“BRAIN rot” has been voted word of the year after its usage rocketed among Gen Z. The condition, which is not medically recognised, can be caused by watching addictive memes and videos on social media for hours, experts say. It triumphed in a poll of more than 37,000 people by Oxford University Press, which defined it as the perceived deterioration of a person’s intellectual state, especially via over consumption of trivial, mainly online, material. It was first recorded by US writer Henry David Thoreau in 1854, where he criticised society’s tendency to devalue complex ideas. But it has taken on a new significance due to the rise of social media video apps such as TikTok. Its usage rose by 230 per cent from 2023 to 2024, particularly among Gen Z and younger communities. Casper Grathwohl, of Oxford Languages, said: “‘Brain rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time. “It demonstrates a somewhat cheeky self-awareness in the younger generations about the harmful impact of the social media that they’ve inherited.” Other shortlisted words include “dynamic pricing”, heavily used when Oasis concert tickets rocketed amid huge demand . Also featured were “romantasy”, a literary genre combining romantic fiction and fantasy, and “slop”, low-quality, inaccurate content created using artificial intelligence. Last year’s Oxford top word was “rizz” , slang for romantic or sexual appeal, which originated online.We usually think about AI in terms of how the models and characters interact with humans. But what happens when AI personalities are left mostly on their own in a virtual world? AI startup Altera decided to find out by setting up a population of AI characters in the digital world of for what it calls . The result was an entire society of AI bots forming communities, taking on jobs to help that community, and even adhering to and spreading an in-game religion. Altera set up Project Sid, with up to 1,000 AI-controlled characters able to interact within Minecraft's open-world environment. Each AI character was powered by a large language model (LLM) along with specialized task modules. Altera set up groups of 50 agents able to engage with each other over 12 in-game days or four real hours. After a couple of text prompts to kick things up, the AI personalities evolved on their own. The personalities of the AI characters emerged pretty quickly, with outgoing and introverted personalities setting limits for interacting with other AIs. They soon developed unique personality traits, made a kind of etiquette for their interactions, and made decisions based on their simulated experiences. AI characters would adjust their behavior based on the reactions of those around them, even favoring those who behaved more kindly to them. When put into larger groups of 30, the characters spontaneously developed jobs within their community despite initially sharing the same goals of building a sustainable village and defending it from threats. Soon, farmers, builders, and security guards were taking up their jobs. Some AI characters even became artists focused on beautifying the village with flowers and paint. Altera sought to make the community mimic more complex communities and arranged a taxation system where the AI characters could vote on policies related to raising and spending money for the community. Factions of pro- and anti-tax groups began debating and arguing ahead of the votes, operating a lot like a real human community in some ways. AI shares the (pasta) gospel When the simulation included up to 500 AI agents, Altera suddenly found a modern culture forming. The AIs would share culture and hobbies with each other, ranging from pulling pranks to an interest in environmentalism. It was at this level that the AI characters suddenly found religion. Specifically, they adopted the parody religion of Pastafarianism, known for its tongue-in-cheek worship of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. A small group of "priests" seeded the belief system, which then spread through towns, replicating the dynamics of cultural and religious proliferation in human history. Of course, these AI characters aren't conscious of picking a religion or any of their other choices. But, they do show how AI can successfully mimic human behavior in ways that appear to be based on self-awareness. It's really just algorithms based on patterns learned from datasets. If you didn't know better, you might be fooled by the strikingly lifelike behavior of the AI and their cultures. The experiment is impressive in what it shows about AI imitating humanity, but virtual societies like these do have larger value, according to Altera. The better that AI can reflect realistic human behavior, the better it will be at helping simulate how people would deal with different scenarios. It might help form social policies or guide the creation of disaster management plans. That may seem a stretch from Minecraft characters worshipping an airborne knot of noodles and meatballs, but unlike the Pastafarians, there's a lot more than faith behind it. "These simulations, set within a Minecraft environment, reveal that agents are capable of meaningful progress – autonomously developing specialized roles, adhering to and changing collective rules, and engaging in cultural and religious transmission," Altera's researchers explained in a scientific report. "These preliminary results show that agents can achieve significant milestones towards AI civilizations, opening new avenues for large-scale societal simulations, agentic organizational intelligence, and integrating AI into human civilizations."luckycalico ph legit 。

AP News Summary at 4:15 p.m. ESTBest Stock to Buy Right Now: Suncor vs. Cenovus?

