ISU women's basketball preparing for SEMOSome kids see their parents as monsters — making them eat their vegetables, insisting homework be done before dinner, begging them to clean their room, etc. You know, the worst. In the case of Ellian, a princess from the land of Lumbria, her parents literally are monsters — unsightly, rambunctious and uncommunicative creatures — thanks to an encounter with some dark magic. That’s the state of royal play in “Spellbound,” a semi-enchanting film from Skydance Animation on Netflix. The movie had a chance to be a gem thanks to some of the folks who brought it to life. The list starts with director Vicky Jenson, who, most notably, helmed 2001’s beloved romp “Shrek.” Then there’s composer Alan Menken — working herewith lyricist Glenn Slater — who has contributed to animated Disney classics including “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast.” And singing the original songs of Menken and Slater is Rachel Zegler, who delighted us in director Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of “West Side Story” and last year impressed in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.” These talented people and others — John Lithgow, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem contribute voice work — help make “Spellbound” a relative winner even if it falls short of the quality of the aforementioned animated films. As we meet Ellian (Zegler) — on her birthday, flying through mountains, above water and eventually back to the kingdom with her friends riding giant birds — she and a few others, such as Lithgow’s Minister Bolinar, have been keeping the truth about her parents a secret from the citizens and even some important types. Ministers Bolinar and Nazara (Jenifer Lewis) think it is time for Princess Ellian to become the ruler of Lumbria, but she hasn’t given up on the idea of finding a way to break her parents’ curse, which they encountered in the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness — where it’s, like, seriously dark. She summons to the castle the Oracle of the Moon (Tituss Burgess) and the Oracle of the Sun (Nathan Lane), a pair of little guys who arrive by Uber-like frog. Before they can reveal how the curse can be broken, her mom tries to eat one of them, causing them to bolt. Ellian chases them down, of course, and, with Mom and Dad in tow, sets about her quest to return them to normalcy. As the three spend time together, Ellian is able to communicate, increasingly effectively, with Queen Ellsmere (Kidman) and King Solon (Bardem). It is then that we see the darkness that surrounded them was not just figurative; the more intelligently they can speak, the more they argue with one another. Despite this friction, Ellian continues a search for a source of lightness — again, both literal and metaphorical — to restore things as they should be. Penned by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda, “Spellbound” offers some valuable lessons to young viewers — for whom this film is mainly targeted — including the importance of handling negative feelings in a positive way. There’s also a lesson for parents, however. If nothing else, the not-so-neat-and-tidy resolution of the story isn’t exactly what you’d predict. You just wish the journey were a little more entertaining. The jokes are OK, not hilarious, and the songs are merely fine — certainly below Menken’s best work. Nevertheless, Zegler’s lovely singing voice elevates those songs, and the actress gives a strong performance overall. And Lithgow — who voiced the villainous Lord Farquaad in “Shrek” — is fun, especially after Bolinar runs afoul of some magic himself. With its bright-and-colorful palette (but only so-so design work), “Spellbound” should keep the little ones busy for nearly two hours as you prepare for Thanksgiving. And that’s a real magic trick, isn’t it? Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill a hospital director in Lebanon and wound 9 medics in Gaza
Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality, is celebrating the World Soil Day, that annually falls on December 5 each year. Held under the theme of "Rural soil care: measurement, monitoring, and management", the celebration intends to shine a spotlight on the importance of accurate data and information to figure out soil characteristics, as well as support insightful decisions on the sustainable management of soil, thereby fostering food security. Qatar's participation in marking this day stems from the Qatar National Vision 2030, that seeks to achieve sustainable development, including the preservation of environment and natural resources, as long as the priority given to soil is a core part of environment protection, in addition to achieving sustainability in utilising natural resources and reducing desertification. In addition, the Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Department of Agricultural Research, has accomplished concrete results in protecting soil and lands in Qatar from wind-induced degeneration, erosion and desertification through protecting the plant genetic resources and biodiversity, as well as the national Gene Bank. Director of the Agricultural Research Department Hamad Saket al-Shammari stated that the Qatari genetic seed bank currently includes 1,138 plant entries, comprising many local wild plants such as Al Ghaf Sidr, Awsaj and others, as well as plants related to food and agriculture, such as tomatoes, corn, onions, et al. He highlighted that the key objective of this bank is to preserve seeds that are compatible with the soil and climate conditions in Qatar after conducting the necessary research on them. Additionally, the Department of Agricultural Research is making significant efforts in scientific research and development to optimise soil quality and increase its productivity, while leveraging various technologies, especially in light of the focus on achieving and sustaining food security, added Al Shammari. He highlighted several critical successes that have been made to protect biodiversity and soil in Qatar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, since 2015, such as the protection of the Qatari Al Ghaf at Al Ghaf meadow in the north of Qatar. Aisha Dasmal Al Kuwari from the Department of Agricultural Research asserted that since its inception in 2012, the Qatar Gene Bank has succeeded in studying and collating about 70% of local plant species in a form of seeds, along with herbaceous plants and DNA samples, emphasizing that plant genetic resources are one of the national assets with strategic and economic value, since directly or indirectly support human livelihoods and ensure stability by providing food, medicine, fodder, fibers, clothing, shelter, and energy, in addition to their crucial role in conserving the environment and preventing soil degradation and erosion. The Gene Bank pursues a sophisticated system to manage and document genetic resources in compliance with international standards, with overall data for each type logged in the international database of Qatar's Gene Bank. This database was established in 2015, in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), highlighted Al Kuwari. For his part, Biotechnology & Genetic Resources Expert at Ministry of Municipality, Dr. Elsayed M. Elazazi, indicated that the Qatari Gene Bank compiled 1,138 samples from various sites across the State of Qatar that included over 9mn seeds saved under standard conditions, either for long or short term preservation mechanism, representing over 150 species and nearly 200 unique species, with a special focus on vital domestic types that prevent land degeneration and enhance their sustainable management. Qatar has successfully activated the law of the unified system for the management of plant genetic resources proposed by Qatar for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states to protect the rights of GCC states over their local plants and regulate the mechanism for sharing genetic resources among the countries. Related Story QIB launches QND finance campaign QU launches 4th World Congress on Engineering and Technology
With Apple Intelligence , Apple is aiming to make Siri smarter than ever before. The personal assistant is going to be able to learn more about you, do more in apps, and hand over the reins to a smarter virtual assistant when needed. Some new Siri features are available now, while some won't be coming until 2025. This guide highlights everything that's new with Siri thanks to Apple Intelligence. Updated Siri Design Siri has a refreshed design on devices that support Apple Intelligence. Rather than the small wavelength that used to show when activating Siri, there's now a pink/purple/blue/orange variegated glow that wraps around the entire iPhone , with the colors shifting as Siri listens to a command. Better Language Understanding Siri can better understand conversational language and requests, so if you stumble over your words or change your mind mid-sentence, Siri can still follow what you're saying. Siri is also able to maintain context between requests, so you can refer to something in a previous request, and Siri will understand what you're talking about. So if you use Siri to create a calendar event, you can then just ask "What will the weather be like there?" and Siri knows where "there" is. Improved Voice Siri has a new, more natural sounding voice. Type to Siri There is a built-in Type to Siri feature so you don't need to speak to Siri to interact with the personal assistant. To use it, double tap on the bottom of the iPhone or iPad to bring up a text bar, and then from there, just type in your request. Type to Siri can be used in the same way as speaking to Siri, and Siri is able to provide information without speaking aloud. It is a useful feature for public situations where you're not able to speak and do not want to have Siri speaking back to you. Siri on the Mac While this guide focuses on the iPhone and the iPad, the new, smarter Siri is also available on the Mac. Type to Siri can be enabled in the Settings app, and it can be assigned to a shortcut, such as pressing the Command button twice. Apple Product Knowledge Apple taught Siri about all of its products, so if you want to know how to use a feature or how to complete a task, you can ask Siri for help. Siri can provide step-by-step directions on using iPhone, iPad, and Mac features. ChatGPT Integration (iOS 18.2) In iOS 18.2, ChatGPT integration is available with Siri. If a user asks something that Siri is not capable of handling, ChatGPT can provide a response instead, so long as the user gives permission. Siri can tap into ChatGPT, and then relay ChatGPT's response with no need to switch apps or use other tools. The Siri ChatGPT integration can essentially be used to do anything you can do with the ChatGPT app or ChatGPT on the web, it's simply an easier way to get to ChatGPT. Object Identification For anything on your screen, such as an image, you can ask Siri a question about it. If you have a photo of a plant, for example, asking "What is this?" will prompt Siri to send a screenshot over to ChatGPT, and ChatGPT will attempt to provide context. This works with images on the web, your photos, the something you're viewing through the Camera app, text, and more. ChatGPT can be used