Tuesday afternoon’s best deals on Android games and apps are now ready and waiting below courtesy of the Google Play shop. Alongside the apps, we are also tracking a new all-time low on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ as well as this $120 price drop on the 3-node Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro 6e setup as part of today’s Best Buy 25 Days of Deals offers and this sweet deal on LG’s wonderful 120Hz C4 OLED smart TV with a FREE $100 gift card attached. As for the apps, highlight titles include Hyper Light Drifter, Conquistadorio, Paths & Danger, PARANORMASIGHT, and more. Head below for a closer look. Best Android app and game price drops: Bulbs – A game of lights FREE (Reg. $1) Octa Dark – Icon Pack FREE (Reg. $1.50) 3D EARTH PRO – local forecast FREE (Reg. $30) Bluediant – Icon Pack FREE (Reg. $1.50) Green – Icon Pack FREE (Reg. $1.50) Conquistadorio $1 (Reg. $5) PARANORMASIGHT $11 (Reg. $19) Hyper Light Drifter – S.E. $2.50 (Reg. $5.50) Dungeon Tracer $1 (Reg. $3) Paths & Danger $2 (Reg. $3.50) SpongeBob SquarePants BfBB $5 (Reg. $10) PDF Utility – PDF Tools – PDF $1 (Reg. $3.50) Octagon – Icon Pack $0.50 (Reg. $1.50) Crayon Icon Pack $0.50 (Reg. $1) Sticker UI – Icon Pack $1 (Reg. $2) SkySafari Astronomy $1 (Reg. $3) Android app and game deals still live: Tower Defense Legend 5 Pro FREE (Reg. $2) How much can I spend? Premium FREE (Reg. $3) Sweet Home 3D Mobile FREE (Reg. $5.50) Live or Die: Survival Pro FREE (Reg. $0.50) Ascio – Icon Pack FREE (Reg. $0.50) Dungeon Corp. S (Idle RPG) FREE (Reg. $1.50) Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RPG $2.50 (Reg. $5) Northgard $6 (Reg. $9) Galaxy Genome [Space Sim] $2 (Reg. $3) Hero of the Kingdom: Tales 2 $1.50 (Reg. $6.50) Planet Craft: Mine Block Craft $1 (Reg. $2) Water Tracker: Hydro Coach PRO $10 (Reg. $40) Gamers GLTool Pro $0.50 (Reg. $1) Volume Control Panel Pro $1.50 (Reg. $2.50) PDF Utility – PDF Tools – PDF $1 (Reg. $3.50) Hyper Light Drifter features: The top-down action-RPG Hyper Light Drifter is an amazing game: gorgeous, a fascinating world to explore, tight controls, beautiful music, and the faith in the player for you to figure things out on your own. Echoes of a dark and violent past resonate throughout a savage land, steeped in treasure and blood. Drifters of this world are the collectors of forgotten knowledge, lost technologies and broken histories. Our Drifter is haunted by an insatiable illness, traveling further into the lands of Buried Time, hoping to discover a way to quiet the vicious disease. Add 9to5Toys to your Google News feed. Google News FTC: 9to5Toys is reader supported, we may earn income on affiliate links Subscribe to the 9to5Toys YouTube Channel for all of the latest videos, reviews, and more!A Manhattan jury has cleared Daniel Penny of criminal wrongdoing in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a crowded subway — a caught-on-video killing that sparked fierce debate over the city’s mental health system and crime underground. The courtroom erupted in applause as the panelists acquitted Penny of criminally negligent homicide — which could have put him behind bars for up to four years — in Neely’s chokehold death aboard a crowded uptown F train in May 2023. “We the jury have come to a unanimous decision on count two,” the foreperson on the jury told the courtroom. Penny immediately broke out a huge smile and turned to hug defense attorney Thomas Kenniff — even as Neely’s father, Andre Zachary, was escorted from the courtroom. “Racist f****** country,” one Black Lives Matter supporter yelled as she left the room. Another Neely supporter, turning to Penney, screamed, “It’s a small world, buddy,” before leaving the room. Manslaughter, the top charge against Penny, was tossed on Friday after jurors twice said they couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. Jurors sided with Penny’s defense attorneys, who had argued that the Marine veteran was justified in rushing to protect his fellow subway straphangers when he subdued the erratic homeless man. The lawyers had also questioned whether there was sufficient evidence that the chokehold caused Neely’s death. “Who do you want on the next train ride with you?” one of his lawyers, Steven Raiser, in his closing statement in Manhattan Supreme Court. Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest updates on Daniel Penny’s not guilty verdict “The guy with the earbuds minding his own business who you know would be there for you if something happened? Or perhaps you just hope that someone like Jordan Neely does not enter that train when you are all alone, all alone in a crowd of others frozen with fear?” The lawyers had also questioned whether there was sufficient evidence that the chokehold caused Neely’s death. The verdict drew an immediate reaction from across the nation. “Daniel Penny’s actions were heroic & protected the lives of people on that train,” House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X. “We used to celebrate bravery like this in America, but the Left continues their crusade to protect criminals and prosecute heroes,” Johnson said. “Good to see this charge dismissed.” In the Big Apple, city Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) said the jury’s decision “underscores nothing other than the perverse sense of justice held by [Manhattan DA] Alvin Bragg. “Every New Yorker is fearful on the subway and had no problem understanding the context of Daniel Penny’s actions,” he said. “The district attorney should resign in shame.” The acquittal comes after jurors heard from more than 40 witnesses, including passengers who described Neely’s terrifying outburst on the train before Penny approached him from behind and took him down at the Broadway-Lafayette station. One straphanger testified she was “scared s–tless” hearing Neely ranting about being “willing to die and go to jail.” She later thanked Penny for stepping in to restrain Neely, who also raged that “someone is going to die today.” Another woman on the train told jurors that she feared for her life after hearing Neely’s “satanic” rant. And a mother who was taking her 5-year-old son to a doctor’s appointment testified that she was so scared of a “belligerent and unhinged” Neely that she barricaded her son behind his stroller. No witness testified that Neely put his hands on anyone, or lunged at a specific person, before Penny put him in the chokehold. Evidence during the month-long trial also revealed that Neely was not carrying a weapon at the time — with cops finding only a muffin in his pocket. The polarizing case