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL), a leader in sub-meter resolution Earth Observation data, announced today it has closed its previously announced $10 million private placement, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate 3,571,429 Class A Ordinary Shares to a single institutional investor at a purchase price of $2.80 per share. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes. The Company also announced today that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) to register the resale of the shares issued in the private placement as required under the share purchase agreement entered into in connection with the transaction. The Shelf Registration Statement also contemplates the primary issuance of up to $150 million aggregate amount of Class A Ordinary Shares. Accordingly, if and when the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, it will permit the offer and sale, from time to time, in one more series or issuance and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering, the resale of the private placement shares and the offer and sale by the Company of up to $150 million aggregate amount of Class A Ordinary Shares. “We are pleased to have successfully completed this private placement, which strengthens our balance sheet and positions us for continued growth as we advance our mission and continue our focus on our U.S. strategy, the National Security market, and our global Space Systems opportunities,” said Emiliano Kargieman, CEO & Founder, of Satellogic. Rick Dunn, Chief Financial Officer, added, “This shelf registration statement allows for future flexibility in our capital markets strategy by establishing a framework for potential future capital raising opportunities.” Should the Company decide to raise capital in a future offering using the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will describe the specific details of that future offering in a prospectus supplement that is filed with the SEC. The Shelf Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC but is not yet effective. The Class A Ordinary Shares included therein may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted under the Shelf Registration Statement prior to the time it becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities of the Company in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Satellogic Satellogic is a leading provider of sub-meter resolution satellite imagery that delivers real-time insights for governments, industries, and consumers worldwide. With its growing constellation of small satellites, Satellogic offers scalable, cost-effective solutions for high-frequency Earth observation. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. The words “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “should”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on Satellogic’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Satellogic and include statements concerning the Company’s strategies, future opportunities, recently completed private placement and plans regarding the Shelf Registration Statement. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by, an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Satellogic. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) our ability to generate revenue as expected; (ii) our ability to continue as a going concern; (iii) our ability to effectively market and sell our EO services and to convert contracted revenues and our pipeline of potential contracts into actual revenues; (iv) risks related to the secured convertible notes issued by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Nettar Group Inc.; (v) the potential loss of one or more of our largest customers; (vi) the considerable time and expense related to our sales efforts and the length and unpredictability of our sales cycle; (vii) risks and uncertainties associated with defense-related contracts; (viii) risks related to our pricing structure; (ix) our ability to scale production of our satellites as planned; (x) unforeseen risks, challenges and uncertainties related to our expansion into new business lines; (xi) our dependence on third parties, to transport and launch our satellites into space; (xii) our reliance on third party vendors and manufacturers to build and provide certain satellite components, products, or services; (xiii) our dependence on ground station and cloud-based computing infrastructure operated by third parties for value added services, and any errors, disruption, cybersecurity incidents, performance problems, or failure in their or our operational infrastructure; (xiv) risks related to certain minimum service requirements in our customer contracts; (xv) market acceptance of our EO services and our dependence upon our ability to keep pace with the latest technological advances; (xvi) our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates or consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms, or our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; (xvii) competition for EO services; (xviii) challenges with international operations or unexpected changes to the regulatory environment in certain markets; (xix) unknown defects or errors in our products; (xx) risk related to the capital-intensive nature of our business and our ability to raise adequate capital to finance our business strategies; (xxi) uncertainties regarding our previously announced and ongoing efforts to reduce operational costs and control spending, including workforce reductions; (xxii) uncertainties beyond our control related to the production, launch, commissioning, and/or operation of our satellites and related ground systems, software and analytic technologies; (xxiii) the failure of the market for EO services to achieve the growth potential we expect; (xxiv) risks related to our satellites and related equipment becoming impaired; (xxv) risks related to the failure of our satellites to operate as intended; (xxvi) production and launch delays, launch failures, and damage or destruction to our satellites during launch; (xxvii) significant risks and uncertainties related to our insurance that may not be covered by insurance; and (xxviii) the impact of natural disasters, unusual or prolonged unfavorable weather conditions, epidemic outbreaks, terrorist acts and geopolitical events (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, in the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea region) on our business and satellite launch schedules. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Satellogic’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and other documents filed or to be filed by Satellogic from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Satellogic assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Satellogic can give no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210774054/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations: Ryan Driver, VP of Strategy & Corporate Development ryan.driver@Satellogic.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY DATA MANAGEMENT SATELLITE SOURCE: Satellogic Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/10/2024 05:40 PM/DISC: 12/10/2024 05:40 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210774054/en

