game 777 AP News Summary at 2:33 p.m. ESTGlobal Gym Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-MINDBODY, PushPress, Virtuagym, RhinoFit, Glofox 12-24-2024 05:26 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Market Research Intellect Global Gym Software Market USA, New Jersey- According to the Market Research Intellect, the global Gym Software market is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% from 2024 to 2031. Starting with a valuation of 7.01 Billion in 2024, the market is expected to reach approximately 16.73 Billion by 2031, driven by factors such as Gym Software and Gym Software. This significant growth underscores the expanding demand for Gym Software across various sectors. The gym software market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing adoption of digital tools to streamline gym operations and enhance member experiences. Fitness centers, health clubs, and personal trainers are leveraging gym management software to automate tasks such as scheduling, billing, and membership tracking. The rising focus on health and wellness, coupled with the growing popularity of fitness subscriptions and hybrid workout models (in-person and virtual classes), is fueling demand for these solutions. Advancements in technology, such as AI-powered analytics and mobile app integration, are further boosting adoption by providing personalized insights and real-time engagement. Additionally, the surge in boutique fitness studios and independent trainers is creating new opportunities in the market. The post-pandemic emphasis on fitness and health awareness continues to support robust market growth. The dynamics of the gym software market are influenced by technological advancements, user expectations, and evolving fitness trends. Modern gym software solutions offer features like online booking, virtual class integration, and automated payment processing, meeting the needs of both fitness centers and their members. The rise of mobile fitness apps and wearable devices is encouraging software providers to integrate tracking and performance analytics into their platforms. However, challenges such as budget constraints for smaller gyms and resistance to technology adoption in traditional setups can hinder market growth. Competition is intensifying as vendors focus on providing scalable and customizable solutions for gyms of all sizes. Additionally, the growing preference for hybrid fitness models and personalized workout experiences is driving innovation, prompting vendors to enhance functionality and improve customer engagement. Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=1924010&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=026 Key Drivers: The growth of the Gym Software market is driven by several key factors. Technological advancements in Gym Software have enabled greater efficiency and enhanced capabilities, spurring adoption across industries. Additionally, the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is pushing companies to innovate and adopt greener practices. Expanding applications in sectors like Gym Software and Gym Software are further contributing to market demand, as these industries seek advanced solutions to streamline operations and enhance product quality. Favorable government policies and incentives in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific support investment and growth. Moreover, an increasing focus on Gym Software for improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness is encouraging businesses to embrace new technologies, fostering sustained market expansion. Mergers and Acquisitions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a pivotal role in the Gym Software market, as companies look to expand their capabilities, access new technologies, and strengthen market presence. Leading players engage in strategic acquisitions to consolidate their position and gain a competitive edge. These transactions often facilitate the integration of advanced Gym Software solutions, helping firms broaden their product portfolios and meet growing customer demands. Additionally, M&A activities support companies in achieving economies of scale and penetrating new regional markets, particularly in high-growth areas like Asia-Pacific. Through such strategic alliances, businesses aim to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and address evolving market challenges, ultimately driving the overall growth of the Gym Software market. Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ask-for-discount/?rid=1924010&utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=026 The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report By Type Web-based App-based By Application Small Business Middle Business Large Business Major companies in Gym Software Market are: MINDBODY, PushPress, Virtuagym, RhinoFit, Glofox, Omnify, Zen Planner, Club OS, Wodify Pro Global Gym Software Market -Regional Analysis North America: North America is expected to hold a significant share of the Gym Software market due to advanced technological infrastructure and the presence of major market players. High demand across sectors like Gym Software and Gym Software is driving growth, with the U.S. being a key contributor. Additionally, ongoing investments in R&D and innovation reinforce the region's strong market position. Europe: Europe is projected to experience steady growth, driven by stringent regulatory standards and a rising focus on sustainability in Gym Software practices. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are leading due to their advanced industrial base and supportive government policies. The demand for eco-friendly and efficient Gym Software solutions is expected to continue fostering market expansion. Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to expanding consumer bases and increasing investments in infrastructure. The region's robust manufacturing sector and favorable economic policies further enhance growth opportunities in the Gym Software market. Latin America: Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to show moderate growth in the Gym Software market. In Latin America, growth is supported by rising industrial activities in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Meanwhile, in the Middle East & Africa, infrastructure development and an increasing focus on innovation in sectors like Gym Software are key drivers of market expansion. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa represent emerging markets in the global Gym Software market, with countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Nigeria showing promising growth potential. Economic diversification efforts, urbanization, and a young population are driving demand for Gym Software products and services in the region. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What is the current size of the Gym Software market? Answer: The Gym Software market was valued at approximately 7.01 Billion in 2024, with projections suggesting it will reach 16.73 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 15.6%. 2. What factors are driving the growth of the Gym Software market? Answer: The market's expansion is attributed to several factors, including increased demand for Gym Software, advancements in Gym Software technology, and the adoption of Gym Software across various sectors. 3. Which regions are expected to dominate the Gym Software market? Answer: Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are anticipated to lead due to the presence of major industry players and growing investments in Gym Software. 4. Who are the key players in the Gym Software market? Answer: Prominent companies in the Gym Software market include Gym Software, Gym Software, and Gym Software, each contributing to market growth through innovations and strategic partnerships. 5. What challenges does the Gym Software market face? Answer: The market faces challenges such as Gym Software, regulatory compliance, and competition from alternative solutions. However, ongoing advancements aim to address these issues. 6. What are the future trends in the Gym Software market? Emerging trends include the integration of Gym Software technology, sustainability practices, and digital transformation in processes, all expected to shape the market's future. 7. How can businesses benefit from the Gym Software market? Answer: Businesses can leverage growth opportunities in the Gym Software market by adopting new solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding their offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. 8. Why invest in a Gym Software market report from MRI? Answer: MRI's report provides in-depth analysis, future projections, and key insights to support strategic decision-making, enabling businesses to stay competitive and capitalize on growth trends in the Gym Software market. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/product/global-gym-software-market-size-and-forecast/?utm_source=OpenPr&utm_medium=026 About Us: Market Research Intellect Market Research Intellect is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25, 000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. Our research spans a multitude of industries including Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverages, etc. Having serviced many Fortune 2000 organizations, we bring a rich and reliable experience that covers all kinds of research needs. About Us: Market Research Intellect Market Research Intellect is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ global clients. We provide advanced analytical research solutions while offering information-enriched research studies. We also offer insights into strategic and growth analyses and data necessary to achieve corporate goals and critical revenue decisions. Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance using industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research. For inquiries, Contact Us at: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Market Research Intellect APAC: +61 485 860 968 EU: +44 788 886 6344 US: +1 743 222 5439 This release was published on openPR.Artificial intelligence (AI) was hot again this week, and it wasn't just Nvidia 's ( NVDA -3.22% ) earnings that were in focus. Super Micro Computer ( SMCI 11.62% ) was the huge winner, as it put forth a plan to become compliant with Nasdaq listing requirements. According to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence , Super Micro Computer's shares were up as much as 85% this week, C3.ai ( AI 6.94% ) was up 43.9%, and BigBear.ai Holdings ( BBAI 11.87% ) jumped 47.6%. At 3 p.m. ET on Friday, the stocks were up 78.1%, 42.8%, and 45.3%, respectively, for the week. Super Micro Computer's new plan On Wednesday, Super Micro Computer announced it had submitted a plan to Nasdaq to regain compliance to be listed on the exchange. That includes filing the company's annual 10-K for fiscal 2024 and the first quarter of fiscal 2025 10-Q. A key to the plan was Monday's announcement that BDO has been hired as the company's auditor. The company's previous auditor, Ernst & Young, resigned on concerns about management's governance and transparency. When a company's auditor quits, it can be a sign there are hidden risks that investors aren't anticipating. And the remedy can take months or even years, potentially ending with being delisted from the exchange. This doesn't solve Supermicro's problems, but it puts the company on a path to normal reporting again. C3.ai's big announcement At Microsoft Ignite, C3.ai announced a strategic alliance with Microsoft to "accelerate the adoption of Enterprise AI on Microsoft Azure." This includes initiatives like technical integration, product development, and joint sales and marketing. This is a natural partnership, given the common enterprise customers the companies have in common and the scale Microsoft can bring. Nvidia is the elephant in the room On top of these company-specific news items, Nvidia's earnings were the big news this week, as the company released fiscal third-quarter 2025 financial results. Revenue was up 94% to $35.1 billion, and net income jumped 109% to $19.3 billion, or $0.78 per share. Management continued to say demand is greater than supply for AI systems, and guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter (which Nvidia usually beats) was for $37.5 billion in revenue, continuing the growth march. The one trend that weakened for Nvidia was gross margins, which have fallen from 75.5% in the fiscal second quarter of 2025 to a guided range of 73% to 73.5% in the fiscal fourth quarter. This indicates that pricing power isn't quite as high as it once was for Nvidia, which makes sense as the company grows and AI chips become more competitive. The AI momentum continues It's been an incredible two years for AI, but the momentum doesn't seem to be stopping. And with Nvidia indicating that there's at least a few more quarters of growth, investors may see more gains ahead. Even companies like BigBear.ai that didn't announce anything significant this week are benefiting from the rising tide lifting all stocks. Someday, the tide will turn, but it certainly didn't this week.

