The China Fund, Inc. Announces Date of Annual Meeting of StockholdersWater heaters are essential for a comfortable and efficient home. Choosing the right model ensures safety, durability, and reliable performance. This guide highlights the best options designed to meet your instant hot water needs. Hot water is a necessity, whether for cooking, bathing, or cleaning, and a reliable water heater makes it effortlessly accessible. With various types available, instant water heaters are particularly convenient for modern households. The market is flooded with numerous options, making it hard to decide which one to pick. Known for its dependable products, the featured brand offers exceptional models tailored for different requirements. In this article, we explore the best water heaters that deliver on performance, safety, and value. 1. AO Smith EWS NEO-3L | 3 Litre 3KW Instant Water Heater Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The AO Smith EWS NEO-3L is a compact, powerful water heater designed for instant hot water needs. With its shockproof outer body and five-level safety shield, this model is built to prioritize safety while delivering high performance. Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, it provides instant heating with a sleek and durable design. Key Features: -3KW heating capacity for rapid water heating. -Shockproof outer body for enhanced safety. -Five levels of safety shield, including thermal cutout and pressure relief valve. -Compact design, perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. -Reliable brand warranty for peace of mind. -The 3-litre capacity may not be sufficient for larger families or multiple uses in one go. 2. Bajaj Splendora 3L 3kW Vertical Instant Water Heater Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Bajaj Splendora 3L offers a seamless solution for quick and efficient water heating. Its stainless-steel tank ensures durability, while the copper heating element guarantees consistent performance. This water heater is well-suited for homes needing compact yet effective heating solutions. Key Features: -3KW power for fast heating. -Stainless steel tank for durability and corrosion resistance. -Copper heating element for efficient performance. -Compact vertical design ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. -Impressive warranty: 1 year on the product, 2 years on the element, and 5 years on the tank. -Best for use at one point, like a sink, and not ideal for showers or multiple taps. 3. Orient Electric Aura Rapid Pro | 5.9 Litre Instant Water Heater Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Orient Aura Rapid Pro is a slightly larger instant water heater offering reliable performance and robust safety features. With its stainless-steel tank and shockproof construction, this model is ideal for low and mid-rise buildings. Its 5.9-liter capacity is perfect for small to medium households. Key Features: -5.9-liter capacity for extended use. -Stainless steel tank for longevity and resistance to rust. -Shockproof body for added safety. -6.5 bar pressure compatibility for low and mid-rise buildings. -Long-lasting warranty with 5 years of coverage. - The unit might require more space for installation compared to smaller models. 4. Havells Instanio 10 Litre Storage Water Heater Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Havells Instanio 10L offers a perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality. Featuring a colour-changing LED ring indicator, this water heater ensures you know the water temperature at a glance. With its heavy-duty heating element and feroglas-coated tank, this model is both efficient and durable. Key Features: -10-liter capacity for larger families. -Color-changing LED ring for visual temperature indication. -Feroglas-coated tank for corrosion resistance. -Protective anode rod for extended tank life. -Heavy-duty heating element for consistent performance. -The unit can take up significant space, which might be an issue for smaller bathrooms or kitchens. Conclusion: Investing in the right water heater ensures convenience, safety, and efficiency in your daily life. The models highlighted in this article cater to diverse needs, offering reliable performance and durable designs. Whether for quick heating in kitchens or steady supply in bathrooms, these water heaters combine modern technology with essential safety features. Choose the one that fits your requirements and enjoy hassle-free access to hot water every day. With trusted warranties and proven quality, these options are a great addition to any home. Simplify your life and stay comfortable with a dependable water heater. Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.
