lodibet789 TOKYO, Dec 30 — Japan’s national high school football tournament is thriving after more than 100 years, attracting huge crowds, millions watching on TV and breeding future stars, despite professional clubs trying to lure away young talent. The annual tournament kicked off yesterday and is still regarded as the pinnacle of amateur football with young players dreaming of playing in the final in front of tens of thousands at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Matches are a massive occasion for the whole school as student cheering squads wave flags, bang drums and roar on their teams in a spectacle of noise and colour. “All the teams are at a similar level of technical ability so it’s about who wants to win the most,” 18-year-old Junpei Fukuda, the leader of Ryutsukeizai University Kashiwa High School’s cheering squad, told AFP. “We want our voices to be the loudest.” Unlike in Europe, where young players are snapped up by professional club academies, high school football in Japan still attracts elite talent. Many go on to the professional game and play for their country with current Japan stars such as Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate of Celtic and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada all having played high school football. The landscape has begun to change in recent years, with more top young players turning their backs on the high school game and joining the youth teams of top-flight J. League clubs instead. The school tournament’s quality has taken a hit as a result, but its magic endures for many. Ryutsukeizai Kashiwa midfielder Kanaru Matsumoto, who will turn professional with the J. League’s Shonan Bellmare next year, said the tournament was “the stage I’ve aspired to play on ever since I was little”. “The main reason I came to this school was because I thought I could play at the national high school tournament here,” the 17-year-old said. Millions tune in The national high school tournament was first played in 1917, long before professional football came to Japan with the J. League in 1993. Teams from each of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with two from Tokyo, compete in a knockout competition over 18 days with matches played in and around the capital. All games are televised locally and the semi-finals and final are broadcast to a national audience, with millions tuning in. Last season’s final in Tokyo was played in front of 55,000 fans, comfortably eclipsing most J. League attendances. High school baseball and rugby tournaments are also popular and football journalist Masashi Tsuchiya said it was because school sports strike a chord in Japan. “I’m from Gunma Prefecture and I always support the Gunma team, even if it isn’t my old high school’s team,” he said. “It’s a tournament that places importance on local pride and old school ties.” Not all players who appear at the tournament have ambitions to play at the top level. Some play on at university only, while others give up the sport after graduating from high school. Ryutsukeizai Kashiwa manager Masahiro Enomoto said the tournament marks a transition after three years together as a team. “It’s where kids, who have worked really hard for something, become adults,” he said. Floods of tears TV broadcasts of games go beyond events on the pitch, delving into the players’ back stories, playing up emotional bonds and featuring scenes of beaten teams in floods of tears. “Japanese people love that kind of drama more than they think about the quality of the football,” said Enomoto, even though the standard remains undoubtedly high. School sides still hold their own against J. League youth teams, who are increasingly regarded as a better route to the professional game. The nationwide Prince Takamado Under-18 Premier League features a roughly even split of high school and J. League youth teams, and Ohzu High School were crowned this year’s champions. Tsuchiya said high school football should not be thought of only as a stepping stone to the top. “Yes, you can watch it for the quality of football and the quality of the players,” he said. “But you can also just enjoy watching the kids give everything they’ve got to try to win each game.” — AFPSemona scores 15 as Stonehill takes down Lafayette 70-65None

Olivia Miles notched a triple-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists) and Sonia Citron added 25 points and 11 rebounds as No. 3 Notre Dame dominated Virginia 95-54 in an Athletic Coast Conference matchup Sunday in South Bend, Ind. Hannah Hidalgo scored 28 points and Liatu King chipped in eight points and 12 rebounds as the Fighting Irish (11-2, 2-0) jumped out to a 37-9 lead behind a 28-0 run, easily winning the battle of the boards (54-31), points in the paint (44-26) and fastbreak points (39-10). Winning its sixth straight game, Notre Dame shot 51.