kicked off fierce conversation about a mentally ill man who was failed by the city’s broken system — a sentiment even Mayor Eric Adams expressed, saying Penny did “what we should have done as a city” by protecting others that day. Prosecutors argued that Penny went “too far” — and that his actions turned criminal when he kept Neely in the hold after nearly all of the frightened passengers had fled the train. “What’s so tragic about this case is that even though the defendant started out trying to do the right thing, as the chokehold progressed, the defendant knew that Jordan Neely was in great distress and dying, and he needlessly continued,” prosecutor Dafna Yoran said in her closing statement. Jurors watched frame-by-frame footage from a bystander’s six-minute video of Penny holding Neely — including for 51 seconds after Neely’s body appears to go limp. Penny kept holding Neely despite witnesses pleading with him to “let him go!,” the video shows. Dr. Cynthia Harris, who ruled that Neely’s death was a homicide caused by Penny’s chokehold, pointed out for jurors the exact moment when Neely passed out on the subway car’s floor — with Penny still wrapping his arm around Neely’s neck. The city medical examiner, who made her ruling before Neely’s toxicology report came back, testified that she was so confident after watching video of the encounter that she’d stand by her decision even if it later turned out that Neely had enough drugs in his body “to put down an elephant.” Jurors asked for a readback of that specific portion of Harris’ testimony during deliberations. Trial evidence revealed that Neely had the synthetic marijuana drug K2 in his system at the time of the confrontation. Jurors also heard that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, telling doctors in 2021 that he’d heard the “devil’s voice.” Penny’s mother, sister, friends and fellow Marines took the stand to vouch for his character. The defense’s medical expert, forensic pathologist Dr. Satish Chundru, claimed that Neely died not from Penny’s chokehold, but by “the combined effects of sickle cell crisis, the schizophrenia, the struggle and restraint, and the synthetic marijuana.” Penny declined to take the stand. But jurors heard him tell arriving cops on the train platform, “I just put him out,” before making a choking gesture with his arms. Hours later, at Chinatown’s 5th Precinct, a relaxed Penny insisted during an interrogation that he was merely trying to “de-escalate the situation” and that he didn’t mean to hurt Neely. “I’m not trying to kill the guy,” the Marine veteran told two detectives, as prosecutors watched him through a one-sided mirror. “I’m just trying to keep him from hurting anybody else.” In an apparent reference to the mentally ill Neely, Penny added during his questioning that “all these people are pushing people in front of the train and stuff.” Neely’s death, and Penny’s arrest 11 days later, sparked a national political firestorm about whether Penny’s actions were justified. The episode also sparked outrage about how Neely fell through the cracks of the city’s mental health system, failing to get the treatment he needed despite the NYPD treating him as an “emotionally disturbed person” in more than two dozen prior encounters with him. “This case is about a broken system, a broken system that does not help our mentally ill or our unhoused,” Penny’s attorney Raiser said at the end of his closing statement. “In fact, it is that broken system that led us, that is interwoven into the very fabric of this case.” In a statement, the city council’s progressive caucus denounced the verdict, saying it “highlights the deep-seated [ck] societal discomfort with unhoused individuals. “Jordan Neely was failed by the city’s social service system for years,” the statement said. “He was failed by our city when Daniel Penny put him in a chokehold on the subway. And today Jordan was failed once again, this time by the city’s justice system.” Others Big Apple lawmakers, however, celebrated the outcome of the high-profile and divisive trial. “Justice has prevailed,” city Councilwoman Joanne Ariola (R-Queens) said following Monday’s verdict. “Daniel Penny is a hero and I”m happy to see that a good man was not punished for doing the right thing and defending his fellow New Yorkers from a mentally ill criminal who fell between the cracks.” Originally published as Daniel Penny acquitted in subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely, sparking applause, uproar in New York courtroom
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan have proposed a new bill, AB 56 , that would require social media companies to put a warning label on their platforms to disclose their mental health risks. Citing social media platforms’ “harnessing of addictive features and harmful content for the sake of profits,” Attorney General Bonta says that consumers should have access to information about platforms that could impact their mental health. The current bill lacks detail on how much information these warning labels should have or how they should appear, but mentions the Cyberbullying Protection Act and the Online Violence Prevention Act as possible precedent for such a requirement. Those bills required social media platforms to disclose their cyberbullying reporting features in the terms of service, and clearly state whether they have a way of reporting violent posts for users and nonusers on the platform, respectively. Bonta and Bauer-Kahan’s new bill follows an open letter signed by 42 attorneys general (Bonta included) that called for Congress to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media. The US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposed the idea himself in an essay for The New York Times Opinion section in June. A surgeon general’s warning label requires congressional action to actually be put in place, but could prove effective in changing behavior in the same way it has for tobacco products , according to Murthy. You can trace a lot of the recent commotion around children and social media to an advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health that the US Surgeon General published in 2023. The advisory claimed that social media could “have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents” and that “children and adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems.” A warning label is unlikely to completely fix things and social media isn’t the sole cause of all children’s problems, but labels are another level that can be pulled to change things. A wider reaching Texas bill that required social media companies block teens from seeing “harmful content” was struck down a few months ago in 2024, but requiring social media warning labels, especially given California’s legal history , seems much more feasible. Mental health impacts are just one of the risks children face online, though. According to the Federal Trade Commission , there’s still mass surveillance to deal with, too.What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have signed closer Jordan Romano to a one-year contract, making a short-term bet that the right-hander can return to form following a right elbow injury. The Phillies announced the deal on Monday. They did not provide the terms of the agreement, but it is reportedly worth $8.5 million. An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Romano spent the first six seasons of his major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has 105 career saves and a 2.90 ERA in 231 relief appearances. Of the 17 pitchers in the majors with at least 100 save opportunities since 2019, Romano’s 88.98% save percentage ranks second, trailing only Josh Hader (187 for 210, 89.04%). Among all pitchers in baseball since 2019, Romano’s 105 saves rank ninth. The 31-year-old Romano was limited to just eight saves in 15 games last season. He had arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in July. Romano's arrival could lead to the departures of one or both of Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman from Philadelphia. The former All-Star relievers both closed games for the Phillies last season but each suffered epic meltdowns in the postseason. Both pitchers are free agents. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb The Associated Press
The Biden administration has an opportunity this week to help end plastic pollution for good, Greenpeace USA's Sybil Bullock writes in a guest column.BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Thiago Messi, the eldest son of the Argentina star, has made his debut in the “Newell’s Cup” tournament in the countryside city of Rosario. The 12-year-old Messi played with the No. 10 jersey of an Inter Miami youth team, which lost 1-0 on Monday to host Newell’s Old Boys in the traditional under-13 competition. The team also played Tuesday. Lionel Messi took his first steps as a footballer in the Argentinian club in Rosario, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of capital Buenos Aires. Thiago’s mother, Antonela Roccuzzo, and several members of his family, including grandparents Jorge Messi and Celia Cuccittini, were in the stands to watch him play. Lionel Messi did not attend. Thiago, who was substituted in the second half, played with his friend Benjamín Suárez, son of Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, Messi’s teammate and close friend at Barcelona and now at Inter Miami. Messi and Suárez are in Rosario after Inter Miami’s early elimination in the MLS playoffs. On Sunday, they watched a friendly game of Inter Miami’s U13 team against Unión at the same sports complex. The youth tournament in Argentina brings together eight teams from North and South America. ___ AP soccer:
( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, stated that Egypt has taken significant steps to achieve food security and reduce the food gap in several strategic crops. Speaking at the World Food Summit in the United Arab Emirates, Minister Farouk addressed a ministerial dialogue session chaired by the UAE Minister of Climate Change. The session, attended by ministers and representatives of participating organizations, was moderated by Dr. Abdul Hakim El Waer, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Minister Farouk highlighted Egypt's commitment to ensuring food security for its people amidst challenges such as limited land and water resources, and a rapidly growing population. He detailed several key initiatives: vertical agricultural expansion through increased land and water productivity; the development of high-yield crop varieties resilient to adverse climate change; horizontal agricultural expansion through the reclamation of new lands, including the 1.5 million-feddan project and the 2.2 million-feddan New Delta project; the expansion of national aquaculture projects, water desalination projects, and irrigation water management; the development of livestock and poultry resources and the improvement of breeds; and encouraging private sector investment in agricultural projects, particularly agro-processing and agricultural waste recycling. Minister Farouk added that the government is adopting a contractual farming system and focusing on the cultivation of strategic crops, especially grains, oils, and fodder. He also noted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's launch of the“Decent Life” initiative, aimed at improving the living standards of over 60% of Egyptians in rural areas. This major development project involves international organizations such as the FAO and the World Food Programme. He further cited the Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity) program, benefiting millions of Egyptian citizens, and the establishment of the Egyptian Food Bank, among other initiatives supporting the Egyptian people. Minister Farouk concluded by emphasizing that despite regional difficulties, Egypt is effectively addressing food security challenges and supporting its regional neighbors facing political and geopolitical conflicts. Earlier today, Minister Farouk delivered Egypt's address at the opening session of the World Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi. MENAFN26112024000153011029ID1108930142 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.Ukraine has lost 43K soldiers since start of Russian war, Zelensky says in rare update
