life, teaching and making art at his own speed. But after reading an advanced copy of , the idea of POV came immediately. Whitehead’s book fictionalizes the very real horrors of the Dozier School for Boys, where, only recently, forensic anthropologists have uncovered nearly 50 unmarked graves of students who were secretly buried. In imagining those harrowing details, Ross was at a loss for words, but he could conjure the images. What if he could give those boys a literal point of view? He had no idea if Plan B would be up for such a formal gambit, but he had no interest in being a for-hire director. What did he have to lose? When Ross pitched the idea to Plan B, he was surprised when they immediately signed off on it. “They genuinely did not flinch. They stress-tested it, as all the producers did over the course of making the film and really whittled down the script, but generally never questioned [the first-person approach],” Ross says, then adds: “Kind of crazy.” He’d connected with cinematographer Jomo Fray, a fan of . But even Fray, who came with his own awards and bona fides, found that the POV of required him to rethink the language of film “on a quantum level.” The two of them were suddenly reconceiving the basic elements of the medium: The prospect was daunting — and thrilling. But first, there was a of testing — a month’s worth, just to get the feel right. Ross recalls specifically homing in on how they wanted time to move with the camera. What they learned is that the most convincing images had to be slightly behind their marks. Traditionally, a movie is tightly blocked and choreographed with the camera; but in their trials, Ross and Fray found the results unrealistic. Messiness, they found, was more convincing. “If you are late to something and then you find it... then it just fundamentally feels more like human vision.” The way a person sees the world is not as tidy as it is in cinema. To avoid making the POV feel like a contrivance, the image had to be deeply immersive, one “that allowed you to live life concurrently with Elwood and Turner... navigating and moving through space with them, not merely watching them do it,” Fray says. It also required some special gear. Fray chose the Sony Venice, a full-frame digital camera, because it could shoot in IMAX quality. In “Rialto mode,” which separates the body from the 6K sensor, the footprint of what the camera operator is holding was barely larger than an average DSLR. (Fray knew from what Ross had imagined they would often be filming in tight spaces.) There were a lot of setups, too: chest mounts, helmet cams, SnorriCams (the exoskeletal selfie stick rig that produces shots most associated with Darren Aronofsky’s work); there were handhelds in various orientations; a scene where Elwood gets clocked required its own custom rig. But what does shooting an entire movie in first person actually look like? Well, it involves the camera crew and the actors getting unusually close. There were times when they were actually on top of each other. Most of the shots were filmed by Ross, Fray, and camera operator Sam Ellison. If the scene was from Elwood’s POV, Herisse would stand close behind the camera operator and say his lines; if a Turner scene needed a hand in it, Wilson would reach his arm around the camera operator to get himself into shot. “We’re making a frame and we’re like, ‘Hey, E, put your hand up here a little bit more,’” Ross says. There were many scenes — Ross estimates about a quarter of the shots — where the limitations of space meant the actors needed to don the camera rigs themselves. “You don’t really get that opportunity really as an actor, to work behind the camera and then step into the shoes of an operator for certain moments,” Herisse says. Suddenly, he had the opportunity to wield an object he didn’t normally interact with, which he was always told he was supposed to ignore the presence of. Was it stressful? “Obviously it’s scary in the sense that I didn’t want to break anything. I definitely know that this is a very important and expensive piece of equipment that’s hanging off my chest,” he says. “But otherwise, it was so cool.” For him and his co-star Wilson, shooting scenes from the other side of the POV meant violating the most basic rule of acting: never look at the camera. Now, they were instructed to speak directly into it. When I speak to Herisse and Wilson, I ask if it was hard to shift their focus. “We definitely couldn’t ignore [the camera]. But we were able to get into a rhythm with it and learn that new thing of staring down the barrel of the lens in place of having each other’s eyes or each other’s physical presence,” Wilson says. “Eventually the camera just fades away and you get this feeling that you’re no longer speaking to this machine,” Herisse adds. “Brandon was there physically — right next to Jomo or Sam or RaMell during the scenes — and I could hear his voice. And I knew that he was there with me.” They were still listening to each other, even if a 6K camera rig and its operator stood between them. Toward the end of our conversation, I tell Ross that shooting sounded extremely difficult — reinventing the language of film, coming up with the technical way to do that, then executing on that ambitious vision. But Ross just laughs it off. “The hardest part is time in general because you don’t have infinite time, like in documentary where you can just come back. So we have two hours to shoot the scene and we’re starting from scratch. [The actor] doesn’t have the rig on. Bluetooth isn’t connecting. Those types of things make it challenging, but the images themselves, yeah, we had that.” After rushing through eight or so weeks of preproduction, shooting was compressed to a month after losing a week to covid — an intense experience for a guy who spent the better part of a decade on his last film. Preparation helped, though. Ross estimates that 90 percent of what he storyboarded and scripted shows up exactly that way in the final thing, with only a little bit of improvisation along the way. I’m surprised to hear the shot list was a whopping 35 pages, single-spaced — every single moment, gaze, and beat accounted for, in a film that still feels naturalistic. It’s easy to see how Ross’ newest film is a clear extension of his body of work. If was, in his words, the story of how Black people have come to be known through the camera, offers a story where the perspective of Black characters the camera. is structured along more conventional plot lines (it even has a big twist), but the film also offers many reprieves and distractions, emulating the way the eye wanders and how memory can often be nonlinear. Some of those images are the most resonant: the first shot opens with an outstretched arm, gripping an orange; sensory fascinations, like the sound of loafers clopping through a puddle or a knife scraping cake off a dish, take center stage. One of the movie’s most moving moments is a humble one: actor Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor embracing Turner for a hug, the camera suddenly looking past her shoulder. Recalling that day on set, Fray describes it as a new experience for him as a cinematographer. No longer the voyeur, he was suddenly in a position where he had to meet his scene partner in the eye. “That changes how you compose an image,” Fray says. “That changes how you shoot an image. And I think that changes the dynamic between actor and camera, and cinematographer and performer.”

