netbet99 Gaming on Linux is rapidly evolving, reshaping the landscape and future of gaming platforms. Recent developments indicate a significant shift with the introduction of new technologies that enhance the gaming experience for Linux users. As major developers release high-profile games with Linux support, gamers are witnessing a revolution that many deemed unlikely just a few years ago. Innovations like Steam Deck have accelerated this trend. Valve’s portable gaming device is designed to run Linux, proving the platform’s potential to handle mainstream gaming demands. The Proton compatibility layer, a key component in this evolution, allows Windows-exclusive games to be played smoothly on Linux. This technology minimizes the barriers between game developers and Linux enthusiasts, fostering a more inclusive gaming ecosystem. Moreover, game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine are increasingly supporting Linux. This expansion means indie and AAA developers can more easily target Linux alongside other major platforms. As a result, Linux gaming libraries are growing, attracting more users who value open-source environments. Looking ahead, the horizon for Linux gaming appears promising. Expect further hardware innovations and partnerships between tech giants and Linux distributors, enabling smoother experiences and pushing performance boundaries. With the gaming landscape becoming more diverse, Linux stands as a pivotal player, promising exciting developments and more inclusive access for gamers worldwide. Linux is not just about operating systems anymore; it’s about reimagining the gaming world. How Linux is Quietly Transforming the Gaming World The gaming industry is witnessing a transformative shift as Linux emerges as a formidable platform for gamers and developers alike. This evolution is fueled by a series of groundbreaking innovations and collaborations that promise to redefine the future of gaming. ## Steam Deck and Proton: A Game-Changer for Linux Valve’s introduction of the Steam Deck has proven to be a pivotal moment for Linux gaming. This portable gaming device is fundamentally altering how mainstream audiences perceive the platform’s capabilities. By being rooted in Linux, the Steam Deck showcases the potential for seamless gaming experiences that rival traditional systems. A crucial component of this transformation is the Proton compatibility layer, which bridges the gap between Windows-exclusive games and Linux. Proton’s ability to allow smooth gameplay of these titles has eroded longstanding barriers, inviting more developers and players into the Linux ecosystem. ## Expanding Horizons with Game Engine Support Major game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine now offer robust support for Linux. This development opens doors for both indie and AAA game developers to include Linux in their platform lineup without excessive hurdles. As these engines continue to evolve, they ensure that Linux gaming libraries swell with diverse titles, gradually attracting a growing community of gamers who appreciate open-source systems. ## Linux Gaming: Pros and Cons Pros: – Open-Source Flexibility : Linux offers an open-source environment that encourages creativity and customization, appealing to a tech-savvy audience. – Performance and Stability : Many find Linux to be a stable and efficient platform that can effectively harness gaming hardware’s potential. – Cost-Effective : Generally free, Linux provides an economical alternative to paid operating systems. Cons: – Learning Curve : New Linux users may face a challenging learning curve, especially when setting up drivers and games. – Compatibility : While Proton and game engine support have improved, not all games and hardware are fully compatible with Linux. – Limited Native Titles : Despite growing libraries, the number of games with native Linux support still lags behind other platforms. ## Market Analysis and Future Predictions The market analysis indicates a trend toward increased adoption of Linux in gaming, heralded by milestones like the rise of Steam Deck and expanded engine support. Analysts predict that by 2025, Linux will carve out a significant share of the gaming market, driven by strategic partnerships with tech companies and continuous improvements in hardware compatibility. ## Conclusion Linux is steadily ascending as a mainstream gaming platform, challenging longstanding industry norms. With ongoing innovations such as the Steam Deck, and expansive support from top game engines, the future of Linux gaming appears promising. It is poised to offer a more inclusive and versatile environment for gamers globally, marking an exciting chapter in the gaming world. For more information on the landscape of Linux in technology, check out Linux Foundation .

