fish gambling app Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, is classified as a terrorist organization in the UK due to its historical ties to Al Qaeda. While British citizens have been advised to leave Syria amid the country’s unstable situation, this hasn’t deterred UK-based travel agency Lupine Travel, known for organizing trips to conflict zones, from planning a tour to Syria this April. Dylan Harris, the company’s founder, told Ynet that Lupine Travel has been arranging tours to Syria since 2017, though not regularly. “We started with only Damascus and then eventually expanded to Palmyra, Aleppo and Latakia once things started to stabilize more over there,” Harris said. “This year had seen us cut back our tours though as the situation declined. We were only able to run two trips this year and had to cancel the others. Our last tour was in September.” 5 View gallery A torn portrait of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in Mezza Prison ( Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images ) Harris noted that the agency typically begins its overland tours to Syria from Lebanon, but due to the war between Hezbollah and Israel, it had to alter its route, flying instead via Damascus Airport. Last Wednesday, Syrian officials reported that Damascus Airport resumed operations for the first time since the fall of Assad's regime. The airport, however, has frequently been targeted in strikes, including during the war, according to Arab reports. After the tour in September, we put the trips on hold and we weren't planning to go back there for a while. But now we are feeling confident that the situation will remain stable and we'll be able to resume them in April,” Harris declared, emphasizing that while the agency specializes in conflict zone travel, it strives to maintain safe routes and avoid problematic areas. 5 View gallery Rebel forces in Damascus ( Photo: Rami al SAYED / AFP ) “There are still many parts of Syria that we have not traveled to and we do not plan to visit in the foreseeable future until we can be certain the situation has improved there. But many parts of the country, in particular the old town of Damascus have been safe to visit for years, even during the peak years of the civil war.” When asked why the agency organizes trips during such turbulent times and to highly sensitive regions, Harris explained that there are several reasons. Chief among them is that it helps clients gain a deeper understanding of current events, both politically and personally. 5 View gallery Damascus: Syrians celebrate after the ouster of President Bashar Assad ( Photo: AP Photo/Hussein Malla ) “We ensure that they hear stories from both sides to help gain more knowledge and make their own minds up about the situation. Also, in particular in Syria - it's a country that only 15 years ago was quite a mainstream tourist destination. Many people there relied solely on tourism for income. There are many guides and hotels that have struggled now for years. We see firsthand how important it is to help bring a steady stream of income back into the country for the people who need it, even if it is only on a small scale.” Harris emphasized that the company works directly with locally owned hotels and guides to ensure that the money goes directly to the people who need it. For Israelis, however, entering Syria is strictly prohibited. The National Security Council classifies Syria as a high-threat country, stating on its website: “Israelis are prohibited from traveling to Syria.” 5 View gallery List of destinations on the company’s website ( Screenshot: lupinetravel.co.uk ) Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv Syria isn’t the agency’s only contentious destination. Lupine Travel also organizes tours to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Mali and Yemen. “We did used to run regular tours to Lebanon but they have been on hold since April this year,” Harris said. “Our tours to Ukraine and Sudan are also on hold as well. We will only run tours to these places again once we are confident we can keep our groups secure.” Afghanistan has been one of the agency’s most popular destinations this year. “Since the Taliban took back power, numbers have really increased,” Harris said. “We did use to run tours there pre-Taliban but now there are more places that have opened up and are secure to visit, where has previously the vast majority of the country was off limits and unsafe due to the conflict with the old government and the Taliban.” 5 View gallery Kabul, Afghanistan ( Photo: Shutterstock ) According to Harris, travelers joining these tours are typically aware of the situations in these countries and the frequent need to cancel or adjust itineraries for security reasons. The agency also provides clients with safety information before the trip and conducts security briefings. It is very rare for us to encounter issues with the local authorities. Usually, these problems will occur during our research trips to these places when I travel there myself to set up the trips. Once we visit there with groups, we have all the necessary permissions in place prior to travel.” To all those concerned, Harris clarified: “We take security very seriously and will not travel if we feel it isn't safe to do so. As mentioned previously, we have already put our Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon tours on hold. We are confident that we will be able to resume Syria, but if the situation declines there over the coming weeks, then we will not resume the trips in April.” >MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 205 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown and San Diego beat Morehead State 37-14 in a season-ending contest for both teams on Saturday. Grant Sergent threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego (8-3, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) which ended the season with a four-game win streak and winners of six of seven. The Toreros finished in sole possession of second place in the PFL behind Drake (7-1), which clinched the league outright with a 49-10 win over Stetson on Saturday. Drake beat San Diego 30-28 on a walk-off field goal on Sept. 28 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Patterson threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and James Louis ran for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-5, 5-3). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