Induction Cookware Market to Grow at 6.4% CAGR, Reaching $2.64 Billion by 2030 from $1.61 Billion in 2022 11-27-2024 08:33 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research (DBMR) / PR Agency: Data Bridge Market Research (DBMR) The Induction Cookware Market sector is undergoing significant transformation, with substantial growth and technological advancements expected by 2031. According to a new in-depth market research report, the sector is poised for expansion, driven by various factors such as market size, share, and emerging trends. This comprehensive report provides key insights into the Induction Cookware market, exploring critical market segmentation and definitions. It highlights the essential components driving growth, offering a clear picture of the industry's trajectory. Utilizing SWOT and PESTEL analyses, the report evaluates the market's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, while also considering political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors that impact the market landscape. The study offers valuable insights into the competitive landscape, highlighting recent developments and geographical distribution across key regions. Expert competitor analysis provides a detailed understanding of market dynamics, offering strategic guidance for businesses and investors. With robust analysis and future projections, this report serves as a vital resource for stakeholders looking to capitalize on emerging opportunities and navigate challenges in the Induction Cookware market. What is the projected market size & growth rate of the Induction Cookware Market? Market Analysis and Size The market is being stimulated by an increase in dining establishments and other eating places, as well as residential and non-residential development projects. Since there is still a demand for fast food restaurants, the industry's increased performance and profitability create enough market opportunities. Rising gas cooktop fuel costs as well as the growing acceptance of modular kitchens due to their advantages in terms of comfort and safety are driving the market for household induction cooktops. The growth of home induction cooktop sales is anticipated to be influenced by the adoption of more high-tech and technologically advanced products due to the development of e-commerce websites for kitchen appliances. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the induction cookware market, valued at USD 1.61 billion in 2022, will reach USD 2.64 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, and consumer behavior. Browse Detailed TOC, Tables and Figures with Charts which is spread across 350 Pages that provides exclusive data, information, vital statistics, trends, and competitive landscape details in this niche sector. This research report is the result of an extensive primary and secondary research effort into the Induction Cookware market. It provides a thorough overview of the market's current and future objectives, along with a competitive analysis of the industry, broken down by application, type and regional trends. It also provides a dashboard overview of the past and present performance of leading companies. A variety of methodologies and analyses are used in the research to ensure accurate and comprehensive information about the Induction Cookware Market. Get a Sample PDF of Report - https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-induction-cookware-market Which are the driving factors of the Induction Cookware market? The driving factors of the Induction Cookware market include technological advancements that enhance product efficiency and user experience, increasing consumer demand driven by changing lifestyle preferences, and favorable government regulations and policies that support market growth. Additionally, rising investment in research and development and the expanding application scope of Induction Cookware across various industries further propel market expansion. Induction Cookware Market - Competitive and Segmentation Analysis: Global Induction Cookware Market, By Product (Built-In, Free-Standing, Portable), Instrument Type (Touch Screen, Touchtone), Type (Pan, Stockpot, Cooker, Dutch Oven, Others, Application (Household, Commercial, Restaurants), Distribution Channel (Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, E-Commerce, Specialty Stores, Others) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031. How do you determine the list of the key players included in the report? With the aim of clearly revealing the competitive situation of the industry, we concretely analyze not only the leading enterprises that have a voice on a global scale, but also the regional small and medium-sized companies that play key roles and have plenty of potential growth. Which are the top companies operating in the Induction Cookware market? Some of the major players operating in the induction cookware market are: Whirlpool. (U.S.) LG Electronics (South Korea) Electrolux (Sweden) present Magento, Inc. (India) Smeg S.p.A (Italy) Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany) Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Japan) Sub Zero Wolf (U.S.) Miele & Cie. KG (Germany) TTK Prestige Ltd. (U.S.) Cuisinart (U.S.) All-Clad (U.S.) GreenPan (U.S.) Anolon (U.S.) SCANPAN (Denmark) KitchenAid (U.S.) Le Creuset (France) Sunbeam Products, Inc. (U.S.) Short Description About Induction Cookware Market: The Global Induction Cookware market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2024 and 2031. In 2023, the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon. North