Treasury auctions and economic indicators in focus Monday

HALIFAX - Former Halifax mayor Mike Savage was sworn in Friday as Nova Scotia’s 34th lieutenant-governor during a ceremony at the provincial legislature. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Savage’s appointment as the King’s representative in Nova Scotia in October. Savage, accompanied by his wife Darlene, was installed after taking the oath of office in the legislature’s ornate Red Room before a host of dignitaries, including Premier Tim Houston and Arthur J. LeBlanc, who had held the viceregal position since 2017. In his address, Savage noted the presence of his two sisters and spoke of his late mother Margaret and his late father John Savage, a former Liberal premier of Nova Scotia in the 1990s. “My late parents, John and Margaret, instilled in all of their children a deep appreciation for public service in every sense,” he said. “They recognized our good fortune and the importance of giving back through service to our families, friends and communities.” Before his appointment by the prime minister, Savage served 12 years as mayor of Atlantic Canada’s largest city and announced in February that he would not seek re-election. Before becoming mayor, he was the MP for the federal riding of Dartmouth-Cole Harbour fro seven years. “Having spent 20 years in elected office, part of it in the highly partisan atmosphere of Parliament and then in the less partisan role as mayor, I welcome this next stage as a non-political servant of the people,” Savage said. Viceregal appointees generally serve five-year terms, although LeBlanc, Nova Scotia’s first Acadian lieutenant-governor, served for nearly seven-and-a-half years. LeBlanc’s last official function took place on Thursday, when he presided over the swearing in of Houston’s new cabinet. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level Media

The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has ordered KWI Life Insurance (KWI) to rectify its financial conditions and operations by increasing paid-up capital and refraining from accepting new clients until it meets the legally required capital level. The company failed to increase its capital by the deadline of Nov 29, the OIC said in a statement. The insurer was found to have several operational shortcomings, including prepayment to related companies without clear proof of services, lending money to high-risk companies, investing in real estate with related parties without board approval and withdrawing cash advances without proper documentation. The OIC ordered KWI to take corrective action to meet the capital adequacy ratio. The order includes increasing its paid-up capital by at least 95 million baht by Dec 20, with further increases scheduled on specified dates. The company is also prohibited from undertaking the following actions until its capital funds meet the legal requirements: issuing new insurance policies or expanding coverage of existing policies; engaging in high-risk investments or conducting unauthorised business activities; incurring new obligations except for routine expenses approved by the registrar, with the approval of the OIC (such as employment contracts or business-related expenses); appointing additional insurance agents or brokers; and acquiring the operations of other companies. This ban should prevent potential harm to policyholders and the public, said the regulator, adding KWI's operations will not affect existing insurance coverage or claims under existing policies. Policyholders are assured their entitlements will continue to be honoured, noted the OIC. "The OIC will closely monitor the company's actions. If further violations are detected, legal action will be taken accordingly," said the regulator. The Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday instructed KWI to clarify facts and effects to the company's financial positions and operating results from the OIC order via SET's disclosure system by Dec 4. The bourse also recommends investors carefully study information before making investment decisions related to KWI.

Article content OTTAWA — Amidst Canada’s ongoing border dispute with the incoming president of the United States, Canada’s public safety minister says the RCMP have done a fine job at protecting the country’s borders. Recommended Videos Speaking to reporters ahead of question period on Monday, Dominic LeBlanc was asked why the government won’t expand the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to patrol between ports of entry — a task currently entrusted to the RCMP. “Because the RCMP have done a good job in that regard,” LeBlanc said. “The RCMP are our national police force, they have partnerships with the FBI and other partner police forces, but we’re always looking at ideas. We’ve taken note of that suggestion, I’ve discussed that with the commissioner of the RCMP, we haven’t made any decision in that regard.” During a Sunday morning press conference , Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pleaded with the government to table a “Canada-first” plan to fix the borders, including increasing patrols, enlisting the help of provincial police services, taking advantage of new technology, and expanding the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA.) “We also propose deputizing provincial law enforcement, whose Premiers wish to fill-in the holes that the Trudeau government has caused,” Poilievre said on Sunday. “I’m embarrassed that we even have to suggest this, but it would be a temporary measure to patch-up the holes that Trudeau has opened.” While LeBlanc said expanding the mandate of the CBSA was a “good idea,” it probably won’t be foremost on the government’s mind. “We’re not dismissing this one, but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want.” It’s been a week since President-Elect Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico if either nation didn’t tighten their borders by the time he’s sworn in as president, citing illicit drugs and illegal immigrants flooding into the U.S. from Canada. LeBlanc was among those who accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on an unannounced trip to dine with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, a meeting where Trump’s concerns with the Canada/US border were discussed. In the wake of that meeting, Canada has promised to deploy more personnel — as well as helicopters and drones — to better protect the Canada-U.S. border. “The RCMP have been working with the CBSA and others on a list of technology and equipment that would supplement the equipment and technologies they already have,” LeBlanc said. During question period, NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice accused Trudeau of coming home from Mar-a-Lago “empty handed” — aside from scoring a decent photo-op. “People are worried about their jobs, they don’t have any idea whether they’ll be able to pay for their rent or groceries, and Donald Trump’s tariffs will make that worse, and make the prices of everything higher,” he said in French. “At the very least, was he clear with the future American president that attacking Canadian and Quebec workers was unacceptable?” In response, LeBlanc said the discussion was a positive one. “We spoke about our border security, of course,” he responded in French. “I believe we will be able to continue working with President-Elect Trump.” bpassifiume@postmedia.com X: @bryanpassifiume