Two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather that forced mass retirements overnight, but organisers say the race will continue denying conditions had been unsafe for the fleet. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading A sailor aboard Flying Fish Arctos and one on Bowline were fatally struck by their respective boat's boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. Both yachts have since retired from the race - two of the 16 that had pulled out by 7.30am on December 27 after a west-southwesterly change brought strong winds to the southern NSW Coast and Bass Strait. The deaths are the first in the 628-nautical miles race since the tragic 1998 Hobart, which claimed the lives of six sailors in storms and triggered mass reforms to safety protocols. David Jacobs, vice-commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, said the race would "absolutely" continue, with the first boats expected to arrive in Hobart later on Friday or early Saturday morning. "The conditions are challenging, but they're not excessive," he told ABC. "So we've got sort of winds at about 25 knots coming from the north seas around about two metres or thereabouts, so the conditions that most of the sailors would normally easily handle." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the sailors who lost their lives. "We have sadly awoken to tragedy in the Sydney to Hobart with the awful news two sailors have lost their lives," he said. "Our thoughts are with the crews, their families and loved ones at this deeply sad time." The incident aboard Flying Fish Arctos occurred around 30nm east-south east of Ulladulla on the NSW south coast late on Thursday night. Crew members attempted CPR but could not revive their teammate, notifying the Australian Maritime Safety Authority of the incident around 11.50pm. Flying Fish Arctos has since altered her course to arrive at Jervis Bay on the morning of December 27. The crew member aboard Bowline was struck approximately 30nm north east of Batemans Bay around 2am and fell unconscious, with CPR also unsuccessful. A police vessel escorted the boat to Batemans Bay. Flying Fish Arctos, a NSW-based 50-footer, has contested 17 previous Hobarts since being built in 2001. She was designed for round-the-world sailing and is currently used by Flying Fish, a sailing school that operates in Mosman, a suburb on Sydney's north shore. The crew this year comprised 12 members, a mix of Hobart veterans and internationals, and was skippered by seven-time Hobart sailor George Martin, her most experienced Hobart sailor. Bowline had been racing in her third Hobart when tragedy struck her crew of seven. One of only four South Australian yachts in this year's race, she placed 33rd and 79th on handicap in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the bluewater classic, respectively. She has been skippered by Ian Roberts on all three occasions and is a previous winner of the Haystack Island Race in South Australia. As a result of the wild weather a crew member was also swept overboard from Porco Rosso, which won the race on handicap as Victoire in 2013, but the sailor was recovered before the boat retired. The twin tragedies came as line honours favourite Master Lock Comanche withdrew from the race 63nm off Green Cape in the early hours of December 27, having sustained damage to her mainsail while leading the fleet. Her retirement has rocketed rival 100ft supermaxi LawConnect into favouritism for back-to-back line honours titles. As of 7.30am, Christian Beck's boat was 8nm ahead of second-placed Celestial V70 sailing through the Bass Strait. Four-time line honours champion Comanche, one of the most impressive monohull yachts in the world, has never retired before in eight previous runnings of Syd-Hob. Comanche had been chasing atonement for last year's race when LawConnect ambushed her in the River Derwent to claim line honours victory by only 51 seconds. The fleet stands at 88 competitors as of 7.30am, reduced from 104 starters, after URM Group, Zeus, Bacchanal and Alive were among the leading handicap contenders to have retired. URM Group had enjoyed a dominant lead-up to the race and placed second overall last year behind Alive, which succumbed to engine issues only three hours into the race. RETIRED BOATS AS AT 7.30AM ON FRIDAY: Alive (26/12, 16:10) - engine issues Transcendence Ruby Project (26/12, 18:20), dismasted Ciao Bella (26/12, 20:14), steering issues URM Group (26/12, 22:15), dismasted Philosopher (26/12, 23:14), dismasted Flying Fish Arctos (26/12, 23:50), fatality Master Lock Comanche (27/12, 00:30), mainsail damage Wild Oats (27/12, 01:10), rigging damage Calibre 12 (27/12, 02:15), mainsail damage Bowline (27/12, 02:15), fatality Centennial 7 (27/12, 03:15), mainsail damage Porco Rosso (27/12, 04:45), man overboard - since recovered Mayfair (27/12, 05:00) broken gear Zeus (27/12, 06:03) foil damage Rum Rebellion (27/12, 06:26) TBA Bacchanal (27/12, time TBA) broken boom Australian Associated Press More from National Sport News Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!'Hard-earned' economic stability to continue on back of remittances, exports: finance ministry Prudent fiscal management and strategic reforms paving way for sustainable economic growth, says monthly report ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance on Friday said that the country’s economy has demonstrated sustained positive developments during the first five months of the current fiscal year, expressing optimism that the hard-earned stability will continue on the back of remittances and exports inflows with decent imports. "Macroeconomic fundamentals have strengthened, marked by a further deceleration in CPI inflation with stable food prices, effective