America, especially The United States, will still play an important role which can not be ignored. Any changes from United States might affect the development trend of Induction Cookware. The market in North America is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period. The high adoption of advanced technology and the presence of large players in this region are likely to create ample growth opportunities for the market. Europe also play important roles in global market, with a magnificent growth in CAGR During the Forecast period 2024-2031. Induction Cookware Market size is projected to reach Multimillion USD by 2031, In comparison to 2024, at unexpected CAGR during 2024-2031. Despite the presence of intense competition, due to the global recovery trend is clear, investors are still optimistic about this area, and it will still be more new investments entering the field in the future. This report focuses on the Induction Cookware in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application. Get a Sample Copy of the Induction Cookware Report 2024 What are your main data sources? Both Primary and Secondary data sources are being used while compiling the report. Primary sources include extensive interviews of key opinion leaders and industry experts (such as experienced front-line staff, directors, CEOs, and marketing executives), downstream distributors, as well as end-users. Secondary sources include the research of the annual and financial reports of the top companies, public files, new journals, etc. We also cooperate with some third-party databases. Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate, historical data and forecast (2024-2031) of the following regions are covered in Chapters What are the key regions in the global Induction Cookware market? North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) This Induction Cookware Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to your following Questions What are the global trends in the Induction Cookware market? Would the market witness an increase or decline in the demand in the coming years? What is the estimated demand for different types of products in Induction Cookware? What are the upcoming industry applications and trends for Induction Cookware market? What Are Projections of Global Induction Cookware Industry Considering Capacity, Production and Production Value? What Will Be the Estimation of Cost and Profit? What Will Be Market Share, Supply and Consumption? What about Import and Export? Where will the strategic developments take the industry in the mid to long-term? What are the factors contributing to the final price of Induction Cookware? What are the raw materials used for Induction Cookware manufacturing? How big is the opportunity for the Induction Cookware market? How will the increasing adoption of Induction Cookware for mining impact the growth rate of the overall market? How much is the global Induction Cookware market worth? What was the value of the market In 2020? Who are the major players operating in the Induction Cookware market? Which companies are the front runners? Which are the recent industry trends that can be implemented to generate additional revenue streams? What Should Be Entry Strategies, Countermeasures to Economic Impact, and Marketing Channels for Induction Cookware Industry? Customization of the Report Can I modify the scope of the report and customize it to suit my requirements? Yes. Customized requirements of multi-dimensional, deep-level and high-quality can help our customers precisely grasp market opportunities, effortlessly confront market challenges, properly formulate market strategies and act promptly, thus to win them sufficient time and space for market competition. Detailed TOC of Global Induction Cookware Market Insights and Forecast to 2031 Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Market Overview Induction Cookware Market By Type Induction Cookware Market By Function Induction Cookware Market By Material Induction Cookware Market By End User Induction Cookware Market By Region Induction Cookware Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analysis Company Profiles Continued... https://newstrendshubs.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-deodorants-market-and-its-role-in.html https://newstrendshubs.blogspot.com/2024/11/plate-and-frame-heat-exchangers-market.html https://newstrendshubs.blogspot.com/2024/11/business-intelligence-market-trends.html Data Bridge Market Research: Today's trends are a great way to predict future events! Data Bridge Market Research is a market research and consulting company that stands out for its innovative and distinctive approach, as well as its unmatched resilience and integrated methods. We are dedicated to identifying the best market opportunities, and providing insightful information that will help your business thrive in the marketplace. Data Bridge offers tailored solutions to complex business challenges. This facilitates a smooth decision-making process. Data Bridge was founded in Pune in 2015. It is the product of deep wisdom and experience. Contact Us: Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 614 591 3140 UK: +44 845 154 9652 APAC: +653 1251 975 Email:- corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com This release was published on openPR.With its combination of performance, portability, and features, the GPD WIN4 sets a new standard for handheld gaming devices. Whether you're a casual gamer looking for a convenient way to play on the go or a serious gamer who demands top-tier performance, the GPD WIN4 has something to offer.

