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AI Ease Unveils Free AI Background Generator for Effortless Image Enhancement 12-24-2024 06:34 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire In the digital world, great visuals are a must for standing out, be it for professional photographers, e-commerce sellers, or content creators. However, creating the perfect background for your images can be time-consuming and costly. Thankfully, with the power of AI, you can create stunning backgrounds without the hassle. The article explains how to make an AI background online using the ai background generator online [ https://www.aiease.ai/ai-background/ ]. This tool is 100% free, AI-powered, has no limit on usage and does not require any account creation. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/35116d754bd8ae72a951a9835ed1f32d.jpg Step 1: Upload and Remove To begin with the AI background generator, you are to upload the image to edit. Be it a portrait, a product photo, or any other kind of image, just click the "Upload" button on the AI Ease platform. Once uploaded, the tool instantly starts working to remove the existing background from the image in a matter of seconds. This happens automatically and makes the preparation of your image for further steps easy. The AI-powered tool works remarkably well with the most minute detail at AI Ease. It automatically detects the foreground subject and lets you perfect the background without having to mess around with the edges or fine details of your subject. This step will eliminate the need to manually remove the background, saving you time and effort. Step 2: Creating AI-generated Backgrounds After removing the background, it is time to select a new backdrop for your image. AI Ease provides two strong modes to generate AI backgrounds: AI Scenes and Custom. * AI Scenes You can choose any of the background templates available the moment you enter "AI Scenes" mode. Among the most common backdrops for AI scenes, you will find marble, wood, texture, indoor settings, and more. From a simple neutral background for product photography to an artistic scene that would improve your portrait, everything will be at your disposal. With an AI background generator, all background scenes are created professionally in style, well-chosen, and match your subject. Such scenes will suit users when they want to accomplish a certain goal fast without any compromise on image quality that of an e-commerce product photography solution, a personal portrait shoot, or otherwise. * Custom Mode Those who would love a personal tone would like the "Custom" mode in AI Ease. It is a text-to-AI background for those cases when one needs exactly what he or she sees, be it product imagery with unique sceneries or some personalized background for other creative work. All you have to do now is describe the background you intend to use. For example, say, "a vintage wooden desk with soft natural light filtering in," and let AI magically create an image for what you have typed. Then, this custom mode used a large language model full of state-of-the-art text-to-image algorithms. This gives you the capability to create backgrounds that are highly unique to your needs, whatever they may be in nature. Step 3: Download and Share Once you are pleased with the new background, it is now full-time to complete your creation. Just click the "Download" button, and your image is saved. Instant download-you are ready to go with your newly enhanced image for anything you may need: an e-commerce store, social media post, or personal project. Being able to download and share right from the platform makes this whole process seamless and efficient. The AI background generator, courtesy of AI Ease, promises quality that you can assuredly use down to professional or even personal projects with confidence. Save your time and up your game in your content without fuss, as you can directly download and share your images instantly. AI-Powered Technology for Better Results The background generator at AI Ease is driven by advanced AI algorithms to ensure that every background it generates is visually stunning and professionally crafted. It works in the background to ensure smooth processing, accuracy, and quality results. With the added advantage of being completely free, users can generate unlimited high-quality backgrounds with no subscriptions or sign-ups required. Elevate with AI Background Templates Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the AI background generator by AI Ease is the wide array of background templates it will offer. The variety of marble, wood, and textured backdrops within these AI background templates is designed to answer the most in-demand needs concerning visual content. Whether you shoot products, create artwork, or capture portraits, AI scenes from AI Ease guarantee that the most professional, stable, and visually pleasing backgrounds are literally at your fingertips online. These templates are designed to complement your images, not overwhelm the subject. Each scene is carefully composed to provide a balanced backdrop that