FOXBOROUGH — Davon Godchaux heard the irked fans at Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon. As the Patriots were blown out by the Chargers, 40-7, the home crowd booed its team loudly at times on a dreary day. With some starters still on the field late in the game, Godchaux was disappointed by what he heard. The veteran defensive tackle believed guys were still playing hard despite the scoreboard. “Could have been better class from the fans with the booing and stuff like that,” Godchaux said. “It is embarrassing, I get it, but you’re playing for pride at the end of the day. Three minutes, four minutes (left), I’ve been a starter on this team since I got here and you’re not going to see me say, ‘Hey coach, throw in the towel. Let some of the young guys go in.’ I’m going to continue to fight. I’m going to continue to play. That’s just my DNA. That’s just what I do.” In the fourth quarter, pockets of the stadium began to chant “Fire Mayo!” which Godchaux thought to be way out of line. He believes Jerod Mayo deserved better than that. “A lot of people can’t take (a rebuild). I know we don’t tank around here. We still want to win football games. But the ‘Fire Mayo’ chants is just ridiculous,” Godchaux said. “The guy (is in) his first year, his first season. It’s not going to be golden. We didn’t expect to go win a Super Bowl this year. I get it, nobody wants to get beat 40-7, but the ‘Fire Mayo’ chants is just ridiculous.” Godchaux then pointed to last weekend’s 24-21 loss at Buffalo as proof that Mayo doesn’t deserve to be a one-and-done head coach. “We just had probably the best team in the NFL playing right now on the ropes last week. Now everybody is talking about ‘Fire Mayo’ chants,” Godchaux said. “The Bills are probably considered the best team in football right now. I mean, they’re definitely the hottest team in football. We had them 14-0 and should have won the game. A play or two plays better and we beat the Bills. I don’t believe in all that other ridiculous stuff. The guy, it’s his first year. It’s just ridiculous.” More Patriots Content

NonePrivate and non-profit social care providers could be hit with increased costs of approximately £2.8 billion in the upcoming financial year, an analysis by the Nuffield Trust has indicated, raising concerns about the risk of businesses failing. The health and social care think tank highlighted that the rise in national insurance contributions (NICs) and wage bills for providers might lead to "swathes of the social care market collapsing under these extra cost pressures". The analysis took into account potential costs for nearly 18,000 independent organisations – excluding those run by local authorities – that provide adult social care in England. In her inaugural Budget last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised the rate of employers’ NICs to 15% and lowered the threshold at which this tax is paid from £9,100 to £5,000, aiming to generate £26 billion a year. Additionally, she declared a 6.7% increase in the national living wage for employees aged 21 or over – from £11.44 an hour to £12.21 – starting April. According to the Nuffield Trust, just the NICs increase could impose an additional cost of around £940 million on the adult social care sector next year. With wage rises included, the total wage bill could see an estimated £1.85 billion added in 2024/25. The trust warned that without Government intervention to cover the NICs costs, providers are facing a challenging financial outlook. Natasha Curry, deputy director of policy at the Nuffield Trust, said: “Faced with a series of financial black holes in almost every corner of the public sector, the Government faced the unenviable task of urgently raising funds at the Budget to plug them. “But by choosing not to provide support to adult social care providers in covering the costs of the raise in ENICs, the result is likely to be catastrophic. “Already fragile after a decade of cuts, runaway inflation and the effects of Covid-19 , adult social care was in desperate need of relief. “But this was a Budget that gave with one hand and took away with the other. “The Government rightly wants to reform social care, but with the real prospect of swathes of the social care market collapsing under these extra cost pressures, there may be little left of it to reform unless the Government takes urgent action to cover ENICs for adult social care providers.” Voices within the sector warned in the immediate aftermath of the Budget that some care homes could be forced to close. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “This government inherited a social care system in crisis. We are determined to tackle the significant challenges and build a National Care Service so everybody can access the high-quality care they deserve."

MP Mian Altaf reviews dev activities in Poonch Calls for ensuring quality of road construction works; access to clean drinking water POONCH: Member Parliament, Rajouri-Poonch-Anantnag Constituency Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi on Saturday chaired the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting here at Dak Bunglow Poonch. The meeting focused on assessing progress of centrally sponsored projects, flagship programs, and social security initiatives. District Development Commissioner Vikas Kundal provided a detailed presentation, highlighting achievements under key government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and other developmental works in the district. Mian Altaf commended the District Administration for its commendable performance under these centrally sponsored initiatives. The MP emphasized the need for increased public outreach to raise awareness about government programs, ensuring that benefits reach grassroots levels. He urged the timeline completion of ongoing works, noting that of the 122,668 works planned under district Capex approximately 77.98% have been completed. During the session, it was revealed that a total of 60,354 beneficiaries are currently receiving support under social security schemes, including old age pensions, widow and divorcee assistance, and provisions for the physically challenged. Specifically, 31,959 individuals benefit from old age pensions, 4,918 from widow/divorcee assistance, and 23,477 from support for the physically challenged. Additionally, 6,741 beneficiaries have been covered under the National Social Assistance Programme, and 763 under the State Marriage Assistance Scheme for the financial year 2024-25. The MP also directed the concerned officers to ensure that every family has access to clean drinking water and stressed the importance of maintaining the quality of road construction. He urged the BRO to expedite the blacktopping of key roads and enhance connectivity for security forces and the general public. The MP called for greater awareness of the PM Surya scheme and reviewed staff strength across various departments to ensure effective implementation of government initiatives.