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A late-game rally derailed by a missed field goal and Cowboys stun Commanders 34-26Goodrich is back in the Division 4 state championship game for the second time in three seasons and it can revel in revenge while it’s at it. The Martians captured a 28-14 win over Harper Woods in the state semifinals on Saturday at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek High School and avenged a 35-24 loss to Harper Woods in last year’s semifinals in the process.

Putin signs law letting Ukraine fighters write off bad debts

Kane’s hat-trick sends Bayern 8 points clearAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:41 p.m. ESTRussian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law that allows those who sign up to fight in Ukraine to write off unpaid debts worth almost $100,000, the government announced. The new legislation will be a strong motivation for some to join up, experts said, as Russia seeks new ways to recruit fighters for the nearly three-year conflict grinding through troops. The new legislation will allow those who sign a one-year contract to fight in Ukraine after December 1 to free themselves of existing bad debts. It also covers their spouses. The law concerns debts where a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings began before December 1, 2024. The total amount of unpaid debt that can be covered is 10 million rubles, around $96,000 at current rates. Parliament approved the bill earlier this month. The legislation will largely concern younger Russians of fighting age, since those in their 30s and younger are most likely to have loans. Russia has extremely high interest rates for loans and many Russians have almost no cash savings, although the proportion of home owners is relatively high. "Previously (for those fighting) there was only provision for taking repayment holidays on loans," Sergei Krivenko of advocacy group Citizen Army Law told Vazhniye Istorii Telegram channel. The new legislation applies to those who are conscripted for national service and those mobilised for the so-called "special military operation", Krivenko said. Conscripts cannot be sent to the front line but can choose to sign a contract to join the professional army and be sent to fight in Ukraine. Russian authorities "are strengthening the motivation to sign a contract," political analyst Georgy Bovt wrote on Telegram. The legislation provides "another way to get rid of an unbearable burden of credit, at least for several hundred thousand people," Bovt wrote. Over 13 million Russians have three or more loans, according to a central bank report released last month covering the first two quarters. This was up 20 percent on the same period last year. The average amount owed by those with three or more loans is 1.4 million rubles ($13,400 at current rates). Many start with a bank loan and then apply for further loans from microfinance organisations. Russians serving on the front line are already paid far more than the national average. Ukraine also has legislation allowing those fighting to get preferential terms for loans and in some cases to write off debts. bur/tw

By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.