It's holiday season, but that doesn't have to mean waiting in long lines for big sales to buy the hottest toy or newest game system. Whether you're a parent, relative, teacher, librarian or just a friend to a young person, consider a book that you can enjoy together. PRESCHOOL 'I Like Your Chutzpah And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like' Written and illustrated by Suzy Ultman “I Like Your Chutzpah and Other Yiddish Words You’ll Like," written and illustrated by Suzy Ultman Penguin Young Readers; Rise x Penguin Workshop Sweet, funny and infinitely readable, this board book contains 12 Yiddish words and their meanings, each accompanied by a simple, colorful illustration that will inspire fun reading voices. Recommended ages: 1 to 3. $9.99, RISE x Penguin Workshop ___ 'The 13 Days of Swiftness: A Christmas Celebration' People are also reading... Written by Tiffany Garland, illustrated by Brooke O'Neill "The 13 Days of Swiftness: A Christmas Celebration," written by Tiffany Garland, illustrated by Brooke O’Neill Little, Brown Books for Young Readers For the littlest Swifties, a play on the classic Christmas song — except instead of 12 days there are 13. Each page has bright illustrations and lots of Easter eggs for the fandom. Recommended ages: 3 and up. $10.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers EARLY ELMENTARY 'Into the Uncut Grass' Written by Trevor Noah, illustrated by Sabina Hahn "Into the Uncut Grass" by Trevor Noah and illustrated by Sabina Hahn One World / Penguin Random House Trevor Noah tells a story of a boy and his teddy bear who venture into the uncut grass, picking up bits of wisdom along the way. Long and quotable, with humor and gentle watercolor illustrations. Per the intro, "it's a picture book, but it's not a children's book. Rather, it is a book for kids to share with parents and for parents to share with kids." All ages. $26, One World ___ 'Proper Badger Would Never' Written by Lauren Glattly, illustrated by Rob Sayegh "Proper Badger Would Never" by Lauren Glattly and illustrated by Rob Sayegh Penguin Young Readers; Flamingo Books Badger was determined to be a perfectly proper guest at his first party, but his instincts may have gotten the better of him. Shred the gift wrapping paper? Never. Dig into the cake before it's served? Of course not. A colorful, texture-rich picture book that leans into joyful chaos. Recommended ages: 4 to 8. $18.99, Flamingo Books ___ 'Attack of the Scones' Written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney "Attack of the Scones: Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast" by Josh Funk and illustrated by Brendan Kearney Union Square In the sixth installment of the series, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast take on an alien invasion with the help of their fridge friends. Told in rhyming couplets with whimsical, expressive full-page illustrations. Recommended ages: 5 to 8. $8.99 paperback, $18.99 hardcover; Union Square Kids __ 'Bog Myrtle' Written and illustrated by Sid Sharp "Bog Myrtle" by Sid Sharp Annick Press One sister loves the forest and its splendors; the other is more interested in money. Sharp uses literary devices from irony to alliteration to puns, taking on topics like worker rights and environmental sustainability. "This graphic novel is perfect for the quirky, goofy child in your life who loves deadpan humor and 'The Skull' by Jon Klassen," says Sarah Bradley, lead bookseller at Powell's Books. Recommended ages: 6 to 11. $22.99, Annick Press ___ 'My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast' Written by Zoje Stage and illustrated by J.E. Larson "My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast" by Zoje Stage and pictures by J. E. Larson Bad Hand Books Stage's book reimagines the monster under the bed as something far cuter and weirder. One day while cleaning her room, Pru finds a shy little creature called an UnderSlumberBumbleBeast. Includes crosshatch drawings and a glossary of the trickier vocabulary. Recommended ages: 7 to 10. $15.99, Bad Hand Books LATE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE 'Otto Normal's Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach' Written by Danielle McKechnie, illustrated by Simon Estrada Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "Otto Normal's Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach" Andrews McMeel Publishing Otto moves with his mom from his normal California town to Monsterton, where they're the only humans among zombies, ghosts and sirens. Otto soon finds himself on a quick-paced adventure. With chunks of text broken up by beautiful digital color illustrations, blurring the line between chapter book and graphic novel, this glossy volume feels special to hold. Recommended ages: 8 to 12. $22.99, Simon & Schuster ___ 'The Wild Robot' Written and illustrated by Peter Brown "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Roz the robot is the sole survivor of a shipment gone overboard and has to adapt to the wild. She becomes the de facto mother of Brightbill the gosling, and the forest animals that shunned her otherness begin to form a community around her. Short chapters are punctuated by black-and-white illustrations. The trilogy saw a theatrical adaptation this year, and a special edition of the first volume features full-color inserts from the movie. Recommended ages: 8 to 12. $8.99 single paperback, $54 box set, Hatchette Book Group ___ 'The Young Green Witch's Guide to Plant Magic' Written by Robin Rose Bennett, illustrated by Rachel Grant "The Young Green Witch’s Guide to Plant Magic: Rituals and Recipes from Nature" by Robin Rose Bennett and illustrated by Rachel Grant Hachette Book Group This herbalist's chapter book with watercolor illustrations imparts how to use different plants, along with lessons of appreciation and self-acceptance and breathing meditations. There are also recipes for handy concoctions kids can make with minimal adult supervision, such as oatmeal scrub, lavender honey and dandelion pesto. Recommended ages: 8 to 12. $16.99, Running Press Kids ___ 'The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science' Written by Kate McKinnon, illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science" by Kate McKinnon Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Kate McKinnon of "Saturday Night Live" and "Barbie" fame tells the story of three adopted sisters who, having zero interest in perfecting the 85 ways to properly sit on a velvet fainting couch, find themselves expelled from etiquette school. Their new, extremely uncouth school puts them at the heart of a mystery in which the town is at stake. With fun fonts and the occasional illustration, the novel is a wildly imaginative celebration of strangeness with humor a la Lemony Snicket. Recommended ages: 8 to 12. $17.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ___ 'Plain Jane and the Mermaid' Written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol "Plain Jane and the Mermaid" by Vera Brosgol First Second The recently orphaned Jane has a week to get married and get her dowry before she'll be kicked to the streets. Handsome Peter might have accepted Jane's proposal if he hadn't been kidnapped by a mermaid. This full-color graphic novel challenges gender roles and beauty standards through an underwater adventure full of snark and hilarious characters, rivaling Jeff Smith's "Bone." Recommended ages: 10 to 14. $14.99, First Second YOUNG ADULT 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder' A trilogy by Holly Jackson "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" by Holly Jackson Delacorte Press Pip investigates a murder that she thinks another student was wrongly accused of. It's an ambitious project for a high school capstone, but Pip's an ambitious student. A TV adaptation of this true-crime-style story was produced by the BBC and released on Netflix over the summer. . Recommended ages: 14 and up. $14.99 single paperback, $47.97 box set, Ember ___ 'The Calculation of You and Me' By Serena Kaylor “The Calculation of You and Me" by Serena Kaylor St. Martin's Publishing Group Marlowe has great grades and a loving family, two best friends who understand her and all her autistic quirks, and a romantic boyfriend — until he breaks up with her, sending her perfectly categorized world into a tailspin. This sweet, funny, page-turning novel celebrates romance as an act and a genre. Recommended ages: 13 and up. $14 paperback, $24 hardcover, Wednesday Books ___ 'Lunar New Year Love Story' Written by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by LeUyen Pham "Lunar New Year Love Story" by Gene Luen Yang and Leuyen Pham First Second Valentina has one year to prove she doesn't share her family's fate of all romances ending in misery. If she doesn't find lasting love by then, she will give her heart to Saint Valentine and be forever protected from heartbreak. The graphic novel celebrates Asian culture alongside the ups and downs of love. Recommended ages: 14 and up. $17.99 paperback, $25.99 hardcover, First Second Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 Game-changing holiday gifts for building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more More consumers hope to cut out self-gifting this year. They may be making a mistake. More consumers hope to cut out self-gifting this year. They may be making a mistake. Americans are heading into the first holiday season in years where buying less may be the first thing on their minds. And this year, gift lists may exclude one important person: you. Stacker dug into Deloitte's 2024 holiday retail survey to explore the psychology behind Americans' reluctance to self-gift this year. In the modern era, holiday gifting includes a practice that may seem rooted in consumerism—giving ourselves gifts. However, "self-gifting," psychologists say, carries its own importance. It's one consumers intend to cut back on or eliminate entirely this holiday shopping season, according to Deloitte's 2024 holiday retail survey of over 4,000 U.S. consumers. We've all done it. With hard-to-resist Black Friday deals and hypertargeted advertising, it can be difficult to resist shopping for yourself when doing so for others. Meanwhile, the cost of goods and services has risen faster than usual every year since 2021, when post-COVID-19 pandemic inflation took root in the U.S. economy and altered how we consume. Even so, Americans expect to spend more on gifts this holiday than in the previous five years. Deloitte found that the average person anticipates spending $1,778 this year, a 19% increase from 2019, when the average expected spend was $1,496. Baked into that figure are consumers' expectations of higher prices this season, according to Deloitte. In response, some Americans are signaling they may do less for themselves. About 1 in 3 consumers intend to self-gift this year, down from almost half of all consumers last year, Deloitte found. At least 2 in 5 (43%) won't spend on themselves at all, up from 25% last year. Today, the appeal of giving gifts around winter holidays is nearly universal. The holidays have long been an occasion to show our love for others in the exchange of gifts. Though giving gifts may have emerged from the biblical story of the three wise men, Christmas celebrations were among the first to lean into a commercialized version of the winter holidays. Other religious traditions like the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah have evolved to include gifting as a part of its observance over the winter holiday. Even workplace culture has adopted gifting as a way to foster connections and lift moods with traditions like Secret Santa. This holiday season, though, our modern treat-yourself-culture could be on pause for many Americans. You may also like: How to increase your credit limit and keep a good credit score Ground Picture // Shutterstock More Americans prepared to remove themselves from holiday gift lists Dr. Steve Westberg, a professor of marketing and consumer psychology at the University of Southern California, suggests that the uptick in surveyed adults who say they hope to scale back self-gifting this year may be due to consumer pessimism and financial concern. Faced with more limited options during the pandemic years, Americans bestowed themselves with material goods—some out of practical necessity, others not. Over the 2020 and 2021 holiday seasons, Americans hunkered down at home to avoid catching or spreading the latest COVID-19 variant. They bought lots of furniture, electronics, and other items in lieu of spending on travel, outings, and live events. In 2022 and 2023, consumers embarked on so-called " revenge travel " to catch up on international and domestic trips. They attended the live music and sporting events they had missed out on. Today, there are signs that all of that spending is beginning to cause stress for the typical American consumer as prices remain painfully high . Americans' total amount of credit card debt is at an all-time high, and default rates for vehicle loans and credit cards are rising. In almost every major poll leading up to the 2024 presidential election, the economy and inflation were consistently the top issues driving voters to the polls. However, as consumers pull back, there's evidence that self-gifting can positively impact personal well-being . Jacqueline Rifkin, an assistant marketing and management communications professor at Cornell University, describes the practice as a way to self-regulate emotions. Self-gifting can express positive emotions in a way we may recognize as a celebration. "You just got a promotion, or you won some big award, you're feeling good, and you want to extend or amplify those good feelings. You can use self-gifting to achieve that," Rifkin told Stacker. Self-gifting can also be a way to deal with negative emotions. Rifkin published research in the Journal of Consumer Research on self-gifting, which revealed that people were least likely to gift things to themselves when under stress or feeling constrained—even though self-gifting can help us regulate during stressful moments. "If you're going through a rough time ... you can use self-gifting to pick yourself back up. One of the colloquial ways we think about this is 'retail therapy,'" Rifkin said. Can self-gifting and retail therapy veer into wasteful self-indulgence? Potentially, according to Westberg, who says the reasons we self-gift are similar to those that drive compulsive shopping habits. The act generates a positive emotional response. There's an important distinction, however, that experts draw between the two. Westberg and Rifkin agree that self-gifting stands out from other forms of shopping in that it incorporates intentionality. "You could define self-gifting as being a little more thoughtful in your choice," Westberg explained. Consumer advocates suggest that shoppers looking to cut back on spending create guardrails to help them shop more intentionally. Removing credit card information from our web browser's autofill function or delaying the impulse to "buy now" and creating a wish list instead can elongate the purchase process. Putting space between the initial urge to buy and the purchase can be revealing, too: It clarifies what's really meaningful and worthy enough to justify buying. For others, like Westberg, shopping satisfaction is derived from researching items to self-gift in the future. Westberg's initial inclination when it comes to self-gifting, like many of us, is to reward himself with some kind of "big ticket" item. "On the other hand, I don't know that I'll ever actually do that because once I have it, the anticipation aspect is going to go away," Westberg said. "So while I do think about self-gifting myself a car ... I get a lot of enjoyment [from] doing the research. ... [It's] the thoughtfulness that I can put into it rather than having the physical thing." According to Rifkin, our reluctance to give ourselves gifts isn't always born of financial constraints but also a belief that giving ourselves something won't actually make us feel better, even though it can. She advises consumers to remember that gifts can take on different forms this holiday season, and many of them don't cost a thing. "It's this intentional behavior that we engage in. It's something you do, you do it on purpose, and you do it for yourself," Rifkin said. "Could it be going for a walk around the block? Absolutely. Could it be dusting off a book that you hadn't read in a while and spending an hour reading it? Yes." Story editing by Alizah Salario. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Kristen Wegrzyn. Dom DiFurio The business news you need

VIDEO: Silvertips down Vancover GiantsGoogle has launched a new set of AI-powered features for Android devices, running on Android 15. According to Google, these features will help users express themselves authentically and connect their digital lives with real-world experiences. Highlights Google said the updates are designed to make Android devices even more helpful and accessible. Some of the key highlights include Expressive Captions, Gemini for Lookout, Quick Share via QR Code, Auto-Enhanced Scans in Google Drive and Emoji Kitchen Stickers among others. ALSO READ: Google fund to assist independent news publishers in SA Expressive Captions This feature automatically capture the intensity and emotion of how someone is speaking — from volume and tone to sounds that say more than words. You’ll see things like the [whispering] of a juicy secret, the [cheers and applause] of a big win and the [groaning] after a dad joke. These will appear across your phone’s apps on everything from streaming to social to video messages, only on Android [APPLAUSE]. Gemini for Lookout Wit this feature, you can hear image descriptions read aloud, enhanced by Gemini models Designed with people in blind and low-vision communities, Image Q&A in Lookout now uses Gemini 1.5 Pro to provide even richer, more helpful image descriptions compared to previous versions. Simply take, upload or open a photo in the app to hear the caption read aloud in a natural-sounding voice. You can then gain a deeper understanding of the image by asking follow-up questions, now available globally. Emoji Kitchen Grab a slice of the new sticker combos and keyboard. Is pizza night coming up? Remix your favorite emoji into new pizza-themed sticker combos 🍕+❤️ and share them with friends using Emoji. This feature helps you create a new emoticon with the help of existing ones. For example, if you add the pizza emoji with a heart on the keyboard, it will automatically create a new sticker that combines both of the commands. It is similar to Apple’s Genmoji. The only difference is, that Emoji Kitchen has already rolled out, but Genmoji is yet to arrive. QR codes in Quick Share This features allows your best photos to be shared. QR codes in Quick Share make it easier to transfer pictures, videos and documents. Simply select the media file you want to share, tap the QR code and have others scan it for a secure transfer — no need to add them as a contact, verify devices or change your sharing settings. Auto enhancement in Google Drive Google Drive now offers enhanced scans that are sharper and clearer with automatic improvements. Whether it’s receipts, documents, or ID cards, your scans are optimised for better contrast, white balance, and reduced shadows and blurring — all without the need for manual editing. Just capture an image of physical documents or receipts, and the app will save a crisp, clear digital version in your preferred format. ALSO READ: Google Gemini set to introduce AI images of people with Imagen 3 Gemini Extensions Gemini on Android is getting a boost with new Extensions that connect to your favourite apps and services. With the new Spotify extension, you can play your favourite songs and discover playlists for any mood. You can also call contacts and send messages with your default phone and messaging apps, set alarms and control device settings and your camera. Google said soon, you’ll also be able to use Gemini to control your smart home devices that your Google Account can access, and get more information about places on Maps. AI features exclusive to Pixel phones If you own a Google Pixel phone, there are new exclusive features coming to the device. The Screenshots app now automatically organises saved images and works with Circle to Search, letting users save search results and get relevant suggestions. The new update also brings Emoji Kitchen to Gboard, allowing users to create custom emoji combinations, and enhances the call screening feature with AI-powered contextual response suggestions. Google started rolling out the new features this week for Pixel phones and a few select Android 15 devices, with a wider global rollout expected over the next few weeks. NOW READ: Facebook, Microsoft and Telkom on ‘largest outages of 2024’ list

The implications of this breakthrough in 3D graphics technology are far-reaching, with potential applications across a wide range of industries, including film and animation production, video game development, virtual reality experiences, architectural visualization, and scientific simulations. By enabling artists and developers to create visually stunning and immersive content faster and more efficiently than ever before, this new software promises to push the boundaries of digital creativity and storytelling to new heights.game background 。

The uncertainty surrounding Emerson's situation underscores the challenges facing Barcelona as they look to rebuild their squad and compete at the highest level. The club's financial constraints have forced them to adopt a more cautious approach in the transfer market, with the need to balance the books becoming increasingly critical.

Ohio State vs. Michigan post-game notes

As we enter the year 2024, a closer look at the Chinese economy reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by robust and effective macroeconomic regulation. Over the past year, China has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of global economic challenges, thanks in large part to the government's proactive and strategic approach to economic management.

The imposition of visa restrictions on US individuals is not intended to escalate tensions between China and the United States, but rather to send a strong message to those who continue to undermine China's position on the Hong Kong issue. The Chinese government has made it clear that it is willing to take necessary measures to protect its national interests and preserve the stability and security of Hong Kong.

In the end, Zhang's story serves as a poignant reminder of the capricious nature of fame and fortune. Once hailed as the savior of Beijing's basketball scene, he now finds himself cast aside and forgotten, a mere footnote in the city's storied sporting history.

In the fiercely competitive landscape of Spanish football, the race for the La Liga title is heating up as Barcelona finds their once-comfortable lead dwindling with each passing match. The latest twist in the tale comes as Barcelona, having played 2 more games than their arch-rivals Real Madrid, now hold just a 5-point lead over the defending champions. Furthermore, their advantage over Atletico Madrid has been reduced to a mere 6 points, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the season.In conclusion, the appointment of Liu Shishi as Celine's Global Brand Ambassador heralds a new chapter for the fashion house, symbolizing its commitment to diversity, innovation, and timeless elegance. With Liu Shishi's grace and charm leading the way, Celine is poised to redefine luxury fashion and set new trends in the global fashion landscape. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from this dynamic partnership between Liu Shishi and Celine!

As investors and consumers continue to monitor the evolving gold prices, it is essential to stay informed and make well-informed decisions regarding gold investments. With the current bullish trend in the gold market, it is crucial to consider the implications of this surge in prices and assess the potential risks and rewards of investing in gold.Expert: Optimize Fiscal and Monetary Policies to Meet Market Expectations and Strengthen Unconventional Countercyclical Adjustments

"Chelsea's attacking play has been a joy to watch this season. From their quick passing and fluid movement to their clinical finishing, they have been a force to be reckoned with in the final third," Wright commented. "Players like Lukaku, Havertz, and Mount have been outstanding in front of goal, and they have made life difficult for opposition defenders."

game changer As one of the most successful clubs in English football history, Arsenal is constantly looking for ways to improve and evolve both on and off the pitch. The role of Sporting Director is crucial in shaping the club's future direction and ensuring long-term success, making it essential for Arsenal to make a strategic and well-informed decision in selecting the right candidate.

OTTAWA - Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government is hoping a temporary break on GST will address a ‘vibecession’ that has gripped Canadians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that starting Dec. 14 the goods and services tax will be taken off a slew of items for two months to help with the affordability crunch. Freeland says there’s a disconnect between recent good news on inflation and interest rates and how Canadians are feeling about the economy, something she said is being referred to as a “vibecession.” She says the tax cut is meant to help bridge that gap and stimulate consumer spending. The federal government also plans to send $250 cheques in the spring to Canadians who were working in 2023 and earned up to $150,000. The two measures are estimated to cost the federal government $6.3 billion. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024.In the end, this is not just a story about one player or one match, but a story about the power of sport to transcend boundaries, unite people, and create moments that will be remembered for years to come. It is a story about the spirit of competition, the pursuit of excellence, and the unwavering belief that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

One of the key pillars of Huang Xiaoming's charitable work is his commitment to supporting children's education. Believing firmly in the transformative power of education, he has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at providing quality education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through his charity foundation, Huang Xiaoming has funded the construction of schools, provided scholarships, and organized educational enrichment programs, all with the goal of empowering children to break the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential.

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Kulgam/ Baramulla, Dec 7: Jammu and Kashmir launched a 100-day drive to end tuberculosis (TB) with Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Masood (Itoo) launching the campaign across J&K on Saturday. Virtually launching the 100-day campaign under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) across J&K at Kashmir Skill and Simulation Centre, RIHFW Dhobiwan, Tangmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the health minister said, “TB continues to be a major public health challenge in the country, but with determination, innovation, and a collective effort, we can overcome it.” She said that this campaign represents an unwavering commitment to achieving the vision of TB-free J&K. The minister underlined that over the next 100 days, the department would aim to accelerate TB detection, ensure timely treatment and promote awareness about preventive measures. She said that this was not just a government initiative but a people’s movement that calls for active participation from every corner of society. The health minister said that the present government was focused on reaching the unreached, establishing advanced healthcare facilities, strengthening diagnostics, enhancing community engagement and ensuring no one was left behind in the fight against TB. “With the support of healthcare workers, local stakeholders, and the people, the Health Department will achieve significant milestones during this campaign,” she said. MLA Beerwah Muhammad Shafi, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, and MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi commended the efforts of the health staff for their contributions and achievements. They reiterated their full support for the campaign, highlighting that the objective of this 100-day campaign was to accelerate efforts in eliminating TB, reaching every corner of the community, spreading awareness about the disease, and ensuring access to free and high-quality TB care. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Meera Srivastava urged healthcare providers, industry leaders, corporate organisations, counsellors, media professionals, and citizens to collaborate in this effort. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that no one was left behind in the fight against TB, striving for a TB-free community where no child loses a parent, no student misses school, and no worker loses their livelihood due to TB. Srivastava reinforced that this 100-day campaign was not merely a health initiative but a commitment to building healthier and stronger communities. Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Jehangir Bakshi along with all other participants took the TB Pledge, demonstrating a strong commitment to the elimination of tuberculosis in the Kashmir division. He said that the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Kashmir had made remarkable progress. State Tuberculosis Officer, Kashmir, Dr Adhfar Yasien delivered the opening remarks on the 100-day intensified campaign for TB Elimination (Ni-kshay Shivir). She emphasised the significant importance of this campaign, noting that TB was not only a health issue but also a major social and economic burden, particularly affecting the most vulnerable segments of society. Dr Adhfar also highlighted that India accounts for approximately 27 percent of the world’s TB cases, emphasising the urgency of this ongoing fight. “TB continues to claim lives, disrupt families, and reduce the productivity of entire communities,” she said. Divisional Nodal Officer, National Health Mission (NHM), Dr Mushtaq Ahmad thanked all the visiting dignitaries and participants present in the occasion, who have dedicated themselves to this cause. He called on all to unite and ensure the success of this 100-day campaign, marking a major step toward a TB-free India and TB-Free Kashmir. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla and health functionaries from various districts of the Kashmir division were also present at the campaign launch. Three districts in Kashmir – Budgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama – have been declared TB-free. Additionally, two districts, Srinagar and Kupwara, have received gold certification under the Sub-National Certification and J&K has received a bronze medal in the same category. Over 15 million TB cases have been successfully treated since the start of the programme and significant improvements in detection and recovery rates have been achieved due to better diagnostic and treatment tools. Despite these advancements, challenges like stigma, late diagnosis, and treatment dropouts remain, and the 100-day campaign aims to directly address these issues through the involvement of all stakeholders. During this 100-day intensified campaign, health teams would focus on conducting active case findings by visiting high-risk and vulnerable populations, including malnourished individuals, diabetics, smokers, cancer patients, tribal communities, and other at-risk groups. The goal is to detect TB cases early, raise awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment, and provide continuous medical and psychological support to ensure successful recovery. Additionally, community leaders, NGOs, corporate organisations, counsellors, and health workers will be engaged to serve as ambassadors for change. After the event, two TB eradication vans were flagged off, one for district Srinagar, which was flagged off by the Director of Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Jahingir Bakshi, Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar, Dr Tahir Sajad, and District Tuberculosis Officer, Srinagar, Dr Abdul Roof, and the other for the district Baramulla was flagged off by Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, Syed Qamar Sajad, Chief Medical Officer, Baramulla, Dr Mastoora Akhter, and District Tuberculosis Officer, Baramulla, Dr Hafizulla.UTAH VALLEY 77, WEST GEORGIA 74

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How to party on this Christmas — without hurting the environmentUP: Far-right leader invokes 2002 Gujarat riots over Bangladesh minorities concernUTAH VALLEY 77, WEST GEORGIA 74

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SNYDER — This little village of 300 has become such a manufacturing powerhouse, its population more than doubles when the morning shifts start at the four factories lining the highway. One company alone employs 250 people making big aerial ladder trucks for fire departments all over North America. The town also boasts another firm making smaller fire engines, still another assembling specialty vehicles for the water well industry, as well as a new food processor. “We build some pretty cool stuff here,” said Jeff Hunke, who grew up in Snyder and owns and runs Hunke Manufacturing. “I mean, this little town puts aerial ladders in New York City.” Workers assemble fire apparatus at the Smeal facility in Snyder on Nov. 25. But Snyder isn’t the only place in Nebraska where manufacturing booms. Nebraska in recent years has been undergoing a bit of a manufacturing renaissance, with the 109,000 people currently employed in the industry representing a 23-year high. People are also reading... Nebraska’s manufacturing employment is up over 9% in the past five years alone, adding more than 9,000 jobs. That growth, by percentage, is nearly 16 times the national rate and one of the highest among the states. “There is clearly a lot of wind behind the sails of manufacturing in Nebraska,” Tim Carpenter, chief executive of David City trailer manufacturer Timpte, said during a recent manufacturing conference in Omaha. Industry officials and economists cite a number of reasons for the recent momentum. The state is strong in food processing, one of the fastest growing manufacturing sectors. It also boasts many agriculture-related durable goods manufacturers that have been boosted by a strong farm economy over the last decade. It’s believed Nebraska has also benefited from a national trend of American firms seeking to source more of their supplies domestically after the disruptions to worldwide supply chains caused by the 2020 pandemic. More than anything, the state has long enjoyed a stellar base of makers and creators who take pride that their products are not only made in America, but made in Nebraska. Manufacturing is the state’s second-largest industry after agriculture, with more than one in 10 Nebraska jobs in the sector. Many of the jobs are rooted in rural communities, manufacturers decades ago realizing they could find a strong blue-collar workforce in those areas — many of them kids who grew up working on farms. “The quality of the employees, the work ethic, provides a good asset for us,” said Mark Kreikemeier, president of Snyder’s Danko Emergency Equipment. Cheyenne Renter buffs the finish on a truck at Danko Emergency Equipment Co. in Snyder, on Nov. 25. The state’s central location, midway between coastal markets, and availability of cheap electricity and business tax incentives have also historically made Nebraska a productive place for making things. “Frankly, we have a lot of really good manufacturers in the state who are eager to grow,” said K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “So it’s been really impressive.” The impressive growth comes despite the labor shortage that has long plagued the state. The state chamber of commerce believes as many as 8,000 manufacturing jobs are currently going unfilled simply because firms can’t find the workers. “Here, we’re all fighting for the same employee,” Kreikemeier said. Kreikemeier and others say the situation has recently gotten a little better, thanks to a plethora of new apprenticeship and internship programs through local high schools and community colleges. That, too, has likely helped to propel some of the recent job growth. Now the industry’s impressive run could either be enhanced or tested with the upcoming change of administration in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to boost American manufacturers by putting heavy tariffs on foreign imports, particularly from China. That would raise the price of products coming in from those countries and make American-made products more competitive. Some American manufacturers embrace the change as helping them compete against countries that are unfairly subsidizing their manufacturers. “We can go back to American-made parts, and get them on time, because today we're buying so much from China,” Danko’s Kreikemeier said. But most economists, and even some manufacturers, are skeptical of Trump’s plan. They say such tariffs would raise prices for consumers, risking more inflation and interest rate hikes. They also say new tariffs would inevitably invite retaliatory tariffs from other countries that would in turn make American exports less competitive. “If you can find an economist who thinks you should raise tariffs, give me a call,” said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. “Two areas we do well in (in Nebraska) are agriculture and manufacturing, and both of them depend on free trade.” Decades of manufacturing declines before resurgence Between 1998 and 2009, Nebraska shed nearly 20% of its manufacturing jobs. It was part of a broader national slump that began in the late 1970s, largely fueled by increased automation, a rise of service jobs and globalization of production. In Nebraska, the decline was probably best symbolized in 2008. That’s when the owner of the 84-year-old Vise-Grips plant in DeWitt — the little town where the locking pliers had been invented — shuttered it and outsourced the production to China. Some 330 local residents were thrown out of work. It’s been said the deindustrialization that hammered blue-collar workers in recent decades helped fuel the rise of Trump’s Make America Great Again political movement. But the past manufacturing slump makes the recent resurgence in Nebraska all the more impressive. Manufacturing jobs in Nebraska were growing somewhat before the pandemic but then surged coming out of it. During 2022, Nebraska manufacturing employment jumped 4% — the biggest one-year increase since 1994. They’ve continued to rise on nearly a monthly basis — up another 2.8% so far this year. The 109,000 manufacturing jobs as of October were at their highest number in Nebraska since September 2001. The growth has also stood out nationally. Nebraska’s 9% growth in the industry since the end of 2019 compares to growth of about one-half of 1% nationally. One recent study ranked the state’s manufacturing jobs growth between 2020 and 2023 the sixth highest among all states, trailing only Nevada, Montana, Utah, Florida and Arizona. Iowa ranked 24th, with a fraction of Nebraska’s growth. Nebraska’s gains have come despite some recent weakening in the farm economy. They've also come even as some production tasks have become increasingly automated. Some Nebraska manufacturers say automation has actually been a force multiplier for them, machines handling some of the more rote and repetitive work and freeing up workers to perform higher-value tasks. “There’s growth in employment, growth in GDP, and growth in interest among young people on what a career in manufacturing looks like,” said Mike Johnson, who leads the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s efforts to boost manufacturing. A panel discussion at the chamber’s recent manufacturing conference focused on efforts to recruit and develop more workers. Snyder is a town with a large manufacturing footprint for a town of less than 300 people. The Nebraska Department of Education is preparing to roll out a new online portal that can match manufacturers looking for workers with school districts and students looking for such opportunities. Officials at Lozier, a builder of store shelves and fixtures that has long been an important employer in northeast Omaha, said they recognized years ago that with an aging Baby Boomer workforce, the company would need to get aggressive if it was going to have the workers it needs. So in 2012, Lozier partnered with Metropolitan Community College on an apprenticeship program in which the company provides candidates on-the-job training and pays for their schooling. Today, nearly a third of Lozier workers have come through the program. “After two years, they’ll have a degree, they’ll have experience and money in their pocket, and a job waiting for them,” said Lozier’s Ralph Kleinsmith. Good-paying jobs, too, he said — paying between $65,000 and $70,000 per year, with overtime. National studies show manufacturing workers generally earn more than comparable workers in the rest of the private sector, with a premium for those in highly-skilled niches. Besides good pay, the industry has much else to offer, industry advocates say. “What’s the coolest thing about manufacturing: We build stuff,” said Jim Townsend of Kawasaki in Lincoln, which this year celebrated 50 years of operations. According to data compiled by IndustrySelect, Omaha and Lincoln have the most manufacturing employees in Nebraska at 26,000 and 24,000 workers, respectively. Other big manufacturing cities include Grand Island (nearly 8,000) and Columbus (more than 5,000). But few Nebraska communities can claim more manufacturing firms or workers per capita than Snyder. The four manufacturers in town collectively employ almost 400 workers, drawing most of them from other towns and cities in a 60-mile radius. Snyder may be the only town of 300 that features rush hour traffic congestion, as at quitting time vehicles back up a quarter mile along Nebraska Highway 91 at its intersection with U.S. 275. The town’s proud manufacturing heritage can largely be traced to one man: Don Smeal. Smeal in 1955 founded a local repair shop for implements and equipment. Some time later, a man asked him to build a specialized derrick truck for use in the water well industry. Then in 1963, the Snyder rural fire district asked Smeal to build it a 42-foot ladder truck. Smeal Fire Apparatus Company was born. Smeal is no longer a local family-owned firm, acquired years ago by a national manufacturer. But it remains rooted in Snyder under the Smeal name, and three Smeal family members still work at the plant — one of them is Snyder’s mayor. Sparks flew and machinery roared on the production floor last week as workers took raw aluminum and steel and cut it, bent it, formed it, welded it and assembled it into bodies that would then be mounted on truck chassis. The complexities of a fire truck and all their gadgets mean jobs not just for welders, but plumbers and electricians, too. At the end of the line, a brightly painted new fire truck comes out, ready for delivery. “You’re not going to find a more cool product to build than a fire truck,” said Kevin Strudthoff, general manager of the Smeal facility, as he watched a woman on the line weld components into place. “It’s an opportunity for a Nebraska-made product to go out throughout the United States. When you talk to the folks on the floor, they do take pride in that.” Strudthoff said the company has about 20 more workers than it did a year ago, and could use 20 more if he could find them. Across the street from the Smeal plant is Hunke Manufacturing, a 30-employee firm which traces its roots to Smeal. A worker welds at Hunke Manufacturing in Snyder on Nov. 25 It was formed in 2012 when Smeal’s original derrick truck business was spun out. It’s now owned and run by Jeff Hunke, a grandson of Don Smeal, who proudly proclaims it the nation’s largest manufacturer of hoist vehicles for the water well service industry. Hunke said his roster of work orders has never been so full, so he can use a few more workers if he can find them. Not only does Hunke sell all over the country, it has an export business, too. Down the highway to the east of Smeal and Hunke is Danko, another spin-off from Smeal. In 1974, Dan Kreikemeier, who was Don Smeal’s first employee, started his own firefighting vehicle firm. His son now serves as president and the firm employs over 60 people, specializing in making smaller all-terrain trucks that can fight brush fires. Last month, Cheyenne Renter was giving a final buff to the paint job of a fire truck before adding the stripes and graphics. She said she loves being able to see the finished product and “knowing what you do helps people.” The newest manufacturer on the block in Snyder is Wonder Meats, which opened last year in a plant that had recently been vacated by Omaha Steaks. It now employs about 45 people producing Philly-steak beef and chicken products for wholesale. Its New Jersey-based owners are also looking to expand the plant. “I think the story of our little town and the industry it has is something to be very proud of,” said Marla Prenzlow, a longtime Snyder resident who now manages the plant. “I know Wonder Meats plans to have the same longevity the other businesses have achieved.” The Nestle Purina plant in Crete has been utilizing a new Boston Dynamics Robot Dog in its manufacturing area to prolong the life of their machines and prevent breakdowns. These industries had the biggest swings in job openings These industries had the biggest swings in job openings Job openings have been at some of their lowest levels nationally since February 2021 , Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. However, openings remain elevated compared to the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, with 8.1 million open jobs at the end of May 2024—about 1 million above pre-pandemic levels. While Americans still find themselves largely employed, their capacity to resign and switch jobs is quickly falling to levels before the Great Resignation, when the quit rate reached 3% at its peak in spring 2022. Across industries, employers continued adding jobs, upping employment by 272,000 in May , with the majority of gains in health care, government, and leisure and hospitality. The unemployment rate remained relatively consistent, measuring at 4%. Excess labor demand is declining , and the labor market is rebalancing, Conrad DeQuadros, a senior economic adviser at Brean Capital, told Reuters. For workers, this means less confidence in finding new employment outside their current jobs. For employers, it could mean tempering wage inflation as demand for labor slows. To discover which industries are driving the job market, Stacker used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover report to see which industries added jobs in May and which saw openings shrink. Industries are ranked by the percent change in job openings from May 2023 to 2024 and appear from the largest decreases to the largest increases. Monthly data is preliminary. The BLS records job openings on the last business day of the month and calculates the rate as a percent of total employment plus job openings within the industry. The list below provides a snapshot of the economic activity across categories—retail, finance, construction, and more. You may also like: A look at the average consultant salary by industry #18. Retail trade - Total job openings, May 2024: 478,000 --- Annual change: -274,000 (down 36.4%) --- One-month change: -16,000 (down 3.2%) - Job openings rate: 3% #17. Accommodation and food services - Total job openings, May 2024: 771,000 --- Annual change: -374,000 (down 32.7%) --- One-month change: -147,000 (down 16%) - Job openings rate: 5.1% #16. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities - Total job openings, May 2024: 350,000 --- Annual change: -167,000 (down 32.3%) --- One-month change: +16,000 (up 4.8%) - Job openings rate: 4.7% #15. Wholesale trade - Total job openings, May 2024: 188,000 --- Annual change: -79,000 (down 29.6%) --- One-month change: -1,000 (down 0.5%) - Job openings rate: 3% #14. Nondurable goods manufacturing - Total job openings, May 2024: 174,000 --- Annual change: -54,000 (down 23.7%) --- One-month change: +17,000 (up 10.8%) - Job openings rate: 3.5% You may also like: Workers suffer the most injuries in these 25 jobs #13. Information - Total job openings, May 2024: 134,000 --- Annual change: -28,000 (down 17.3%) --- One-month change: +24,000 (up 21.8%) - Job openings rate: 4.2% #12. State and local education - Total job openings, May 2024: 295,000 --- Annual change: -47,000 (down 13.7%) --- One-month change: +26,000 (up 9.7%) - Job openings rate: 2.7% #11. Construction - Total job openings, May 2024: 339,000 --- Annual change: -38,000 (down 10.1%) --- One-month change: +2,000 (up 0.6%) - Job openings rate: 4% #10. Mining and logging - Total job openings, May 2024: 27,000 --- Annual change: -3,000 (down 10%) --- One-month change: +3,000 (up 12.5%) - Job openings rate: 4.2% #9. Real estate and rental and leasing - Total job openings, May 2024: 112,000 --- Annual change: -9,000 (down 7.4%) --- One-month change: -32,000 (down 22.2%) - Job openings rate: 4.3% You may also like: A tale of two nurses: How average travel nurse compensation compares to all US nurse salaries #8. Professional and business services - Total job openings, May 2024: 1.5 million --- Annual change: -112,000 (down 7%) --- One-month change: +44,000 (up 3.1%) - Job openings rate: 6.1% #7. Arts, entertainment, and recreation - Total job openings, May 2024: 151,000 --- Annual change: -5,000 (down 3.2%) --- One-month change: 0 (up 0%) - Job openings rate: 5.4% #6. Private educational services - Total job openings, May 2024: 184,000 --- Annual change: -6,000 (down 3.2%) --- One-month change: -34,000 (down 15.6%) - Job openings rate: 4.5% #5. Health care and social assistance - Total job openings, May 2024: 1.6 million --- Annual change: -43,000 (down 2.6%) --- One-month change: +78,000 (up 5%) - Job openings rate: 6.8% #4. Federal government - Total job openings, May 2024: 176,000 --- Annual change: +2,000 (up 1.1%) --- One-month change: +37,000 (up 26.6%) - Job openings rate: 5.5% You may also like: As more women are diagnosed with ADHD, here's how their work environment can set them up for success #3. Finance and insurance - Total job openings, May 2024: 325,000 --- Annual change: +25,000 (up 8.3%) --- One-month change: +5,000 (up 1.6%) - Job openings rate: 4.6% #2. State and local government - Total job openings, May 2024: 615,000 --- Annual change: +61,000 (up 11%) --- One-month change: +117,000 (up 23.5%) - Job openings rate: 6% #1. Durable goods manufacturing - Total job openings, May 2024: 428,000 --- Annual change: +63,000 (up 17.3%) --- One-month change: +97,000 (up 29.3%) - Job openings rate: 5% #18. Federal government - Total job openings, June 2024: 106,000 --- Annual change: -58,000 (down 35.4%) --- One-month change: -62,000 (down 36.9%) - Job openings rate: 3.4% #17. Mining and logging - Total job openings, June 2024: 20,000 --- Annual change: -9,000 (down 31.0%) --- One-month change: -6,000 (down 23.1%) - Job openings rate: 3.1% #16. Construction - Total job openings, June 2024: 295,000 --- Annual change: -119,000 (down 28.7%) --- One-month change: -71,000 (down 19.4%) - Job openings rate: 3.5% #15. Retail trade - Total job openings, June 2024: 549,000 --- Annual change: -159,000 (down 22.5%) --- One-month change: +43,000 (up 8.5%) - Job openings rate: 3.4% #14. Nondurable goods manufacturing - Total job openings, June 2024: 164,000 --- Annual change: -44,000 (down 21.2%) --- One-month change: -11,000 (down 6.3%) - Job openings rate: 3.3% You may also like: 20 of the highest-paying cities for travel nurses #13. Information - Total job openings, June 2024: 112,000 --- Annual change: -30,000 (down 21.1%) --- One-month change: -25,000 (down 18.2%) - Job openings rate: 3.6% #12. Wholesale trade - Total job openings, June 2024: 245,000 --- Annual change: -54,000 (down 18.1%) --- One-month change: +47,000 (up 23.7%) - Job openings rate: 3.8% #10. Durable goods manufacturing - Total job openings, June 2024: 323,000 --- Annual change: -47,000 (down 12.7%) --- One-month change: -88,000 (down 21.4%) - Job openings rate: 3.8% #8. Health care and social assistance - Total job openings, June 2024: 1.6 million --- Annual change: -137,000 (down 7.8%) --- One-month change: -62,000 (down 3.7%) - Job openings rate: 6.7% #7. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities - Total job openings, June 2024: 406,000 --- Annual change: -31,000 (down 7.1%) --- One-month change: +62,000 (up 18.0%) - Job openings rate: 5.3% #6. Professional and business services - Total job openings, June 2024: 1.5 million --- Annual change: -43,000 (down 2.8%) --- One-month change: -27,000 (down 1.8%) - Job openings rate: 6.1% #5. Finance and insurance - Total job openings, June 2024: 308,000 --- Annual change: -4,000 (down 1.3%) --- One-month change: -39,000 (down 11.2%) - Job openings rate: 4.4% #2. State and local education - Total job openings, June 2024: 290,000 --- Annual change: +14,000 (up 5.1%) --- One-month change: +24,000 (up 9.0%) - Job openings rate: 2.6% #1. State and local government - Total job openings, June 2024: 698,000 --- Annual change: +34,000 (up 5.1%) --- One-month change: +94,000 (up 15.6%) - Job openings rate: 6.8% The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus, is positioning Anduril Industries—his Southern California startup defense firm—as a challenger to military-industrial giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and General Dynamics. Anduril announced on Wednesday a strategic partnership with Sam Altman's OpenAI to develop and deploy advanced artificial intelligence for national security missions. " By bringing together OpenAI's advanced models with Anduril's high-performance defense systems and Lattice software platform, the partnership aims to improve the nation's defense systems that protect U.S. and allied military personnel from attacks by unmanned drones and other aerial devices ," the startup wrote in a statement. Introducing: Roadrunner, a compact VTOL drone powered by twin thrust-vectored turbojet engines with extraordinary speed, range, and payload capacity. & Roadrunner-M, a radical new low-cost weapon that allows for unprecedented tactics against powerful threats. pic.twitter.com/2C7Ga0h1Hf The war in Ukraine and the broadening conflicts across the Middle East have shocked military advisors in recent years due to the proliferation of aerial threats from both unmanned systems and manned platforms, which have had devastating impacts. We've all seen the shocking kamikaze drone footage posted on X, showing drones neutralizing commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden, as well as suicide drones hunting soldiers in Ukraine. Anduril and OpenAI's strategic partnership will focus on upgrading America's counter-unmanned aircraft systems "to detect, assess and respond potentially lethal aerial threats in real-time," according to the startup, adding, "As part of the new initiative, Anduril and OpenAI will explore how leading edge AI models can be leveraged to rapidly synthesize time-sensitive data, reduce the burden on human operators, and improve situational awareness." Anduril continued: The accelerating race between the United States and China to lead the world in advancing AI makes this a pivotal moment. If the United States cedes ground, we risk losing the technological edge that has underpinned our national security for decades. The decisions made now will determine whether the United States remains a leader in the 21st century or risks being outpaced by adversaries who don't share our commitment to freedom and democracy and would use AI to threaten other countries. Brian Schimpf, co-founder & CEO of Anduril, released this statement: "Anduril builds defense solutions that meet urgent operational needs for the US and allied militaries. Our partnership with OpenAI will allow us to utilize their world-class expertise in artificial intelligence to address urgent Air Defense capability gaps across the world. Together, we are committed to developing responsible solutions that enable military and intelligence operators to make faster, more accurate decisions in high-pressure situations." OpenAI's Altman said: "OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports US-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values. Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects US military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free." Luckey is leveraging his Silicon Valley background to disrupt the defense sector. And apparently, Altman is on board, too. Recall what President-elect Trump said in July.... Trump: "I will build an Iron Dome over our country." pic.twitter.com/jrhLmL1bdC ChatGPT missiles next?