Text-recognition election audit verifies voting machine count in GeorgiaMcConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader

BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period (“third quarter”) and thirty-nine-week period (“first nine months”) ended November 2, 2024 compared to the same periods ended October 28, 2023. 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, November 2, October 28, (Dollars in millions, except per share data) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net sales $ 2,530.1 $ 2,488.9 $ 7,808.0 $ 7,653.0 Comparable sales (1) 0.6% 4.5% 0.3% 7.3% Gross profit (as a percentage of net sales) 39.7% 39.9% 39.1% 39.7% Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 682.3 $ 661.4 $ 1,993.0 $ 1,874.2 Operating income (as a percentage of net sales) 12.6% 13.1% 13.4% 15.2% Diluted earnings per share $ 5.14 $ 5.07 $ 16.93 $ 17.99 New store openings, net 26 12 52 19 (1) Comparable sales are calculated based on the comparable 13 and 39 calendar weeks in the current and prior year. “The Ulta Beauty team delivered better-than-expected sales and profitability reflecting improved sales trends and strong financial discipline. I am proud of the progress we’ve made and encouraged by early signs that our efforts to reinforce our market position and drive improved performance are gaining traction. As we look to the remainder of fiscal 2024, we are focused on executing with excellence across our key initiatives to deliver in a dynamic environment,” said Dave Kimbell, chief executive officer. “We remain confident that our model and strategies will drive long-term profitable growth and share leadership by enhancing our position as the destination for beauty enthusiasts for a lifetime.” Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023 First Nine Months of Fiscal 2024 Compared to First Nine Months of Fiscal 2023 Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $177.8 million. Merchandise inventories, net at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 1.9% to $2.4 billion compared to $2.3 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to the addition of 63 net new stores since October 28, 2023. Short-term debt at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $199.7 million compared to $195.4 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023, as the Company drew on its revolving credit facility to support ongoing capital allocation priorities, including share repurchases and capital expenditures, and merchandise inventory growth. Share Repurchase Program During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased 731,458 shares of its common stock at a cost of $267.0 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $764.5 million. As of November 2, 2024, $2.9 billion remained available under the $3.0 billion share repurchase program announced in October 2024. Store Update During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company opened 28 new stores, remodeled 27 stores, and closed two stores. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, the Company opened 57 new stores, relocated two stores, remodeled 36 stores, and closed five stores. At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company operated 1,437 stores totaling 15.0 million square feet. Fiscal 2024 Outlook For fiscal 2024, the Company plans to: Prior FY24 Outlook Updated FY24 Outlook Net sales $11.0 billion to $11.2 billion $11.1 billion to $11.2 billion Comparable sales (2%) to 0% (1%) to 0% New stores, net 60-65 no change Remodel and relocation projects 40-45 no change Operating margin 12.7% to 13.0% 12.9% to 13.1% Diluted earnings per share $22.60 to $23.50 $23.20 to $23.75 Share repurchases approximately $1 billion no change Interest income approximately $13 million $13 million to $14 million Effective tax rate approximately 24% no change Capital expenditures $400 million to $450 million $400 million to $425 million Depreciation and amortization expense $265 million to $270 million no change Conference Call Information A conference call to discuss third quarter of fiscal 2024 results is scheduled for today, December 5, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. CT. Investors and analysts who are interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453. Participants may also listen to a real-time audio webcast of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website located at https://www.ulta.com/investor . A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days. About Ulta Beauty At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest specialty U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together All Things Beauty. All in One Place ®. Today, Ulta Beauty operates 1,437 retail stores across 50 states and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com . Forward‐Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “strategies” or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon the Company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future plans, estimates, targets, strategies or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: The Company’s filings with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov . Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Exhibit 1 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) 13 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net sales $ 2,530,100 100.0 % $ 2,488,933 100.0 % Cost of sales 1,524,456 60.3 % 1,496,866 60.1 % Gross profit 1,005,644 39.7 % 992,067 39.9 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 682,259 27.0 % 661,380 26.6 % Pre-opening expenses 4,883 0.2 % 3,460 0.1 % Operating income 318,502 12.6 % 327,227 13.1 % Interest income, net (1,674 ) (0.1 %) (2,497 ) (0.1 %) Income before income taxes 320,176 12.7 % 329,724 13.2 % Income tax expense 77,997 3.1 % 80,241 3.2 % Net income $ 242,179 9.6 % $ 249,483 10.0 % Net income per common share: Basic $ 5.16 $ 5.09 Diluted $ 5.14 $ 5.07 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 46,928 49,007 Diluted 47,092 49,226 Exhibit 2 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) 39 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Net sales $ 7,808,035 100.0 % $ 7,653,005 100.0 % Cost of sales 4,754,434 60.9 % 4,612,469 60.3 % Gross profit 3,053,601 39.1 % 3,040,536 39.7 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,992,993 25.5 % 1,874,201 24.5 % Pre-opening expenses 11,957 0.2 % 5,396 0.1 % Operating income 1,048,651 13.4 % 1,160,939 15.2 % Interest income, net (13,100 ) (0.2 %) (14,294 ) (0.2 %) Income before income taxes 1,061,751 13.6 % 1,175,233 15.4 % Income tax expense 253,903 3.3 % 278,597 3.6 % Net income $ 807,848 10.3 % $ 896,636 11.7 % Net income per common share: Basic $ 17.00 $ 18.08 Diluted $ 16.93 $ 17.99 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 47,519 49,592 Diluted 47,710 49,846 Exhibit 3 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) November 2, February 3, October 28, 2024 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 177,782 $ 766,594 $ 121,811 Receivables, net 213,621 207,939 202,868 Merchandise inventories, net 2,365,186 1,742,136 2,321,306 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 135,514 115,598 117,282 Prepaid income taxes 62,759 4,251 28,773 Total current assets 2,954,862 2,836,518 2,792,040 Property and equipment, net 1,264,419 1,182,335 1,117,874 Operating lease assets 1,619,055 1,574,530 1,578,316 Goodwill 10,870 10,870 10,870 Other intangible assets, net 281 510 591 Deferred compensation plan assets 48,872 43,516 38,371 Other long-term assets 60,127 58,732 56,946 Total assets $ 5,958,486 $ 5,707,011 $ 5,595,008 Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 593,219 $ 544,001 $ 597,373 Accrued liabilities 333,463 382,468 405,443 Deferred revenue 405,040 436,591 350,937 Current operating lease liabilities 284,985 283,821 287,786 Accrued income taxes — 11,310 — Short-term debt 199,700 — 195,400 Total current liabilities 1,816,407 1,658,191 1,836,939 Non-current operating lease liabilities 1,656,317 1,627,271 1,616,747 Deferred income taxes 91,729 85,921 56,874 Other long-term liabilities 65,024 56,300 55,906 Total liabilities 3,629,477 3,427,683 3,566,466 Commitments and contingencies Total stockholders’ equity 2,329,009 2,279,328 2,028,542 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,958,486 $ 5,707,011 $ 5,595,008 Exhibit 4 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) 39 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, 2024 2023 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Operating activities Net income $ 807,848 $ 896,636 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 197,075 181,273 Non-cash lease expense 235,950 232,772 Deferred income taxes 5,808 1,528 Stock-based compensation expense 27,691 33,477 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 7,280 6,310 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables (5,682 ) (3,446 ) Merchandise inventories (623,050 ) (717,855 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (19,916 ) 12,964 Income taxes (69,818 ) 9,535 Accounts payable 54,210 41,817 Accrued liabilities (45,777 ) (34,955 ) Deferred revenue (31,551 ) (43,740 ) Operating lease liabilities (250,267 ) (248,469 ) Other assets and liabilities 