As it often does this time of year, lately, it’s felt like we’re racing toward Christmas and New Year’s. Many folks are counting down the days until that fast-approaching holiday break, very much looking forward to some time off spent with loved ones. But in fact, the Yuletide isn’t the only exciting thing that December has in store... That is, for the past several months, my team and I have been working to create a new type of stock picking tool. And tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. , we’ll be unveiling this trailblazing system for the very first time. ( Sign up for that event here! ) It’s one that analyzes thousands of stocks each month to find those best positioned to rise over the next 30 days. I’m talking stocks with a strong fundamental, technical, and sentimental basis. We’ve dubbed this advanced tool Auspex – in recognition of the ancient Roman officials who interpreted omens to guide their decisions. As I mentioned, each month, Auspex runs a comprehensive scan of the market, examining many thousands of data points to find the few stocks that are strong across the board. But what exactly does that entail? Today, we’ll start by reviewing the fundamental aspect of Auspex’s stock picking. There are a lot of fundamental factors to consider. And that means there are a lot of ways for a stock to be fundamentally strong. Trained to Seek Only the Best Fundamental Setups In our experience, three things matter most when it comes to stock fundamentals: sales , earnings , and profit margins . Are sales rising? What about earnings? Is the trend of that growth picking up or slowing down? And how about profits? Are margins compressing or expanding? When looking for the market’s top performers, we want to find stocks that are growing sales and earnings. Moreover, we want to see sales growth acceleration, meaning the business is seeing underlying sales momentum. The same goes for earnings growth. Additionally, we want to see profit margin expansion, too. That means we’re hoping to uncover businesses whose profit margins are higher today than where they were last year. When a stock meets all those criteria, Auspex deems it fundamentally strong. And not many meet such strict criteria. That is, very few stocks have rising and accelerating sales and earnings growth, as well as profit margin expansion, all at the same time. When we have Auspex scan the markets, it analyzes a universe of roughly 14,000 stocks. In a recent scan we conducted, only about 300 of those 14,000 stocks were deemed fundamentally strong, with accelerating sales and earnings growth and swelling profit margins. That is just about 2% of all possible picks. Yet, the complete list of the most promising stocks Auspex flags is even narrower. The Final Word on Expert Stock Picking Those ~300 picks are just the stocks that Auspex deemed fundamentally strong. After receiving those results, we incorporate technical and sentimental parameters to whittle the list down further. In the same recent scan we’re talking about here, those additional criteria cut down the list of true Auspex picks from ~300 to just 10. According to our model, those were the 10 best stocks to buy in the market (at the time of that scan). Moreover, it appears that Auspex really works. Early results have been quite strong. That is, thorough back testing shows Auspex has outperformed the market by approximately 10X-plus in various time windows. And it has delivered positive, strong returns for subscribers in all five months since its live implementation. In our view, that’s pretty astonishing. But better still, it requires only five to 10 minutes of attention per month. You’ll receive alerts, buy the recommended stocks, then check back the following month – simple as that. And tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11 at 1 p.m. EST , I’ll be unveiling this innovative tool during a new special broadcast. Reserve your seat to that exciting debut. On the date of publication, Luke Lango did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. P.S. You can stay up to speed with Luke’s latest market analysis by reading our Daily Notes! Check out the latest issue on your Innovation Investor or Early Stage Investor subscriber site.A late-game rally derailed by a missed extra point and Cowboys stun Commanders‘Not good enough’: Meta probe flagged as fake Albanese makes Facebook comeback

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Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York

Lincoln, the luxury brand under the Ford Motor Company, first entered the Chinese market back in 2014 with high hopes and ambitious plans to capture a share of the lucrative luxury automobile market in China. However, despite its initial fanfare and marketing efforts, Lincoln has not been able to gain significant traction in the competitive Chinese market, with sales figures falling short of expectations year after year.

Eddie Howe says ‘a lot more to come’ from Newcastle striker Alexander IsakMelbourne, Dec 30 (PTI) The all-time attendance record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was smashed on Monday when the total attendance of the fourth Test touched an unprecedented 350,700. The presence of 51,371 spectators at lunch time meant the overall turnout had surpassed the previous high of 350,535 set way back during the 1937 Ashes when the great Don Bradman was at the peak of his powers. Also Read | Will Rohit Sharma Play in India vs Australia 5th Test 2024-25 Match at SCG? Here’s the Possibility of Team India Captain Featuring in Playing XI for Sydney Test in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The number crossed the 60,000 mark post lunch on day five with India chasing a daunting 340-run target. Also Read | IND vs AUS 4th Test 2024: Australia Run Rampant To Leave India Three Down and 307 Runs Away From Win at Lunch on Day 5. "Day 5 current attendance is 51,371. The total attendance of 350,700 is the greatest for any Test match at the MCG exceeding the total of 350,534 v England in 1937 over 6 days. This is also the greatest attendance for any Test match played in Australia," said Cricket Australia in a release. The fourth Test between India and Australia has also become the second highest attended game of all time behind only the India-Pakistan game at the Eden Gardens in 1999 when the overall turnout stood at 4,65,000. It was not a record but as many as 87,242 fans watched the proceedings on day one. Day two turnout was a record with 85,147 people thronging to the stadium and so was day three when 83,073 fans walked into the iconic venue. On Sunday, the count was 43,867. All tickets for the action on Monday were priced at 10 Australian dollars. "I've not seen anything like it at a cricket match," Melbourne Cricket Club boss Stuart Fox was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "I think that just the spirit in the stadium ... all of our staff on day one just said how happy the crowd were. I thought Taylor Swift was big, but this has been something else. "But I think with Taylor Swift coming in, a fantastic AFL season, then this Boxing Day Test, it's (2024) going to be hard to beat, I can assure you," he added. 7/21/2024 (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)