"Moana 2" beats multiple box office records Thanksgiving weekendUs Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more! Cyber Monday may be the best time to score deals on household staples, but it’s also the best time to score holiday gifts. While picking the perfect present can be daunting, any beauty lover or skincare junkie is going to love a gift set. To make crossing off everyone on your list effortless, we found some of the best deals on coveted beauty sets that you can shop right now. There’s everything to love about getting the best deals, and then spending the next few weeks making merry instead of going to shopping malls! Scroll on to shop the best makeup, fragrance and skincare sets you can buy right now before the final hours of Cyber Monday. Gift sets are already a good value, and while on sale, they feel like a total steal! Shop our favorites from luxe brands like Clarins, Jo Malone and Estée Lauder. Best Beauty Gift Sets on Sale for Cyber Monday 1. Clarins 12 Days of Beauty Favorites: For the French beauty-lover, score a 12-day Advent calendar chock full of Clarins bestsellers for hydrating, glowing skin. Check the coupon for an extra $10 off — $66 (was $95) at Amazon! 2. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Starter Kit: This viral cream paired with the brand’s body scrub, oil and perfume is a super luxe present — or a great deal if you want to uplift your winter with a rich, tropical vibe — $172 (was $246) at Amazon! 3. Jo Malone London Little Luxuries Travel Set: This one will be hard to give away! Score four petite Jo Malone items in different fragrances, including Meghan Markle’s favorite, Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne — $125 (was $180) at Nordstrom! 4. Petite Maison Spa Package: Gift an at-home spa day with a box full of self-care goodies, including hand cream, face masks and more. One shopper boasts, “If you’re looking for the perfect gift to spoil a special woman in your life, look no further than this! From the moment she unwrapped it, her eyes lit up with excitement!”— $60 (was $75) at Amazon! 5. Iconic London Makeup Set: Iconic London has dreamy makeup staples to give skin a lit-from-within glow this holiday season. With several gift-box options including sweet ornament-style packaging, there’s one for any taste! Grab the set for 25% off before it sells out — $41 (was $55) at Amazon! 6. Estée Lauder Serum and Moisturizer Skin Care Set: For lovers of the iconic beauty brand, grab a fantastic deal on a limited-edition set featuring a full-size face serum and moisturizer. With nearly 25,000 reviews, it’s safe to say the duo delivers on its promise of bouncier, lifted skin — $90 (was $120) at Nordstrom! 7. d’alba Piedmont Gift Set: Just right for holiday travel, get the viral white truffle spray that gives skin a youthful glow. Bonus: It comes with a cosmetics case — $34 (was $42) at Amazon! 8. Clé de Peau Beauté Protect and Replenish Daily Radiance Collection: The celeb-loved luxury skincare brand isn’t on sale often, so if you’re a devotee, this is the time to scoop up this limited-edition holiday set. This one is packed full of skincare heroes used by the likes of Martha Stewart and Dakota Fanning. Check the coupon for 20% off — $288 (was $360) at Amazon! Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News 9. Mario Badescu Best of Body Essentials Kit: A lovely stocking stuffer or white elephant gift, this set comes with winter hydration heroes for the lips, body and hands — $18 (was $25) at Amazon!The fall of Syria’s authoritarian government at the hands of jihadi militants set off waves of jubilation, trepidation and alarm. Across the Middle East and beyond, the fall of Syria’s authoritarian government at the hands of jihadi militants set off waves of jubilation, trepidation and alarm. Expatriate Syrians and many residents across the Middle East exulted at the overthrow of a leader who led his country through 14 years of civil strife that left half a million Syrians dead and displaced millions to countries around the world. While others are worried about further instability rocking a region already in turmoil. Governments — whether allies or opponents of Bashar Assad — scrambled to absorb the sudden, stunning development and assess the implications for the Middle East and the world. In the US, President Joe Biden said that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Mr Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Middle East.Speaking at the White House, Mr Biden said the US was not sure of Mr Assad’s whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Mr Biden credited action by the US and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Mr Assad’s grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Mr Biden said. In a social media post on Saturday, before Mr Assad’s fall was confirmed, President-elect Donald Trump said: “Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” The US has about 900 troops in Syria, including US forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held north east to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. In Lebanon, thousands of Syrians headed for the Masnaa border crossing to return to their home country, despite the uncertainty. “Anything is better than Bashar,” said Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading back to join his wife and four children. “This is a feeling we’ve been waiting 14 years for,” said Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to the capital of Damascus. Now, he said, “Syrians have to create a state that is well organised and take care of their country.” Many citizens in Syria’s neighbouring countries reacted with joy to the news Mr Assad was gone. In Jordan’s capital, Amman, resident Muhab al-Majali said his fall marked the end of “unjust and tyrannical rule”. “I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians,” he said. Syria’s neighbours stepped up security along their borders. Lebanon said it was closing all but one of its land border crossings with Syria. Jordan also closed a border crossing. Iran, a key ally of Mr Assad, said the Syrian people should decide their country’s future “without destructive, coercive foreign intervention”. The Foreign Ministry in Tehran said Iran supports Syria’s unity and national sovereignty and hopes to see “the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue” with the participation of all groups. The Iraqi government, which is close to Iran, said it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria. Egypt’s foreign ministry urged a “comprehensive political process” to establish a new era of peace in the war-torn country. The head of Yemen’s internationally recognised government welcomed the fall of Mr Assad as “a historic moment”. Turkey has backed anti-Assad militant groups in Syria and could play a key role in what happens next. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the fall of Assad brought “hope” and he called on the world to help “unite and reconstruct” Syria. In Europe, many governments welcomed Mr Assad’s departure while urging a rapid return to stability. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the end of Mr Assad’s rule was “good news”, adding that “what matters now is that law and order are quickly restored in Syria”. France’s foreign ministry welcomed the fall of Mr Assad, saying “the Syrian people have suffered too much”. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also welcomed the end of Mr Assad’s “barbaric regime”. “We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” he said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for calm and urged work to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions”. Russia, which backed Mr Assad with troops and warplanes, said it has been following the “dramatic events” in Syria “with extreme concern”. State media later reported that Mr Assad was in Moscow with his family and they had been granted asylum. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, wrote on X that the ousted Syrian leader had suffered the fate of “all dictators who bet on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him”.