December 23, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Anne Trafton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Within the human digestive tract are trillions of bacteria from thousands of different species. These bacteria form communities that help digest food, fend off harmful microbes, and play many other roles in maintaining human health. These bacteria can be vulnerable to infection from viruses called bacteriophages. One of bacterial cells' most well-known defenses against these viruses is the CRISPR system, which evolved in bacteria to help them recognize and chop up viral DNA. A study from MIT biological engineers has yielded new insight into how bacteria in the gut microbiome adapt their CRISPR defenses as they encounter new threats. The researchers found that while bacteria grown in the lab can incorporate new viral recognition sequences as quickly as once a day, bacteria living in human gut add new sequences at a much slower rate—on average, one every three years. The findings suggest that the environment within the digestive tract offers many fewer opportunities for bacteria and bacteriophages to interact than in the lab, so bacteria don't need to update their CRISPR defenses very often. It also raises the question of whether bacteria have more important defense systems than CRISPR. "This finding is significant because we use microbiome-based therapies like fecal microbiota transplant to help treat some diseases, but efficacy is inconsistent because new microbes do not always survive in patients. Learning about microbial defenses against viruses helps us to understand what makes a strong, healthy microbial community," says An-Ni Zhang, a former MIT postdoc who is now an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University. Zhang is the lead author of the study, which appears in the journal Cell Genomics . Eric Alm, director of MIT's Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, a professor of biological engineering and of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, and a member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, is the paper's senior author. Infrequent exposure In bacteria, CRISPR serves as a memory immune response. When bacteria encounter viral DNA, they can incorporate part of the sequence into their own DNA. Then, if the virus is encountered again, that sequence produces a guide RNA that directs an enzyme called Cas9 to snip the viral DNA, preventing infection. These virus-specific sequences are called spacers, and a single bacterial cell may carry more than 200 spacers. These sequences can be passed onto offspring, and they can also be shared with other bacterial cells through a process called horizontal gene transfer . Previous studies have found that spacer acquisition occurs very rapidly in the lab, but the process appears to be slower in natural environments. In the new study, the MIT team wanted to explore how often this process happens in bacteria in the human gut. "We were interested in how fast this CRISPR system changes its spacers, specifically in the gut microbiome, to better understand the bacteria-virus interactions inside our body," Zhang says. "We wanted to identify the key parameters that impact the timescale of this immunity update." To do that, the researchers looked at how CRISPR sequences changed over time in two different datasets obtained by sequencing microbes from the human digestive tract. One of these datasets contained 6,275 genomic sequences representing 52 bacterial species, and the other contained 388 longitudinal "metagenomes," that is, sequences from many microbes found in a sample, taken from four healthy people. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . "By analyzing those two datasets, we found out that spacer acquisition is really slow in human gut microbiome : On average, it would take 2.7 to 2.9 years for a bacterial species to acquire a single spacer in our gut, which is super surprising because our gut is challenged with viruses almost every day from the microbiome itself and in our food," Zhang says. The researchers then built a computational model to help them figure out why the acquisition rate was so slow. This analysis showed that spacers are acquired more rapidly when bacteria live in high-density populations. However, the human digestive tract is diluted several times a day, whenever a meal is consumed. This flushes out some bacteria and viruses and keeps the overall density low, making it less likely that the microbes will encounter a virus that can infect them. Another factor may be the spatial distribution of microbes, which the researchers believe prevents some bacteria from encountering viruses very frequently. "Sometimes one population of bacteria may never or rarely encounter a phage because the bacteria are closer to the epithelium in the mucus layer and farther away from a potential exposure to viruses," Zhang says. Bacterial interactions Among the populations of bacteria that they studied, the researchers identified one species—Bifidobacteria longum—that had gained spacers much more recently than others. The researchers found that in samples from unrelated people, living on different continents, B. longum had recently acquired up to six different spacers targeting two different Bifidobacteria bacteriophages. This acquisition was driven by horizontal gene transfer—a process that allows bacteria to gain new genetic material from their neighbors. The findings suggest that there may be evolutionary pressure on B. longum from those two viruses. "It has been highly overlooked how much horizontal gene transfer contributes to this dynamic. Within communities of bacteria, the bacteria-bacteria interactions can be a main contributor to the development of viral resistance," Zhang says. Analyzing microbes' immune defenses may offer a way for scientists to develop targeted treatments that will be most effective in a particular patient, the researchers say. For example, they could design therapeutic microbes that are able to fend off the types of bacteriophages that are most prevalent in that person's microbiome, which would increase the chances that the treatment would succeed. "One thing we can do is to study the viral composition in the patients, and then we can identify which microbiome species or strains are more capable of resisting those local viruses in a person," Zhang says. More information: An-Ni Zhang et al. CRISPR-Cas spacer acquisition is a rare event in human gut microbiome, Cell Genomics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100725 . www.cell.com/cell-genomics/ful ... 2666-979X(24)00354-9 Journal information: Cell Genomics Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology This story is republished courtesy of MIT News ( web.mit.edu/newsoffice/ ), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.

The Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

GameCenter live: Robert Morris at No. 12This year marked the original PlayStation's 30th anniversary, an era that took from a distant outsider to the top dog in the games industry. However, 2024 also marked some of PlayStation's biggest failures, showing that the platform holder may have to change its approach if it hopes to see 40. In this generation, we've watched Sony lean into premium. High-cost peripherals like , , , and have gone against the grain of the cost-of-living crisis. And, by focusing on live service games and AAA single-player, Sony has demanded big wins from its developers. This year, that strategy led to outsize successes and significant failures, and the developers bore the brunt of the losses. However, in 2024, we also saw signs of a new era for PlayStation that may bear fruit in 2025. Certainly, if there's one thing we can expect in the next 12 months, it's to see how Sony plans to end this generation of consoles. Terminal velocity In 2022, after seeing the success of and , with their millions of playing and paying customers, Sony revealed plans to launch 12 live service games by April 2026. However, the strategy has had wildly mixed results. On the one hand, you have . Released at the start of February, this co-op shooter became PlayStation's fastest-selling game of all time, shifting 12 million copies in its first three months, and closed the year by winning both Best Multiplayer Game and Best Ongoing Game at The Game Awards. It would seem to vindicate Sony's pivot toward live service games. But, then, that would be ignoring the elephant weighing down the other hand. After spending eight years and millions of dollars developing live-service hero shooter , Firewalk Studios released the game on August 23. Two weeks later, because of its miserable player numbers, , delisted it from storefronts, and refunded players. A month later, , making it one of the shortest-lived online games ever released and one of the biggest flops in the industry's history. There were already hints that Sony was getting cold feet when, in 2023, president Hiroki Totoki told investors just six games would be launched on schedule, as the others had "not been able to meet the gamers' expectations." Since then, Sony has canceled at least one of those titles: . However, it's pushing ahead with two big live service releases in 2025. Bungie's new PvPvE shooter , Haven Studio's competitive heist game . Meanwhile, , which previously received yearly expansions, is switching to a faster cadence of smaller seasonal releases. It's worth highlighting the pressure on Bungie right now. Since Sony acquired the studio for $3.6 billion in 2022, and plans to move 150 workers to other publisher teams. And if there's one thing Sony showed its studios in 2024, it's how brutal it can be in responding to failure. Firewalk and Bungie weren't the only casualties of the past 12 months. , closing its 22-year-old London Studio. And, on the same day it closed Firewalk, . Solo and smaller It's not all live service games on Sony's 2025 docket. Major single-player games are coming to the PS5, such as Kojima's open-world deliver- 'em-up and Sucker Punch's samurai sequel . And, as Sony , it plans to "continue releasing major single-player game titles every year". We're already seeing some of those games break cover, with , at The Game Awards and reports that creator Santa Monica Studio is at work on . Meanwhile, , Kadokawa. However, a growing challenge facing publishers across the industry is the sheer cost of making a AAA game. cost three times as much as the first game, with its upcoming sequel and set to cost even more. "The entry costs for making a AAA game is in triple-digit millions," former SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden told an audience at in October. "We're seeing a collapse of creativity in games today with studio consolidation and the high cost of production." We're seeing hints that Sony is trying to recreate the old AA market of smaller first-party games. In 2024, one of Sony's big successes was the comparatively pint-sized . This joy-filled platformer falls far below the scale of AAA, yet it became one of the highest-reviewed and most-talked-about games of the year. New hardware on the horizon Despite the cost, Sony has filled this generation with technology that takes the PS5 in different directions. In 2023, it released both the virtual reality headset and its streaming handheld, the . Then, earlier this year, it launched the , a mid-generation upgrade that doubled down on the commitment to high-fidelity gaming. However, while Sony is great at launching high-end hardware, it is less good at supporting it post-launch. , with only announced for release in 2025. The PS5 Pro is better supported, with , but there needs to be many more to justify the price ($699.99 / £699.99) of the console. We may also see previously enhanced games improve as Sony updates technology like , its AI-upscaling solution. While it won’t be ready for release next year, Bloomberg reports . If that console is a few years away, now's the time for Sony to start fostering smaller studios making smaller games. In the days, Sony successfully identified small studios and supported them as they learned their craft. For instance, ' creator, Tarsier, started out working on 's handheld adaptations. A new generation of handhelds that play PS5 games could be just the ecosystem Sony needs to create a market for smaller-budget games on its devices. Even after 30 years in the business, the last 12 months showed how much Sony knows and doesn't know. Sony recognized Arrowhead and Team Asobi as small teams capable of making multi-million-selling games - games that showcase the best of PlayStation. However, it also highlighted that it's just as capable of failure, greenlighting, and investing in games that can't find a market. 2025 will show if Sony has learned any lessons from this year. Whatever the case, as we've seen consistently through the past year, the developers pay for those mistakes.

Share Tweet Share Share Email Choosing the right medical billing company is more critical than ever. A reliable billing service ensures smoother financial operations, maximizes revenue, and improves overall practice efficiency. With numerous options available, we’ll explore two top contenders — DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com — to help you make an informed decision for your healthcare business. Why Medical Billing Companies Matter in 2025 As healthcare regulations and insurance policies continue to change, medical practices face increasing challenges in managing billing processes efficiently. A top-tier medical billing company can streamline the claims process, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure timely reimbursements. By outsourcing medical billing, healthcare providers can focus on delivering quality patient care, while professionals handle the complexities of coding, claims processing, and compliance. DocVaz.com: Pioneering Medical Billing Solutions DocVaz.com has established itself as a leader in medical billing services . The company is known for its user-friendly approach, combining cutting-edge technology with personalized service. Their cloud-based platform ensures real-time access to billing data, allowing practices to stay on top of their financial health at all times. One of DocVaz.com’s key strengths is its extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance. With healthcare policies constantly evolving, the company ensures that all claims are submitted accurately and in accordance with the latest regulations. This not only reduces the chances of claim denials but also speeds up the reimbursement process, contributing to a healthier cash flow for healthcare providers. DocVaz.com also emphasizes automation, reducing manual errors and ensuring that billing processes are streamlined. From submitting claims to tracking payments, their platform simplifies every step, allowing healthcare providers to optimize their workflows and increase productivity. GET FREE CONSULTATION UMBSBillingServices.com: A Trusted Name in Medical Billing UMBSBillingServices.com has earned a reputation as a reliable partner for healthcare providers looking to optimize their billing processes. What sets UMBSBillingServices.com apart is its focus on delivering tailored solutions that fit the unique needs of different practices. The company’s team of certified billing experts possesses extensive experience across various specialties, ensuring they have the knowledge to navigate complex billing scenarios with ease. Whether you’re dealing with small private practices or large healthcare systems, UMBSBillingServices.com provides a scalable solution that adapts to your practice’s size and specific needs. UMBSBillingServices.com excels in handling medical coding and claims processing. Their expertise in reducing denied claims and ensuring maximum reimbursement has made them a preferred choice for many healthcare providers. The company also offers comprehensive reporting tools, giving practices valuable insights into their financial performance, helping them make data-driven decisions to improve revenue. GET FREE CONSULTATION Choosing the Right Medical Billing Company for 2025 When selecting a medical billing company in 2025, several key factors should be considered: Compliance & Accuracy : Ensure the company stays up to date with the latest healthcare regulations and consistently maintains accuracy in billing and coding. Technology & Automation : Look for platforms that offer automation features, real-time data access, and analytics to streamline operations and reduce errors. Customer Support : Reliable support is crucial. A responsive customer service team ensures that any issues or questions are addressed promptly. Specialization : Depending on your practice type and size, choose a company that specializes in your specific needs, whether you’re a small clinic or a large healthcare system. Both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com offer distinct advantages, catering to different practice requirements. If you prioritize automation, real-time data, and compliance, DocVaz.com might be the right fit. On the other hand, if personalized service, customized solutions, and scalability are your priorities, UMBSBillingServices.com could be the better choice. In conclusion, selecting the best medical billing company in 2025 requires careful evaluation of your practice’s unique needs and goals. DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com both bring valuable strengths to the table, helping healthcare providers improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance revenue management. FAQs 1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing a medical billing company? When selecting a medical billing company in 2025, consider factors such as: Compliance & Accuracy : Ensure they stay updated on regulatory requirements. Technology & Automation : Look for platforms that offer automated solutions and real-time data access. Customer Support : Reliable support ensures issues are addressed promptly. Specialization : Choose a company that caters to your practice type and size. 2. What makes DocVaz.com a top medical billing company? DocVaz.com stands out for its user-friendly, cloud-based platform that ensures real-time access to billing data. Their focus on automation reduces manual errors and speeds up claims processing. They excel in regulatory compliance, helping healthcare providers avoid claim denials and improve cash flow. 3. What sets UMBSBillingServices.com apart from other billing companies? UMBSBillingServices.com offers tailored solutions, making them a great choice for practices of all sizes. They specialize in reducing denied claims and ensuring maximum reimbursements. Their team of certified experts provides personalized service, helping practices optimize billing processes. 4. How does automation benefit medical billing companies like DocVaz.com? Automation streamlines the billing process by reducing manual errors, improving accuracy, and speeding up claim submissions. With automation, providers can manage claims more efficiently, leading to faster reimbursements and better financial health. 5. Does UMBSBillingServices.com offer customized solutions for different types of practices? Yes, UMBSBillingServices.com provides tailored solutions that adapt to the unique needs of various practice sizes and specialties. Whether you’re a small clinic or a large healthcare system, their services are scalable and personalized. 6. How do I know which medical billing company is right for my practice? Consider your practice’s size, specialty, and specific needs. If you prioritize automation, real-time data access, and regulatory compliance, DocVaz.com might be ideal. If you’re looking for personalized service, customized solutions, and scalability, UMBSBillingServices.com could be a better fit. 7. What kind of support can I expect from DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com? Both companies provide responsive customer support. DocVaz.com ensures quick assistance with any technical or billing-related issues. UMBSBillingServices.com offers expert guidance tailored to your practice’s specific needs, ensuring smooth billing operations. 8. How do these companies handle denied claims? Both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com specialize in reducing denied claims. DocVaz focuses on automation and accuracy, while UMBSBillingServices.com offers expert knowledge in medical coding, helping minimize claim denials and improving reimbursement rates. 9. Can these companies help improve my practice’s cash flow? Yes, both DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com are designed to enhance cash flow by speeding up the claims process, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance with billing regulations. This helps healthcare providers receive reimbursements more efficiently. 10. Are there any additional features offered by these companies? DocVaz.com : Offers real-time data access, analytics, and automated claims processing. UMBSBillingServices.com : Provides in-depth reporting tools, financial insights, and customized solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of healthcare providers. Related Items: Medical Billing Company , technology Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Why the Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter Is Essential for Worldwide Travelers Rocket Lab Establishes Synspective Satellite 3 Best Open World Games on The Google Play Store Comments

Social Security announces major changes for three groups—are you on the list?Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. president, has died at 100Cryptocurrencies boast about radicalizing finance. But we rarely use them in our daily lives. Their utility remains scarce in the real world. SpacePay ($SPY) aims to change that narrative. The crypto payment APK is designed to make digital currency practical for everyday purchases, and its MVP is already completed. SpacePay Presale Builds Momentum As BTC soars ahead, investors are on the hunt for cryptocurrencies that could take advantage of the next bull season. A top crypto on their watchlists is SpacePay, and for the right reason. SpacePay has a tangible goal. It is focused on simplifying cryptocurrency payments. Businesses and everyday shoppers can start integrating crypto using the app. The crypto market is overflowing with tokens. They promise astronomical returns, but rarely deliver. Due to their lack of real-world functionality, they plunge into the dark depths of the market within days of going live. SpacePay is one of the few exceptions, and that anchors its long-term goals. The $SPY presale is on its way to the $700,000 milestone. SpacePay raised $750,000 in a private presale. Investors are eager to jump in before the bull run takes off. This success underscores a growing demand for cryptocurrencies with real-world utility. The Magic Lies in Simplicity SpacePay doesn’t require costly hardware or complicated setups. It delivers a hassle-free solution. The Android-compatible APK integrates seamlessly with existing Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. It allows retailers to accept crypto payments with minimal effort. Retailers pay a transaction fee of just 0.5%. Customers enjoy fast, secure transactions powered by NFC technology. Volatility is another chief concern of businesses. Who would want to sell a product for $1000 only to find its value crashed to $800 an hour later? SpacePay solves this challenge with instant conversion. Let’s say a business based in the US has integrated SpacePay. A customer pays with BTC via the SpacePay app by scanning a QR code. The payment is immediately converted into USD, the retailer’s local fiat currency. This way, the risk of market fluctuations is eliminated, giving businesses peace of mind. The platform supports 325 wallets and a range of cryptocurrencies. The broad compatibility and instant-settlement model could position crypto as a more attractive option than traditional payment methods. Benefits for $SPY Token Holders $SPY powers the SpacePay ecosystem. Early adopters can buy the token at discounted rates during the presale. It comes with multiple perks: Early access to new products and features. Voting rights: Have a say in the project’s future direction. Exclusive webinars: Get insights from the leadership team by joining quarterly sessions. Potential revenue sharing: Grab opportunities for passive financial rewards as the ecosystem grows. SpacePay’s tokenomics lays a level playing field for investors. 20% of the tokens are allocated to the public presale. It minimizes the risk of whale domination and helps develop a diverse investor base. A substantial share of the funds is earmarked for development, marketing, and ecosystem growth. 18% is set aside for strategic partnerships and 12% is allocated as a reserve. Building a Community SpacePay is growing. The project’s Telegram group has already attracted over 5,000 members, while its X (Twitter) following is ready to hit 60,000. This strong community presence reflects confidence in the project. SpacePay is soon launching a referral program and a staking system to promote community engagement. $SPY is set to debut on major crypto exchanges after the presale. It is expected to strengthen the token’s reach and adoption. The SpacePay presale is designed to offer a level playing field for investors of all scales. It accepts ETH, USDC, USDT, and fiat cards. https://x.com/SpacePayLtd/status/1861463642148851880 $SPY is Gearing Up to Pump in the Altcoin Season The SpacePay Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is already in beta. In the altcoin market, where competitors are mostly stuck in the ideation phase, SpacePay stands out. It could reshape how we view and use digital currencies. For both veteran crypto investors and those dipping their toes into the market, SpacePay is a top new crypto coin to watch. It offers a compelling case for why digital currencies matter. While hollow crypto projects themed around silly animal mascots and fun narratives have their charm, they are also short-lived. They don’t have long-term potential. But a project rooted in utility has the potential to thrive even after the speculative hype subsides. With SpacePay, a future where we buy lunch with Bitcoin, or any cryptocurrency for that matter, is close. Join the $SPY presale For the latest updates about the presale and project developments, join the SpacePay community on X (Twitter) and Telegram .

Maschmeyer leads Charge past Sirens for 2nd win in 6 gamesThis holiday season, Jesica Cadiam Standley, a Maui fire survivor, is grateful to have a place to call home for the holidays. This holiday season, Jesica Cadiam Standley, a Maui fire survivor, is grateful to have a place to call home for the holidays. Standley, a single mother of eight, earlier this month won the lottery for one of the units at Kaiaulu o Kuku‘ia, an affordable, 200-unit housing development in Lahaina. CVS, which operates Longs Drugs in Hawaii, contributed about $17.5 million in equity investments toward the project, in collaboration with Ikaika ‘Ohana, a local nonprofit, Urban Housing Communities and Hunt Capital Partners. (function(d,s,n){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];js=d.createElement(s);js.className=n;js.src="//player.ex.co/player/bdc806f4-0fc1-40a1-aff0-a3d5239c169c";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}(document,"script","exco-player")); The project was under construction prior to the Lahaina wildfire last August, and was able to resume as none of the buildings were seriously damaged. CVS says it is the first new permanent housing on the island since the fire. So far, families have moved into about 40 units, and 88 are expected to be moved in by the end of the month, according to CVS. The rent ranges from about $700 to $2,000 per month. After having lost her Lahaina home to the fire, Standley and her family have been moving from hotel room to hotel room, and more recently, renting a two- bedroom apartment for more than $3,000 outside of Lahaina, which resulted in challenges getting the kids to school on time. Now they have a place to call home in Lahaina, less than a mile where Standley was born and raised. “We’re so grateful and so happy,” said Standley. “It’s been a long road since the fire ... The kids are super excited, and just overjoyed.” The Christmas tree is decorated and stockings hung, and it finally feels like home. Last year, Standley said they were in a hotel room, and did not put up a Christmas tree. She still remembers Aug. 8, 2023, the day of the wildfire, as if it were yesterday. Standley lived in Kuhua Camp, where many residents perished after wildfire quickly engulfed the area. She has told the story dozens of times, and still remembers all the details. Early that morning, her grown daughter, who lived in a nearby apartment with a sibling, texted her to say she had a dream about a fire, with the wind blowing and a dog barking. Throughout the day, her daughter kept calling to say there was indeed a fire, and that she should watch out for it. As the fire closed in later that day, Standley remembers exactly where she was at 3 p.m. — sitting at the kitchen table — when she heard a neighbor across the street screaming. “As I open my lanai doors, I could feel the heat,” she said. “Then I started yelling, ‘Get in the car!’” She gathered her younger children, along with three from the neighborhood that were over playing that day, jumped in the car and drove away. She did not have time to gather any items, including her wedding ring inside the house. She remembers that there were two exits from her neighborhood, and that, “we went right.” That decision would perhaps make the difference between life and death, she said, due to the traffic that came to a standstill on the other side, blocking the way out. In her mind, Standley said, “I kept thinking to myself, we’re going to come back.” After all, the family had experienced a fire in 2018, and had been able to return to their home. She remembers as they drove, how a set of dark clouds settled over Lahaina. “It just eclipsed the sun,” she said. “It just got to this eerie, black darkness.” Standley would come to realize she would never be able to return, as her home burned down in the fire that day, taking more than 101 lives and destroying thousands of buildings, including historic Lahaina town. Standley, who lost her husband in 2021, has eight children ranging from ages 8 to 31, the eldest of whom lives in Honolulu. She is grateful all were accounted for and survived the fire. Having a permanent place to call home, alongside many fellow Lahaina survivors and close to schools and her work, has been a relief, she said, and feels like “somewhere where we belong.” “To have something that’s affordable, it’s just a weight off your shoulders,” she said. “It’s almost like you have your dignity back.” Still, she expects a long road ahead to recovery, for survivors as well as all of Lahaina. CVS, with the help of dozens of volunteers from the University of Hawaii Maui College, put together “welcome home” gift baskets for the new residents of Kaiaulu o Kuku‘ia last week with air filters, cookware, towels, children’s night lights and other household items. CVS Health also invested $17.3 million with The Kobayashi Group, The Ahe Group and CREA LLC to build 169 affordable housing units at Parkway Village in Kapolei, which is to bring over 400 affordable rentals to the community. CVS says equitable access to stable housing is one of the barriers to better health. Both affordable home projects are also expected to offer tuition-free preschools.

Shares of Nvidia fell Monday after China said it is investigating the high-flying U.S. microchip company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. In a brief news release with few details, Chinese regulators appear to be focusing on Nvidia’s $6.9 billion acquisition of network and data transmission company Mellanox in 2019. Nvidia shares about 3% Monday. They are still up 179% so far this year. Considered a bellwether for artificial intelligence demand, Nvidia has led the AI sector to become one of the stock market’s biggest companies, as tech giants spend heavily on the company’s chips and data centers needed to train and operate their AI systems. Nvidia’s shares have surged this year along with the California company’s revenue and profit due to AI demand. According to data firm FactSet, about 16% of Nvidia’s revenue comes from China, second only to its U.S.-generated revenue. A spokesperson for the company based in Santa Clara, California, said in an emailed statement that Nvidia is “happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business.” In its most recent earnings release, Nvidia posted revenue of $35.08 billion, up 94% from $18.12 billion a year ago. Nvidia earned $19.31 billion in the quarter, more than double the $9.24 billion it posted in last year’s third quarter. The earnings release did not break out revenue from China. The company’s market value rocketed to $3.5 trillion recently, passing Microsoft and briefly overtaking Apple as the world’s most valuable company. China’s antitrust investigation follows a report this summer by technology news site The Information that the U.S. Justice Department was investigating complaints from rivals that Nvidia was abusing its market dominance in the chip sector. The allegations reported include Nvidia threatening to punish those who buy products from both itself and its competitors at the same time. David Bieri, an international finance expert at Virginia Tech, said that China’s investigation is “not about what Nvidia is doing in China, per se” but rather a signal to the incoming Trump administration. China, Bieri said, is looking to set the tone of future relations. The Chinese government, he said, is telling the U.S. “don’t mess with us, because all of your darling corporations that your version of capitalism needs to prosper have entanglements” with China. Nvidia will have to revise its strategy in China or come up with provisions in their budgets for the type of uncertainty business with China will bring, Bieri said. “I don’t think this is something that they can shake off,” he said. “I also have a tremendous amount of faith in the brilliance of the management strategy of a corporation like Nvidia to not only pay attention to credit risk, market risk and operational risk, but also to political risk.” Nvidia’s invention of graphics processor chips, or GPUs, in 1999 helped spark the growth of the PC gaming market and redefined computer graphics. Last month, it replaced Intel on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, ending the pioneering semiconductor company’s 25-year run on the index. Unlike Intel, Nvidia designs but doesn’t manufacture its own chips, relying heavily on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., an Intel rival. ___ Associated Press Technology Writer Sarah Parvini in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Stock Market SymbolsHow to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Saturday, December 7O’Shea stands by decision to keep playing Collaros after QB was hurt in Grey Cup

Amid an extended break for teams that didn't advance in the NBA Cup, LeBron James "is taking some time" from Lakers practice, head coach JJ Redick said. Wednesday that James missed Wednesday's practice for "personal reasons" and that his absence was excused. Further details of why James missed practice are unclear. The Lakers, like the rest of the NBA that didn't advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, have a few days off this week. They last played Sunday, . They'll next play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James missed Sunday's game against Portland with left foot soreness. The absence was his first in 24 Lakers games this season. His status for Friday's game against Minnesota is unclear. Redick said before Sunday's Trail Blazers game that time off for James this week "could be really good for him." After the game, he encouraged all Lakers players to make the most of the extended early season break. "Heck, if somebody wants to go spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that's fine too," Redick said, . "It's a quarter way through the season." Failing to make the NBA Cup elimination round certainly has its upside. James will turn 40 on Dec. 30. He's averaged 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per game this season and remains one of the league's most dominant forces. He's also showed signs of wear, including in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2 that threatened to snap a streak of 1,242 consecutive games scoring in double figures. The Lakers (13-11) also stumbled into the NBA Cup break with seven losses in 10 games, including a 134-93 defeat to the Heat on Dec. 4. If there are opportunities for James to take a step back , it makes sense for him and the Lakers to take advantage. "In game, he's asked for a sub a couple times because he's gassed," Redick said, per McMenamin. "For us, we have to be cognizant as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes and Sunday, being banged up with the foot thing, it felt like a good opportunity for him to get some rest." Whether James is back for Friday's game and beyond remains to be seen. His status — and the Lakers' reasoning if he does miss more time — will be worth watching.

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Liverpool will chase a sixth win from six UEFA Champions League games on Tuesday when they face Girona in Catalonia. The Premier League leaders saw the Merseyside Derby with Everton called off over the weekend so have been able to rest while the Spaniards went down to Real Madrid in La Liga. Girona have lost major key pieces from last season's success and have struggled to replicate anything close to that incredible form which saw them finish third. Artem Dovbyk, Savinho, Eric Garcia, Yan Couto and Aleix Garcia have all moved on which has left Michel with a totally different side to the one he had last year and 22 points from 16 games places them eighth in the top flight. The hosts first-ever meeting with an English team will come against a Liverpool side fresh from not having played bitter rivals Everton over the weekend. Storm Darragh forced the EPL clash to be postponed so Goodison Park's final Merseyside Derby will have to wait. Still atop the Premier League by at least four points with their game in hand, Slot's Reds were held 3-3 by Newcastle United last midweek which ended a seven-game winning run. Liverpool have multiple goals from each of their last nine games across all competitions and a 100% winning run in Europe. Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more: How to watch and odds Date: Tuesday, December 10 | Time: 12:45 p.m. ET Location: Estadi Montilivi - Girona, Catalonia, Spain Watch: Paramount+ Odds: Girona +600; Draw +375; Liverpool -225 League phase so far Girona did beat Slovan Bratislava already this year but have lost to Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and Sturm Graz. Currently 30th, the Spanish outfit would go crashing out of Europe if they remain below the 24-team cutoff point. Meanwhile, Liverpool lead the way by two points in the 36-team field and have already booked at least a playoff berth with three games to spare. The Reds are on a two-game winning run away at Spanish opposition having failed to win any of the eight before that. Team news Girona: Arnau Martinez is back but Viktor Tsygankov will be out so Yaser Asprilla could start while one of Bryan Gil and Arnaut Danjuma seek a start. Yangel Herrera is also back available while Jhon Solis could return having missed the Real loss. Possible Girona XI: Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Miovski. Liverpool: Alexis Mac Allister is suspended in the Premier League and the Champions League so is unavailable with Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley all out. Curtis Jones could partner Ryan Gravenberch without Mac Allister while Mohamed Salah can set a new personal best assists tally in the UCL by teeing one more up. Possible Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo. Prediction This one should be straightforward enough for Liverpool who will keep marching towards the round of 16 and do so with minimal hassle from Girona who are simply making the most of their remaining time in Europe. Pick: Girona 0, Liverpool 2.NEW YORK — The confetti fell not once, but twice. As the clock expired on the Nebraska football team’s 2024 season, a group of Huskers rushed to dump green confetti all over head coach Matt Rhule. On a rainy, cold day, the confetti stuck to Rhule’s face and coated players’ helmets, several of whom paused to throw the small pieces of paper in the air. And when Nebraska received its trophy for winning the Pinstripe Bowl, the confetti that rained down was red instead. Hours after the Huskers departed New York City to head home, pieces of red confetti still blew around the Yankee Stadium concourse and field. The players were gone, but the proof of their hard work remained — a lesson that the Huskers should take to heart moving forward. Let’s drop into coverage: Another Nebraska football season has now come to an end. In a memorable 2024 season, here are the key moments: * Bowl streak: Not only did Nebraska make it back to the postseason, which it had failed to do in the seven years prior, but it also ended its season with a bowl game win. The importance of heading into the offseason and the spring with momentum can’t be understated. The 2024 team will forever stand as the group that brought a winning record back to Lincoln. * Storming the field: Fans stormed the field at Memorial Stadium twice this season. Wins over Colorado and Wisconsin were special for different reasons, and the on-field emotion present after both Husker victories won’t be forgotten any time soon. * Dylan Raiola: The five-star freshman not only hit the ground running as Nebraska’s starting quarterback, but he started all 13 games, led NU to a winning record and was a steady, dependable leader. That doesn’t happen often with true freshmen quarterbacks. * In-season coordinator change: Rhule’s in-season decision to move on from Marcus Satterfield as the team’s offensive coordinator and hire Dana Holgorsen instead was a bold choice, but it was one that undoubtedly paid off. * Big-time defense: Apart from a blowout loss to Indiana, the Husker defense made big plays and kept their team in the game all season long. The likes of Nash Hutmacher, Ty Robinson, Isaac Gifford, John Bullock, MJ Sherman and DeShon Singleton have now played their final games as Huskers — and their hard work won’t be forgotten. A bowl game win deserves to be celebrated, but the national college football landscape waits for no one. That’s why even in the moments after Nebraska’s win, Rhule was already thinking about what happens next. “To be what we want to be next year, we have to be the same defensively and probably a little better in some areas,” Rhule said. “We have to really improve on offense, and on special teams we need a total overhaul of that.” Reaching a bowl game was the minimum requirement for a successful season in year two under Rhule, but finishing with a 7-6 record reflects plenty of progress. After a two-win improvement from NU’s record of 5-7 a year prior, could the Huskers again add two more wins to their resume next season? A nine-win campaign, once the benchmark for Nebraska football, would again reflect a high level of progress — but Rhule wants his players to dream bigger. “To go a bowl game, you have to get used to going to the postseason,” Rhule said. “We want to go to the College Football Playoff; we want to win national championships.” And in order to get there, Rhule’s philosophy of team building hasn’t wavered. Adjustments have been needed in the modern era of college football, but Rhule’s message to the team in the aftermath of Nebraska’s win over Boston College showed that the program’s process remains the same. “The old-school things of hard work, they work; they’re better now than they were earlier in the year and they’re better now than they were three weeks ago,” Rhule said of the Nebraska roster. “We have big plans when we come back on Jan. 20, we’re going to work and we’re going to double down on what we’ve done. I think they all understand that, and I think they all have aspirations of something really special at Nebraska.” Nebraska’s offensive outlook moving forward is a positive one, especially given the dynamism the Huskers have shown in Holgorsen’s four games as the team’s playcaller. However, the Huskers still need to get better. Raiola’s level of play, excellent for a freshman quarterback, will need to improve as a sophomore. “He’s gotten so much better as the year’s gone on in terms of his feet, his movement and those things,” Rhule said of Raiola. “He’ll have a great offseason, and he’ll make another huge jump; really, the sky’s the limit.” The personnel around Raiola will be taking a jump too. Impact transfers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter will join Jacory Barney Jr., Jaylen Lloyd and Carter Nelson as Nebraska’s top pass-catchers, with several other young wide receivers looking to continue their growth as well. The continued presence of Emmett Johnson at running back should power a steady Nebraska run game, and the Huskers’ offensive line has experienced steady growth under the coaching of Donovan Raiola. The Huskers may look for an experienced transfer at offensive tackle, but three of the five players who started NU’s bowl game are set to return for next season. The Pinstripe Bowl win also showed that Nebraska has some serious talent in its tight end room. Thomas Fidone II caught five passes, Luke Lindenmeyer looked ready for a bigger role and Heinrich Haarberg’s potential shone through. It won’t be easy to replace all the departing talent, but there have been flashes of the future from Nebraska’s young core. Those returning Huskers will combine with several transfer portal additions to make an interesting mix of talent on the Nebraska defense. The defensive line, one of NU’s most consistent and productive units over the last two seasons, will face some pressure to hit the ground running right away. Elijah Jeudy, who was visibly fired up on the Yankee Stadium field after Nebraska’s recent win, will be a veteran leader in the young room. Cameron Lenhardt, Keona Davis, Riley Van Poppel and Sua Lefotu are among the players to expect big things from next season, while the additions of Williams Nwaneri and Jaylen George could transform the unit as well. At linebacker, Dasan McCullough is a key transfer pickup, but it’s Vincent Shavers who’s a star in the making. Having earned a Blackshirt in the lead up to Nebraska’s bowl game, Shavers “was all over the field” on Saturday, Rhule said. Willis McGahee IV will be another key player to watch moving forward. A new-look secondary will need to be figured out as well. Ceyair Wright, Marques Buford and Malcolm Hartzog are the top returning contributors, but how do incoming transfers Andrew Marshall and Justyn Rhett fit into the mix? Then there’s Blye Hill, who was poised for playing time at cornerback before redshirting due to injury, and several young Huskers such as Amare Sanders, Caleb Benning, Mario Buford and Donovan Jones who’ll all want to earn playing time. That defensive back rotation will surely be difficult to crack. Elements of Nebraska’s coaching or strategic approach to special teams play will need to change. Converting a fake punt makes a difference, but miscues nearly cost Nebraska the game on Saturday — and Rhule knows it. NU’s special teams unit “has not been good enough this year,” Rhule said after the game. There’ll be a new punter and long snapper in Lincoln next season, but what happens at kicker? John Hohl was money down the stretch while Tristan Alvano redshirted after battling injuries. Both players will be sophomores next year. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

NoneCover Five: After key bowl win, is Nebraska’s next step 9 wins in 2025?