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 from 3-point range while dishing out 32 assists on 38 made baskets. For the Cavaliers (8-6, 0-2), Kymora Johnson led the way with 12 points on a day the visitors shot just 29.7 percent from the floor, including 23.8 percent on 3-point attempts. No. 2 South Carolina 93, Wofford 47 Joyce Edwards scored 16 points off the bench to lead five players in double figures as the Gamecocks trounced the Terriers in Columbia, S.C. Tessa Johnson added 14 points, Raven Johnson had 13, Te-Hina Paopao tallied 12 and MiLaysia Fulwiley netted 11 for South Carolina (12-1), which rattled off 17 straight points in the second quarter to open up a 36-14 lead. The Gamecocks never trailed and scored the game's final 22 points to win their seventh straight. Wofford (6-5) got 20 points from Rachael Rose but shot just 21.1 percent as a team and suffered its third straight loss. Evangelia Paulk managed five points on 1-of-18 shooting, though she did grab a game-high 11 rebounds. No. 6 LSU 83, Albany 61 Aneesah Morrow tallied 10 points during the Tigers' game-ending 25-2 run that helped them pull away from the pesky Great Danes in Baton Rouge, La. LSU trailed 59-58 before Morrow's three-point play with 7:41 left sparked the decisive surge. She finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds, including 10 of each in the fourth quarter alone. Mikaylah Williams scored 18 points, while Flau'Jae Johnson bundled 15 points with nine rebounds as the Tigers (15-0) wrapped up an unbeaten nonconference slate. Kaci Donovan notched 17 points to lead Albany's upset bid before fouling out with 4:15 left in the game. Kayla Cooper and Lilly Phillips each had 14 points for the Great Danes (10-3), who led by as many as 12 in the second quarter but missed their final 11 shots in the fourth. No. 7 UConn 67, Providence 41 Paige Bueckers scored 14 of her game-high 23 points during a dominant first quarter that propelled the Huskies to a blowout win over the visiting Friars in Hartford, Conn. Bueckers shot 5-of-5 from the floor in the first period and contributed eight points to a 15-0 run that helped UConn build a 28-6 lead after one. The All-American finished 8-of-12 overall, while Sarah Strong chipped in 14 points as the Huskies (11-2, 2-0 Big East) rebounded from a two-point home loss to then-No. 7 Southern California on Dec. 21. Grace Efosa had 11 points and seven rebounds and Olivia Olsen paired eight points with 11 boards for Providence (7-8, 0-2), which surrendered 40 points off 31 turnovers. No. 8 Maryland 72, No. 19 Michigan State 66 The Terrapins narrowly avoided their first loss of the season, thanks in part to Kaylene Smikle's team-high 19 points in a hard-fought Big Ten Conference victory over the Spartans in College Park, Md. Maryland (12-0, 2-0 Big Ten) led by nine entering the fourth period, but Michigan State (11-2, 1-1) staged a 9-0 run to tie the game at 57. Saylor Poffenbarger (14 points, 10 rebounds) halted the run with a 3-pointer as the Terrapins -- who shot 42.9 percent from the field -- took the lead for good with 5:06 left. Theryn Hallock (20 points) and Julia Ayrault (17 points, 12 rebounds) kept the Spartans in it, but the visitors shot just 32.4 percent from the field, including 25 percent from 3-point range. No. 10 Ohio State 77, Rutgers 63 Cotie McMahon and Ajae Petty each posted a double-double to help the Buckeyes earn a conference road win over the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway, N.J. McMahon recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Petty added 16 points with 10 boards before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Chance Gray chipped in 15 points for Ohio State (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten), which racked up 22 takeaways and held a 29-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Rutgers (8-5, 0-2) fell despite getting 31 points and 17 rebounds from Destiny Adams, who also had five steals and two blocks. The Scarlet Knights trailed 46-25 at halftime and never got closer than nine the rest of the way. Rutgers visits No. 8 Maryland next before hosting No. 4 USC. No. 13 Georgia Tech 100, Pitt 61 Freshman Dani Carnegie poured in a season-high 24 points to help the Yellow Jackets pummel the Panthers in Atlanta. Kara Dunn racked up 28 points for Georgia Tech (14-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), which shot 50.7 percent and hit triple digits for the first time this season. Chazadi Wright had 16 points and Tonie Morgan contributed 15 with eight assists. Khadija Faye led Pitt (8-7, 0-2) with 22 points, while Brooklynn Miles scored 11 and Aislin Malcolm chipped in 10 off the bench. The Panthers finished 39.3 percent from the floor and committed 21 turnovers. No. 20 Alabama 93, Jacksonville 46 Aaliyah Nye poured in 30 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor, including a scorching 8-for-10 from 3-point range, as the Crimson Tide throttled the Dolphins in Tuscaloosa, Ala. In its final tune-up before opening Southeastern Conference play on Thursday against visiting Florida, Alabama (13-1) only led by two after the first quarter but outscored Jacksonville 32-11 in the second quarter. Three other Crismon Tide players -- Eris Lester (14 points, eight rebounds), Zaay Green (13 points) and Sarah Ashlee Barker (12 points) -- scored in double figures as the team shot 54.2 percent from the field and a red-hot 53.8 percent from beyond the arc. For the Jaguars (6-6), Saniyah Craig scored a team-high 11 points as the visitors struggled from the field, shooting just 29.5 percent. --Field Level MediaCLINTON, S.C. (AP) — Quante Jennings rushed for 190 yards and a tiebreaking touchdown as Presbyterian beat Butler 30-20 in a regular-season finale on Saturday. Collin Hurst threw for 172 yards and two scores and ran for another for the Blue Hose (6-6, 4-4 Pioneer League). Reagan Andrew threw for three touchdowns and was intercepted once for the Bulldogs (9-3, 5-3). Jennings' 50-yard rush led to Hurst's 17-yard touchdown pass to Worth Warner to tie the game at 20 midway through the third quarter. Presbyterian's next possession began on the Butler 30 after a short punt from deep in Bulldogs territory, and five plays later Jennings scored from 10 yards out. Peter Lipscombe made it a 10-point lead with a field goal with 2:15 to go after a 15-play, 89-yard drive that took over 10 minutes. About a minute later, Andrew threw a 42-yard score to Ethan Loss but the Blue Hose recovered the onside kick. The Blue Hose defeated a ranked FCS team — Butler (9-3, 5-3) is No. 23 in the coaches poll — for the first time in its Division I history that began in 2007. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

The federal government has abandoned its controversial misinformation bill due to opposition in the Senate. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced in a statement on Sunday the legislation would not proceed because there was "no pathway" in the upper house. The scrapped legislation would have given the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) power to monitor digital platforms and require them to keep records about misinformation and disinformation on their networks. The media watchdog would have also be able to approve an enforceable industry code of conduct or introduce standards for social media companies if self-regulation was deemed to fail. If tech giants did not meet their obligations, they could have faced a range of penalties including fines of up to 5 per cent of their global revenue. The bill did not cover misinformation if it's used for parody or satire or within news, academic, artistic, scientific or religious content. Critics from across the political spectrum had concerns the bill would infringe on freedom of speech . Dr Jay Daniel Thompson, a senior lecturer from Melbourne's RMIT University, previously told SBS News that while the bill is "well-intentioned", he believed it had the "potential for censorship". Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, whose party was among those opposed to the bill, told the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday that some sections of the proposed legislation were "very vague". She said legislation needed to tackle algorithms that promote dangerous and harmful content. "The practical implementation was just not there," Hanson-Young said. In her statement on Sunday, Rowland put forward several other proposals for regulating online content. These included legislation targeting the sharing of non-consensual and sexually explicit deep fakes ; measures to enforce truth in political advertising; and reforms on regulation of artificial intelligence . "Mis and disinformation is an evolving threat and no single action is a perfect solution, but we must continue to imporve safeguard to ensure digital platforms offer better protections for Australians," Rowland said. Meanwhile, a ban on under-16s accessing social media is set to sail through parliament with support of the Opposition during the final sitting week of the year next week. How the age limit will be enforced is up to the social media platforms, but they have raised concerns about the efficacy of technology that does not unduly encroach on privacy. Tech giants and human rights groups have also come out against a blanket social media ban saying the focus should be on creating a safe online experience, not stripping access to some of the positive benefits. The federal government has said it would make the online environment safer for young people. It could come into effect as early as the end of 2025 due to a minimum 12-month lead time once it passes parliament. With reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

Unidentified drones spotted over three US airbases in Britain, USAF confirms

Clara Strack and Georgia Amoore each scored 21 points on Saturday to help No. 16 Kentucky beat visiting Western Kentucky 88-70 in Lexington. Teonni Key netted 15 points, Amelia Hassett paired nine points with 12 rebounds and Saniah Tyler scored 11 off the bench for the Wildcats (11-1), who won their fourth straight game. The Lady Toppers (9-3) got 18 points from Alexis Mead, 14 from Acacia Hayes, 11 from Destiny Salary and 10 from Josie Gilvin. Western Kentucky has lost three of five following a 7-0 start. Kentucky used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead that it held for the rest of the game. Strack bookended the surge with a layup and a 3-pointer that pushed the hosts ahead 36-22 with 1:01 remaining in the first half. The Wildcats' lead peaked at 23 points after Amoore scored five straight late in the fourth quarter to make it 88-65. Saturday marked the final nonconference game for both teams this season. Kentucky hosts Mississippi State to begin Southeastern Conference play on Thursday, while Western Kentucky starts its Conference USA slate by hosting Liberty the same night. --Field Level Media

Clara Strack and Georgia Amoore each scored 21 points on Saturday to help No. 16 Kentucky beat visiting Western Kentucky 88-70 in Lexington. Teonni Key netted 15 points, Amelia Hassett paired nine points with 12 rebounds and Saniah Tyler scored 11 off the bench for the Wildcats (11-1), who won their fourth straight game. The Lady Toppers (9-3) got 18 points from Alexis Mead, 14 from Acacia Hayes, 11 from Destiny Salary and 10 from Josie Gilvin. Western Kentucky has lost three of five following a 7-0 start. Kentucky used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead that it held for the rest of the game. Strack bookended the surge with a layup and a 3-pointer that pushed the hosts ahead 36-22 with 1:01 remaining in the first half. The Wildcats' lead peaked at 23 points after Amoore scored five straight late in the fourth quarter to make it 88-65. Saturday marked the final nonconference game for both teams this season. Kentucky hosts Mississippi State to begin Southeastern Conference play on Thursday, while Western Kentucky starts its Conference USA slate by hosting Liberty the same night. --Field Level MediaChristopher Nolan's next film will be a star-studded adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey'

AT&T and Verizon Communications acknowledged that they’d been hit by the China-linked Salt Typhoon hacking operation but that their networks were now clear from the intrusion. The hackers attempted to gain information about foreign intelligence, Dallas-based AT&T said on Saturday (Dec 28). New York City-based Verizon said in a separate statement that “a small number of high-profile customers in government and politics” had been targeted. “We have not detected threat actor activity in Verizon’s network for some time, and after considerable work addressing this incident, we can report that Verizon has contained the activities associated with this particular incident,” Verizon Chief Legal Officer Vandana Venkatesh said. An independent cybersecurity firm confirmed the containment of the threat, Verizon said. Both carriers said they are cooperating with authorities and notifying parties whose information may have been compromised. “We detect no activity by nation-state actors in our networks at this time,” AT&T said. “Based on our current investigation of this attack, the People’s Republic of China targeted a small number of individuals of foreign intelligence interest. In the relatively few instances in which an individual’s information was impacted, we have complied with our notification obligations in cooperation with law enforcement.” The Wall Street Journal reported in October that telecom carriers including AT&T and Verizon were hit by the Salt Typhoon network intrusions, and the hackers potentially accessed systems the federal government uses for court-authorised network wiretapping requests. Since then, information about what’s going on inside the carriers has not been shared widely. T-Mobile USA disclosed that it caught suspicious behaviour on network-level routers that appeared consistent with Salt Typhoon, but it booted the attackers before they accessed any customer data. The White House confirmed on Friday that nine telecom companies were breached in the intrusion, nicknamed Salt Typhoon by Microsoft threat researchers, but US officials did not name the affected companies. US officials have said they still do not know exactly how many Americans were targeted and that it’s impossible to predict how long it will take to eradicate the threat across the country. China has repeatedly denied involvement. The Biden administration recently called telecom industry leaders to a closed-door session in which industry and government representatives discussed how to address the vast vulnerabilities. The attendees included AT&T chief executive officer John Stankey. BLOOMBERG

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Standard Silicone Cable Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030 11-23-2024 11:09 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Standard Silicone Cable Market The standard silicone cable market represents a dynamic and continually evolving landscape, shaped by changing consumer demands and technological advancements. In this comprehensive report, we provide an in-depth exploration of the market, designed for a wide range of stakeholders including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Our goal is to equip industry participants with essential insights that enable informed decision-making in an ever-changing market environment. This analysis not only examines the current state of the standard silicone cable market but also forecasts its future trends. Scope and Purpose This report serves as an extensive resource, thoughtfully curated to deliver actionable intelligence to industry stakeholders. It covers critical elements such as market dynamics, competitive environments, growth opportunities, challenges, and regional differences. The insights provided go beyond mere descriptions, offering a valuable tool for stakeholders to refine their strategies and make informed choices in a competitive market. Request for Sample Report: https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Standard-Silicone-Cable-Market/request-for-sample-report Comprehensive Market Analysis We are committed to providing a thorough analysis that explores every aspect of market growth, including shifts in consumer preferences and technological innovations driving demand for standard silicone cable products. We also address the challenges faced by the industry, such as economic uncertainties and intense competition, offering insights to help stakeholders navigate these complexities. Key Players in the Standard Silicone Cable Market: Prysmian Group Nexans LEONI Furukawa LS Cable & Systems Fujikura SAB Cable HEW-KABEL LAPP Group Jiangsu Shangshang Cable Group RR Kabel Far East Cable Eland Cables Strategic Guidance for the Future This report invites stakeholders to delve into a detailed examination of the competitive landscape. By profiling key players in the standard silicone cable market and analyzing their strategies, we offer crucial insights to help industry participants make informed strategic decisions. Whether it's about outpacing competitors or learning from successful approaches, our analysis is designed to guide stakeholders toward success. Anticipated Insights Understanding the diverse segments within the standard silicone cable market is critical to success. Our report breaks down segment sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends, offering actionable insights that allow stakeholders to develop targeted strategies and optimize resource allocation. The knowledge provided empowers stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the standard silicone cable market with clarity and confidence. Balancing Market Forces and Strategic Impact This report delivers a comprehensive analysis of the factors shaping the standard silicone cable market. By evaluating both the drivers of market growth and the obstacles that could impede it, stakeholders gain a holistic understanding of the market's dynamics. For manufacturers, this analysis helps align innovation efforts with consumer demands and regulatory trends, while investors and decision-makers gain a deeper understanding of economic risks and supply chain vulnerabilities, allowing them to make more informed strategic choices. Our goal is to provide stakeholders with the knowledge needed to confidently and successfully navigate the standard silicone cable market. Competitive Landscape Our in-depth examination of the standard silicone cable market's competitive landscape highlights key players, scrutinizing their strategies and impacts on the industry. By analyzing the approaches of major companies, stakeholders gain a valuable understanding of market dynamics and can leverage these insights to identify growth opportunities, innovate, and make informed strategic decisions. Market Segmentation The report begins with a detailed analysis of the unique characteristics defining each segment within the standard silicone cable market. Segmentation can occur across various dimensions, including product types, customer demographics, or specific use cases. Understanding these differences allows stakeholders to tailor their strategies, products, and marketing efforts to meet the specific needs of each segment, enhancing competitive positioning and maximizing opportunities for success. Market Segments: Product Type: Silicone Multicore Cables Silicone Single Core Cables Application: Industrial Aerospace and Defense Automotive Others Market Size and Segment Growth Potential A crucial part of the report focuses on understanding the size and significance of each market segment. We provide quantitative data that illustrates the market share and contribution of each segment, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, strategic prioritization, and investment. This section offers insights into the growth potential of each segment, including factors driving future expansion, evolving consumer preferences, and technological adoption. Conclusion This report serves as a strategic guide for stakeholders in the standard silicone cable market, offering comprehensive insights into market segmentation, competitive dynamics, and growth potential. By understanding the market's complexities and emerging opportunities, industry participants can make well-informed decisions that drive success and innovation in this rapidly evolving market. Other Reports Cerium Bromide Powder Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Cerium-Bromide-Powder-Market Analog Mixer Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Analog-Mixer-Market Severe Urinary Incontinence Protection Products Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Severe-Urinary-Incontinence-Protection-Products-Market Marine Riser Tensioner Market https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/market-report/Marine-Riser-Tensioner-Market "Contact Us Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Private Limited Contact No: +91 7580990088 Email Id: sales@dhirtekbusinessresearch.com" "About Us Dhirtek Business Research & Consulting Pvt Ltd is a global market research and consulting services provider headquartered in India. We offer our customers syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our objective is to enable our clientele to achieve transformational progress and help them to make better strategic business decisions and enhance their global presence. We serve numerous companies worldwide, mobilizing our seasoned workforce to help companies shape their development through proper channeling and execution. We offer our services to large enterprises, start-ups, non-profit organizations, universities, and government agencies. The renowned institutions of various countries and Fortune 500 businesses use our market research services to understand the business environment at the global, regional, and country levels. Our market research reports offer thousands of statistical information and analysis of various industries at a granular level." This release was published on openPR.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:34 p.m. ESTNotable quotes by Jimmy CarterNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital. Steve Collins, 74, was born and raised in western Kenya. By the age of 5, he was fascinated by butterflies and started building a collection that has grown to more than 4.2 million, representing hundreds of species. “My parents encouraged us to look for butterflies after visiting the Congo and were gifted a trapping net by some friends,” Collins said. “By the time I was 15 years old, I was already visiting other countries like Nigeria to study more about butterflies.” During his 20-year career as an agronomist, Collins dedicated his free time to research. He established the African Butterfly Research Institute in 1997. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. On his 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, hundreds of indigenous trees and flowering bushes form a well-knit forest. Hundreds of butterflies dance from one flower to another, at times landing on Collins’ hand. His collection is private, although it was initially open to the public when he ran it as an education center between 1998 and 2003. Collins has 1.2 million butterflies from across Africa delicately pinned in frames and stored in rows of shelves, with another 3 million in envelopes. “They need to be kept in dark spaces,” he said. “The form of storage also ensures the dried butterflies are not eaten by other insects, parasites and predators. We also ensure we apply insecticides once a year to keep them safe.” Julian Bayliss, an ecologist specializing in Africa and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said he has collected butterflies for Collins over two decades. “There is a large part of that collection that is completely irreplaceable because a large part of Africa’s habitat is being destroyed,” Bayliss said. Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with periods of prolonged drought and serious flooding destroying forests and other butterfly habitats. Bayliss suggested digitizing the collection to make it accessible worldwide. Whoever takes it over “needs to be an institution that is well-founded, well-funded and secure,” he said. Scott Miller, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, met Collins almost 30 years ago. He said such collections provide critical information that could show environmental changes over 60 years. “These physical specimens, you can actually keep going back to them to get new layers of information as you learn more or you get a different technology or you get different questions,” he said. Collins is concerned that soon he will no longer be able to sustain his research. He said his most prized butterfly costs $8,000 — which he keeps from sight, concerned about possible theft — and hopes to sell the collection to an individual or research institution. The costs of running his institute are high. An annual budget posted in 2009 on the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa website was $200,000. Collins estimates that the specimens and other assets are worth $8 million. “This has been my hobby for decades, and I can’t put a price on what I have done so far. I’m currently seeking to ensure the species are in safe hands when I’m out of this world,” he said. ___ Associated Press journalist Khaled Kazziha in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report.Home | Malema warns against factionalism, disunity ahead of EFF conference EFF President Julius Malema says factionalism, disunity and disloyalty will not be tolerated ahead of the party’s third National People’s Assembly (NPA) to be held in Johannesburg next month. Malema was speaking during the EFF Limpopo’s provincial assembly in Westernburg near Polokwane. Party delegates from various regions across the country will elect new leadership during the national conference. Formed in 2013, the EFF is facing what many call the most turbulent period since its inception. The last couple of months have seen party heavyweights such as Floyd Shivambu and Dali Mpofu leave the party for the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party. Recently, prominent party member and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has also been said to be facing an uncertain future in the party. He has allegedly been barred from contesting leadership positions in the upcoming conference. Malema says members must refrain from engaging in behaviour that sow divisions in the party. “If you keep quiet when your name is used to divide and undermine the integrity of the organisation, your name shall be disqualified from contesting for any position in the organisation. While people do wrong things in your name you must be able to stand up and say not in my name,” says Malema. Malema also urged candidates to remain loyal to the party even if they are not elected during the NPA. “Loyalty to the organisation means that members will remain active members even when they are removed from their positions of responsibility; loyalty means members of the organisation will not join in the opposition and opponent forces who unfairly criticises the organisation and its leadership,” he says. Malema has further discouraged the use of social media platforms to lobby for votes and discredit fellow red berets. Further in his address, Malema indicated that the party may disband its Student Command to form a youth wing. Meanwhile, Limpopo EFF leader Lawrence Mapoulo says the provincial structure has several proposals that they will present to the executive leadership for consideration. According to Mapoulo, they want the EFF national leadership to address some serious issues that are affecting the party. “Our main focus currently, especially on the amendments of the constitution, and also the question of redesign of our structures. We have several proposals that we will be presenting to the delegates for their observations and rectification so that when we go to the NPA as a province, we can be able to make proper submissions which will be able to build the organisation,” he says. The EFF will hold its elective conference from the 13th to the 15th of December at Nasrec, in Johannesburg. SABC © 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens were also traveling to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 , making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as “The Game.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. “I don’t think none of that matters in this game,” Moore said Monday. “It doesn’t matter the records. It doesn’t matter anything. The spread, that doesn’t matter.” How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. “We’re going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. “We know they’re going to come in here swinging, too, and they’ve still got a good team even though the record doesn’t indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. “You come to Michigan to beat Ohio,” said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. “It doesn’t necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan.” AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) DUBAI, UAE – In a groundbreaking development for road safety and infrastructure maintenance, Dareesoft, a pioneering South Korean Technology company, has introduced its state-of-the-art AI camera system, ARA, to the United Arab Emirates. This innovative solution promises to revolutionize how cities monitor and maintain their road networks, including critical infrastructure such as airport runways and taxiways. ARA, an advanced AI-powered camera system, is designed to scan roads in real-time, detecting and providing immediate feedback on hazards such as potholes, cracks, and debris. This summer, in collaboration with local accelerator partner AGCC and in partnership with a well-known regional unicorn, Dareesoft conducted a proof of concept (POC) in Dubai, yielding remarkable results that underscore the system's efficiency and potential impact on urban infrastructure management. During a six-week trial period, a single ARA camera identified in real-time over 1,700 road hazards across a limited area of Dubai's roads. The system's ease of deployment is equally impressive, with installation taking a mere 15 minutes. These results highlight the potential for rapid, widespread implementation of the technology across the UAE. The importance of road condition monitoring cannot be overstated when it comes to safety. According to global statistics, poor road conditions contribute significantly to traffic accidents, with some estimates suggesting that road-related factors are involved in up to 30% of all crashes. By providing real-time data on road conditions, ARA enables authorities to address potential hazards swiftly, potentially saving lives and reducing accident-related costs. Comparative analysis between Dubai's roads and those in Hanam City, South Korea, revealed significant insights. Dubai showed a higher frequency of potholes and cracks, with 31.7 percent of road defects being potholes compared to 10.2 percent in the Korean city. Additionally, Dubai had a lower percentage of fixed roads at 2.4 percent versus 16.3 percent in Korea. These statistics underscore the urgent need for advanced road monitoring and maintenance systems in Dubai to improve overall road safety and quality. The introduction of ARA aligns perfectly with the UAE's vision of becoming a global leader in smart city technologies and infrastructure innovation. As the country continues to invest in cutting-edge solutions to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and visitors, technologies like ARA play a crucial role in maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency in urban environments. For a forward-thinking nation like the UAE, which consistently strives to be at the forefront of innovation, Dareesoft's cameras represent more than just a maintenance tool. It embodies the country's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to ensure the well-being of its residents and guests. By adopting such sophisticated systems, the UAE further cements its position as a global hub for smart, safe, and sustainable urban development. As Dareesoft expands its presence in the UAE and the wider GCC region, the company looks forward to partnering with local authorities and organizations to implement the cameras across various cities. This collaboration promises to set new benchmarks in road safety and infrastructure management, contributing to the region's reputation as a pioneer in urban innovation and technological advancement. With its proven effectiveness, rapid deployment capabilities, and potential for widespread impact, Dareesoft's ARA system stands poised to transform the landscape of road safety and maintenance, ushering in a new era of smart, proactive infrastructure management. The post AI-powered road safety revolution: Dareesoft's camera transforms UAE infrastructure maintenance appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN29122024000232011072ID1109040092 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. 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Letter to the Editor | Harmony evident during electionDarius Tahir | (TNS) KFF Health News President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. Medicare alone accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he cut an ad urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, according to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of costing taxpayers more than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth alleging the company used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, said he was “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” he said on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its subscription service is available to Medicare enrollees. It also owns a primary care service , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for $50.5 billion in spending between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. 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In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. 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