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BEDFORD, Mass. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ: IRBT ), a leader in consumer robots, today announced that the company's management team will present at the following investor conferences: Raymond James TMT and Consumer Conference Date: Monday, December 9, 2024 Location: New York, NY Presentation: 3:00 p.m. ET ICR Conference 2025 Date: Monday, January 13, 2025 Location: Orlando, FL Presentation: 2:30 p.m. ET 27th Annual Needham Growth Conference Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 Location: New York, NY Presentation: 8:45 a.m. ET iRobot Chief Executive Officer Gary Cohen and Chief Financial Officer Karian Wong will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors during the three events. Live webcasts of the presentations will be available on the company's investor relations website, https://investor.irobot.com . Archived versions of the webcasts will be available after the event. For more information, please visit https://investor.irobot.com . About iRobot Corporation iRobot is a global consumer robot company that designs and builds thoughtful robots and intelligent home innovations that make life better. iRobot introduced the first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 50 million robots worldwide. iRobot's product portfolio features technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. Working from this portfolio, iRobot engineers are building robots and smart home devices to help consumers make their homes easier to maintain and healthier places to live. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com . SOURCE iRobot CorporationThe military's tradition of tracking Santa Claus on his gravity-defying sweep across the globe will carry on this Christmas Eve, even if the U.S. government shuts down , officials said Friday. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online — in nine languages — as St. Nick swoops along the earth's meridians. “We fully expect for Santa to take flight on Dec. 24 and NORAD will track him," the U.S.-Canadian agency said in a statement. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year's Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” The endeavor is supported by local and corporate sponsors, who also help shield the tradition from Washington dysfunction. Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer, told The Associated Press that there are "screams and giggles and laughter” when families call in, usually on speakerphone. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, "Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early." NORAD's annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . Here's how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child's accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy's mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80-foot (18-by-24-meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from "those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup's story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy's call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child's call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. "When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,'" Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. "People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD's tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa's story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada — known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That's when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.New material for sodium-ion batteries brings affordable, sustainable future within grasp
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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City's players were booed by their own fans Tuesday after blowing a three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League to extend their winless run to six games. Jeers rang around the Etihad Stadium after the final whistle of a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Ruud van Nistelrooy watch: New Leicester boss stays true to his word, before finally letting his inhibitions go after second goal and embracing Jamie Vardy like a favourite nephew in 3-1 win over West Ham Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a strong start as Leicester earned a 3-1 win over West Ham Mail Sport takes a closer look at the Dutchman's first match in charge of the Foxes LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins It's All Kicking Off! to explain whether Pep Guardiola will have money to spend in January By JAMES SHARPE Published: 22:41 GMT, 3 December 2024 | Updated: 23:33 GMT, 3 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Ruud van Nistelrooy made the perfect start to life as Leicester City manager with a fine 3-1 victory over West Ham . The Dutchman had only officially taken charge of Leicester on Sunday, with the former Man United forward and interim boss needing to lift the side after a 4-1 loss by Brentford at the weekend. Jamie Vardy gave the hosts an ideal start as the Foxes captain put his side ahead in just the second minute. Despite allowing West Ham numerous shots on goal, Leicester doubled their lead in the second half through Bilal El Khannouss. Patson Daka added a late third for the hosts, before Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation effort for West Ham. Mail Sport were there to analyse Van Nistelrooy's every move. Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a perfect debut as Leicester boss with a 3-1 victory over West Ham TACTICS Van Nistelrooy made no secret in his first press conference that his Leicester side would play 4-4-2 out of possession but a 3-4-3 when they had the ball with a wide player tucking in to form a ‘box’ in midfield. They did just that with winger Bilal El Khannouss tucking in and left-back Victor Kristiansen bombing forward. That’s how Steve Cooper lined up, too, but he rarely got an attacking tune like this from the players as the Foxes passed and moved far quicker. He’s still got to work miracles with this defence though. West Ham had 20 in the first half. A more ruthless opponent would, and should, have put a far different feel on Ruud’s opening night. Victor Kristiansen bombed forward from full back as per Van Nistelrooy's instructions BODY LANGUAGE You might expect that a goal less than two minutes into your first game in charge might illicit some form of raucous celebration. A Jose Mourinho stampede down the touchline, perhaps. Not Ruud. A little double