12,240 (9,836 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 302,041 358,011 Investing activities Capital expenditures (300,536 ) (311,030 ) Other investments (6,108 ) (4,870 ) Net cash used in investing activities (306,644 ) (315,900 ) Financing activities Borrowings from credit facility 199,700 195,400 Repurchase of common shares (765,384 ) (840,551 ) Stock options exercised 9,200 9,302 Purchase of treasury shares (23,566 ) (22,328 ) Debt issuance costs (4,159 ) — Net cash used in financing activities (584,209 ) (658,177 ) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (588,812 ) (616,066 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 766,594 737,877 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 177,782 $ 121,811 Exhibit 5 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Store Update Total stores open Number of stores Number of stores Total stores at beginning of the opened during the closed during the open at Fiscal 2024 quarter quarter quarter end of the quarter 1 st Quarter 1,385 12 2 1,395 2 nd Quarter 1,395 17 1 1,411 3 rd Quarter 1,411 28 2 1,437 Gross square feet for Total gross square stores opened or Gross square feet for Total gross square feet at beginning of expanded during the stores closed feet at end of the Fiscal 2024 the quarter quarter during the quarter quarter 1 st Quarter 14,515,593 114,786 15,615 14,614,764 2 nd Quarter 14,614,764 178,624 10,800 14,782,588 3 rd Quarter 14,782,588 258,320 20,083 15,020,825 Exhibit 6 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Sales by Category The following tables set forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category: 13 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, 2024 2023 Cosmetics 41 % 42 % Skincare 23 % 22 % Haircare 20 % 21 % Fragrance 10 % 9 % Services 4 % 4 % Other 2 % 2 % 100 % 100 % 39 Weeks Ended November 2, October 28, 2024 2023 Cosmetics 41 % 42 % Skincare 24 % 22 % Haircare 19 % 21 % Fragrance 10 % 9 % Services 4 % 4 % Other 2 % 2 % 100 % 100 % Certain sales departments were reclassified between categories in the prior year to conform to current year presentation, including moving the bath category from Fragrance to Skincare. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205470535/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact: Kiley Rawlins, CFA Vice President, Investor Relations krawlins@ulta.comMedia Contact: Crystal Carroll Senior Director, Public Relations ccarroll@ulta.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COSMETICS RETAIL SPECIALTY SOURCE: Ulta Beauty, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205470535/enThe conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday's Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro had reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said with a thin smile. “Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development." But he added, "we have this system now. And this is important.” Testing the missile will continue, “including in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia,” Putin said, noting there is ”a stockpile of such systems ready for use.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin's claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow's talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick... there will be consequences,” he said. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday's missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He underlined that the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who added this is not the first time such a threat has been received. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office continued to work in compliance with standard security measures, a spokesperson said. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile, whose name in Russian means “hazelnut tree,” was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles (6 1/2 kilometers) southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. The stricken area was cordoned off and out of public view. With no fatalities reported from the attack, Dnipro residents resorted to dark humor on social media, mostly focused on the missile’s name, Oreshnik. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia struck a residential district of Sumy overnight with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 13, the regional administration said.. Ukraine’s Suspilne media, quoting Sumy regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, said the drones were stuffed with shrapnel elements. “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” said Artiukh, according to Suspilne.

‘Some kind of range war’: Testimony in ex-Illinois speaker's corruption trial reveals big political fight over tiny piece of landB.C. firms plan to build magnet recycling plant in Texas

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5, the first to ride Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they’re fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: “We’re just on a different path.” “I like everything about being up here,” Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun.” Both astronauts have lived up there before so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. “Mindset does go a long way,” Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first-graders in October. He’s from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. “I don’t look at these situations in life as being downers.” Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. “When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams has been “invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said in a statement that it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. “Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission,” NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, has had to deal with “rumors,” as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's “super hungry” and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod’s 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. “Hopefully I’ll be home before that happens -- but you never know,” she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. “We can’t deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together,” his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband “has it worse than us” since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. “We are certainly looking forward to February!!” she wrote. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Baxter International Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors

Despite Neuroscience Setback, AbbVie Has Strong Recovery Ahead8TB WD Black SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 Stock PS5 Pros come with 2TB of internal storage, a welcome doubling of the vanilla PS5’s paltry 1TB. A single terabyte of console storage, Sony? What is this, an SSD for ants? 2TB is much roomier, for sure, but if you’ve been AAA gaming the last few years, you’ll know that even this doesn’t suffice for long. Metaphor: ReFantazio is around 38GB in file size. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora is about 86 GB. Baldur’s Gate 3 is roughly 123GB, while Call of Duty is sitting on my PS5 Pro at 246.3GB. Fantasian Neo Dimension is only 12GB—how sweet! If you’re a digital hoarder like me, and you enjoy massive amounts of dusty games loitering about on your machine, ready to be played at a moment’s notice, then you’ll need to put on your big boy (or big girl) pants and pony up. Or Sony up? All I know is that if you publicly enjoy PlayStation games, there’s a cohort of angry people on X that will unironically call you a Sony Pony. Totally normal and healthy behavior. Isn’t the internet great? Bathing in the chaos, we are. The Upgrade Anyway, I recently reached out to Western Digital because I was curious about their officially licensed PlayStation WD Black SN850P NVMe SSD , specifically the 8TB version, because damn , that’s a lot of space! You could hypothetically use this drive on a PC should that desire arise, but its stylish branded heatsink is specially designed to work with the PS5 or PS5 Pro (the latter, in this article’s case), which essentially means it’s not so bulky that it won’t fit inside the machines’ compact M.2 compartments. I’ve seen some real clunky heatsinks, but let me tell you, and this ain’t one of them. 8TB WD Black SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 FBI Warns iPhone And Android Users—Stop Sending Texts FBI Warns Smartphone Users—Hang Up And Create A Secret Word Now Gmail Takeover Hack Attack—Google Warns You Have Just 7 Days To Act PlayStation Operation Installing the SN850P is a cinch. Much like the original PS5, you unplug the machine and pop off one of the PS5 Pro’s back panels. Behind it, you’ll find an unassuming M.2 slot covered with a plain piece of metal, which in turn is held in place by a screw adored with all the classic PlayStation symbols. Loosen that screw, take off the metal covering, and inside you’ll find the hidden area where we—you guessed it!—install extra SSD storage. Move the standoff to the correct indentation that aligns with the SN850P’s length, carefully insert the drive into the PS5 Pro’s circuitry slot, then tighten into place with the included screw. Reverse the whole process, close up shop and you’re done. Super easy, like the Sackboy: A Big Adventure Platinum trophy. Turning on the PS5 Pro again, you’re greeted with a message asking to format the new drive, and once it’s formatted, the console will conduct a speed test. Western Digital claims this particular SSD can reach speeds of up to 7,300MB/s read and 6,600MB/s write, and my PS5 Pro benchmark came back as 6,928MB/s, which is close enough to the 7,300MB/s max for my peasant tastes. No write speed was given, so I’d have to attach this device to my PC and run a test on the motherboard to get a specific number. I rarely worry about these specific metrics, personally, as they tend to have little bearing on actual real-life gaming experiences. Plus, the numbers on a drive’s box are usually ballpark figures and rarely miss the mark in any significant way, at least in my estimation. 