Escape Simulator 2 announced with promises of Dracula's castle and an improved escape room editorLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Landin Hacker scored 21 points as Bellarmine beat NAIA-member Brescia 94-66 on Saturday. Hacker finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range for the Knights (3-7). Ben Johnson scored 17 points while going 6 of 13 (5 for 12 from 3-point range) and added six assists. Dylan Branson shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points, while adding 10 rebounds. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

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CHICAGO (AP) — In the days after the presidential election, Sadie Perez began carrying pepper spray with her around campus. Her mom also ordered her and her sister a self-defense kit that included keychain spikes, a hidden knife key and a personal alarm. It’s a response to an emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers who have seized on Republican Donald Trump ’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice” at women online and on college campuses. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. “The fact that I feel like I have to carry around pepper spray like this is sad,” said Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin. “Women want and deserve to feel safe.” Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank focusing on polarization and extremism, said she had seen a “very large uptick in a number of types of misogynistic rhetoric immediately after the election,” including some “extremely violent misogyny.” “I think many progressive women have been shocked by how quickly and aggressively this rhetoric has gained traction,” she said. The phrase “Your body, my choice” has been largely attributed to a post on the social platform X from Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and far-right internet personality who dined at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida two years ago. In statements responding to criticism of that event, Trump said he had “never met and knew nothing about” Fuentes before he arrived. Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, said the phrase transforms the iconic abortion rights slogan into an attack on women’s right to autonomy and a personal threat. “The implication is that men should have control over or access to sex with women,” said Ziegler, a reproductive rights expert. Fuentes' post had 35 million views on X within 24 hours, according to a report by Frances-Wright's think tank, and the phrase spread rapidly to other social media platforms. Women on TikTok have reported seeing it inundate their comment sections. The slogan also has made its way offline with boys chanting it in middle schools or men directing it at women on college campuses, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue report and social media reports. One mother said her daughter heard the phrase on her college campus three times, the report said . School districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota have sent notices about the language to parents. T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase were pulled off Amazon. Perez said she has seen men respond to shared Snapchat stories for their college class with “Your body, my choice.” “It makes me feel disgusted and infringed upon,” she said. “... It feels like going backwards.” Misogynistic attacks have been part of the social media landscape for years. But Frances-Wright and others who track online extremism and disinformation said language glorifying violence against women or celebrating the possibility of their rights being stripped away has spiked since the election. Online declarations for women to “Get back in the kitchen” or to “Repeal the 19th,” a reference to the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote, have spread rapidly. In the days surrounding the election, the extremism think tank found that the top 10 posts on X calling for repeal of the 19th Amendment received more than 4 million views collectively. A man holding a sign with the words “Women Are Property” sparked an outcry at Texas State University . The man was not a student, faculty or staff, and was escorted off campus, according to the university’s president . The university is “exploring potential legal responses,” he said. Anonymous rape threats have been left on the TikTok videos of women denouncing the election results. And on the far-flung reaches of the web, 4chan forums have called for “rape squads” and the adoption of policies in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian book and TV series depicting the dehumanization and brutalization of women. “What was scary here was how quickly this also manifested in offline threats,” Frances-Wright said, emphasizing that online discourse can have real-world impacts. Previous violent rhetoric on 4chan has been connected to racially motivated and antisemitic attacks, including a 2022 shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo that killed 10 people . Anti-Asian hate incidents also rose as politicians, including Trump , used words such as “Chinese virus” to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. And Trump’s language targeting Muslims and immigrants in his first campaign correlated with spikes in hate speech and attacks on these groups, Frances-Wright said. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported similar rhetoric, with “numerous violent misogynistic trends” gaining traction on right-wing platforms such 4chan and spreading to more mainstream ones such as X since the election. Throughout the presidential race, Trump’s campaign leaned on conservative podcasts and tailored messaging toward disaffected young men . As Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention over the summer, the song “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown blared from the speakers. One of several factors to his success this election was modestly boosting his support among men , a shift concentrated among younger voters, according to AP VoteCast, survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. But Trump also won support from 44% of women age 18 to 44, according to AP VoteCast. To some men, Trump's return to the White House is seen as a vindication, gender and politics experts said. For many young women, the election felt like a referendum on women’s rights and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ’ loss felt like a rejection of their own rights and autonomy. “For some of these men, Trump’s victory represents a chance to reclaim a place in society that they think they are losing around these traditional gender roles,” Frances-Wright said. None of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump or anyone in his immediate orbit. But Trump has a long history of insulting women , and the spike in such language comes after he ran a campaign that was centered on masculinity and repeatedly attacked Harris over her race and gender . His allies and surrogates also used misogynistic language about Harris throughout the campaign. “With Trump’s victory, many of these men felt like they were heard, they were victorious. They feel that they have potentially a supporter in the White House,” said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. Brown said some young men feel they’re victims of discrimination and have expressed mounting resentment for successes of the women’s rights movement, including #MeToo . The tension also has been influenced by socioeconomic struggles. As women become the majority on college campuses and many professional industries see increasing gender diversity, it has “led to young men scapegoating women and girls, falsely claiming it’s their fault they’re not getting into college anymore as opposed to looking inward,” Brown said. Perez, the political science student, said she and her sister have been leaning on each other, their mother and other women in their lives to feel safer amid the online vitriol. They text each other to make sure they got home safely. They have girls' nights to celebrate wins, including a female majority in student government at their campus in the University of Wisconsin system. “I want to encourage my friends and the women in my life to use their voices to call out this rhetoric and to not let fear take over,” she said. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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CHICAGO (AP) — Two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers' starting lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. After missing his first seven shots and ambling deliberately in his left knee brace in the first quarter, the 2023 MVP went on a tear to propel the Sixers to a 108-100 win over the Chicago Bulls. Embiid connected on eight of his next 10 shots in the second quarter for his first 19 points of the game, which lifted Philadelphia to a 62-50 halftime lead. The Sixers stretched it to 19 before holding on for their fourth win in five games, and Embiid finished with 31. “I just got lucky and started making shots,” Embiid deadpanned when he talked to reporters almost 90 minutes after the game. “We just missed shots and we adjusted and we got them in.” Embiid, a seven-time All-Star, added 12 rebounds in his fifth game this season. The 7-foot center had missed the previous seven games because of knee injuries and a three-game suspension for pushing a sports columnist. Embiid finished slightly above his career average of nearly 27.8 points per game in 33 minutes. The Sixers don't play again until Friday thanks to the NBA Cup, so coach Nick Nurse planned to give his star ample work Sunday with a break and recovery time ahead. “All of a sudden he certainly caught fire there with a little bit of variety,” Nurse said. “I know a lot of it seemed like foul-line jumpers, which it was. He snuck in a roll or two and a couple of post-ups. It gave us a lot of confidence.” The Sixers trailed 33-23 after the first quarter. Behind Embiid and a 16-0 run in the second, they took the lead for good. Chicago got within four points twice in the fourth, but Philadelphia closed it out. “We guarded really well and we rebounded extremely well at both ends,” Nurse said. Tyrese Maxey got his first career triple-double as part of the winning formula and clicked with Embiid. Maxey finished with 25 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. “It was great, that's who he is,” Maxey said of Embiid. “After he got in the game it's easy, it was easier, man. There was a lot more space out there.” The All-Star trio of Embiid, Maxey and Paul George (12 points) played together for only the second game this season. “Obviously we've got the connection,” Embiid said. "We know when things are not going right, what we need to do. Now it's up to us to make the shots and the plays. “After that first quarter, it just felt like we needed to take more of an ownership as far as getting us back in the game. They're great players.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nbaMarilyn J. Lopez

I have the same thought a lot of mornings when I look in the mirror. The bank insisted I confirm my identity before I could access our account — all because I made one teeny tiny typo entering the passcode. Flustered and in a hurry, but not one to ever make the same mistake twice, I made a different typo on my next try. I was automatically routed to the three-question “How Good Is Your Memory?” game. Where did you and your spouse first meet? What was your favorite pureed vegetable as an infant? What was your great, great, great maternal grandfather’s blood type? I failed that, too. I guess carrots was the wrong answer. I had to go to the bank in person to unfreeze the account. The teller asked if I had any additional identification. Just so you know, the bank will not accept an appendectomy scar from when you were a child as additional identification. The verification requests that I don’t mind are the ones that ask me to enter a code sent by text or email. I like these. They are good memory tests to see if I can flip between screens and still remember a six-digit number. So far, so good. The Walmart app recently asked me to verify my identity when I arrived for a grocery pickup order. Seriously? There are 32 pickup spots in the parking lot, and I was the only single solitary car out there. It was 7 a.m. and still dark. Yes, it’s me. Now please bring out the milk and laundry detergent. Of course, there’s always facial-recognition identification that simplifies logging in, but do I want to go down that road? What if I have a good night’s sleep (unlikely), the bags under my eyes disappear (virtually impossible) and the app can’t recognize me? What if I decide to have plastic surgery, have everything on my face pulled, tightened, puffed and fluffed, and wind up looking so young that the app doesn’t recognize me? That is also highly unlikely, but a woman of a certain age likes to keep her options open. The only thing I know for sure is that I always experience a wave of panic whenever I see the message: “Failed to verify your identity.” The upside of all this identity-verification business is that the CAPTCHA security checks that once required you to click on the all the boxes with power lines, bicycles or traffic lights now simply ask you to check the “I am not a robot” box. As improved as that is, I still believe that CAPTCHA should be renamed GOTCHA.Ifedi starts at left tackle for Browns in prime-time matchup against AFC North-leading Steelers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 8, 2024-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced longer-term data for CASGEVYTM (exagamglogene autotemcel) from global clinical trials in people with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). CASGEVY is the first and only approved CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy. The results, presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, continue to demonstrate the transformative, durable clinical benefits of CASGEVY. The longest follow up for both SCD and TDT patients now extends more than 5 years, with a median of 33.2 months and 38.1 months, respectively. “These comprehensive data provide additional evidence of the benefits of eradicating transfusion requirements for people with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and vaso-occlusive crises for those with sickle cell disease,” said Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Chair of Vertex’s TDT Program Steering Committee, and Presenting Author of the CASGEVY clinical data at ASH. “With median follow-up around three years there is strong evidence for the durability of these beneficial effects following treatment with CASGEVY.” “CASGEVY is changing the outlook for people living with sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, with these data reinforcing the immense clinical value a durable one-time therapy can provide to patients,” said Carmen Bozic, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex. “We have a strong commitment to build on our progress in bringing CASGEVY to patients around the world.” New long-term follow-up data presented from the CASGEVY trials Vertex had seven abstracts accepted at the ASH annual meeting as outlined below: Progress in bringing CASGEVY to patients around the world CASGEVY is approved for both SCD and TDT in the U.S., the European Union, Great Britain, Canada, Switzerland, Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Vertex plans to make submissions in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. More than 45 authorized treatment centers have been activated globally to support the delivery of CASGEVY, and more than 40 patients have had a first cell collection. Vertex is continuing to work with reimbursement authorities to secure sustainable access for patients. Through this work, Vertex has agreements to provide CASGEVY in multiple countries, including the U.S., England (TDT), Austria, Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and continues to make strong progress in others, including positive Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) in Canada for both diseases and advancing access negotiations for SCD patients in England. In the U.S., Vertex recently secured an industry-first, voluntary agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a single outcomes-based arrangement available to all state Medicaid programs to ensure broad and equitable access to CASGEVY. To support this progress on patient access and growing patient demand, Vertex has received approval for a third manufacturing facility for CASGEVY with our partner Lonza. About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) SCD is a debilitating, progressive and life-shortening disease. SCD patients report health-related quality of life scores well below the general population, and the lifetime health care costs in the U.S. of managing SCD for patients with recurrent VOCs is estimated between $4 and $6 million. SCD is an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body. SCD causes severe pain, organ damage and shortened life span due to misshapen or “sickled” red blood cells. The clinical hallmark of SCD is VOCs, which are caused by blockages of blood vessels by sickled red blood cells and result in severe and debilitating pain that can happen anywhere in the body at any time. SCD requires a lifetime of treatment and results in a reduced life expectancy. In the U.S., the median age of death for patients living with SCD is approximately 45 years. A cure for SCD today is a stem cell transplant from a matched donor, but this option is only available to a small fraction of patients living with SCD because of the lack of available donors. About Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia (TDT) TDT is a serious, life-threatening genetic disease. TDT patients report health-related quality of life scores below the general population and the lifetime health care costs in the U.S. of managing TDT are estimated between $5 and $5.7 million. TDT requires frequent blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy throughout a person’s life. Due to anemia, patients living with TDT may experience fatigue and shortness of breath, and infants may develop failure to thrive, jaundice and feeding problems. Complications of TDT can also include an enlarged spleen, liver and/or heart, misshapen bones and delayed puberty. TDT requires lifelong treatment and significant use of health care resources, and ultimately results in reduced life expectancy, decreased quality of life and reduced lifetime earnings and productivity. In the U.S., the median age of death for patients living with TDT is 37 years. Stem cell transplant from a matched donor is a curative option but is only available to a small fraction of people living with TDT because of the lack of available donors. About CASGEVYTM (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]) CASGEVYTM is a non-viral, ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy for eligible patients with SCD or TDT, in which a patient’s own hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are edited at the erythroid specific enhancer region of the BCL11A gene through a precise double-strand break. This edit results in the production of high levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; hemoglobin F) in red blood cells. HbF is the form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is naturally present during fetal development, which then switches to the adult form of hemoglobin after birth. CASGEVY has been shown to reduce or eliminate VOCs for patients with SCD and transfusion requirements for patients with TDT. CASGEVY is approved for eligible SCD and TDT patients 12 years and older by multiple regulatory bodies around the world. About the CLIMB Trials The ongoing Phase 1/2/3 open-label trials, CLIMB-111 and CLIMB-121, are designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of CASGEVY in patients ages 12 to 35 years with TDT or with SCD and recurrent VOCs. The trials are closed for enrollment. Patients will be followed for approximately two years after CASGEVY infusion in these trials. Each patient will be asked to participate in the ongoing long-term, open-label trial, CLIMB-131. CLIMB-131 is designed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of CASGEVY in patients who received CASGEVY, including those in other CLIMB trials. The trial is designed to follow patients for up to 15 years after CASGEVY infusion. U.S. INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel) WHAT IS CASGEVY? CASGEVY is a one-time therapy used to treat people aged 12 years and older with: • sickle cell disease (SCD) who have frequent vaso-occlusive crises or VOCs • beta thalassemia (β-thalassemia) who need regular blood transfusions CASGEVY is made specifically for each patient, using the patient’s own edited blood stem cells, and increases the production of a special type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin or HbF). Having more HbF increases overall hemoglobin levels and has been shown to improve the production and function of red blood cells. This can eliminate VOCs in people with sickle cell disease and eliminate the need for regular blood transfusions in people with beta thalassemia. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about CASGEVY? After treatment with CASGEVY, you will have fewer blood cells for a while until CASGEVY takes hold (engrafts) into your bone marrow. This includes low levels of platelets (cells that usually help the blood to clot) and white blood cells (cells that usually fight infections). Your doctor will monitor this and give you treatment as required. The doctor will tell you when blood cell levels return to safe levels. You may experience side effects associated with other medicines administered as part of the treatment regimen for CASGEVY. Talk to your physician regarding those possible side effects. Your healthcare provider may give you other medicines to treat your side effects. How will I receive CASGEVY? Your healthcare provider will give you other medicines, including a conditioning medicine, as part of your treatment with CASGEVY. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of all medicines involved in your treatment. After receiving the conditioning medicine, it may not be possible for you to become pregnant or father a child. You should discuss options for fertility preservation with your healthcare provider before treatment. STEP 1: Before CASGEVY treatment, a doctor will give you mobilization medicine(s). This medicine moves blood stem cells from your bone marrow into the blood stream. The blood stem cells are then collected in a machine that separates the different blood cells (this is called apheresis). This entire process may happen more than once. Each time, it can take up to one week. During this step rescue cells are also collected and stored at the hospital. These are your existing blood stem cells and are kept untreated just in case there is a problem in the treatment process. If CASGEVY cannot be given after the conditioning medicine, or if the modified blood stem cells do not take hold (engraft) in the body, these rescue cells will be given back to you. If you are given rescue cells, you will not have any treatment benefit from CASGEVY. STEP 2: After they are collected, your blood stem cells will be sent to the manufacturing site where they are used to make CASGEVY. It may take up to 6 months from the time your cells are collected to manufacture and test CASGEVY before it is sent back to your healthcare provider. STEP 3: Shortly before your stem cell transplant, your healthcare provider will give you a conditioning medicine for a few days in hospital. This will prepare you for treatment by clearing cells from the bone marrow, so they can be replaced with the modified cells in CASGEVY. After you are given this medicine, your blood cell levels will fall to very low levels. You will stay in the hospital for this step and remain in the hospital until after the infusion with CASGEVY. STEP 4: One or more vials of CASGEVY will be given into a vein (intravenous infusion) over a short period of time. After the CASGEVY infusion, you will stay in hospital so that your healthcare provider can closely monitor your recovery. This can take 4-6 weeks, but times can vary. Your healthcare provider will decide when you can go home. What should I avoid after receiving CASGEVY? What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of CASGEVY? The most common side effects of CASGEVY include: Your healthcare provider will test your blood to check for low levels of blood cells (including platelets and white blood cells). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms: These are not all the possible side effects of CASGEVY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. General information about the safe and effective use of CASGEVY Talk to your healthcare provider about any health concerns. Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information for CASGEVY. About Vertex Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, primary membranous nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 15 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and X . (VRTX-GEN) Vertex Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, the statements by Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D. and Carmen Bozic, M.D., in this press release, and statements regarding expectations for the anticipated transformative, durable clinical benefits of CASGEVY, plans to continue working with reimbursement authorities to secure sustainable access for patients, including our expectations for progress in Canada and England, and our plans for and design of the CLIMB studies. While we believe the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the company's beliefs only as of the date of this press release and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that eligible patient access to CASGEVY may not be achieved on the anticipated timeline, or at all, that data from the company's development programs may not support registration or further development of its compounds due to safety, efficacy, and other reasons, and other risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex's most recent annual report and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com . You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206536804/en/ CONTACT: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Investors: InvestorInfo@vrtx.comMedia : mediainfo@vrtx.com or International: +44 20 3204 5275 or U.S.: 617-341-6992 or Heather Nichols: +1 617-839-3607 KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS EUROPE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CLINICAL TRIALS SOURCE: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/08/2024 12:52 PM/DISC: 12/08/2024 12:50 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206536804/en Copyright Business Wire 2024.

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Single Vitamin Market is Thriving Worldwide | Major Giants Vitafusion, Olly, MegaFood 12-13-2024 06:59 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Single Vitamin Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Single Vitamin Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence and some of the key players from the complete study are Nature Made, Solgar, Nature's Bounty, GNC, Garden of Life, Thorne Research, Pure Encapsulations, Rainbow Light, MegaFood, Kirkland Signature, Sundown Naturals, Centrum, Vitafusion, Jamieson, BioSchwartz, Olly, SmartyPants, Life Extension, Bluebonnet, Carlson Labs. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/4006151-global-single-vitamin-market-1?utm_source=Tina_OpenPR&utm_id=Tina According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Single Vitamin market is expected to grow from USD 10.2 Billion in 2023 to USD 16.0 Billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2032. The Single Vitamin market is segmented by Types (Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Vitamin K), Application (Nutritional Deficiencies, Immune Support, Bone Health, Skin Health, Energy Metabolism) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: Single vitamin supplements provide specific vitamins, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, or Vitamin B12, in isolation to address specific nutritional deficiencies or support targeted health goals. 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Dominating Region: •North America, Europe Fastest-Growing Region: •Asia-Pacific, Latin America Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/4006151-global-single-vitamin-market-1?utm_source=Tina_OpenPR&utm_id=Tina The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Single Vitamin market segments by Types: Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Vitamin K Detailed analysis of Single Vitamin market segments by Applications: Nutritional Deficiencies, Immune Support, Bone Health, Skin Health, Energy Metabolism Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: •The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) •North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) •South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) •Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) •Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Single Vitamin Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=4006151 Single Vitamin Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/4006151-global-single-vitamin-market-1?utm_source=Tina_OpenPR&utm_id=Tina Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Single Vitamin Market: Chapter 01 - Single Vitamin Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Single Vitamin Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Single Vitamin Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Single Vitamin Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Single Vitamin Market Chapter 08 - Global Single Vitamin Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Single Vitamin Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Single Vitamin Market Research Methodology Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Nidhi Bhavsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketreport.com About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies, by offering services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.

No. 16 Iowa State faces Skattebo, No. 12 Arizona State in Big 12 title game for playoff spotThe NBA has issued a warning to its players after multiple players from the NBA and NFL have been the victims of high-profile burglaries. In a memo sent to team officials from the NBA , which was obtained by the Associated Press , the FBI has said that recent burglaries were connected to "transnational South American Theft Groups." According to the FBI, the groups are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." The memo additionally said that the theft rings are "primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags." "The FBI reported that, in most of the incidents, the homes were equipped with alarm systems that were not activated. The FBI also reported that the homes were all unoccupied and, in most cases, no dogs were present." This echoes the same warning sent earlier this week by the NFL . "The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups," the NFL memo said. "It is important for players to maintain situational awareness, practice social media safety, and implement home security measures to reduce risk of becoming a target." More NBA: How Many Points Did Lakers' Bronny James Score in Loss to Magic? So far, four well-known athletes have been directly affected by the thefts: two from the NBA and two from the NFL . Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was broken into on Sept. 15 while he was attending a Minnesota Vikings game. Officials told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that jewelry was taken. Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. had his home broken into on Nov. 2. He has offered a $40,000 reward for information related to the robbery. "They took most of my prized possessions," Portis said. More NBA: Joel Embiid, Paul George 'Furious' Someone Leaked Team Meeting Info In the NFL , Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce 's homes were broken into on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, respectively, as they were preparing for their game against the New Orleans Saints. "Obviously, it's frustrating, disappointing," Mahomes told reporters, per David K. Li and Andrew Blankstein of NBC News . "I can't get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing. But obviously it's something that you don't want to happen to, really, anybody but obviously yourself." "I can't speak too much about the details of everything, just with the investigation going on," Mahomes continued. "But I'm sure at some point that will be talked about." More NFL: 49ers' Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa Ruled Out Against Packers For more NBA and NFL news, head on over to Newsweek Sports .The Miami Dolphins are largely in good health as they gear up for a key home game on Sunday against the New England Patriots as they continue to work to climb back into the playoff race. The Dolphins have a laundry list of players on the report, but all bit five have been cleared to play on Sunday and only one has been ruled out. CB Kendall Fuller , who suffered a concussion against the Los Angeles Rams , continues to work through protocol and hasn't been cleared, thus ruling him out for Sunday. However, a huge number of starters and key contributors managed to avoid a game status designation for Sunday, including Tyreek Hill - who downgraded from full to limited practice on Friday - Aaron Brewer, Jordyn Brooks, Jevon Holland, Jalen Ramsey, Julian Hill, Raheem Mostert, and Jordan Poyer. On the other side of the coin, the Patriots saw a major name pop up on the injury report with a new ailment. CB Christian Gonzalez appeared on the report as limited with a hip injury. That will certainly be something to monitor on Sunday when the list of inactives is released an hour and a half before kickoff. The Dolphins and Patriots get underway on Sunday at 1:00 pm ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Coach Tim Cone and Japeth Aguilar talked about the times Barangay Ginebra figured in a basketball showdown on Christmas Day and both pointed to the Gin Kings’ conquest of Magnolia (then Star) eight years ago as the match on top of their respective lists. On Wednesday night, rookie RJ Abarrientos and cornerstone Scottie Thompson turned in a performance that made the champion mentor and the club fixture reconsider. Looking dead in the water and staring from holes as deep as 22, the Gin Kings, behind the spirited playmaking of Abarrientos and the audacious buzzer-beating triple of Thompson, escaped Magnolia by the skin of its teeth, 95-92, to cap off an electric holiday doubleheader that also featured a young Converge crushing Meralco at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I was talking, reminding Japeth of the game we had at Philippine Arena on Christmas Day with Magnolia [where] Japeth hit five three-pointers. And we were laughing about it and he goes, ‘That’s a game I’ll never forget,’” Cone recalled shortly after the triumph that also put the crowd darlings back in the winning column of the Commissioner’s Cup. “I think this is going to be another one we’ll never forget,” he went on. “I know RJ here won’t forget it. Going against [his uncle] Johnny, who is absolutely dear to my heart, and then making the big plays—the big comeback—and then having his kuya Scottie hit the big three-pointer.” Abarrientos, the third overall pick of the last draft, poured 17 of his 20 points in the third to spur the Gin Kings back into the thick of things. He had three steals, a block and five assists—the final being the pass that set up Thompson for the killing blow from the left corner, reminiscent of LA Tenorio’s game-winning triple that finished off the Hotshots in another Christmas Day encounter nine years earlier. “It was designed for RJ to make the decision. We put the game in RJ’s hands and he delivered with a great pass to Scottie,” Cone said. “RJ’s obviously truly deserving tonight and, you know, just the mantra of Ginebra’s ‘Never Say Die.’ We don’t represent it as much as the old ‘Jaworski Days,’ but we still feel it and we still talk about it and it’s still part of our culture. So, tonight we lived up to Sonny Jaworski and his crew.” “I was stunned by RJ. As soon as I sat on the bench, he knocked down two [triples]. When I got back he was just hard to stop because he was already on a momentum. He’s a scoring machine and you could just see he’s truly a talent,” Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca said in Filipino. “If you can just see his aura as soon as he got into a rhythm, he became so hard to guard.” “It hurts. As soon as I saw Scottie launch it, I thought to myself, everything’s exact. Then I saw the clock at zero-zero, and the net just moved,” he added. “But that’s just the way it is. If we’re going to give up a shot, it was [Scottie’s] because RJ and Justin (Brownlee) were at it with the hand-offs.” Thompson had 14 points, five rebounds and six assists, while resident import Justin Brownlee was just as key with 28, seven and five in the triumph that pushed the Gin Kings’ win-loss record to 4-2. Cone said that this is one of the games that will be talked about for a long time, but it’s also something they had to quickly forget—especially with the kind of opponents lying in wait at the turn of the year. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Ginebra will tackle another corporate sibling on Jan. 5, league-leading NorthPort on Jan. 8, and then TNT, Rain or Shine and Meralco later that month. “A memorable game for all of us. We’re going to remember this for a while, but like RJ said, we got to move on. We got San Miguel next,” he said. “It doesn’t get any easier.”