fiscal consolidation resulting in a fiscal surplus, current account surplus supported by increased exports and remittances, and an accommodative monetary policy stance,” the finance ministry said in its monthly economic report. According to the report, these developments have bolstered business and consumer confidence, reflected in significant private-sector credit uptake and a sharp rise in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Prudent fiscal management and strategic reforms are paving the way for sustainable economic growth, it added. The report added that efforts were afoot to ensure the agriculture sector achieves self-sufficiency for Rabi 2024-25 as the government has set a wheat production target of 27.920 million tonnes from an area of 9.262 million hectares. To achieve this target, concerted efforts were underway to ensure the timely availability of essential farm inputs, including agricultural credit, quality seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization support. Meanwhile, agriculture credit disbursement reached Rs925.7 billion during July-November FY2025, an increase of 8.5% compared to Rs853.0 billion during the same period last year. The report stated, in October 2024, large-scale manufacturing (LSM) recorded a marginal Year-on-Year (YoY) growth of 0.02%, signalling a positive shift from the significant contraction of 5.79% observed in October 2023. This hints at a gradual recovery in economic activity amidst ongoing challenges. The auto industry performed well during July-November 2025, as production and sales of all vehicles grew by 25.2% and 24.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation recorded at 4.9% on YoY basis in November 2024 as compared to 7.2% in the previous month and 29.2% in November 2023. Updating about the revenues, the report said, that during July-November FY2025, FBR tax collection grew by 23.3% to Rs 4,295 billion against Rs 3,485 billion last year. Within total, direct taxes rose by 27%, sales taxes by 23.6%, FED by 25.1% and customs duty by 8.0%. According to the Federal Fiscal Operations July-October, FY2025, net federal revenues grew by 71.8% to Rs 4,822 billion. This growth was primarily driven by a sharp increase in nontax collection, which grew by 101.2% to Rs 3,192 billion. Similarly, tax collection increased to Rs 3,443 billion against Rs 2,748 billion last year. Prudent expenditure management helped contain the expenditure growth to 20.6% relative to high revenue growth. In absolute, total expenditures reached Rs.4472 billion against Rs.3707 billion last year. Consequently, the fiscal balance posted a surplus of Rs.495 billion (0.4% of GDP) against a deficit of Rs.862 billion (-0.8% of GDP) last year. Similarly, primary surplus increased to Rs 3,124 billion (3.0% of GDP) against a surplus of Rs 1,430 billion (1.4% of GDP) last year. The external account position has significantly improved, driven by notable increases in exports and remittances despite a rise in imports. During July-November FY2025, the current account posted a surplus of $944 million compared to a deficit of $1,676 million last year. In November 2024 alone, the current account recorded a surplus of $729 million, compared to a deficit of $148 million in November 2023. This represents the fourth consecutive monthly surplus, following a $346 million surplus in October 2024. During July-November FY2025, goods exports increased by 7.4%, reaching $13.3 billion compared to last year, while imports recorded at $23.0 billion, against $21.2 billion last year (8.3% increase). This has resulted in a goods trade deficit of $9.7 billion, reflecting a slight increase from $8.8 billion last year, while maintaining a steady overall trade momentum. Meanwhile, during November 2024, the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment registered 60,492 workers for employment, compared to 77,316 in October 2024 and 81,427 in November 2023. The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), in collaboration with its 24 partner organisations, distributed 21,195 interest-free loans amounting to Rs 994 million. On future prospects, the report said, to achieve the target of FY2025 and sustain economic recovery, the government was cognizant to achieve the crop production targets by facilitating the farmers to achieve the desired production level. However, weather conditions may pose challenges, as below-normal rainfall may lead to water stress during the critical emerging stage of Rabi crops like wheat and barley, especially in rain-fed agricultural zones. On industrial front, despite challenges in certain sectors that remain in negative territory, the economy’s resilience is underscored by the robust performance of high-weighted sectors, which continue to drive LSM in October. Moreover, the further easing of monetary policy in December is expected to stimulate economic activity. The rising demand for credit, especially from private sector, is a positive signal of growing confidence in the economy. This momentum is poised to accelerate, fostering higher production levels and enhanced economic output in the coming months. On external front, it is expected that hard-earned stability will continue on the back of remittances and exports inflows with decent imports. This will be complemented by exchange rate stability and contained inflation — which is anticipated to remain within the range of 4.0- 5.0% for December 2024. Moreover, improved fiscal performance during July-October, driven by higher revenues and prudent expenditure management, is expected to create fiscal space for development spending and support sustainable economic growth, going forward. PSX rebounds after two-day slump PSX plunges as profit-taking, year-end pressure weigh on sentiment Pakistan's tax gap has exceeded Rs7tr, reveals FBR chairman PSX ends in red as profit-taking overshadows economic optimism