8TB WD Black SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 And that’s it. You start using the drive as per usual. I encountered zero issues during this process, and the SN850P’s performance has been stellar. I’ve even occasionally opened up my PS5 Pro to gain some thermal insight, and after extensive use, the SSD felt barely warm to the touch. Apparently that custom heatsink is doing its job, and you’d never know it, because it’s safely nestled into the back of the PS5 Pro. Also of note is how, on this SSD, you get the full usable 8TB. You don’t have any of that pesky system data to contend with; only glorious, wide open storage. Worth It? So, fantastic, right? Yes and no. 8TB of extra high-speed PlayStation storage is a dream come true, installation is simple, and there hasn’t been a single performance hiccup to speak of. But we need to talk about the expensive elephant in the room: As of this writing, the SN850P boasts a retail price of $999.99. A PS5 Pro is $699.99 , so you’re talking about paying $300 more than the new console itself for an additional 8TB of storage. $1,700 total is...a lot. The 4TB version of the SN850P is $389.99, by the way, so if you can stomach less game space, then that might be the way to go. We’ve arrived at an unsurprising conclusion: Adding a sleek 8TB NVMe SSD to your PS5 Pro might be the ultimate in console luxury, but you’ll pay dearly for it. Then again, if you’re new to PlayStation altogether, you could always invest in an original PS5 and go all in on expensive storage to uh, even things out? Both Slim versions, the digital and the disc-drive variant , can be purchased for under $400 and $500 respectively. I’m not sure how long that’s going to last, though, as it’s the holidays, and sales are currently happening. 8TB WD Black SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 It’s wild that large capacity M.2 storage is still so astronomically priced, but it’s also (admittedly) not a serious necessity, so I get it. It sure is nice having the additional 8TB, though, and not having to play the Game Download Shuffle. Also, it’s awesome having the option on PS5 to go with a ridiculous amount of fast storage, which is beyond, say, the options on Xbox. 2TB is the max individual capacity of Velocity Architecture card storage you can purchase on Microsoft’s console. Swapping cards is totally possible, but not nearly as convenient as utilizing 8TB of immediately accessible space. Speaking of the aforementioned serious necessity, do you know what isn’t something you need to have? The PS5 Pro. Still, I’m liking mine so far, but it seems somewhat superfluous, especially given that I have several very capable gaming PCs laying around. How is everyone else enjoying their PS5 Pros? I’d love to know. Message me on X if you feel like it. If you don’t feel like it, well, go feel better. Disclosure: Western Digital provided review product for coverage purposes.Airport surfaces most likely to have a deadly virus lurking on them

Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender

Lawyers for a voting machine company that’s suing Fox News want to question founder Rupert Murdoch about his contentious efforts to change his family trust , the attorneys told a court Monday. Election-tech company Smartmatic's $2.7 billion defamation suit regards Fox's reporting on 2020 voting fraud claims. But Smartmatic’s attorneys suggest the separate succession fight over Murdoch's media empire might shed light on any Fox Corp. involvement in editorial matters. It's an important, if technical, question as Smartmatic seeks to hold the deep-pocketed Fox parent company responsible for statements that the news network aired. Fox contends that there's no such liability and that it was engaging in journalism, not defamation, when it broadcast election-fraud allegations made by then-President Donald Trump 's attorneys. Rupert Murdoch may already have given a deposition — out-of-court questioning under oath — in the defamation suit. Such records aren't public at this stage, but plans for his deposition were briefly mentioned at a 2022 hearing. Smartmatic now is seeking to talk to Murdoch about his efforts to rewrite his plans for his businesses after his death. The matter is playing out behind closed doors and in sealed files in a Nevada probate court. The New York Times has reported that Rupert Murdoch wants to keep his eldest son, Lachlan , in charge of the conglomerate's newspapers and television networks in order to ensure a continued conservative editorial outlook . Smartmatic wants to get the 93-year-old patriarch on record while the probate matter plays out, company attorney Edward Wipper told a judge Monday. Fox News lawyer K. Winn Allen said the probate case “has nothing at all to do with” Smartmatic's claims and is “not appropriate” fodder for the suit. Fox Corp. declined to comment after court. Fox News' lawyers, meanwhile, want Smartmatic to provide records about a U.S. federal criminal case against people, including Smartmatic co-founder Roger Piñate, accused of scheming to bribe a Filipino election official . Piñate has pleaded not guilty. Smartmatic isn't charged in the criminal case, and Smartmatic attorneys have said the matter was irrelevant to the defamation suit. Fox lost prior bids for a court order to get the information, but a hearing on the network's renewed request is set next week. It's unclear how soon Judge David B. Cohen will decide on that request or on Smartmatic's bid to dig into the Murdoch family trust case. Both requests are part of pretrial information-gathering, and no trial date has been set. Smartmatic says it was a small player, working only with California's heavily Democratic Los Angeles County, in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. In subsequent Fox News appearances, Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell portrayed Smartmatic as part of a multi-state scheme to steal the vote from the Republican. Federal and state election officials , exhaustive reviews in battleground states and Trump’s own attorney general found no widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. Nor did they uncover any credible evidence that the vote was tainted. Dozens of courts, including by judges whom Trump had appointed, rejected his fraud claims. Fox News ultimately aired an interview with an election technology expert who refuted the allegations against Smartmatic — an interview done after the company demanded a retraction . The network is countersuing Smartmatic , claiming it violated a New York law against baseless suits aimed at squelching reporting or criticism on public issues. The New York defamation suit is one of several stemming from conservative-oriented news outlets' reports on Trump’s 2020 vote-rigging claims. Smartmatic recently settled with One America News Network and Newsmax . Fox News settled for $787 million last year with Dominion Voting Systems, another election-technology company that sued over conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Trump’s 2020 loss.

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