will let your subject be the focal point while the background sets the perfect setting. Try for Free One of the best features of the AI background generator by AI Ease is that it's completely free. Whether a professional photographer, a businessman, or just a hobbyist, one can generate high-quality AI backgrounds for his/her images without spending even a single penny. Just pay a visit to the website of AI Ease, upload your image, and get started with generating backgrounds. Because the tool is user-friendly, there are no special skills or prior experiences with photo editing software needed to work with it. Whether for your website, social media, or e-commerce store, AI Ease gives you an easy way of adding oomph to your images in a very fast and efficient manner. Personalize from Text Prompts The full customization option is a whole new dimension introduced by the AI Background Generator. You will be able to create backgrounds that are unique for your images with text prompts. Be it simple, elegant, complex, or artful, the "Custom" mode generates a background that fits your requirements to the dot. The features that make it useful for the enhancement of product photography include providing an effect of background that suits either your brand or your product in question. Thanks to this great functionality provided by AI Ease, backdrops can be easily created to fit with one's vision without too much work and resource input compared to traditional photo shoots or very expensive stock images. Make Products Shine The quality of product images can make or break a sale for any e-commerce business. For e-commerce sellers, AI Ease's free online AI background generator is something that completely revolutionizes their selling game. Using either "AI Scenes" or "Custom" mode, the sellers can add professional-looking backgrounds to the photos of their products and present their merchandise in a visually appealing way. The tool elevates your product images, creating a distinction with competitors for the attention of prospective buyers. Be it fashion clothes, accessories, or other in-home products that one sells, this AI-powered software makes it an easy approach to generating fabulous product images that will surely impress your customers' senses. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/59d715f2c41d9cd802f1c3f53454a2f6.jpg Conclusion AI Ease's AI background generator makes creating quality backgrounds for your images a whole lot easier. This is a no-cost, AI-powered utility that can be used with either pre-set scenes or custom-created backgrounds using a text prompt. Be it photography, e-commerce, or content creation, AI Ease makes the job look all that easy and efficient. All one has to do to achieve professional-quality images is go through a few simple steps: upload your image, pick or customize your AI-generated background, and finally download the result. Added to this factor of free, unlimited, and easy to use, AI Easy turns out to be very helpful for anyone who desires to make AI backgrounds online. Media Contact Company Name: Aiease Contact Person: Mike Hasy Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=ai-ease-unveils-free-ai-background-generator-for-effortless-image-enhancement ] State: New York Country: United States Website: https://www.aiease.ai/ This release was published on openPR.I love stealth games. Everything from Hitman to Splinter Cell to the old Thief games is my bag. Even horror games that encourage hiding in the shadows do it for me. I just love being sneaky (read: cowardly). So I was pleased to see that the upcoming Thick as Thieves will almost certainly be ticking that box for me. The trailer shows a new stealthy game that has you leaping about like the acrobatic burglar you are, stealing from the wealthy. What has me even more intrigued is the game is being brought to us by some of the developers behind the aforementioned Thief series, as well as Deus Ex ; classics in the genre, I’m sure you’ll agree. Specifically, we’ve got Paul Neurath, executive producer of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief 2: The Metal Age , as well as director Warren Spector, who worked on the original Deus Ex . We’ve also got game designer Greg Lopiccolo, who, along with Spector, was involved with Thief: The Deadly Shadows . Good stock, overall As for what Thick as Thieves will be like, the teaser above suggests it’s got lashings of some of the teams’ past work, along with hints of Dishonored ...and do I detect a hint of We Happy Few ? Maybe only in the visuals, but I’m quite excited about it all the same. It’s also gunning for multiplayer, so you can “match your cunning against rival thieves.” As for what the story will involve, well, here’s what the Steam page has to say: The game promises plenty of replay value, a rich world set in an alternative timeline, and an “ever-shifting, treacherous city.” So when is Thick as Thieves out? There’s no release date available, but you can wishlist the game right now. It’s also coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC. No idea if it’ll be coming to Game Pass yet, though.
AP News Summary at 6:29 p.m. ESTChristmas is still a few weeks away, but if you own a PS5 , there’s something cool in store for you to enjoy. December marks the 30th anniversary of the PlayStation consoles, which began in the 1990s. Over the last three decades, Sony and its consoles have provided endless joy and entertainment to gamers all over the world. Thanks to the anniversary celebrations, you can go back in time to enjoy the best of both worlds—old-school esthetics and new-school technology. How to use retro PlayStation designs on your PS5 As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, Sony is running a special campaign for a limited time. While the campaign is live, you can customize your PS5’s UI to give it a new feel. However, the aesthetics will be recognizable, especially those moving from one generation of PlayStation consoles to another. During this campaign, you can make your console start audio, brand logo, and dashboard appearance based on designs from older consoles. The list includes all four consoles that Sony released prior to the PlayStation 5: PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. You can choose to keep any of the designs at any time. Let’s examine the steps to make the change. Make sure that your console has the latest firmware on it. If not, make sure to run a manual update (in most cases, a prompt will show up saying a feature update is available). Let the update complete, and an automatic system restart will take place. Once the screen loads up, you’ll be in for a surprise. Next, there will be an initiation about the 30th-anniversary celebrations and what changes you can make. The final screen will take you to console settings, and you can make your choice. You can choose any of the four retro designs. I have chosen the PS1 because it’s the only PlayStation console I have never owned. There’s also a 30th-anniversary theme that inherits designs from all five consoles. If you want to make a change later, you can easily do so from your console settings. The options will be listed at the top as part of a separate set. That’s pretty much it when it comes to giving your PS5 a retro (or not) look. Make sure to tweak the different designs to enjoy them all before the campaign is over.
NoneFriday's Scores
Percentages: FG 39.726, FT .588. 3-Point Goals: 9-21, .429 (Lacey 3-6, McMiller 3-5, Petticord 2-6, Thompson 1-3, Perkins 0-1) Blocked Shots: 3 (Adams 1, McMiller 1, Perkins 1) Turnovers: 9 (McMiller 4, Thompson 2, Lacey 1, Perkins 1, Walker 1) Steals: 8 (Adams 6, Lacey 1, McMiller 1) Technical Fouls: None Percentages: FG 39.394, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 4-21, .190 (Mays-Prince 3-5, Jackson 1-6, Gaines 0-1, Gwynn 0-3, Akinsola 0-1, Eddings 0-5) Blocked Shots: 5 (Johnson 2, Jackson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Turnovers: 16 (Gaines 4, Gwynn 4, Mays-Prince 3, Jackson 2, Johnson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Steals: 5 (Gwynn 2, Eddings 2, Green 1) Technical Fouls: None A_0 Officials_Erika Herriman, Kenya Kirkland, Angelica Suffren
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving timeKey Trends in the Cable Cars & Ropeways Market with Insights from Damodar Ropeways & Infra, POMA Group, Conveyor & Ropeway Services, Leitner S.p.A, Nippon Cable, Bartholet Maschinenbau AG (BMF), MND Group, Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group 12-13-2024 07:35 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: STATS N DATA Cable Cars & Ropeways Market The Cable Cars & Ropeways Market has emerged as a pivotal segment within the transportation and tourism industries. These systems not only provide essential connectivity but also enhance the experience for tourists and commuters alike. As urbanization continues to rise and the demand for sustainable transport solutions grows, cable cars and ropeways are increasingly being recognized for their innovative potential. Recent developments in this market underscore a remarkable evolution, driven by technological advancements that improve safety, efficiency, and environmental impact. Companies are now leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance ride experiences, optimize operations, and reduce energy consumption. The integration of smart technology has led to the introduction of AI-driven systems that monitor performance in real-time, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride for passengers. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=82654 Strategic collaborations between industry players have further accelerated market growth, allowing for resource sharing and innovation. These partnerships are crucial in responding to evolving market dynamics and consumer expectations, showcasing the industry's adaptability. Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several key factors are driving the demand for cable cars and ropeways across various applications. Sustainability is at the forefront, as consumers and governments alike prioritize eco-friendly transport solutions. These systems offer a low-carbon alternative to traditional modes of transport, making them highly attractive in urban planning and tourism development. Digitization plays a significant role in shaping consumer behavior. As awareness of sustainability increases, consumers are more inclined to choose transportation methods that align with their values. The rise of digital platforms has also facilitated greater access to information, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about their travel options. Emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of the cable cars and ropeways market. AI integration is enhancing operational efficiency by enabling predictive maintenance and optimizing resource allocation. Furthermore, product customization is becoming a notable trend, with manufacturers offering personalized solutions to meet specific consumer needs. Market Segmentation The Cable Cars & Ropeways Market can be segmented into various categories that reflect its diverse applications and product types. Segment by Type: - Vertical Lifts: These systems are designed for steep ascents and are commonly used in mountainous areas, providing efficient access to elevated locations. - Surface Lifts: Often utilized in ski resorts, surface lifts help transport skiers up slopes while maintaining a smooth and enjoyable ride. - Inclined Lifts: These lifts are characterized by their diagonal ascent, making them suitable for both urban and rural applications. Segment by Application: - Tourism: Cable cars and ropeways are key attractions in tourist destinations, offering breathtaking views and unique experiences. - Public Transport: With their ability to navigate challenging terrains, these systems are increasingly being integrated into public transport networks, reducing congestion and travel time. - Material Handling Industry: The efficiency of cable systems in moving materials across difficult landscapes has made them indispensable in sectors like construction and mining. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=82654 Competitive Landscape The Cable Cars & Ropeways Market is characterized by the presence of several leading companies that are instrumental in driving innovation and shaping market trends. - Damodar Ropeways & Infra: Known for its commitment to safety and quality, Damodar Ropeways focuses on sustainable practices and is renowned for its advanced engineering solutions in the cable car industry. - POMA Group: A pioneer in the field, POMA Group has introduced numerous innovations that enhance the efficiency and safety of ropeway systems, solidifying its position as a market leader. - Conveyor & Ropeway Services: This company specializes in manufacturing high-quality ropeway systems and has made significant contributions to the material handling sector. - Leitner S.p.A: An industry stalwart, Leitner S.p.A is recognized for its technological advancements and extensive portfolio, catering to both tourism and public transport applications. - Nippon Cable: With a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Nippon Cable is a key player in the Asian market, providing innovative solutions tailored to local needs. - Bartholet Maschinenbau AG (BMF): BMF stands out for its commitment to research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of technology in the cable car sector. - MND Group: This company excels in integrating digital solutions into its systems, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. - Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group: A global leader, Doppelmayr is known for its innovative designs and ability to deliver high-quality ropeway systems across various sectors. These companies are not only pivotal in delivering cutting-edge solutions but also actively engage in partnerships and collaborations to explore new market opportunities. Opportunities and Challenges As the Cable Cars & Ropeways Market continues to evolve, there are numerous opportunities for growth. Untapped regions, particularly in developing countries, present a significant potential market for cable transport solutions. The increasing focus on sustainable transport systems offers a promising avenue for expansion, particularly in urban areas where congestion is a growing concern. Consumer preferences are also shifting towards more experiential travel options, positioning cable cars and ropeways as attractive alternatives. However, the industry faces challenges, including regulatory constraints that vary widely across regions. Navigating these regulations requires careful planning and adherence to safety standards. Operational inefficiencies can hamper growth, necessitating investment in technology and training to optimize performance. Additionally, the talent shortage in the engineering and technical sectors poses a challenge for companies aiming to innovate and expand. To address these challenges, companies must adopt strategic approaches that include fostering a skilled workforce, investing in training, and collaborating with regulatory bodies to streamline compliance processes. Technological Advancements Technological advancements are at the core of the Cable Cars & Ropeways Market's evolution. AI-driven systems are transforming operations by enabling predictive maintenance, which minimizes downtime and enhances safety. The integration of IoT technology allows for real-time monitoring of system performance, providing valuable data that can be used to improve efficiency. Virtual tools and simulations are also playing a crucial role in design and development, enabling companies to visualize projects before implementation and reduce the risk of costly errors. These advancements not only improve operational performance but also enhance the overall passenger experience, making rides more enjoyable and efficient. Research Methodology and Insights At STATS N DATA, our research methodology is comprehensive and robust, ensuring that we provide accurate insights into the Cable Cars & Ropeways Market. We employ both top-down and bottom-up approaches to gather data from various sources, including industry reports, market surveys, and expert interviews. Our primary research involves direct engagement with industry stakeholders to obtain first-hand information and insights about market trends and dynamics. We also utilize secondary research to corroborate our findings and ensure a holistic view of the market landscape. Triangulation of data from multiple sources enhances the reliability of our insights, allowing us to present a detailed analysis of market opportunities, challenges, and growth prospects. In conclusion, the Cable Cars & Ropeways Market is poised for significant growth, driven by technological advancements, sustainability trends, and evolving consumer preferences. With a clear understanding of the market dynamics, stakeholders can position themselves strategically to leverage the numerous opportunities that lie ahead. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=82654 Full Cable Cars & Ropeways Market Report Link: https://www.statsndata.org/report/cable-cars-ropeways-market-82654 Related Reports: Prepayment Energy Meter Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/prepayment-energy-meter-market-16215 Electrode Boiler Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/electrode-boiler-market-6222 Computer Assisted Translation Tool Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/computer-assisted-translation-tool-market-70412 Business Travel Services Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/business-travel-services-market-293614 Non Ferrous Metal Extrusion Press Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/non-ferrous-metal-extrusion-press-market-195659 John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.African Union chairperson candidates advocate for permanent UN Security Council seats
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary and the Expansion of the Ideal Scientology Mission of BergamoHornets point guard LaMelo Ball will miss at least 2 weeks with a left calf strain
Five games on the Sunday college basketball schedule feature a ranked team, including the matchup between the UCLA Bruins and the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Columbia Lions at No. 13 Duke Blue Devils North Carolina Central Eagles at No. 7 LSU Tigers No. 10 Maryland Terrapins at Toledo Rockets Central Arkansas Sugar Bears at No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats No. 1 UCLA Bruins at Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.
Dallas Cowboys (5-8) at Carolina Panthers (3-10) 1 p.m. ET, FOX What are the odds the Carolina Panthers are favorites in a game this season? This is the week. Oddsmakers for the first time since December 2022 are giving the Panthers the edge -- they're 2.5-point favorites as of Friday afternoon -- over the Cowboys. Dallas rolls into Charlotte on a short turnaround from a 27-20 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Playoff prospects are dimming for Dallas after a botched blocked punt gave the ball back to the Bengals for their game-winning score. The Panthers are familiar with bum luck. Carolina lost its last three games but had chances to win each one late in setbacks to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas has been in one-possession games for three consecutive weeks, winning the first two of those. Cooper Rush remains at quarterback with Dak Prescott out. He didn't reach the 200-yard mark in passing the past two weeks with RB Rico Dowell providing a boost with back-to-back games 100-plus-yard games on the ground. One name and face the Panthers know from their 33-10 loss to Dallas last season is LB Micah Parsons. Parsons had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, in the 2023 meeting. Panthers QB Bryce Young threw an interception for the first time in four games last week and head coach Dave Canales continues to celebrate his progress and competitive fire. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheerHow Australia's tough social media ban compares to laws in other countries
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace." Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.When Angela Merkel left the German chancellorship in December 2021, after 16 years in power, she had a credible claim to being one of the greatest politicians of the 21st century (so far). Now, after three years of deafening silence, and with her legacy in shambles, she is promoting her forthcoming political memoir. Her silence was more persuasive. She gave her first interview to the German weekly Der Spiegel, defending major policies that helped to shape Germany and Europe as we know them today. Among these were her appeasement of Russia, which adhered to the Cold War principle of “change through trade” (Wandel durch Handel); her welcoming of more than 1 million refugees (mostly from Syria and the Middle East) in 2015; and the phaseout of Germany’s nuclear power plants. A fourth issue concerns not a policy but the lack of one. Owing to Merkel’s failure to do anything noticeable to adapt the German economy to this century’s technological challenges, the country remains under-digitalized, with embarrassingly poor internet access, an absurdly overgrown bureaucracy, governing institutions that still use fax machines, and once-dominant companies that can no longer compete with their American and Asian counterparts. German highways and bridges are crumbling, trains regularly run late, and major infrastructure projects (like Berlin’s rail station and airport) take two or three times longer than they would in Poland or even Romania. Where once Germans heaped scorn on Poles for supposedly being foolish and incompetent, now the tables have turned. Visit Germany nowadays and you may find that you cannot even pay for breakfast with your credit card. You will have to run to an ATM, but you may find that it is broken or does not accept Visa or Mastercard (as is the case two-thirds of the time). And don’t even think about connecting to Wi-Fi. You will find better access (and a more dynamic information-technology sector) in Belarus -- a Russian vassal state. Moreover, Merkel did nothing during her 16 years in power to prod the industries that Germany prides itself on -- chemicals, pharmaceuticals, internal-combustion vehicles -- to adapt to the 21st century, and now it shows. The German army, meanwhile, is regularly an object of ridicule in the European press. If Germans prefer to use fax machines and avoid the internet, that is their business. Unfortunately, though, their government’s decisions affect all of Europe. Merkel’s moral argument for providing aid and shelter to refugees in 2015 is uncontroversial. But surely she should have known that immigration on such a massive scale would produce a populist backlash, not only in Germany but throughout Europe. Merkel made a show of standing up for liberal democratic values, but her policy yielded an assault on them. The result was weaker liberal democracy and less immigration. Similarly, by stubbornly insisting on the Nord Stream and Nord Stream II pipeline projects, Merkel and other German leaders empowered a dangerous dictator who had revisionist designs on Eastern Europe. And by blocking NATO from offering a “membership action plan” to Ukraine and Georgia at the 2008 Bucharest summit, Germany effectively invited Russia to invade. Anyone with an elementary knowledge of Russia’s foreign policy knew that the Kremlin would exploit the resulting uncertainty. In her Spiegel interview, Merkel blames others for this litany of failures. She says she was not the only one against a NATO accession process for Ukraine and Georgia; but is that supposed to excuse her? Europeans took their cues from Germany in those days, and Merkel’s voice mattered more than others -- as she well knows. Similarly, Merkel is still repeating the canard that Nord Stream was a purely economic project, even though it obviously was not. In defending appeasement of Russia, she argues that Poland and Ukraine did not mind having gas transit through their territories as long as they profited from it. But the controversy around Nord Stream was that by circumventing Poland and Ukraine, it diminished whatever influence they had vis-a-vis Moscow. Merkel decided that cheaper gas was more important than Polish or Ukrainian security. In the end, her approach brought an energy crisis and was one of the causes of a new land war on the European continent. The result was no cheap energy and no security. Merkel’s decision, following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, to phase out Germany’s nuclear power plants also empowered Russia by making the German economy even more dependent on Russian hydrocarbons. Again, such choices could still be defensible if we lived in blissful ignorance of Vladimir Putin’s true character. But after 2008, and especially after 2014, there was no longer any question about who he was and what he intended to do. Merkel herself was repeatedly warned. As early as 2006, Radek Sikorski, then Poland’s defense minister, was comparing the Nord Stream project to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (the secret 1939 agreement between Hitler and Stalin not to attack each other). Five years later, he was still beating the same drum, warning that Poland and Europe had more to fear from German passivity than from German power. Merkel ignored these arguments. During her long tenure, Germany tried to trade Eastern European security for cheap energy, abandoned an existing renewable-energy source, and gave nativist populists a potent campaign issue. She made Europe less safe from threats both foreign and domestic. Today, with Germany mired in a leadership crisis and buffeted by new global headwinds, Merkel continues to tell herself that she did everything right. Slawomir Sierakowski Slawomir Sierakowski, founder of the Krytyka Polityczna movement, is a Mercator senior fellow. The views expressed here are the writer's own. -- Ed. (Project Syndicate)