Disney Plus has been known for its fair share of revivals, but something feels oh so right at home with this one. – a beloved sitcom that ran for seven seasons, is coming back as a four-episode arc that will stream on , as confirmed by . And here’s some even better news, especially if you’re keen to see the return of your favorite dysfunctional family. Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek are all set to return to their respective roles, and Linwood Boomer, the original series creator, is back on board for the revival. You wouldn’t want a revival without the iconic cast, right? The cast is stoked as well in a teaser video that Frankie Muniz posted on Instagram and Threads, opening with iconic "Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcom!" and Muniz noting he's been waiting for 18 years to find out "where Malcolm and his family are now." In a statement, Disney Branded Television President Ayo Davis said, “ is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability. Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we’re so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved – along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless.” Clearly, the team behind the revival – or reboot – is quite excited to welcome the iconic show back, and its teased family reunion. Variety reports the official logline as: “Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.” Indeed, it is a time jump, but like other revivals, this should hit the right tone and deliver a fun, meaningful reunion to reunite all the characters. Additionally, this seems more in line with what the creator is going after and not being pressured by the studio for a full-length season to be produced. It’s the story that Boomer and co. are hoping to tell. No release date is set yet, but when the revival is ready, it’ll stream on Disney Plus. Of course, if you’re keen to stream some other titles, .

Palisade Bio Announces Closing of $5 Million Underwritten Public Offering Priced At-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .