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If Christmas gift shopping were a bingo game, soap, candles and chocolates would be a surefire win. But Singapore’s small businesses are upping the ante with delicious looking soaps, candles with second lives and chocolates infused with teh tarik and masala chai. Shopping locally not only means gifting one-of-a-kind presents; you also get to support homegrown artisans and, in many cases, causes that give back to society. From handcrafted homeware and fun fashion to books, stationery and tasty treats, these 28 brands are all you need to sleigh your holiday shopping this year. 1. Hands Design The founder of Hands Design is living proof it’s never too late to discover your passion. At 59, after countless YouTube tutorials, this former cement truck driver-turned-self-taught craftsman now creates stunning wooden and resin homeware along with his family. Think charcuterie boards for party hosts, or desktop stands and wrist rests for your workaholic pals. Finally, home office essentials that fit the study they painstakingly designed. 2. Hikari & Shores Sure, Taobao makes home decor shopping easy, but mass-produced items rarely compare to one-of-a-kind creations. Enter Hikari and Shores, founded by a wedding photographer-turned-artist with a flair for crafting intricate wooden lighthouses, cabins and even 4x4s. Perched on “rocks” and suspended in wooden frames, these enchanting pieces are perfect for commemorating a shared adventure or adding a touch of magic to any space. 3. Habichl Working alongside her “employee of the month” – a mini dachshund named Riley – the founder of Habichl creates tufted textile pieces inspired by nature and its vibrant colours. From coasters to wall-hung rugs adorned with flora and fauna, these functional designs also shine as art when arranged in a three-by-three grid. Don’t miss her latest creations on The Stacked Store, like the sunny side-up and burger stack coasters. 4. Clean Folks Club Soaps might be the go-to budget gifts, but let’s be honest – they’re often forgettable. Which is why Clean Folks Club is changing that with “creative dessert soaps”. The Christmas Wreath Cake Soap combines festive scents like lemon, vanilla, peppermint, and cranberry, while the Ang Ku Kueh Soap brings Christmas colours and a chuckle. Or get ahead with the Pineapple Tart Soap Set – Chinese New Year is only a couple of months away. 5. The Plant Loft For the friend who can’t keep their plant alive longer than a YouTube Premium trial, the Plant Loft’s gift sets come with guides that spell out everything – where to place them, how much water they need and how to revive them when they’re looking a little sad. Looking for something cute that’s nearly impossible to kill? Try the heart-shaped Hoya Kerrii, which only needs watering once a week. 6. NPCC No, not the National Police Cadet Corps – this NPCC is a fresh creative concept store lighting up New Bahru. Their acrylic lamps are customisable, with layers and colours crafted for fans of the dopamine decor trend. These lamps will feel right at home on an eclectic display shelf and, even in a neutral home, deliver just the right pop of colour to brighten the mood – and the room. 7. Ves Studio Who said pottery had to be boring beige? Ves Studio, nestled in Chip Bee Gardens, redefines ceramics with playful handmade homeware. The Ishi Collection, available in three vibrant colourways, brings texture and charm to your coffee or tea routine, while the Messymsxi 2.0 collaboration features hand-painted vases and plates that double as wall art. Feeling quirky? Their face-adorned pieces will add a touch of whimsy in any space. 8. Pass It On From plantable candles to crockery made from upcycled rice and coconut husks, Pass It On’s products are here to bring the festive cheer without the waste. Even the packaging is designed with care – their limited-edition furoshiki wraps transform into hand towels, table mats, or wine bottle holders; while reusable gift tags double as coasters. Now, that’s what we call guilt-free gifting. 9. Goodness Gracious Founded by a mum determined to ditch plastic, Goodness Gracious is another option for eco-conscious shoppers. Their handmade beeswax food wraps use 100 per cent cotton fabric, Australian beeswax, organic coconut oil, and natural tree resin, and come in designs like Peranakan tiles and Italian villas. A thoughtful gift for any budding domestic goddess – and a win for planet Earth too. 10. Sojao Sojao’s bed linen is proof that solid-coloured bed linen is anything but boring, but there’s more to their products than aesthetics. GOTS-certified, breathable and softer with every wash, their sheets are ideal for Singapore’s humid nights. Pair them with their lightweight Summer Quilts – available in a smaller size for fur kids – for the ultimate snuggle session. 11. Beyond The Vines Available in four sizes and a wide range of colours, the Dumpling Bag is a familiar sight in Singapore for good reason. But while this hero product gets all the glory, other versatile designs like the Crunch Carryall deserve some love too. Water-resistant and spacious enough to fit a 15-inch laptop, this nylon tote might just be the better pick for the men on your gift list. 12. Jiakuma Here’s another dumpling bag that caught our eye. Inspired by the childhood game of five stones, Jiakuma’s Origami Dumpling Bag is part of their Japanese-inspired collection, alongside the octagonal Mariko and knotted Kiki series. Hand-stitched in Singapore with textiles from around the world, the bags feature loud, quirky prints. Many designs are reversible, so you're basically getting two bags for the price of one. (#girlmath) 13. Studio Qiling Studio Qiling, whose co-founder boasts a Louis Vuitton and Goyard pedigree , stands out with silk accessories featuring hand-drawn flora and fauna. The Classic Porcelain Cat – one of their bestsellers, depicting a Singapura Cat frolicking among blue-and-white florals inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain. The print can be worn as a scarf, bandeau, kimono, or our personal favourite, the pareo, which transforms into a halter top or wrap skirt. 14. Snuggly Studio Snuggly Studio started with quirky rugs for floors, tables, and walls but has since expanded into clothing. Gifting apparel can be a gamble, but their graphic tees and neutral loungewear are safe bets. The Intentional Summer tee is a gentle reminder to slow down and embrace self-care, while the New Curves co-ord set – with its curved hem and slouchy slacks – makes a trendy airport outfit for your jet-setting friend. 15. Plain Supplies 16. Faire Collective Also born on Kickstarter, Faire Collective is all about clean, polished designs with compartments that actually make sense for modern professionals. (Brief)case in point: The Bond All-Purpose Briefcase has a spot for everything from laptops to chargers. Frequent travellers will love the trolley slot strap that slides onto carry-on luggage, and the small pockets for mobile pins and SIM cards? Total game-changers. 17. Rugged Gentlemen Shoppe For adventurers who like a bit of scruff, try Rugged Gentlemen Shoppe from Obbigood Label. Founded in 2019 by a group of crafters, it blends premium leather with all things outdoorsy for a tough yet refined look. Take their handmade belt made from full-grain cowhide and solid brass buckles that develop a patina over time, or the OGL Kingsman Bi-Fold Wallet, crafted from “almost unbreakable” Japanese Tochigi leather. 18. Talking Toes From Axe Oil and Mamee logos to the classic Good Morning Towel, Talking Toes is the go-to brand for fun local designs. There’s a pair for every personality – mahjong fans, durian lovers, and that one friend who needs kopi and toast even when they’re abroad. And for the introverts recovering from the holiday hustle, their Social Hangover Club collection couldn’t have come at a better time. 19. Siders Online Often, the best gifts are the ones people wouldn’t buy for themselves, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Siders Online. Your Owala tumbler doesn’t need a cap, but if it doubles as an earphones pouch, why not? Fruit-shaped bags might seem extra, but hey, they’re water-resistant, and our toiletries aren’t going to pack themselves. And those claw clips shaped like sushi, pasta, and croissants? Take our money already. 20. A-kynd Gifting jewellery doesn’t have to be all serious business – A-kynd has you covered with their fun and functional pieces. From holographic daisies to gummy bears and balloon dogs, their quirky charms decorate shower- and tarnish-proof earrings and necklaces. Bonus: Your recipient can mix and match charms, a la Pandora, for a personalised look. And with adjustable rings, you’ll never have to stress about sizing again. 21. Epigram If you’re shopping for old souls who still love the feel of a real book, head over to Epigram Coffee Bookshop, Singapore’s first bookstore dedicated to local titles, before it closes in January 2025 . There’s something for everyone at Epigram – from self-care journals for teens and young adults to children’s stories with lessons that resonate with adults, much like a good Pixar film. 22. Books Beyond Borders Books Beyond Borders, the secondhand bookstore helping fund girls' education in Nepal, now has a physical store at The Scarlet Singapore. While you’re giving their well-loved books a second life this Christmas, check out their sister brand, Two Storytellers, for gifts made by artisans in Nepal. That new read would be even better with a journal made from handcrafted paper to go along with it. 23. Drool Stamps Founded by a Singaporean illustrator who turned her childhood hobby of eraser carving into a stamp empire, Drool Stamps touts a menagerie of animal-themed rubber stamps, featuring the internet’s favourite critters – capybaras, alpacas, sloths – and furry friends that will make any pawrent swoon. Gunning for best secret Santa of the year? Get a custom wooden stamp – a name, couple portrait, or even a family portrait. 24. Artisan Collab Artisan Collab is an initiative under SPD’s Sheltered Workshop that helps persons with disabilities through vocational training and employment. Their artisans, including leather apprentices and bookbinders – some of the last of their kind in Singapore – craft everything from key fobs to handbound journals wrapped in printed fabrics and finished with hot stamping. When you buy one, you’re not just gifting something handmade – you’re supporting meaningful work and preserving a cherished tradition. 25. Hook Coffee Coffee lovers will always appreciate a caffeinated Christmas package, and whether your recipient prefers beans by the bag, Nespresso pods for busy mornings, or drip bags for their travels, Hook Coffee has it all (in fun flavours like Iced Gem Biscuits, no less). Know someone ready to turn their nose up at 3-in-1 coffee? Their gift sets – complete with equipment – are the gateway to the rabbit hole of coffee gear. 26. Tily Tea When Tily Tea’s founder brewed Codonopsis with red dates and goji berries at the instruction of her TCM practitioner to help her husband power through his late nights, she had no idea that was the first cup of Tily Tea. Fast forward to today, the brand offers tonic teas packed with Chinese herbs usually reserved for soups. Their gift collection, packed in festive tins and cute tea ware, is a fun way to show you care without getting all preachy about supplements. 27. Fossa If Fossa can turn Soy Milk and Youtiao into chocolate, surely they can turn the classic Christmas gift – chocolates – into something special. The Singapore Flavours set, featuring flavours like Teh Tarik and Masala Chai, is ideal for non-locals or friends living abroad. For a more festive touch, their Christmas Town Gift Set includes three flavours: Apple Cinnamon, Amanatsu & Mint, and Christmas Fruit Cake with 72 per cent dark chocolate – sure to earn that coveted “not too sweet” approval. 28. The 1925 Brewing Co It isn’t a party without a little booze, and The 1925 Brewing Co has just the craft beers to set the mood. This family-run brewery honours their Singaporean Teochew heritage, crafting beers that pair perfectly with Asian cuisine. Expect distinctive flavours like Kaya Toast, Musang King and Liang Teh Lager (Chrysanthemum), a 4.8 per cent ABV brew featured in their six-pack gift set.None

Nick Kern came off the bench for 20 points and 13 rebounds as Penn State remained unbeaten with an 85-66 thumping of Fordham in a semifinal of the Sunshine Slam on Monday in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Nittany Lions (6-0), who will play either San Francisco or Clemson for the tournament title on Tuesday, put four other players in double figures. Zach Hicks scored 16 points, while Puff Johnson added 15. Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each chipped in 12 points. Penn State sank nearly 53 percent of its field goal attempts and earned a 38-30 advantage on the boards, more than enough to offset missing 12 of its 32 foul shots. Four players reached double figures for the Rams (3-4), led by 15 points apiece from Jackie Johnson III and reserve Joshua Rivera. Romad Dean and Jahmere Tripp each added 13. Fordham was as close as 56-49 after Tripp made a layup with 14:25 left in the game. But the Nittany Lions responded with a 16-1 run, capped with a layup by Kern for a 22-point lead at the 9:33 mark, and they never looked back. The main storyline prior to tipoff was whether Penn State could continue its torrid early start that saw it come into the day leading Division I in steals and ranked second in scoring at 98.2 points per game. The Nittany Lions certainly played to their billing for most of the first half, establishing a 21-8 lead at the 10:08 mark via Hicks' three-point play. Fordham predictably struggled early with the pressure defense, committing four turnovers in the first four minutes. But the Rams got their bearings over the last 10 minutes and made some shots. They got as close as four on two occasions late in the half before Penn State pushed the lead to 42-34 at the half. The officials were busy in the half, calling 23 fouls and administering 27 free throws. --Field Level Media

Principal Financial Group Inc. Acquires 109,206 Shares of Immunocore Holdings plc (NASDAQ:IMCR)

After a disappointing COP29, here’s how to design global climate talks that might actually workTrump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leadersGaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Sergei Ilyin, Sputnik/Kremlin Pool An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Administration of Mangystau Region Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Associated Press Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Associated Press Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace."Philosophers discuss societal well-being in RiyadhTrump appears to side with Musk, tech allies in debate over foreign workers roiling his supportersArticle content While so many Oilers forwards not named Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl have struggled for to find some offence in the first quarter of the NHL season, one of the pleasant surprises has been role-playing winger Mattias Janmark. Janmark, who is playing 12:55 a night, has 10 points in 22 games, eight coming even-strength, one short-handed — a dandy feed to Darnell Nurse against New York Rangers last Saturday. He has just one goal, but, again, he has 10 points. The only Oilers forwards in double digits (points) are 97, 29 and Janmark. “Janne has played extremely well for four weeks,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch, who currently has the Swedish forward on right wing on the third line with Adam Henrique and Jeff Skinner. “He rarely has a bad shift and we obviously rely on him on the penalty kill (with partner Connor Brown) with our forward group. A really nice play to Darnell short-handed. He carried the puck up, had an opportunity to shoot, then a wraparound try but he held it and found Darnell coming in late.” “We talk about players who do all the little things right and that’s Janne.” Janmark is never measured on his offence but after signing a three-year free-agent deal in July for a $1.45 million AAV he is very much underrated. While the Oilers lost lots of speed over the summer — Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway and Ryan McLeod up front — Janmark is sneaky fast, turning 32 in two weeks. “I don’t really think about points much. I know when I’m playing good or not (points aside),” said Janmark, whose career high in points for a single season is 34 when playing for Dallas. NHL forwards coming into the league are always looked upon to put up points but that’s never been Janmark’s deal. When did points cease to be important to him? “When you’re younger you rely on them a bit more. You get hard on yourself if they (points) aren’t coming and then you go through stretches in your career when you’re simply not scoring. To stay in this league you have to find other things” apart from points, he said. Janmark was excellent in the Oilers playoff run last spring, especially in a penalty-kill role, but he also beat Sergei Bobvrovsky on a breakaway early in the first period of Game 7 in Florida to tie it 1-1 after Carter Verhaeghe’s Panthers’ goal. “I had a tough regular season, not many points (12 in 72 games), but you go through a good playoffs, yeah, it gives you confidence that you can do it at the highest level,” he said. SHOTS TO GOALS Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ career shooting percentage is 11.9, with his out-of-nowhere 18.4 in 2022-23 when he scored 37, but it’s 4.5 this season. He has 40 shots on net (80 attempted) and only two goals. “A forward’s average shooting percentage in the NHL is between nine and 15 percent. There’s a few players above that, exceptional shooters. Like Leon,” said Knoblauch. Draisaitl’s at 26.7 right now, with 16 goals on 60 shots and a career average of 18.5. Draisaitl was 14.3, 16.9, 12.3 shots-to-goals his first three seasons, but hasn’t had one under 18.5 over the past six years. “Leon can obviously shoot the puck well. That one-timer from a bad angle is difficult for a goalie to save if you hit the net. Also if you miss, well, that doesn’t count against the shooting percentage,” said Knoblauch. “Sometimes you have an outlier season where you’re shooting really well. Last year, Zach Hyman’s was 18.6 per cent but he is typically about 13 or 14. There’s a lot of luck, circumstances dictating scoring goals,” said Knoblauch. Nugent-Hopkins’s 4.5 per cent mirrors the scoring difficulties of most of the Oilers forwards. He was 9.8 per cent last season, with18 goals on 183 shots, so it’s going down. “Maybe you could say Nuge isn’t taking the same quality of shots as he should. The last two or three games, though, Nuge ripped one shot off the crossbar and hit the butt-end of the goalie’s stick in the Ranger game. That’s two goals, and his shooting percentage is 10 per cent,” said Knoblauch. This ‘n that : Newcomer Kasperi Kapanen and Derek Ryan were absent from Tuesday’s practice along with the injured Viktor Arvidsson and Hyman. “Kapanen had an immigration appointment,” said Knoblauch, in the wake of the Finnish winger’s waiver claim from St. Louis to Edmonton. “Ryan was sick.” ... Phil Esposito, who scored 717 goals, many from the high slot, said recently he used to employ a paddle like Draisaitl’s. Good company ... Evander Kane, who had surgery two months ago to repair two sports hernias and tears to two adductor and abdominal muscles, was seen walking around the Oilers dressing room Tuesday, with no visible movement issues. The time frame for a return is unclear but doctors said five to six months. He seems ahead of schedule. Would anybody be surprised if he’s back in January sometime? ... Unless the Oilers wanted to give up winger Matt Savoie, 20, to try and get Columbus right-shot defenceman David Jiricek, who turns 20 on Thursday and is unhappy there, is there any conceivable way the Oilers and Jackets are a fit? Savoie was the ninth-overall pick in 2022, Jiricek was sixth ... Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, who got Marc-Andre Fleury’s stick autographed last week, wants to get more. “I’d like to get Vasy (Andrei Vasilevskiy) and (Sergei) Bobrovsky. I would have loved Carey Price’s. But I guess that won’t happen now. I did see him once in a hallway (during practice when Montreal was in town several years back). He said, ‘How are you doing?’ I, said, ‘Uh, good.’ I didn’t know what to say,” said the awestruck Skinner ... The Oilers will likely be adding a forward for their upcoming three-day trip to Utah, Colorado and Vegas. They’ll probably bring back fourth-line winger Drake Caggiula, who has been recalled twice for four games and who was sent back to Bakersfield for salary-cap reasons ... Seth Griffith was just named Bakersfield captain. Brad Malone was the former captain before retiring and taking a job as an assistant coach in junior in Oshawa ... Nashville got a fourth-round draft pick from Pittsburgh for forward Phil Tomasino on Monday. Must be the going rate now for former first-round draft forwards, with Oilers the giving Vancouver a fourth-rounder for Vasily Podkolzin in August ... Savoie and Noah Philp are percolating on the farm. The organization wants to leave them in the AHL to learn more. Barring a run of injuries here, you likely won’t see either player until the New Year ... James Hamblin remains out with a lower-body injury in Bakersfield ... Winger Roby Jarventie, acquired in the Ottawa Xavier Bourgault summer trade, remains out on the farm. He did play two games there after missing all of camp with a knee issue and had two points, but GM Keith Gretzky says they were maybe pushing things a little fast. The knee, different from the one operated on while playing in the Senators’ organization, isn’t strong enough for games just yet.

London back in favour with banks amid chaos in France and GermanyHAMISH MCRAE: There's method in the Bitcoin madnessMOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace." Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”

NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electronic health records market size is estimated to grow by USD 54.7 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 17.57% during the forecast period. Market Driver The Electronic Health Records (EHR) market is experiencing significant growth as healthcare providers shift from paper records to digital solutions. Hospitals and healthcare units are major adopters, with the professional services segment driving demand. Chronic diseases require extensive patient records, making digitalization essential. The acute and post-acute segments, including rehabilitation centers, benefit from EHRs' efficiency. Doctors and pharmacies also use EHRs for patient health history, medicines, allergies, and immunization status. Web-based EHRs offer convenience, while Client server-based EHRs ensure data security. Advanced healthcare facilities utilize EHRs for clinical documentation, lab systems, radiology systems, and clinical applications. Healthcare financing, administrative applications, and healthcare financing are also managed through EHRs. EHR service providers leverage software technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud storage technology to offer advanced solutions. Geriatric population and diseases require specialized EHRs. Inpatient EHRs, ambulatory care, ambulatory surgical centers, and clinical trials also use EHRs for data storage and administrative data. Devices and drugs are integrated into EHR systems for seamless patient care. The UN projects that over half of the global population will be aged 65 and above by 2039, leading to significant growth in the healthcare sector, particularly in developed countries. In response, the industry is transitioning from diagnosis and treatment to prevention. This trend is also emerging in Asia and the Middle East , where population growth is most pronounced. The demand for remote healthcare, wireless treatments, and minimally invasive procedures is escalating. Healthcare providers are investing in home care, remote monitoring, telehealth, and self-monitoring solutions to cater to this preventive care focus. Market Challenges The Electronic Health Records (EHR) market is witnessing significant growth due to the digitalization of healthcare. However, challenges persist in various segments. In the professional services segment, integrating EHR systems across hospitals, healthcare units, rehabilitation centers, and clinics requires expertise. Chronic diseases demand efficient management of patient health history, medicines, allergies, and immunization status. Hospitals face challenges with paperwork, digitalization, and big data management in acute and post-acute segments. Doctors and physicians in ambulatory services need user-friendly Web-based EHR solutions for easy access to patient records. Pharmacies, laboratories, and clinics require seamless integration with EHR systems for efficient clinical documentation and administrative applications. EHR service providers must address the unique needs of advanced healthcare facilities, specialty centers, and geriatric population. Software technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud storage technology play crucial roles in addressing these challenges. Healthcare financing, drug development, and device integration are also essential considerations. Inpatient EHR, clinical trials, and administrative data management are key areas of focus. The electronic health records (EHR) market is experiencing significant growth due to the digitalization of healthcare workflows. However, this trend comes with concerns over privacy and data protection. With the integration of devices generating data into healthcare systems and the availability of data from hospitals and insurance companies in a centralized place, healthcare organizations and patient information are at risk of cyberattacks. This issue restricts the healthcare industry from fully adopting advanced technologies, despite the potential benefits of improved healthcare quality, insights, and cost reduction. It is crucial for industry players to prioritize security measures to mitigate these risks and ensure patient data confidentiality. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This electronic health records market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 On-premises 1.2 Cloud-based 2.1 Services 2.2 Software 2.3 Hardware 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 On-premises- On-premises Electronic Health Records (EHR) are self-hosted systems where the software and hardware are installed and managed on the native IT infrastructure of businesses and enterprises. These systems offer physical control and improved data security as the data is managed in-house, and there is no reliance on the Internet for access. However, the adoption of on-premises EHR by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is hindered due to the higher costs associated with the additional requirements for servers, hardware, and floor space. Large enterprises with sufficient funds and existing infrastructure continue to prefer on-premises EHR due to the enhanced data security and control. The growing concerns around data privacy and security are driving the demand for on-premises EHR solutions, contributing to the market's growth during the forecast period. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis The Electronic Health Records (EHR) market is witnessing significant growth due to the digitalization of healthcare and the increasing adoption of advanced technologies in the healthcare industry. The market caters to various segments including hospitals, healthcare units, and advanced healthcare facilities in both the acute and post-acute segments. Chronic diseases management is a major application area for EHRs, helping healthcare providers manage patient health history, medicines, allergies, and clinical documentation more effectively. EHR systems come in different formats such as Web-based and client server-based, with Ambulatory EHR and Acute EHR being the most common types. These systems integrate with various healthcare systems including lab systems, radiology systems, and pharmacy systems, streamlining workflows and reducing paperwork. The post-acute segment, including rehabilitation centers, is also adopting EHRs to manage patient care more efficiently. Big data analytics is a key trend in the EHR market, enabling healthcare providers to gain insights from patient data and improve patient outcomes. Overall, the EHR market is transforming healthcare delivery by making patient records more accessible and manageable. Market Research Overview The Electronic Health Records (EHR) market is a rapidly growing segment in the healthcare industry, driven by the digitalization of paperwork and the need for efficient and accurate patient care. EHR systems are used by hospitals, healthcare units, rehabilitation centers, and other advanced healthcare facilities to manage patient's healthcare records. These records include health history, medicines, allergies, immunization status, lab test results, hospital discharge instructions, billing information, and more. EHR systems are available in various formats such as Web-based EHR, Client server-based EHR, Acute EHR, Ambulatory EHR, and Post-acute EHR. They cater to different segments like hospitals, ambulatory services, pharmacies, laboratories, clinics, and specialty centers. The market is segmented into professional services, acute segment, post-acute segment, and the chronic diseases segment. The professional services segment includes services related to the implementation, customization, and maintenance of EHR systems. The acute segment caters to the needs of hospitals and inpatient care, while the post-acute segment serves the needs of long-term care facilities and rehabilitation centers. EHR systems use advanced software technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud storage technology to provide clinical applications, administrative applications, healthcare financing, and clinical documentation. They also offer integration with lab systems, radiology systems, pharmacy systems, and clinical trial data. The geriatric population and patients with chronic diseases benefit significantly from EHR systems as they require continuous care and monitoring. EHR service providers offer on-premise software and cloud-based software to cater to the varying needs of healthcare providers. The market also includes drug, devices, and administrative data. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Deployment On-premises Cloud-based Component Services Software Hardware Type Application Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio​Dangerous skies: on the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner

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The Federal Government has been commended for its interventions so far in ensuring that farmers, processors and other players in the agricultural value-chain under the “Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase-One” known as “ATASP-1”, are supported and encouraged to contribute to food security in Nigeria. Some farmers who have benefitted from the ATASP-1 project in Anambra and Enugu states on Saturday made the commendations when a delegation from Africa Development Bank, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Finance, Water Resources as well as ATASP-1, toured some project sites in communities located in Anambra and Enugu states. The rural farmers hailed the Federal Government’s interventions, saying, “With ATASP-1, the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on food for all will be achievable in no distant time.” In late 2020, the Federal Government, through the ATASP-1, awarded a contract for the concrete Lining of 22.45KM and 44.1km of Irrigation Canals in the Adani and Omor communities of Ayamelum Local Government axis of Anambra, which is a border town to Enugu State. The ATASP-1 authorities said the massive projects aimed to ensure dry season rice farming in the communities, thereby contributing to the Federal Government’s food security agenda in the country. The teams visited numerous project sites executed under ATASP-1 in communities such as the Adani and Omor axis of Anambra and Enugu states to evaluate the status and quality of projects and assess the impact of the numerous agricultural transformation programmes of the Federal Government being financed by the AfDB. During the visit to the communities on Saturday, the Zonal Coordinator of ATASP-1 in Adani-Omor Zone, Dr Romanus Egba, in his remarks, said the aim of the project was, “to give the farmers a sure means of survival by empowering them with capacity building, inputs support, as well as creating an enabling environment for increase food production with economic and social/ancillary infrastructures also provided to enhance their living standard”. The National Programme Coordinator of the programme, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, also added that ATASP-1 has proven to be a game-changer in the quest by the Federal Government to address food insecurity in the country. Arabi expressed joy with the outpouring of testimonies from beneficiaries of the programme in the Adani-Omor Zone. The AfDB Task Team Manager for ATASP-1, Dr Tobi Karikari, also expressed satisfaction with the achievements made so far by the FG through ATASP-1 both in the provision of infrastructure and empowerment for the farmers. Karikari, therefore, called on the farmers to put into proper use the facilities and knowledge gathered to enable them to contribute their quota towards building a greater society. Related News Anambra: Two injured in police, hoodlums gun battle Chinese, five others arrested in Anambra for illegal mining Anambra awards N55bn road, streetlight contracts, others In Adani, the team inspected the Double Span Obinna Bridge which connects the Ada Rice Irrigation Project farm command areas, feeder roads as well as recently completed canals which is already supplying water to the field for dry season farming. The team also visited the Modern Rice Market built by ATASP-1 at Adani as well as the Modern Cottage Hospital at Asaba, also in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State. In Ayamelum, the team visited the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, LAIP’s pumping station at Ifite-Ogwari, as well as ongoing Canal Lining sites at Omor as well as completed access roads. The team also interacted with beneficiaries at Adani and Omor who took turns to testify on how the ATASP-1 trainings on Good Agronomic Practices, GAPs, and other supports had transformed their lives. A rice farmer from Omor community, Chief Obiora Mmuoneke, testified that with ATASP-1 training and support, he was able to build a six-room bungalow train three of his children to the university levels and expand his business. Another lead farmer in the area, Chief Cletus Obiora, while thanking ATASP-1, remarked that with the concrete lining and resuscitation of the irrigation system in the area, they are expecting to produce more tonnes of rice annually. A rice farmer and processor from Omor community, Mrs Gloria Udemezue, said that apart from expanding her farming production from two to six hectares, she now makes more money from producing snacks from rice flour. Udemezue said, “Under ATASP-1, we have prospered beyond our imagination. I built my own house and trained my four children in schools, among others.” During an interactive session at Adani, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government, Chijioke Ezeugwu, represented by the Local Government Secretary, Casmir Adamu, commended ATASP-1, for the quality of infrastructure they built in the area and pledged that the council would continue to partner with both the Federal and state governments in ensuring the security of farmers and well utilization of the infrastructures. A lead farmer, Chief Bernard Idu, while recalling the difficulties they faced while trying to evacuate produce from the farmlands, commended the agency for being upright in the supervision and execution of the numerous projects.