to describe a scene, which is useful for people who might have issues with sight. Opening the Camera app, activating Siri, and asking "What is this?" will provide a detailed description of whatever is in front of you. The option to send images to ChatGPT from screenshots is distinct from the Siri onscreen awareness feature that Apple plans to implement in the future. Info From Documents For emails, documents, PDFs, and more, ChatGPT can provide a summary. When you ask "Can you summarize this?" Siri will send a screenshot or the entire document, which includes full PDFs. It's a useful feature for getting a quick overview of the content of a long document. For long PDFs or documents, you'll want to tap on the arrows to make sure the full document is sent to ChatGPT rather than just a screenshot. Rather than asking for a summary, you can instead ask a specific question about a document. If you're looking at an insurance policy, you can ask "What are the limits of this policy?" or "What are the exclusions?" to get more tailored information. Checking Spelling and Grammar If you've written an email, rather than selecting it and using Writing Tools to check it for spelling and grammar errors, you can ask Siri to take a look, and Siri will send a screenshot to ChatGPT. "Can you look this over for errors?" works as a command for this feature. ChatGPT can also be used for rewriting and refining what you've written, but note that this is not the same as Apple's own Writing Tools. Generating Text and Images ChatGPT can generate text from scratch based on prompts that it is given. You can, for example, ask Siri to ask ChatGPT to write a poem or compose a polite letter to a friend, and ChatGPT will create something from scratch. Some sample requests you can use: If you have ChatGPT write something for you, you can tap on the copy icon to copy it to the clipboard to paste it into Notes, Messages, a document, or an email. You can also create images. Using the Dall-E 3 engine, ChatGPT can make realistic AI-generated images, something that can't be done with Apple Intelligence. For image requests, it's easiest to tell Siri to "Tell ChatGPT to make an image of [thing you want an image of]," because if you just ask Siri to make an image or generate an image, it will often bring up web images. Answering Questions One of the best use cases for ChatGPT through Siri is getting answers for queries that are just a bit too complex for Siri. Questions that Siri can't handle will be handed over to ChatGPT with your permission, but you can also force Siri to use ChatGPT instead of the internal Siri engine by amending questions with "Ask ChatGPT." For example, a question about what battery an Xbox controller uses will source Wikipedia and not ChatGPT, but specifically "Ask ChatGPT what battery an Xbox controller uses" will prompt Siri to present the question to ChatGPT. ChatGPT's answers can sometimes be more informative. Asking Siri how to replace eggs in a recipe just gives you alternatives, but ChatGPT's answer for the same question provides the amount of an ingredient you might want to add to equate to an egg. Some example queries that Siri will automatically consult ChatGPT on: Other Things You Can Ask ChatGPT To Do While Siri can do all of these things with ChatGPT's help, the lack of continuity with the Siri version of ChatGPT makes it difficult to complete tasks that are not one-off requests. Creating a meal plan, for example, works better with the actual ChatGPT interface because you can have more of a conversation rather than relying on a single request. ChatGPT Settings and Privacy ChatGPT integration has to be turned on, and after that, each request requires user permission. There is an option to turn off the extra permission by toggling off the "Confirm ChatGPT Requests" option. The toggle can be accessed by opening up the Settings app, choosing Apple Intelligence, and then tapping on ChatGPT. With the feature disabled, Siri will not ask each time before sending information to ChatGPT. Siri will, however, always ask permission before sending a file to ChatGPT even with the confirm requests feature turned off. As for privacy, no login is required to use ChatGPT, and neither Apple nor OpenAI log your requests. But if you sign in with a paid account, ChatGPT can keep a copy of requests. ChatGPT - Free vs. Paid ChatGPT integration includes a limited number of requests that use ChatGPT-4o, the latest version of ChatGPT, for free. After those are used up, ChatGPT integration uses 4o Mini, which is less advanced and takes up less resources. ChatGPT Plus subscribers get more ChatGPT-4o requests. ChatGPT Plus is priced at $20 per month, and iPhone users who don't already have ChatGPT Plus can sign up right from the Apple Intelligence section of the Settings app. Apple users essentially have access to ChatGPT's basic plan, so requests that use advanced capabilities reset every 24 hours. With this plan, two images per day can be generated. ChatGPT vs. Apple Intelligence There is overlap between what's possible with Apple Intelligence and what you can do with ChatGPT integration, but there are some distinctions. Apple Intelligence has Writing Tools for rewriting and editing what you've already written, but ChatGPT can write content from scratch. Image Playground , Image Wand , and Genmoji allow you to generate images, but Apple Intelligence won't generate realistic looking images. Instead, styles are limited to those that look animated or sketched. ChatGPT will generate lifelike images, though. Apple Intelligence can be used to summarize documents, but only when you select text and select the Summarize option from