What's Happening: Week of Dec. 9, 2024Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market was valued at USD 345.81 Million in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 464.47 Million by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 5.14%.. The global refractory follicular lymphoma diagnostics market is experiencing significant growth due to advancements in diagnostic technologies and an increasing focus on personalized medicine. One of the key drivers is the rising prevalence of refractory follicular lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is resistant to conventional treatments. As the demand for more accurate and timely diagnostic methods increases, innovations in molecular diagnostics, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and liquid biopsy, are gaining traction. These technologies provide more precise detection of genetic mutations and mutations linked to the disease, enhancing the ability to tailor treatment plans for patients. Moreover, the growing awareness of lymphoma and the importance of early detection has contributed to a rise in diagnostic testing, further driving market expansion. Emerging trends in the market include the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to improve the accuracy of diagnostic results. These technologies are being integrated into imaging systems and data analysis tools, enabling faster and more reliable detection of follicular lymphoma. AI-driven tools, which can analyze large datasets and identify patterns that may be missed by human experts, are expected to revolutionize diagnostics in oncology. Another significant trend is the shift towards non-invasive diagnostic techniques, such as liquid biopsy, which enables the detection of cancer-related genetic material in blood or urine samples. This trend not only reduces the need for invasive tissue biopsies but also offers the potential for monitoring disease progression and assessing treatment response in real-time. The market also presents numerous opportunities, particularly with the increasing investments in research and development (R&D) focused on new diagnostic tools and biomarkers. As diagnostic companies collaborate with research institutions and healthcare providers, there is a growing opportunity to introduce innovative solutions that improve the detection and management of refractory follicular lymphoma. Moreover, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, especially in developing markets, provides an opportunity to enhance access to cutting-edge diagnostic technologies. However, challenges such as the high cost of advanced diagnostic tools, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of trained professionals in some regions may limit the widespread adoption of these technologies. Despite these hurdles, the continuous advancements in diagnostic methods and the increasing focus on precision medicine will continue to drive growth in the market. Key Market Trends Integration of AI and Machine Learning The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into the global refractory follicular lymphoma diagnostics market represents a transformative trend, reshaping the way diagnostic processes are approached. AI and ML technologies are being developed to improve the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of diagnostic procedures. These advanced tools analyze vast amounts of data, including genetic information, imaging results, and clinical histories, to identify patterns and correlations that may not be readily apparent to human clinicians. In the context of refractory follicular lymphoma, where subtle genetic or phenotypic changes can significantly influence diagnosis and treatment, AI-driven systems provide a critical advantage by offering more precise and reliable results. AI-powered imaging systems are enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These tools can detect minute changes in tissue morphology or cellular markers, enabling early identification of disease progression or relapse in patients with refractory lymphoma. Machine learning algorithms are also being utilized in predictive modeling, helping clinicians estimate the likelihood of treatment resistance or relapse based on a patient's genetic and clinical data. This allows for the personalization of treatment strategies, ensuring better outcomes for patients by aligning therapeutic approaches with specific disease characteristics. AI and ML are driving innovation in the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods, such as liquid biopsy. Algorithms are being trained to interpret circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or RNA data from liquid biopsy samples, facilitating early detection and real-time monitoring of refractory follicular lymphoma. This minimizes the need for invasive procedures and provides a dynamic understanding of the disease's progression. AI models are also contributing to faster and more accurate interpretation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) results, streamlining the process of identifying actionable mutations and biomarkers relevant to lymphoma management. Rise of Liquid Biopsy The rise of liquid biopsy is a transformative trend in the global refractory follicular lymphoma diagnostics market, driven by its non-invasive nature and ability to provide real-time insights into disease progression. Liquid biopsy involves analyzing tumor-derived genetic material, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), RNA, or exosomes, from bodily fluids like blood, urine, or plasma. This technique eliminates the need for invasive tissue biopsies, which are often challenging in lymphoma patients due to the location of lymph nodes or the recurrence of the disease. The ability to detect mutations, genetic alterations, and minimal residual disease using a simple blood draw has made liquid biopsy an appealing option for both clinicians and patients. This approach is particularly valuable for monitoring refractory follicular lymphoma, where patients may require frequent assessments to track treatment efficacy or detect relapse. Liquid biopsy offers a dynamic way to evaluate molecular changes in real-time, enabling healthcare providers to adjust therapies promptly. It also plays a crucial role in the shift toward precision medicine by identifying actionable genetic targets for personalized treatments. The growing adoption of liquid biopsy is supported by advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics tools, which enhance its sensitivity and accuracy. Innovations in microfluidics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) are further improving the detection of low-frequency mutations, ensuring that even minute traces of tumor DNA are identified. The ability to provide comprehensive genomic profiling with minimal discomfort to patients is driving its adoption in clinical oncology. As awareness of the benefits of liquid biopsy grows, its application in lymphoma diagnostics is expanding, not only for initial diagnosis but also for longitudinal monitoring and treatment optimization. This trend is poised to significantly impact the refractory follicular lymphoma diagnostics market, offering a powerful tool for improving patient outcomes. Regional Insights In 2023, North America emerged as the dominant region in the Global Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market, holding the largest market share. This is due to several key factors that have positioned the region at the forefront of advancements in cancer diagnostics. One of the primary drivers is the high prevalence of lymphoma cases in North America, coupled with significant improvements in the detection and management of the disease. The growing number of patients with refractory follicular lymphoma, a particularly challenging subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has increased the demand for advanced diagnostic solutions to improve early detection and monitoring of disease progression. This has led to a surge in the adoption of cutting-edge diagnostic technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR-based methods, and liquid biopsy, which are all critical in detecting genetic mutations and monitoring the effectiveness of treatments. North America benefits from a highly developed healthcare infrastructure, including well-established research institutions, hospitals, and diagnostic laboratories that support the rapid adoption of innovative diagnostic tools. This region is home to numerous major players in the diagnostic equipment and biotechnology industries, which fosters innovation and the development of novel diagnostic techniques. The region's strong regulatory framework, particularly in the United States with agencies like the FDA, has facilitated the approval and adoption of new diagnostic technologies. These regulations ensure the safety, efficacy, and reliability of diagnostic tests used in oncology, contributing to higher trust in these methods and boosting their use. Key Market Players Beckman Coulter Thermo Fisher Scientific Agilent Technologies Illumina F. Hoffmann-La Roche QIAGEN Abcam Pfizer Bristol-Myers Squibb Bayer Key Attributes: Report Scope: In this report, the Global Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market, By Product: Instruments Kits & Consumables Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market, By Method: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) In Situ Hybridization (ISH) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Others Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market, By End User: Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jhzuyl About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Diagnostics Market
ALTOONA, Pa. — After UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was gunned down on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and scuba divers. Officers used the city's muscular surveillance system. Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door-to-door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later, those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian's instincts. A Pennsylvania McDonald's customer noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos that New York police had publicized. Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry speaks during a press conference regarding the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pa., in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey) Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, was arrested Monday in the killing of Brian Thompson, who headed one of the United States’ largest medical insurance companies. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. He's expected to be extradited to New York eventually. People are also reading... It’s unclear whether Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday's arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after the McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Police in Altoona, about 233 miles (375 kilometers) west of New York City, were soon summoned. This booking photo released Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shows Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP) They arrived to find Mangione sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said at a news conference in Hollidaysburg. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a Manhattan news conference that Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." An NYPD police officer and K-9 dog search around a lake in Central Park, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash — $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a midtown Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson’s body. The words mimic a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry. A poster issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a wanted unknown suspect. (FBI via AP) From surveillance video, New York investigators gathered that the shooter fled by bike into Central Park, emerged, then took a taxi to a northern Manhattan bus terminal. Once in Pennsylvania, he went from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, “trying to stay low-profile” by avoiding cameras, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Mangione was valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, where his 2016 graduation speech lauded his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” An NYPD police officer and K-9 dog search around a lake in Central Park, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Luigi Nicholas Mangione worked for a time for the car-buying website TrueCar and left in 2023, CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of Honolulu tourist mecca Waikiki. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back," Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. NYPD officers in diving suits search a lake in Central Park, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. Although the gunman obscured his face during the shooting, he left a trail of evidence in New York, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza, a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper. In the days after the shooting, the NYPD collected hundreds of hours of surveillance video and released multiple clips and still images in hopes of enlisting the public’s eyes to help find a suspect. “This combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what led to this result today,” Tisch said at the New York news conference. ___ Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Lea Skene in Baltimore and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to $13.7 billion in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Trump hosted Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Neither Apple nor the Trump transition team has commented on the nature of their discussions. Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.
Ed Sheeran, Sir Bob Geldof and the Band Aid controversy — everything we know so farThe expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. People are also reading... And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Star power Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Going bowling Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. Hot seats There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. Youth movement The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Recruiting watch Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Flag football uses talent camps to uncover new stars
STOCKHOLM/GDANSK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Northvolt's financial collapse deals a blow to Europe's plan to set up its own battery industry to power electric cars, stirring a debate about whether it needs to do more to attract investment as startups struggle to catch up with Chinese rivals. Europe's biggest hope for an electric vehicle battery champion filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday after talks with investors and creditors including Volkswagen and Goldman Sachs for funding failed. The Swedish company, whose motto is "make oil history", has received more than $10 billion in equity, debt and public financing since its 2016 start-up. Volkswagen and Goldman Sachs each own about one fifth of its shares. Northvolt said on Friday it needed $1.0-$1.2 billion in new funds under the restructuring process, which it hopes will end by the end of March. In recent months, it has shrunk the business and cut jobs in a bid to shore up its finances. But it has struggled to produce sufficient volumes of high-quality batteries, and lost a 2 billion euro ($2.1 billion) contract from BMW (BMWG.DE) , opens new tab in June. That has left Europe's ambitions to build its own battery industry looking a distant dream. In recent years, Northvolt led a wave of European startups investing tens of billions of dollars to serve the continent's automakers as they switch from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. But growth in EV demand is moving at a slower pace than many in the industry projected, and China has taken a huge lead in powering EVs, controlling 85% of global battery cell production, International Energy Agency data shows. Making batteries and cells, the units that store and convert chemical energy into electricity, is a delicate process and doing so at scale is a challenge for any battery maker. Northvolt has missed some in-house targets and curtailed production at its battery cells plant in northern Sweden, underscoring the difficulties, Reuters reported on Monday. "The biggest issue is that batteries are not easy to make and Northvolt haven’t satisfied the supply demands of their customers - that is a management issue," said Andy Palmer, founder of consultancy Palmer Automotive said. “The Chinese are technologically 10 years ahead of the West in batteries. That’s a fact," he said. At least eight companies have postponed or abandoned EV battery projects in Europe this year, including China's Svolt and joint venture ACC , led by Stellantis (STLAM.MI) , opens new tab and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) , opens new tab . In 2024, Europe's battery pipeline capacity out to 2030 has fallen by 176 gigawatt-hours, according to data firm Benchmark Minerals. That's equivalent to almost all the current installed capacity in Europe, according to Reuters calculations. Some executives say Europe should do more to attract and support home-grown projects so they can compete with Chinese rivals such as CATL (300750.SZ) , opens new tab and BYD (002594.SZ) , opens new tab . "Europe needs to rethink how it supports a nascent sector before China eats up the entire value chain, which is due to smart planning," said James Frith, European head of Volta Energy Technologies, which specialises in battery and energy storage technology. Among its $5.8 billion in debts, Northvolt owes the European Investment Bank (EIB) some $313 million. EIB vice president Thomas Östros said it had been a constructive partner to Northvolt, but it needed to safeguard the EIB and EU's interests. "It remains the case that Europe has a strategic interest in a European battery industry for electric cars and we will follow developments very closely. But it is much to early to say what the outcome will be," he said. The Swedish government has repeatedly said it does not plan to take a stake in Northvolt. On Friday, Northvolt's outgoing CEO and co-founder Peter Carlsson said he was a "little worried" Europe is giving up on its dream of competing with China. He said Europe would regret it in 20 years time if it retreated. "It's not a straight journey and right now, we're all in a bit of a down in that journey where there's more hesitations, there's more questions on the speed of the transition from the carmakers, from policymakers, from the investor community," he told reporters in a call. Sign up here. Reporting by Marie Mannes in Stockholm, Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen and Alessandro Parodi in Gdansk. Additional reporting by Simon Johnson in Stockholm. Writing by Josephine Mason. Editing by Mark Potter Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Stockholm-based company news correspondent who mainly covers anything to do with retail and industrial companies in Sweden as well as other sectors with Swedish companies. She previously covered the general Nordic stock market from Gdansk, reporting on a range of subjects, from companies exiting Russia to M&As and supply chain concerns. Marie has degrees in journalism and international relations and is keen on finding stories that drive the market and that have unreported elements to it. Thomson Reuters Alessandro is an Italian journalist based in Gdansk reporting on European markets, with focus on Italian companies. Previously, he worked as a multimedia freelancer in South Africa covering general news and cultures.The ‘Wicked’ Press Tour Was A Lot. I Miss It Already