LAMAR, Mo. — If you exit off of Interstate 49 onto Missouri Highway 160 into Lamar and go east into town, you'll see the right side of the road lined with motivational signs that say "Refuse to lose" and "Take pride in how far you've come, have faith in how far you can go." There are many signs for a stretch on the south side of the road and then farther down the north side of 160. Once you get to Maple Street and turn north toward the high school, the signs continue along that street. "The senior parents lead that every year. It's a tradition that has been passed on from senior parents to senior parents. It's a cool deal to add to our atmosphere," Lamar football head coach Jared Beshore said. It makes an impact for a couple of seniors on the team. "Coming down that road in the morning and reading those signs, it just gets me motivated for the day," quarterback Alex Wilkerson said. "I love it. Any time I drive down 160, I see those signs. I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, it's football season,'" lineman Eli Hull said. The signs are another way Lamar signifies that it is indeed a football town. One sign in particular reads: "Friday night forecast: 100% Tigers." What else is there to do on a Friday night? Probably many things, really. But it's about what the community wants to do. And in the fall, that is football. That dedication on Friday nights is shown to the players through the packed stands each week. It was still evident in 2024 through three straight losses in the middle of the regular season, two of them at home. The final home game in the regular season saw Lamar give the fans what they wanted in a 35-0 win over Aurora. And the fans packed the stands despite the 4-3 record coming into play. "Even though we had those losses, the stands never went from full to empty. I think coach (Scott) Bailey or Beshore said, 'Don't hop off, stay on the boat with us and just keep rowing' when we had those losses," Wilkerson said. Another sign reminds people that they are in Tiger country. That's what stands out to Hull about the effort from the community. Opposing teams see what they're getting into when they show up. He said it tells them, "You're in our house now." The next team to visit their house is Pembroke Hill for a 1 p.m. Saturday kickoff at Thomas M. O'Sullivan Stadium in Lamar. The Raiders (11-0) have outscored opponents 85-12 in the postseason. "They're a really good football team. ... They're really big, they've got good size, they have a lot of good athletes on the perimeter. The quarterback's a really good player that can run and throw. They have a big tight end. The defensive end is 6-2, 240," Beshore said. "We always preach here that we have to win the physicality battle." Pembroke Hill averages 38 points per game and holds opponents to about 12 per contest. Beshore talked about the key to keeping their offense below that 38 ppg average. "We have to contain their athletes, limit big plays and protect the football," Beshore said. It has not been a typical season for Lamar (8-4) because folks have grown accustomed in the past 10 years or more to just one, two or maybe three losses in a season. But Beshore said it's typical for what it looked like early on in the Big 8 Conference with a tough opponent each week. He's seen some of the teams that have struggled in recent years really bring their programs back up this year. "There wasn't a week where we didn't have to dogfight for a win," Beshore said. "This year, we had to battle a lot more than we've had to in the past." There have been a multitude of injuries for Lamar. One injury during Week 8 of the regular season put a player out for the remainder of the year. Key players that were banged up throughout the year were Wilkerson, Cooper Haun and Carson Sturgell. "It's tough. I was hoping to get a full season because I haven't had a full season since freshman year," Wilkerson said. "I believe I became a better man and a better leader through the injuries. Standing on the sideline, encouraging and making sure the team is doing the right thing and are on the right page, teaching the underclassmen the way to go and the people that are probably going to fill my shoes next year." That was part of the process as he dealt with his injury, and now he's been back on the field for the playoffs and is giving his all for his final season. Throughout the battles, a staple on the offensive and defensive lines has been Hull, and he knows his role is valuable to the team. "Coaches say it all the time, and it's the truest thing ever. If you win the line of scrimmage, you win the ballgame," Hull said. "We make an emphasis on hitting people hard and making a statement early." He add that the ball carriers for Lamar are special and make it easier to block with how hard they run. Grinding through those injuries and tribulations of the football season got Lamar to another state tournament, and playing a home game at this time of the season is important. "It'll be a matchup of 'Can those guys handle coming down here and playing in Barton County?' and 'Can our guys be more motivated than them?'" Beshore said. "They've not been in this quarterfinal spot in recent years. So will they be more motivated by being in a new spot than our experience? "Experience can be a good thing. It can also be a bad thing. You know how to handle the atmosphere. But it can be a bad thing if you get complacent. Those kids from Pembroke Hill haven't gotten to play in this game, so I see them being motivated as all get out. Hopefully we can match that hunger." Being at home is important to the players as well. "I've been in this program as ball boy and water boy since third grade, and I've never seen a program that has an atmosphere at a playoff game like us," Wilkerson said. "You walk down this street and see the away stands filled and the home stands filled. There's nothing else like it." "I'm getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it," Hull said. "It just shows what you play for." They play for those who put up signs, including Wilkerson's favorite, which says: "Effort is you vs. you." "Effort is everything here," he added. Haun has led the Tigers with 906 rushing yards and a single-game high of 206 yards against Nevada. He also ran for 183 against Mount Vernon and 156 against East Newton. He leads the team with 12 rushing touchdowns. Sturgell has racked up 686 yards on the ground and had a season high of 149 against Monett. He has nine touchdowns. Haun has toted the rock 132 times, Sturgell 76 times. Wilkerson has passed for 440 yards and nine touchdowns. He's ran for 264 on a limited 33 touches. He had over 300 yards of total offense in a 1-point loss to Cassville this year. He battled injuries to start the year and has been battling through them since that game. Trey Pittsenbarger leads all receivers with 13 catches, 214 yards and three scores. Sturgell adds six grabs, 164 yards and three more scores. Ayden Sheat has nine receptions, 129 yards and two touchdowns. Leading tacklers are TJ Ansley (105), Orry Jones (89) and Mario Delapena (83).

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Japan, like Spain, Italy, Indonesia, Thailand, and Greece, has become a hotspot for mass tourism due to its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, world-class infrastructure, and global appeal as a unique travel destination. Several factors contribute to this surge in tourism. First, Japan’s iconic attractions such as Mount Fuji, Kyoto’s ancient temples, Tokyo’s bustling cityscapes, and the cherry blossom season draw millions of visitors annually. Its successful branding as a harmonious blend of traditional culture and modern innovation has captivated international tourists, making it a bucket-list destination. Second, the rise of social media and travel influencers has spotlighted Japan’s beauty, inspiring more travelers to visit. Destinations like Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Fushimi Inari Shrine frequently appear in viral content, contributing to over-tourism as crowds flock to these picturesque sites. Third, accessibility plays a crucial role. Japan boasts an excellent transportation network, including bullet trains and international flights, making travel seamless for both domestic and foreign visitors. Its visa policies, including visa-free travel for several countries, have also facilitated easier entry for tourists. Lastly, Japan’s hosting of global events, such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the upcoming Osaka 2025 Expo, has significantly boosted its visibility on the international stage. These events attract millions of visitors, but they also strain infrastructure and lead to overcrowding at popular sites. Like Spain, Italy, and others, Japan faces challenges in balancing mass tourism with sustainable practices, necessitating strategic solutions to preserve its cultural and natural treasures while accommodating global travelers. Japan ’s tourism industry has experienced a significant resurgence in 2024 as the world reopens after the pandemic, but the return of foreign visitors has also reignited concerns over overtourism. According to a recent survey by the Development Bank of Japan and the Japan Travel Bureau Foundation, over 30% of foreign tourists reported overtourism-related issues during their trips. At the same time, the survey reveals a growing awareness of sustainable tourism among visitors, with more than 60% expressing willingness to pay higher charges to ease congestion and protect natural and cultural resources. The survey, conducted in July 2024 among 7,796 foreign travelers aged 20 to 79 from Asia, Britain, France, the United States, and Australia, sheds light on pressing challenges and opportunities in Japan’s tourism landscape. The primary concern for visitors was overcrowding at popular tourist destinations, cited by 32% of respondents. This figure is a slight increase from the 30% reported in a similar survey conducted in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Bad manners, such as littering and entering restricted areas, emerged as the second-most common issue reported by visitors. These behaviors not only disrupt the experience for other tourists but also pose risks to the preservation of Japan’s cultural and natural heritage. Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a shift in visitor attitudes toward sustainable tourism practices. A significant 63% of respondents said they would be willing to accept higher charges at tourist destinations and other facilities if these measures would help reduce congestion and safeguard Japan’s cultural and natural assets. This marks a notable increase from 43% in 2019, signaling growing awareness and support for sustainable tourism practices. Also Read: C hina’s New Trial Visa-Free Policy for Japan Sparks Increased Demand for Business and Family Travel While Japan’s urban centers like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka remain magnets for international travelers, the survey revealed strong interest in rural tourism. An overwhelming 97% of respondents who have visited or plan to visit Japan expressed a desire to explore the country’s regional areas. However, less than 10% of these travelers have actually ventured into Japan’s rural landscapes. This gap between interest and actual visits underscores the untapped potential of rural tourism in Japan. Expanding tourism into regional areas could alleviate the pressure on overcrowded urban destinations while offering visitors unique experiences, such as traditional crafts, local cuisine, and scenic natural beauty. Promoting rural tourism could also contribute to regional revitalization by creating jobs and supporting local economies. The survey also pointed to the upcoming 2025 World Expo in Osaka as a major draw for international travelers. Among respondents planning trips to Japan, 72% expressed interest in attending the expo, and for 42% of these travelers, the event is the main reason for their visit. The Osaka Expo is expected to attract millions of visitors and serve as a platform for showcasing Japan’s innovation, culture, and hospitality. However, managing the influx of tourists while ensuring a positive experience for both visitors and locals will be critical. Organizers and tourism authorities must prioritize sustainable practices, including crowd control measures, efficient transportation systems, and eco-friendly initiatives, to make the event a success. Also Read: Dominican Republic tourism industry is surging with visa free travel for 107 countries including Brazil. Japan, UK, US, Thailand and Germany Japan’s tourism industry is at a crossroads, with overtourism presenting both challenges and opportunities. The willingness of international visitors to pay higher charges for sustainable tourism measures offers a path forward. By implementing strategies to reduce overcrowding, protect cultural landmarks, and promote rural tourism, Japan can strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving its heritage. One potential solution is the introduction of destination-specific fees, such as entrance charges for popular landmarks or city-wide tourism taxes. These funds could be reinvested in infrastructure, preservation efforts, and marketing campaigns to promote lesser-known destinations. Additionally, digital tools like visitor management apps and real-time crowd monitoring systems could help distribute tourist traffic more evenly across regions. Expanding access to rural areas is another critical component of sustainable tourism in Japan. Investments in transportation networks, such as regional train routes and bus services, can make rural destinations more accessible. Collaborations with local communities to develop authentic experiences, from farm stays to cultural workshops, can also attract visitors while preserving traditional lifestyles. Also Read: Japan’s Overtourism Strain 30% of International Arrivals Experiencing Congestion this festive season Technology will play an essential role in managing the resurgence of tourism in Japan. From AI-powered translation apps to digital ticketing systems, technological solutions can enhance the visitor experience while addressing issues like overcrowding. Virtual tours and augmented reality experiences could also offer alternatives for exploring Japan’s iconic destinations without contributing to congestion. Additionally, data analytics can provide valuable insights into visitor behaviors and preferences, enabling tourism authorities to tailor their strategies. By leveraging these tools, Japan can create a more personalized and sustainable tourism experience that meets the expectations of modern travelers. As Japan prepares for the influx of visitors in 2025 and beyond, the focus must remain on balancing growth with sustainability. The survey results indicate that travelers are not only aware of the challenges posed by overtourism but are also willing to contribute to solutions. This shift in mindset represents an opportunity for Japan to lead by example in sustainable tourism practices. Also Read: Japan Faces Overtourism Challenges: New Survey Highlights Traveller Preferences and Interest in Rural Areas Ahead of 2025 World Expo in Osaka The success of Japan’s tourism industry will depend on collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and private businesses. By prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and regional development, Japan can ensure a thriving tourism sector that benefits both visitors and residents. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms . To know more about Asia Travel Industry, click here: Asia Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.Steris PLC stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors

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NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.‘DPS Hackathon’ challenges young tech enthusiasts

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After an arduous ascent to the rim of Mars' Jezero Crater, NASA's Perseverance rover is doing a little sightseeing. The most recent stop on its Red Planet road trip? A roughly 656-foot-long (200 meters) outcrop named Pico Turquino. But it's not all fun and games for the Mars rover. Perseverance has been studying the local regolith and nearby geological features with its Mastcam-Z and SuperCam instruments from its location near Pico Turquino. And soon, the six-wheeled robot will move on to abrasion testing at the site, scratching the surface of some of the rocks in this photo to study their composition and structure. Through this work, the Perseverance science team hopes to unearth geologic evidence that either predates or is related to the impact that formed the 28-mile-wide (45 kilometers) Jezero Crater — and potentially collect samples for NASA's planned Mars Sample Return campaign. Ultimately, Perseverance is searching for signs of possible life on Mars , and perhaps the rocks at Pico Turquino might hold some clues. Related: NASA's Perseverance rover begins ambitious ascent up a Mars crater rim This current quest is part of Perseverance's Crater Rim Campaign, the rover's fifth scientific effort on Mars, and what NASA officials have suggested might be "the most ambitious campaign the team has attempted so far." The journey began in August, when Perseverance left the Neretva Vallis region to make the roughly 1,000-foot (305 m) climb to the top of Jezero's rim. And for months, the rover has delicately maneuvered up the difficult terrain of brittle crust; the rim's upper portion has a slope of about 20 degrees and is covered by slippery sand and dust. Along the way, Perseverance has stopped to inspect exposed rocks, as it's doing at Pico Turquino. And it will continue to do so as it makes its way to the summit. The rover's next science target is Witch Hazel Hill, but before arriving there, it'll pass through a high point at Lookout Hill. From there, the team anticipates pretty spectacular views both of Jezero Crater and the terrain beyond. Stay tuned for more photos from Perseverance!Ruud van Nistelrooy treated himself to a beer after enjoying a perfect start to his reign as Leicester manager. Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge ended with a 3-1 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. The Dutchman, who was out of work for just two weeks following his four-game spell as Manchester United interim boss, only started on Sunday so was happy to end a hectic three days in style. “It has been very busy getting to know everyone, start working together,” he said. “Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy, long days, but worth it. I was focused on the game and what the game needed, the subs, the half-time talk, so focused on the moment, so I am going to get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.” He endured a dream start as Vardy scored after just 98 seconds with El Khannouss and Daka adding second-half goals. It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as West Ham – who scored a consolation through Niclas Fullkrug at the death – had 30 shots on goal. But Van Nistelrooy saw enough to think he can deliver on his objective of keeping the Foxes in the Premier League. “I am very happy, if you look at the result – and it is about the result – it was a great night, three points, three good goals and also very effective. Ruud at the wheel 🛞 pic.twitter.com/eVgIwWAcYw — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 “Overall the game of course we have seen and how dominant West Ham were at certain stages and what they created, that is a fact and something we have to look at. “Overall, what I expected of the players going forward was togetherness and hunger, energy and spirit in this team that is fighting for every inch. “Eleven players on the pitch who are fighting as a foundation to play the rest of the Premier League. I saw that completely with every single player that started and came on. “That’s the foundation we have to build on, without that it will be impossible to get where we want to go. I am very happy about that.” West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Julen Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Lopetegui expects to keep his job but forthcoming games against his former club Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. “The only thing that I am worried about is to go to training session tomorrow and stand up the players and prepare the next challenge,” he said. “We have one month of December with a lot of matches and I am sure with this attitude we are going to achieve many more points. “I believe in the players. I am confident that tomorrow we are going to be ready to prepare the next match. “Understanding the question, but at the end of the season maybe we talk in another way. There are a lot of matches and points, a lot of things can happen. “I believe in these players and team, I am sure the position is going to be much better. They are only words but we have to work a lot to achieve this.”

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“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport... pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 26, 2024 Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.