fist pump to the crowd then hands back in pockets. And that’s where they stayed for most of the game. He is Dutch, after all. He’d use the breaks in play to impart his years of wisdom to his players, with a little word in the ear here and a wave of the hand there. Only when the second goal went in did he truly let go of his inhibitions. Off down the touchline he went, punching the air as he let out a roar before turning back to the crowd and pumping his fists. Not quite full Jurgen Klopp but enough to get the crowd going. Van Nistelrooy gave a composed reaction after Jamie Vardy gave Leicester an early advantage The Dutchman, however, let his inhibitions go after Leicester took a 2-0 lead in the second half CROWD REACTION The cries of ‘Ruuuuuuud’ filled the cold night air at the King Power Stadium as the referee blew his whistle for the final time. It had taken a while, in truth, for his name to ring around his new surroundings. Not until the last 10 minutes, with the game in the bag, did the chants of ‘Ruud will keep up us’ begin. It took 30 minutes for the first audible song in his name to bubble up from a few hundred in the corner of the stadium. Leicester fans haven’t been the most accommodating to managers here in recent times but a first win, at least, will be a good early tick in their book – and maybe earn Van Nistelrooy a proper song for next time. His night ended, at least, better than Julen Lopetegui in the away dugout who faced chants from his own fans of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning!’ SUBS One of his first moves was to take off Vardy, the man who broke Van Nistelrooy’s own goalscoring record on this ground nine years ago scoring in 11 consecutive games, just before the hour. Ruud embraced Vardy like a favourite nephew, only one nine years younger than him, tapping him on both cheeks before a warm embrace and a pat on the back. A minute later, Leicester scored their second and later, Vardy’s replacement Patson Daka made it three. Midas touch, job done. Van Nistelrooy embraced Vardy as the forward came off the pitch during the second half FASHION Gone are the sports casual days of Steve Cooper, stood on the touchline in his trousers and quilted gilet over a three-quarter zip like a seven-handicap club golfer ready for his frosty morning round. Van Nistelrooy cut a far smarter look in the dugout, another quilted jacket but this time underneath a smart black coat, black jeans and black shoes with the air of a secret service agent. The stiff East Midlands chill got a bit too much for him and, less than 15 minutes in, out came the gloves. Black, too, of course. Jamie Vardy Steve Cooper Premier League Share or comment on this article: Ruud van Nistelrooy watch: New Leicester boss stays true to his word, before finally letting his inhibitions go after second goal and embracing Jamie Vardy like a favourite nephew in 3-1 win over West Ham e-mail Add comment
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Ian Schieffelin, Clemson topple Penn State to win Sunshine Slam( MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Jordan have launched their joint project entitled“Protection of Family Links (PFL) to Alleviate Suffering and to Contribute to Peacebuilding in Conflict-affected Communities.” With this PFL project funded from KOICA, the ICRC will support families of people who went missing during the conflicts in Syria, be they in Syria, Lebanon, or Jordan, by helping them access PFL services, according to an ICRC statement. ICRC's project includes providing psychosocial group sessions, offering relief aid and livelihood support, ensuring access to healthcare through emergency cash aid, and assisting with legal and administrative challenges to safeguard their rights and legal status amidst the turmoil of disappearance. At the launch ceremony held in Amman on November 27, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Jordan Kim Pil-woo highlighted the importance of the KOICA-ICRC joint project in helping families separated by regional conflicts reunite and overcome their suffering. "The Korean people have tremendous empathy for those dispersed by conflict in this region, because Korea had similar experiences during and after the Korean War in the 1950s," the ambassador said. While praising the close partnership between KOICA and the ICRC, he also expressed confidence that this project, combined with the ICRC's expertise, dedication, and passion, will produce a successful outcome. ICRC's Head of Delegation in Jordan Sarah Avrillaud expressed her appreciation to KOICA and the Korean government for their generous support of some $10.5 million to the ICRC in support of families of the missing persons, noting this is the first ICRC project financed by KOICA on PFL. Avrillaud further emphasised the profound impact these families endure, stating that“the full scale of the missing issue is often unacknowledged, yet the devastating and lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities cannot be underestimated." "Families endure years of uncertainty and anguish, seeking information about their missing loved ones, creating not only an emotional burden but also a legal and financial struggle, particularly if the missing person was the family's primary provider, she added. KOICA collaborates with international organisations, including the ICRC, to implement programmes that support fragile and conflict-affected communities. These programmes aim to strengthen the capacity of states to manage and respond to social, political, economic, and environmental risks, thereby promoting sustainable development. ICRC and KOICA have cooperated on development and humanitarian projects since 2021 with a special focus on assisting the people and communities affected by conflicts – such as economic security in Azerbaijan, health sector in Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen, and water and habitation in Venezuela, according to the statement. Building on this previous partnership, the two organisations have decided to expand their collaboration around working to protect and restore family links, clarify the fate and whereabouts of persons missing as a result of armed conflict, natural or man-made disasters, or migration, and protect the dignity of the deceased to contribute to trust building and peacebuilding in conflict-affected communities. The ICRC's role and mandate to search for the missing and provide support to their families is recognised by states, international organisations, and civil society organisations alike and, as a neutral, impartial, and independent organisation, it is "uniquely" positioned to contribute to this imperative humanitarian effort. MENAFN30112024000028011005ID1108942227 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Edward Perotti chatted about being a celebrity event designer in the digital age. What motivates you each day as a celebrity event designer? This is an interesting question, and I’ve never been asked it before. When it comes to events, my motivations are quite clear. Having been trained in theater, I loved every aspect of it. I just wish I had the talent to fully support my passion (laughs). Events are essentially a form of theater. Whether it’s a social gathering, a product launch, a movie premiere, or a corporate sales event, each one conveys a message or story. My role is to design the entire experience so that today’s audiences can connect with that message. Today’s audience desires to be active participants, so my sole motivation is to find ways to engage them emotionally with the content being presented. Today’s audience wants to be active participants, so finding ways to connect them emotionally to the ‘words’ is my sole motivation. How does it feel to be a part of the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent) Being an event designer in the digital age is an incredible opportunity. With streaming, technology, and social media now so prevalent, I find it both exciting and challenging for my industry in ways we never imagined. The ability to create truly inclusive events through live streaming, virtual reality experiences, and the use of AI opens up limitless possibilities for designing new experiences. Of course, we always have to keep budgets in mind, but I feel like Alice in Wonderland as I explore these new opportunities. And how we can use that to be more effective, I feel like Alice in Wonderland, where the possibilities of what experiences I can design are limitless, keeping budgets in mind, of course. How do you use technology in your daily routine? New tools are coming every day, so trying to keep up, research, and find what is needed is key to my daily routine. However, today, being able to digitally manage global site searches, registration processes, attendee data analytics, and marketing materials, is really not long ago. I can’t believe how I or my peers used to do all this by hand. Technology has freed me from so many time-consuming tasks that I can devote more time and thought to creating the physical, digital, or hybrid event experience. What are some of your proudest professional moments? Not to sound arrogant, but I have had many proud moments throughout my career. If I had to choose, I would first proudly say the opportunity my role has created to become a public voice for my industry and peers. As technology increasingly permeates our lives, it’s essential to emphasize that we need live physical interactions to stay connected and maintain our humanity. Event professionals play a crucial role in making those connections happen. Secondly, I take great pride in being recognized not only for creating exceptional event designs and experiences but also for giving back to the communities that host my events around the world. Providing attendees and guests with opportunities to step away from their lives and contribute their time, even if just for a few hours, fosters strong connections within our communities and enhances the human experience. What do your plans for the future include? I have big plans for the future! I am currently writing a book focused on designing experiences. In it, I share where I find my inspiration and how I envision possibilities. My goal is to create a safe space for anyone to recognize their creativity; they need to let their voice out and trust themselves, regardless of any negative comments they may encounter. Additionally, I would love to bring the message of event experiences and gatherings to a streaming or televised platform. This would allow audiences to understand that whether they are hosting a meeting at home, in a church, at a wedding, or even a small corporate event, they only need to rely on their voice and creative thought process. Until then, I will continue to create those ‘moments to remember’ for people. Were there any moments in your career that helped define you? What are some moments in my career that have defined me? There are moments every day, but two stand out as the most significant, as they shape who I am and give me the mental and emotional freedom to bring my best to each event. Coming out 26 years ago was one pivotal moment. It was followed by meeting a partner who, over the course of our 22 years together, has provided me the freedom and space to realize that I am not what I once thought I was. He has shown me that what I have to say and what I bring to the table is unique and rare. If we’re talking about an event experience that defines my career, I would highlight the time I took 600 global attendees to Beijing, China, for an event. I led them out of the hotel to volunteer for a day where we rebuilt and restored a 2,500-foot section of the Great Wall of China, using stone bricks, cement, maple trees, and paint. That day was life-changing for all of us—exhausting, but truly transformative. What does the word success mean to you? (my favorite question) To me, success means happiness. Can I look in the mirror and feel proud of the person staring back at me? If I can contribute more positivity, creativity, and beauty than I take, and if my work positively impacts both businesses and individuals, then I would consider myself a success. What is your advice for young and emerging celebrity event designers? First, do your homework. You cannot look back or think forward unless you know where you have been. The events industry is one of the few truly collaborative fields, and seasoned professionals are often willing to educate and mentor newcomers. Second, don’t be afraid to use your voice. To do this effectively, you must also listen closely to your clients. Your goal should be to exceed their expectations; however, it’s important to understand that sometimes you need to provide them with what they truly need, not just what they want. Lastly, have fun. Events are about people, so always keep that in mind. To learn more about celebrity event designer Edward Perotti, check out his official website and follow him on Instagram . Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News.Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 21,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.Keir Starmer to set out ‘plan for change’ with ‘milestones’ for key missions
Is the NORAD Santa tracker safe from a government shutdown?