, /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Group, a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency, is proud to highlight its insights and contributions to Skift Meetings' report. The report reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by transformative forces, from artificial intelligence and sustainability to mental health and generational inclusivity. Creative Group's expertise underscores how strategic event design can address complex organizational goals while delivering exceptional attendee experiences. , Creative Group's Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Design, and Innovation, highlights the shift in event strategy. "Today's events must go beyond flawless logistics to deeply align with business initiatives," states in the report. Events must begin with a deep understanding of their purpose. Creative Group advocates for aligning all aspects of event planning with business initiatives, ensuring every element—from agenda to attendee engagement—supports organizational goals. By starting with the "why," planners can craft experiences that not only meet attendee expectations but also drive organizational objectives forward. This more intentional design focus is the crucial middle between events that check a box and events that move the needle. With Millennials and Gen Z comprising an increasing share of the workforce, event strategies must reflect values like sustainability, inclusivity, and experiential depth—with more immersive and interactive experiences. Creative Group's methods integrate these elements seamlessly, ensuring events resonate with all age groups while fostering connections across diverse demographics. Understanding the purpose of an event also shapes how planners design interactions. Creative Group incorporates principles of behavioral economics—awareness, engagement, and nudges—to create meaningful moments before, during, and after the event, ensuring participants stay inspired by and connected to event messaging, brand and core business objectives. As sustainability becomes non-negotiable for many attendees, Creative Group emphasizes adopting eco-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and locally sourced elements, to meet expectations while reflecting each brand's business values. Event designers are increasingly tasked with addressing attendee well-being, making it essential to create events that reduce stress and promote emotional connection. Creative Group's approach integrates wellness strategies that are empathy-based and customizable to meet the needs of the modern attendee. Creative Group's contributions to the report reinforce the idea that understanding the "why" behind every event is crucial in today's meetings landscape, especially critical given the additional scrutiny on event budgets in 2025. "Corporate events are no longer about simply gathering people for a single objective—they are about achieving complex business challenges, reinforcing organizational culture, boosting brand loyalty, and recognizing and retaining top talent," says . To explore how Creative Group and other industry leaders are addressing the trends shaping 2025, download the full Skift Meetings report. Creative Group is a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency that delivers business results by inspiring people to thrive. An industry leader, Creative Group has been honored with numerous Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) awards and the CMI 25 Award, which recognizes the top 25 most influential meeting and incentive management companies in the U.S. Creative Group was founded in 1970, and has served clients in financial services, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, retail, technology, automotive, and hospitality. Employing 220+ people, the company is headquartered in , and maintains offices in , , and . For more information about Creative Group, visit . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Creative Group, Inc.StratomDolfen: Driving the Future of Digital Currency with Transparency and Innovation 11-26-2024 07:54 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Unitestarmedia Ltd Amid the rapid growth of the global digital currency market, StratomDolfen stands out with its advanced technology and transparent philosophy, aiming to create a secure and convenient asset management platform. Focused on blockchain and digital currency solutions, the company leverages innovation to build an open and efficient ecosystem, empowering investors and businesses with robust tools. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/0aa33de05f91aaaa05d1e9c6e29c2617.jpeg Technological Advantages: Prioritizing Security and Transparency StratomDolfen recognizes security as a top priority in today's digital currency industry. The platform employs advanced safeguards, including two-factor authentication, real-time threat monitoring, and encrypted communication, ensuring users' assets are well-protected. Additionally, users retain full control of their private keys, minimizing reliance on third-party services and empowering true ownership of assets. Transparency is equally emphasized, with StratomDolfen offering comprehensive asset management tools. Users can access transaction history and account status anytime and set personalized alerts for account changes. This transparency fosters trust and helps users manage their investments more effectively. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/33af683360b82932c67c70a23ca2b9d1.jpeg Future Outlook: Building a Digital Economy Ecosystem Beyond current technological advancements, StratomDolfen aims to drive industry-wide progress. The company explores seamless integration between digital currencies and traditional finance, offering diverse investment opportunities. Its platform supports everything from daily payments to advanced trading strategies, making it ideal for investors of all levels. Moreover, StratomDolfen expands blockchain applications into other sectors like supply chain management, data storage, and smart contracts. This strategic approach not only diversifies its business scope but also lays the groundwork for future digital economic development. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/f0d82b91e0c8948cf2b992f600c4db6c.jpeg Investment Potential of Digital Currency As interest in decentralized finance grows globally, digital currencies have become a focal point for many investors. StratomDolfen emphasizes that the value of digital currencies extends beyond speculation, serving as a critical part of future financial infrastructure. By reducing transaction costs, improving efficiency, and facilitating cross-border payments, digital currencies are redefining the global financial landscape. StratomDolfen also advises cautious participation in digital currency investments. Through educational resources and market analysis tools, the company helps users make informed decisions, aligning investment strategies with individual risk tolerance. Conclusion With cutting-edge technology, a clear vision, and a commitment to user interests, StratomDolfen is establishing itself as a benchmark in the digital currency industry. Driven by technological innovation and market demand, the company seeks to collaborate with users to embrace the era of the digital economy. For those looking to navigate the wave of digital currency, StratomDolfen is undoubtedly a trusted partner. Media Contact Company Name: StratomDolfen Contact Person: Mr Wong Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=stratomdolfen-driving-the-future-of-digital-currency-with-transparency-and-innovation ] Phone: +60108431319 Country: United States Website: https://stratomdolfen.com/en This release was published on openPR.