The Journalist For Christ (JFC), in collaboration with the World Association For Christ Communication (WACC) and other relevant stakeholders, on Thursday formally activated the #EndMisogynyNG advocacy campaign in Lagos, Nigeria. The event held at the Sir Kensington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba Lagos focuses on trends and contexts of Misogyny and Tech Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFG-BV) in Nigeria. In the spirit of the #16DaysOfActivism to end all forms of Gender-Based Violence in society, the keynote speaker, Mr Femi Adesina, former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the immediate Past President, Muhammadu Buhari urged participants to propagate the JFC report on Misogyny. According to him, this will enable guilty perpetrators who are involved to stop all forms of antisocial and dehumanizing acts before they become an uncontrollable vice in society. Correspondingly, the Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Gbenga Adefaye who applauded the advocacy initiative of JFC founding President and Project Coordinator, Mr Lekan Otunfodunrin said, “This is a very good thing, and I would love to see and read this report because some of us may be an unconscious misogynist, acting unplanned or not being deliberate as agents who are mad at women.” Speaking further, he emphasised how he is interested and eager to read the JFC report in order to learn and reflect if he was a misogynist or not. The Project Officer and Publisher of BoNews, Ms Blessing Oladunjoye who spoke on the theme, “Understanding the Issues in Monitoring Social Media On the Trends of Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence,” stressed how TFGBV is a form of GBV which is predominantly carried out online on digital spaces. “This act usually targets women with the purpose of harassing them through electronic means or technological devices and is carried out via online channels or platforms,” she said. She, however, mentioned various forms and categories of TFGBV that include cyberbullying, doxxing, trolling, online sexual harassment and revenge porn while explaining the findings from the social media monitoring on the trends of Misogyny and TFGBV in Nigeria. She said, “We discovered 49 cases of TFGBV on Facebook, 8 on X and Instagram, and 1 case on TikTok of a total of 66 cases found online.” According to her, the percentage of male perpetrators of Misogyny is 28.8% which comprises 19 posts, while female perpetrators comprise 25.8% of 17 posts, and Bloggers and Skit Makers with 22.7% of 15 posts and social media influencer/ public figure and other were 4.6% with 3 posts and some unascertained account holder with unclear identity to be 13.6% with 9 posts respectively.” Blessing emphasized. She vividly gave examples of women who were victims of Misogyny and TFGBV with reference to how the announcement of Umeogi as the CEO of Zenith Bank sparked various misogynistic reactions online. Sharing from a post on X by @Olabode_ifeanyi on March 19, 2024, sparked 1.8 million views, 3,000 quotes and almost 9,000 likes as the post read thus- “The new Zenith Bank CEO’s profile gives me orgasm.” The author and poster sexualized the CEO’s professional achievement through a sexual. Though he later apologized, the damage has been done. But other social media users had reacted that the writer would not have used the term “orgasm” if a man with a similar profile were to be appointed as the CEO. Another example of Misogynistic content on social media was from one Azolike Nonso Afameduna who wrote: ” Adaora Umeoji, the woman appointed as Zenith Bank Plc’s first female CEO, looks like a hookup girl. I will never take that bank seriously again.” Sadly, the post which tends to trivialize women’s career success reinforces harmful stereotypes and downgrades women’s achievement as they are judged by their looks instead of their professional competence ultimately exemplifying some of the Misogynistic acts perpetrated on the digital space. Also, the JFC Vice President, Ugonma Cokey spoke on “Key Highlights from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Trends of Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria. She revealed that the FGDs had 8 different groups ranging from female students in tertiary institutions, women Professionals, female Journalists across the country, social media enthusiasts, people living with disability and a special session for the males, to generate insights for the dissemination of digital counter-narrative and strategic advocacy interventions to mitigate Misogynistic attitudes and Gender-based cyber violence in Nigeria. Ugonma reiterated how the focus group discussion for men was fascinating and became essential, because it serves as an avenue to orientate more men, in silencing various misogynistic activities in the society. She further revealed some highlights from the discussion, which include how WhatsApp groups have been used as a platform for shaming women, with men posting sexually explicit pictures of women. Some men are attracted to women living with disabilities, using their vulnerability to take advantage of them, by pretending to offer assistance, but end up sending unsolicited sexual images and posts to them. The patriarchal nature of the society, including inherent tradition and religious beliefs encourages Misogyny and TFGBV. Violence against women exists both offline and online. While offline has to do with physical assault, online has to do with cyber assault. Some men are misogynistic in nature as a result of skewed and dysfunctional family/ home structure. Though men are often the perpetrators of Misogynistic and TFGBV, men are also very strategic and important in playing key roles in efforts to curb Misogyny and TFGBV. The highlighted points led to a clarion call for men to help champion this course while describing the need to change the narratives, as this quote helps to summarize the highlighted points thus- “I have a daughter and I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is constantly belittled and objectified”

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In a surprising turn of events, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced a rare arrangement for a speech and press conference, sparking speculation and excitement in the markets. The sudden move has led to heightened expectations of a potential interest rate hike, with many investors and analysts eagerly awaiting the central bank's decision.

Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as "Grim Reaper: Soul Awakening" continues to captivate players around the world with its immersive storytelling and thrilling gameplay. Are you ready to face the challenge that Aizen poses? Only time will tell if you have what it takes to emerge victorious in the battle for the Soul Society's fate.

If you've been looking for a new digital storage option, Samsung has a deal on the 8TB Samsung T5 Evo portable SSD for just $430. With that much storage, it's perfect for large digital game libraries, raw video and photo files, raw and rendered digital art, and other important programs and documents you may need to take on the go. And you won't want to wait to take advantage of this deal. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now With a truly impressive amount of storage space, you'll get read and write speeds of up to 460 MB/s each, letting you transfer large files more quickly than a traditional hard disk drive. With support for USB 3.2, you'll get more reliable data transfers, which means you won't have to worry about possible data corruption due to interruptions. Read more: SSD vs. HDD: What's the difference, and which should you buy? Along with great read and write speeds and more reliable data transfers, the Samsung T5 Evo also features 256-bit AES encryption to keep your personal data and sensitive information safe from unauthorized access. Its outer casing is drop- and shock-resistant and can withstand falls up to six feet, making it perfect for on-location photographers and other mobile professionals who need a tough storage drive for offloading raw photos from camera storage or transferring important projects and documents between their home office and mobile work location. Also: The best NAS devices of 2024: Expert tested When will this deal expire? While the listing for the Samsung T5 Evo portable SSD does not have a countdown timer, it is labeled as a limited-time sale. That means that Samsung may have only approved a certain number of units that can be sold at this price, and stock may not last. Best VPN services Best robot vacuums and mops The best phones you can buy (and how the iPhone 16 Pro Max compares) The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested

While insurance is commonly seen as a means of protection and a way to secure one's financial future, the sheer number of policies acquired by the retired individual has raised eyebrows among financial experts and observers. Many have questioned the necessity and practicality of owning so many policies, especially for someone in their golden years.

The news of Wang Sixing's driving test in London has captured the attention of many netizens, who have been quick to express their opinions on social media platforms. Some have criticized Li Xiang for potentially using her influence and wealth to secure advantages for her daughter. Others have defended the mother-daughter pair, highlighting that their bonding experiences on the road are simply a reflection of their close relationship.

President-elect Donald Trump said Friday he would nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent to be Treasury secretary in his second term, a critical role in tax policy, global finance and managing the U.S. debt load. To become the presumptive nominee, the founder of Key Square Group overcame scrutiny from the right over ties early in his career to Democratic megadonor George Soros and a play for the job by Howard Lutnick, CEO and chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of Trump’s transition team. Lutnick ended up with the nod for Commerce secretary with an expanded role in trade policy as a consolation prize. “Scott is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost International Investors and Geopolitical and Economic Strategists,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. “Scott has long been a strong advocate of the America First Agenda.” Bessent emerged as a favorite early on, but an initially unconvinced Trump widened his slate of candidates to include Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Kevin Warsh, a former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and a top economic official in the George W. Bush administration. Tesla founder Elon Musk, a top Trump ally who has the president-elect’s ear, also expressed opposition to Bessent, at least at first. He posted on X, the social media platform he owns, that Bessent would be a “business-as-usual choice” and that Lutnick was the better option. “Business-as-usual is driving America bankrupt, so we need change one way or another,” Musk wrote. The soon-to-be nominee has pushed economic views largely in line with the president-elect’s, but has downplayed campaign talk of broad tariffs as negotiating tactics. Days after the election, he authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed trumpeting the positive market reaction to Trump’s victory, calling it “a vote of confidence in U.S. leadership internationally and in the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.” Bessent, who jumped on the Trump train back in 2016, donated at least $1 million in support of Trump during the 2024 campaign cycle, according to OpenSecrets.org. He also co-hosted a pair of lucrative fundraisers for Trump this year, reportedly raking in nearly $60 million. The South Carolina native has spent his career on Wall Street, rising to chief investment office at Soros Fund Management before starting his own firm in 2015 with a $2 billion anchor investment from Soros. His ties to Soros, a liberal donor and often a boogeyman to the right, fueled a last-ditch effort by conservatives to replace him with Lutnick as the intended Treasury nominee. While Bessent has largely toed the party line on Trump’s economic policy platform, he has downplayed the president-elect’s plan to impose blanket tariffs of 10 or 20 percent on imported goods. “Given Donald Trump’s credibility and what he has done in the past on tariffs, that we may not have to get to tariffs,” he said at a Manhattan Institute event in June. “But the threat of tariffs will change the quality and the fairness of a lot of historically poor trade deals.” ‘Last Chance Bar and Grill’ In keeping with Republican leadership, Bessent has pushed for deregulation, ramping up domestic energy production and curbing deficits. “We’re at the Last Chance Bar and Grill to grow our way out of this,” Bessent said of the debt in June. He pushed for extending and paying for the expiring 2017 tax provisions. There are ideological differences within the Republican Party about how much tax cuts ought to be offset. Bessent’s confirmation would add a powerful voice to the pay-for camp. Offsets should include rolling back the 2022 budget and climate law, making changes but not cuts to Medicaid, and freezing discretionary spending outside of defense, he said. Bessent added that Treasury should also lengthen the maturity of U.S. debt. Conservatives had criticized Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen for relying too heavily on short-term Treasury bills to finance the debt, rather than locking in fixed interest rates for longer period. “I think that there is a chance you could get into a good reflexive cycle on debt cost, because I think it’s been imprudent to finance at the front end,” Bessent said. Eventually, Congress should curb mandatory spending on entitlement programs, Bessent said. But that’s a problem for another administration. “These entitlements are massive. I think that the next four years isn’t the time to deal with them,” he said at the June talk. “I always say, crawl, walk, run. We got to crawl and maybe walk our way to get the current deficits under control. Then the next step is for [a] future administration to have the confidence to deal with the entitlements.” In a statement Friday, top Senate Finance Democrat Ron Wyden said that during confirmation hearings he would be asking Bessent tough questions about Trump’s proposals to pay for next year’s tax cut bill with tariffs. “The next Treasury secretary is going to have his hands all over that process, and I’m going to have a lot of questions for Mr. Bessent about the merit of a Trump policy that will intentionally inflict economic pain on families who are already getting clobbered by the cost of living,” Wyden, D-Ore., said.

In conclusion, the Beijing real estate market is currently experiencing a period of heightened activity, with both new and resale properties witnessing strong sales. Government policies, economic growth, changing buyer preferences, and technological advances are all contributing to this dynamic market environment. As buyers continue to seek out their ideal homes in the capital city, the real estate sector is poised for further growth and development in the coming years.Of course, losing Varane will not be easy for Real Madrid. The Frenchman has been a key player for the club for over a decade, and his departure will leave a significant void in the defense. However, with promising young defenders like Eder Militao waiting in the wings, Real Madrid may feel confident in their ability to replace Varane and continue to compete at the highest level.

your boyfriend game In a thrilling match that ended in a 0-0 draw, Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson displayed confidence and determination that resonated throughout his team. Speaking after the game, Henderson reflected on the result and shared his belief in the team's ability to achieve victory against Manchester City.In conclusion, China's economic outlook in 2024 is characterized by multiple drivers that are propelling high-quality development. From innovation and sustainability to efficiency and global integration, these factors are shaping a dynamic and evolving economic landscape that offers opportunities for growth and prosperity. By leveraging these drivers effectively and addressing key challenges, China is poised to maintain its position as a global economic powerhouse in the years ahead.

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As the group stage matches continue to unfold, the race for qualification to the knockout stages is heating up, with every point and goal crucial in determining which teams will advance. The Champions League has once again delivered on its promise of drama, excitement, and quality football, with teams like Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain providing fans with unforgettable moments on the European stage.5. Paul Scholes - Renowned for his vision and passing range, Scholes retired for the second time in 2013. He occasionally comes out of retirement for charity matches and provides analysis as a pundit.

Ontario Trillium Foundation grant helps St. Marys Curling Club upgrade infrastructure

Ireland's Election Stirs Coalition Challenges Amid Economic ConcernsAccording to Opta's simulations, English giants Liverpool are set to dominate their group and finish at the summit of the standings. Jurgen Klopp's side, who are the reigning Premier League champions, are expected to continue their impressive form on the European stage and secure a top seed for the knockout rounds. With a star-studded squad boasting the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool seem well-equipped to make a deep run in this season's Champions League.

Realme 14 Pro Series Launching Next MonthMoving forward, it is imperative for both farmers and government officials to uphold ethical standards and uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in all agricultural practices. By fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, we can work together to build a more resilient and trustworthy agricultural sector that truly benefits those who rely on it for their livelihoods.

“[The project] realised the measurement of ice thickness of compound valley glaciers under complex terrain conditions for the first time,” the institute said on Friday, adding that the technology was at a world-leading level. Mounted on remote-sensing aircraft, the radars emit electromagnetic waves that can penetrate thick layers of ice, including in glaciers. When the waves hit internal features like rocks, they are reflected and the echoes are analysed to generate maps of the terrain. “Unlike traditional technologies that are mainly used to obtain glacier surface information, aerial ice radar has the ability to penetrate the glacier’s surface to obtain information about the interior and bottom of the glacier,” Zhu Jinbiao, deputy director of the institute’s Airborne Remote Sensing Centre, told state news agency Xinhua.One of the key features of Sora is its ability to understand and interpret complex instructions, making it possible to generate videos that closely align with the user's vision. By leveraging state-of-the-art natural language processing capabilities, Sora can analyze input text and identify key themes, emotions, and concepts to inform the video creation process. This level of understanding allows Sora to generate videos that not only meet but exceed user expectations, resulting in stunning visual content that resonates with audiences.

By BEN FINLEY The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.

Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level Media