Malik Nabers is questionable after injuring hip flexor ThursdayAmong the key school education reforms instituted by the UPA government as part of the Right to Education were Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) and a ‘no detention’ policy up to Class 8 . Both sought to create a benign environment in school so that there was no pressure of final examinations and “standards” on the child. The CCE was to be executed from Class 6 , in discrete steps throughout the year, which meant no scary final test of just academic achievement based on a year-long curriculum. Whether those reforms contributed to the current situation or not, the reality is that a significant number of students passing out of primary school do not have foundational numeracy and literacy. And they do not seem to catch up by the time they leave middle school. Recognising the gap in achieving learning outcomes, the NDA government sought to do away with the no detention policy, in 2019, leaving it to the appropriate State governments . The CCE was given up too. But the COVID-19 pandemic intruded and made it impossible for schools to even consider detaining students. The recent notification of the Ministry of Education has removed the discretion given to State governments. It has mandated a final examination at the end of Class 5 and Class 8, which will assess a child’s competence. If he or she is not found to be competent, the child will be re-examined after two months after additional instruction. If the child fails again, he or she will be detained. The rules say no child should be expelled before completing elementary education. Practical necessity is driving this change in norms. Steps do need to be taken to address the gap in the learning outcomes achievement. An educated, capable and skilled population is needed to reap the demographic dividend. It takes an entire neighbourhood to educate a child, not just the school and parents. The dismal situation in learning outcomes is a collective failure of society that needs to be addressed. But it would take a lot more than this particular change in policy to trigger a turnaround. CBSE-affiliated and other private schools can easily implement the new policy. However, for some States, it will be a political hot potato. Private schools should not use this as an excuse to expel poor performing students — safeguards would be needed. A sad consequence of the policy is that it brings back a single final examination as an arbiter of a child’s promotion or detention. While NEET or the JEE may be taken as special cases applying to extremely competitive professions, to bring back one final test at the school level is a regression. The National Education Policy 2020, for instance, wants to replace summative assessment with formative, and promote self and peer assessments. It promises a “holistic, 360-degree, multidimensional progress report card” detailing the “progress and the uniqueness of each student”. The new detention policy does not reflect the NEP’s spirit. Published - December 28, 2024 12:20 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit education / school / right to education / test/examination / primary / teaching and learning / government / entrance examination / United Progressive Alliance / National Democratic Alliance / CoronavirusUri upper reaches receive snowfall, rains lash plainsStrengthening Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's dispute resolution councils is crucial to enhancing their ability to serve communities in a timely and cost-effective manner in resolving disputes and reducing the burden on formal courts while fostering social harmony at the grassroots level. This was suggested during a consultative workshop on Saturday to strengthen Dispute Resolution Councils (DRC) in the Mardan Division. The Peace and Justice Network (PJN) organised the workshop in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. The workshop was attended by DRC representatives from Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda and Swabi at the Police Lines in Mardan. The activity was held through the EU-funded "Deliver Justice Project" aimed at making justice more accessible and inclusive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The DRCs are an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) forum established under the KP Police Act 2017, and provide alternative dispute resolution services at the police station, subdivision, and district level. As a statutory forum, the DRC provides services to the masses at the grassroots level, enabling citizens to benefit from out-of-court services for dispute resolution. During the opening session of the workshop, Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Zahboor Babar Afridi emphasised the importance of DRCs, highlighting their operational framework and the positive impact they have in resolving community disputes effectively. Some Observations On The Chinese Model: Effective VS Acceptable Government He also appreciated the efforts of UNDP Pakistan and the Peace and Justice Network for organising the workshop. During the session, District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Zeb Khan highlighted the critical role ADR and DRCs play in addressing count pendency and supporting speedy justice. UNDP Pakistan Rule of Law Programme's Rule of Law and Justice Reforms Specialist Caitlin Chittenden and PJN CEO Syed Raza Ali highlighted that the strengthening of DRCs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was crucial to enhancing their ability to serve communities effectively in resolving disputes. They stressed that by addressing existing gaps — such as inadequate resources, limited training for members, lack of inclusivity, and insufficient public awareness — DRCs can become more efficient, accessible, and responsive to community needs. Strengthened DRCs not only provide timely and cost-effective justice but also play a vital role in reducing the burden on formal courts and fostering social harmony at the grassroots level. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, community leaders, members of the judiciary, civil society representatives, and members of DRCs from across the Mardan Division. Salma Zeb, a legal aid and ADR Officer in the Rule of Law Programme of UNDP, highlighted the importance of a gender-responsive DRC system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and making it more inclusive. Headquarters SP Rizwan Habib highlighted the importance of enhancing the effectiveness of DRCs by addressing legislative and policy gaps to ensure their decisions are more binding and enforceable. He also emphasised the need for gender-sensitive training to make DRCs more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all community members. Pakistan’s Palestine Resolution And Responsibility DRC members showcased their progress thus far, their challenges, how they overcame them, and recommendations to strengthen the forums. The workshop also reviewed the ADR member selection criteria, the code of conduct and ethics for the DRCs and the actual rules for DRCs. The importance of raising public awareness about the functioning of DRCs was also emphasised to ensure that more people are informed about their services so that they can access them effectively. The workshop featured panel discussions, led by legal and ADR experts who underscored the importance of community-based dispute resolution mechanisms in reducing case backlogs and fostering trust. Participants engaged in group discussions to identify challenges facing DRCs, such as resource constraints, capacity gaps, and awareness issues, and proposed practical solutions. Special emphasis was placed on equipping DRC members with mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to address community disputes more effectively. The workshop concluded with actionable recommendations, including conducting regular training for DRC members to enhance their skills and knowledge, increasing public awareness of the role and benefits of DRCs, establishing mechanisms to monitor the performance and transparency of DRC operations and encouraging greater inclusion of women and minority representatives in the DRC framework.
Qatar’s extensive investments help maintain ‘high levels of satisfaction’ with digital services: Report
By MIKE CATALINI CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Related Articles National News | FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup National News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment National News | Judge rejects an attempt by Trump campaign lawyer to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia election case National News | Texas’ abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine National News | US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.NoneMyanmar delegation attends ASEAN HLTF-ACV 19th meetingDevendra Fadnavis Receives Warm Welcome As He Arrives At His Residence in Nagpur Following MahaYuti’s Historic Win in Maharashtra Election (Watch Video)
'Hard-earned' economic stability to continue on back of remittances, exports: finance ministry
THG shareholders vote to spin off ecommerce platform
NEW YORK (AP) — lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, is even as he leads that nation’s wars in and . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel has , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.
Governors under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed empathy with Nigerians suffering from the current economic difficulties in the country, calling on the Federal Government to review its harsh policies to improve citizens’ welfare. The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a communique at the end of a two-day meeting held in Jos, the Plateau State capital ahead of its National Convention also expressed concerns about the integrity of recent elections, particularly in Edo and Ondo states. According to the governors, there is a need for urgent action regarding electoral integrity and governance, emphasising the need for reforms to ensure fair representation and accountability. They alleged manipulation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the two elections and called for judicial and legislative action to protect democracy. LEADERSHIP reports that the forum’s discussions reflect a strong commitment to party unity and addressing internal divisions while also focusing on the broader socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians. The communique which was read to newsmen by the Chairman of the Forum who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, commended the efforts of PDP members in the National Assembly and urged them to ensure fairness and equity in legislative bills. The forum further emphasised the need for unity within the party, addressing concerns about divisions among its members while stating its commitment to maintaining the party as a trusted platform for democratic governance. PDP Governors’ Forum further commended the party’s stakeholders for their unwavering support while emphasising the party’s unity and its position as an unbreakable political party offering Nigerians hope and good governance. They also advised the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to coordinate consultations with stakeholders by February 2025 to address leadership and governance issues.
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Vicarious Surgical Inc. (“Vicarious Surgical” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RBOT, RBOT WS), a next-generation robotics technology company seeking to improve lives by transforming robotic surgery, today announced the pending departure of William Kelly, its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to pursue other career opportunities, after nearly four years of dedicated service with the Company. Mr. Kelly has served as Vicarious Surgical’s CFO since January 2021. He will assist the Company to ensure minimal disruption and a successful transition of responsibilities prior to his departure, which is slated for January 2, 2025. “On behalf of the Company and Board, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Bill for his significant contribution over the last few years,” said Adam Sachs, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Bill has been an incredible asset to Vicarious Surgical, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” Mr. Kelly added “My tenure at Vicarious Surgical has been a period of significant progress and accomplishment, both for the Company and for me personally. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded and the collaborative spirit of the entire team. I depart with immense pride in our collective achievements and unwavering confidence in the Company's continued success under its strong leadership.” The Company has initiated a CFO succession process and will provide updates as appropriate. About Vicarious Surgical Founded in 2014, Vicarious Surgical is a next generation robotics company, developing a unique disruptive technology with the multiple goals of substantially increasing the efficiency of surgical procedures, improving patient outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. The Company’s novel surgical approach uses proprietary human-like surgical robots to virtually transport surgeons inside the patient to perform minimally invasive surgery. The Company is led by an experienced team of technologists, medical device professionals and physicians, and is backed by technology luminaries including Bill Gates, Vinod Khosla’s Khosla Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Jerry Yang’s AME Cloud Ventures, Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd and Philip Liang’s E15 VC. The Company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.vicarioussurgical.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, are forward-looking statements that reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside Vicarious Surgical’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability to maintain the listing of Vicarious Surgical’s Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange; the approval, commercialization and adoption of Vicarious Surgical’s initial product candidates and the success of its single-port surgical robot, called the Vicarious Surgical System, and any of its future product candidates and service offerings; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the ability of Vicarious Surgical to raise financing in the future; the success, cost and timing of Vicarious Surgical’s product and service development activities; the potential attributes and benefits of Vicarious Surgical’s product candidates and services; Vicarious Surgical’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for the Vicarious Surgical System, and any related restrictions and limitations of any approved product; the size and duration of human clinical trials for the Vicarious Surgical System; Vicarious Surgical’s ability to identify, in-license or acquire additional technology; Vicarious Surgical’s ability to maintain its existing license, manufacture, supply and distribution agreements; Vicarious Surgical’s ability to compete with other companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of products and services that Vicarious Surgical is currently marketing or developing; the size and growth potential of the markets for Vicarious Surgical’s product candidates and services, and its ability to serve those markets, either alone or in partnership with others; the pricing of Vicarious Surgical’s product candidates and services and reimbursement for medical procedures conducted using its product candidates and services; the company’s estimates regarding expenses, revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; Vicarious Surgical’s financial performance; economic downturns, political and market conditions and their potential to adversely affect Vicarious Surgical’s business, financial condition and results of operations; Vicarious Surgical’s intellectual property rights and its ability to protect or enforce those rights, and the impact on its business, results and financial condition if it is unsuccessful in doing so; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in Vicarious Surgical’s filings with the SEC. Vicarious Surgical cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Vicarious Surgical does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206242926/en/ CONTACT: Investors Kaitlyn Brosco Vicarious Surgical Kbrosco@vicarioussurgical.com Media Inquiries media@vicarioussurgical.com KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL SUPPLIES TECHNOLOGY OTHER HEALTH HEALTH ROBOTICS HEALTH TECHNOLOGY OTHER TECHNOLOGY MEDICAL DEVICES HOSPITALS SURGERY HARDWARE SOURCE: Vicarious Surgical Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206242926/enDr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, stated that NIA, in its role as a ‘Focal Conductor of Innovation,’ is dedicated to nurturing and enhancing the capabilities of Thai innovators to achieve sustainable growth. This commitment is guided by the ‘4G Approach’: Groom : Fostering and strengthening the potential of Thai innovators. Grant: Providing financial mechanisms to develop and scale innovative businesses to market readiness. Growth : Accelerating the expansion of both startups and SMEs in the innovation ecosystem. Global : Propelling Thai innovators onto the international stage. Thailand’s medical industry, a standout sector, benefits from one of the world’s top-ranking healthcare systems. The global MedTech market is projected to soar to 775.8 billion US dollars by 2029, with Germany emerging as a particularly promising market. Germany’s long-standing role as host of the world-renowned Medica trade fair for over 40 years underscores its importance. Recognised by experts as the largest medical trade exhibition globally, Medica attracts more than 6,100 exhibitors from 69 countries, solidifying its status as a pivotal platform for the medical and healthcare sectors. Dr Krithpaka added that the NIA is proud to participate in Medica 2024 under the theme ‘Meet Health. Future. People,’ hosted in the Federal Republic of Germany. As part of this prestigious event, eight outstanding Thai medical and healthcare innovation startups and SMEs, selected through a rigorous process, will showcase their pioneering solutions. These include: Eidy : A large language model (LLM) tailored for medical applications, distinguished by its specialised terminology and physician-like reasoning. It holds potential for developing chatbots designed to address specific medical queries. Ravis Technology : A platform for managing clinical research and data related to biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and drugs. By leveraging technology to streamline data management, it saves time and costs. Pose Intelligence : A medical equipment management platform for hospitals, providing precise inventory control and central supply management. It reduces redundancy and minimises errors with its efficient systems. SOS Care : An innovative wound dressing made from silk protein combined with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and glycerin. This flexible dressing promotes collagen production, accelerating wound healing. POPOLO : A device designed to band oesophageal varices caused by abnormal blood flow to the liver. This innovation enhances accessibility for Thai patients and reduces mortality rates. Orthopeasia: A cutting-edge platform for designing and producing spinal disc replacements using specialised software. Its innovation simplifies surgical procedures, ensuring smaller incisions, faster operations, and improved convenience for both surgeons and patients. BRE : A revolutionary two-step bathing sheet that eliminates the need for water and soap, providing a practical solution for patients unable to bathe, significantly enhancing their quality of life. Aquatrek Solution : A water treadmill, an advanced hydrotherapy device ideal for reducing the risks associated with exercise, particularly for the elderly. It minimises joint strain while supporting body weight, making it highly effective for rehabilitation and therapy. These eight groundbreaking innovations have garnered considerable interest from partners and potential collaborators across the United States, Europe, and Canada, seeking to exchange technologies and customer bases. Collaborative research opportunities, such as co-publishing with German academics, hosting researcher exchange programmes, or licensing specific or complete production technologies for German manufacturing, could significantly bolster the credibility of Thai medical devices. Research partnerships are a gateway to greater acceptance in the European market. Furthermore, studying attendee and exhibitor profiles at Medica 2024 offers invaluable insights for refining Thai innovations and devising strategic marketing approaches. These initiatives could stimulate investments, foster business matchmaking, and pave the way for cross-border collaborations, driving future advancements in medical innovation. Ms Maleepan Phasupong, from Ravis Technology Co Ltd, a developer of clinical research management platforms, shared her perspective on being selected to participate in the global medical and health innovation showcase Medica 2024. She highlighted that this prestigious event provided invaluable insights into the European market’s overall needs, particularly in the realms of digital solutions, health and physical care devices, and diagnostic tools. Beyond helping Thai startups align their innovations with market demands, it serves as a pivotal starting point for achieving real business partnerships. By showcasing Thailand’s research strengths, especially to Western countries increasingly interested in collaborative research with Thailand, the event bolstered international recognition. This growing interest is particularly evident in the West, where there is a notable trend towards exploring research partnerships in Thailand. During the event, the company secured discussions with five potential partners and clients, with follow-ups already underway. German STEM researchers, in particular, have expressed interest in exchanges with Thailand to reduce costs associated with services and production within Europe, such as clinical research expenses or medical device manufacturing. This highlights the tangible opportunities created through platforms like Medica, not only for networking but also for fostering deeper international collaboration and reducing operational costs. Mr Thanatpant Manosittisak of SOS Care Co Ltd, developer of silk-protein wound dressings , emphasised that Thai medical and health startups and SMEs have strong potential to thrive in global markets if provided with adequate support in terms of funding, resources, and technological development. He pointed out that Thailand’s lower production costs, compared to developed nations, present a competitive advantage. However, government support is crucial to propel these startups and SMEs into forming international collaborations and expanding their market and business networks. Such backing enhances their credibility and strengthens confidence in the quality and innovation of Thai products on the global stage. Mr Thanatpant expressed hope that participating in Medica 2024 would enable his company to secure distributors across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, thereby driving further international market expansion. Hashtag: #NIA The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
None