GRAND FORKS – The dean of UND’s law school says he is bringing forward a proposal to increase tuition for current and future students in a bid to stave off a projected deficit. The School of Law is also considering increasing its class size from 85 to 100 students to increase revenue and meet the demand for legal professionals in the state, Dean Brian Pappas wrote in the Gavel, the state bar association’s magazine, last week. ADVERTISEMENT “We simply need to increase tuition every year, as all schools do, to be financially sound,” Pappas wrote. Pappas' article gives the School of Law's annual tuition and fee cost at $17,663; U.S. News and World Report places tuition at $17,462. According to the article, the law school faces a $2.1 million deficit by the end of the 2028 fiscal year under current circumstances. The law school dean says several factors are the cause of the deficit, including restrictions on increasing tuition imposed by the Legislature in 2023 and 2024 that have effectively lowered the school’s purchasing power due to inflation. He also pointed to UND’s broad standards for who qualifies for in-state tuition and its generous contiguous rate for residents of neighboring states and provinces as a limiting factor on revenue, as well as the law school’s need to pay its share of UND’s rising operational costs. “As a small school, we lack multiple programs where we can find efficiencies and opportunities for growth,” Pappas wrote. “While we are planning to increase enrollment from 85 to 100 next year, we do not believe we could expand beyond that without needing additional resources or accepting students that may struggle to pass the bar exam.” To combat that, Pappas proposes raising tuition by up to 15% for incoming first-year law students and up to 6% for current students, beginning next year. ADVERTISEMENT He writes the university would also consider eliminating its contiguous rates for first-year out-of-state students, estimating the combined changes would reduce the projected deficit to $350,000, “something we can eliminate through targeted cuts and smart planning.” The article says scholarship endowments will “increasingly be a focus” of the law school’s efforts going forward. The Herald first reached out to Pappas for comment on Friday, and again on Monday; the dean did not respond in either instance. A university spokesperson told the Herald on Monday afternoon that the dean was preparing a statement with additional context and information, but that had not been shared with the Herald as of its deadline. Law Professor Michael McGinniss, one of two law faculty elected to represent the school in UND’s University Senate, declined to comment, saying he deferred to the dean on the matter. “I think he sees some stark realities of the financial situation that the law school could be in if there aren’t some changes to the tuition model,” said Tony Weiler, executive director of the State Bar Association of North Dakota. Weiler said he favored a proposed increase to class sizes, citing a shortage of legal services in the state and particularly in rural areas. ADVERTISEMENT He acknowledged concerns that tuition increases could drive more students away from pursuing a law degree, but said he hoped that could be offset by more scholarships. “I don’t have that fear,” Weiler said. “I would trust that the dean and those in the law school would understand if raising (tuition) was going to drop your numbers significantly, and I would think that based on what I’m reading from him, the answer would be ‘no.’” The School of Law’s sticker price is markedly lower than many other law schools in the U.S., though Pappas notes in his article that law schools offer significant discounts “to game the (U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges) rankings.” Tuition increases at the law school would have to pass several barriers, including the State Board of Higher Education and the Legislature, before such changes could be implemented. Law faculty also have a say in whether class sizes can increase.
NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. Related Articles “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to $13.7 billion in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Trump hosted Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Neither Apple nor the Trump transition team has commented on the nature of their discussions. Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.MLB Winter Meetings Notebook: Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki drive Day 1 chatter
( MENAFN - GetNews) Introducing CTBN : The Future of Versatile Polymer Solutions In the ever-evolving world of materials science, innovation is key to meeting the diverse needs of various industries. Enter CTBN (Carboxy-terminated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), a groundbreaking polymer that is set to redefine the standards of performance and versatility in rubber applications. With its unique chemical structure and properties, CTBN is engineered to deliver exceptional results across a wide range of applications, making it an indispensable material for manufacturers and product developers alike. What is CTBN? CTBN is a specialized type of nitrile rubber that features carboxylic acid functional groups at its terminal ends. This unique modification enhances the rubber's compatibility with various materials, including polar substrates, and significantly improves its adhesion properties. The incorporation of carboxylic groups not only increases the rubber's reactivity but also allows for better cross-linking with other polymers, resulting in a more robust and durable end product. Key Properties of CTBN 1. Enhances the toughness and flexibility of thermoset resins 2. Improves adhesion to substrates that are difficult to bond to 3. Increases impact and crack resistance 4. Improves durability (fatigue resistance) 5. Increases low-temperature mechanical properties Applications of CTBN The versatility of CTBN makes it suitable for a wide array of applications across various industries: 1. Adhesives, bonding, sealing, spraying, potting: Its superior adhesion properties make CTBN an ideal component in high-performance adhesives and sealants, ensuring strong bonds that withstand the test of time. 2. Automotive Components: From gaskets to O-rings, CTBN is widely used in the automotive industry for its resilience and chemical resistance, contributing to the reliability and safety of vehicles. 3. Coatings: CTBN can be utilized in protective coatings that require excellent adhesion and durability, making it a preferred choice for industrial applications. 4. Aerospace: The thermal stability and chemical resistance of CTBN make it suitable for aerospace applications, where performance and safety are paramount. 5. CTBN is toughness for epoxy resin, and an excellent flexibility modifier for thermosetting resins like epoxy, phenolic, unsaturated polyester and photosensitive resins. Conclusion CTBN (Carboxy-terminated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) is more than just a polymer; it is a versatile solution that meets the demands of modern industries. With its unique properties and wide range of applications, CTBN is poised to become a game-changer in the world of materials science. 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If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?Arsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.