Writing Tools. Apple Intelligence can't answer more specific questions about PDFs and documents, so ChatGPT does have an edge for that kind of query. ChatGPT Limitations When you ask ChatGPT a question through Siri, you need to make sure to read the answer right away because it doesn't stay on the screen long. Apple does not keep a record of it, either. If you're logged into ChatGPT, there is a history in your OpenAI account, but if you're not logged in, there's no way to save information that you've received from ChatGPT, and there's no log. Other Chatbots Apple has only added ChatGPT integration right now, but support for Google Gemini is planned in the future. Siri Apple Intelligence Features Coming Next Year There are several Siri features that are still in development, with Apple planning to add these capabilities to Siri next year. Timing isn't concrete yet, but rumors suggest we'll see them in iOS 18.4 in the spring. Personal Context Siri will be able to keep track of your emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent. Onscreen Awareness Siri will be able to tell what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell Siri to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask Siri to do it for you. Deeper App Integration Siri will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what Siri will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect. The Next Siri Phase After all of the Siri Apple Intelligence features have been implemented in iOS 18 , Apple plans to unveil the next-generation Siri, which will rely on large language models. An LLM version of Siri is already in development , and it will be able to better compete with chatbots like ChatGPT. LLM Siri will be able to hold ongoing conversations, and it will be more like speaking with a human. Large language model integration will let Siri perform more complex tasks, and in the future, Siri likely won't need to rely on ChatGPT. The updated version of Siri will replace the current version of Siri in the future. Apple is expected to announce LLM Siri in 2025 alongside the introduction of iOS 19 , but the update likely won't launch until spring 2026. Apple Intelligence Privacy Apple Intelligence was designed with privacy in mind, and many requests are handled on-device. All personal context learning, for example, is done with on-device intelligence and nothing leaves your iPhone or iPad. For requests that need the processing power of a cloud server, Apple is using Private Cloud Compute on Apple silicon machines to handle complex tasks while preserving user privacy. Apple promises that data is not stored and is used only for user requests. Apple Intelligence Compatible Devices Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, the iPad mini with A17 Pro chip, all iPads with an Apple silicon chip, and all Macs with an Apple silicon chip. Read More We've shared detailed guides on Genmoji and Image Playground already, plus we have an overall guide on the full set of Apple Intelligence features and a guide for the general features coming in iOS 18.2. Release Date iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 with Image Wand integration will be coming in December, with Apple likely planning for a December 9 software release.The 5 most affordable metros in America — where you get more bang for your buck
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SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de JaneiroPeru's leading winery and Pisco producer expands communications program in the US market NEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viñas Queirolo , one of Peru's most historic and highly acclaimed wine estates, has announced Colangelo & Partners , a fine wine, spirits, and food-focused integrated communications agency, as its agency of record to develop and execute a strategic integrated communications program in 2024 and 2025. The partnership will focus on growing the reputation of Peru as a producer of exemplary wines and spirits while establishing Viñas Queirolo as a leader and reference point for the region. The history of Bodega Santiago Queirolo dates back to 1880, when Santiago Queirolo Raggio , a Genoese immigrant, arrived in Peru with his family to search for new opportunities. What started as a local, artisanal production of wines and Piscos for local consumption soon prospered into a full-fledged family business spanning generations and centuries. The second generation of the family, led by Santiago's children, consolidated operations, expanded production and strengthened the brand's presence in the local market. But it was the third generation, led by Santiago Queirolo Targarona and his brothers Jorge and Francisco, that brought much-needed transformation and modernization to the winery, driven by the ambitious vision to make Peruvian wines competitive on the international stage . "We are thrilled to partner with Colangelo & Partners to engage with American wine lovers and spirits enthusiasts by offering audiences a glimpse into the quality of Peruvian wine and Pisco," CEO Santiago Queirolo Targarona said. "For over 100 years, we have developed a deep understanding of Peru's terroirs and assembled the perfect team to interpret our vineyards in the bottle." While the highly skilled winemaker, Luis Gomez , and agriculture director, Jorge Queirolo , manage the portfolio of wines and Piscos sourced from the Ica Valley and Cañete Valley, the team has sought expertise from prominent Bordeaux enology consultants such as Jacques Blouin and c, both of which helped the family expand into Ica Valley and optimize winemaking technologies. Argentinean 'Winemaker of the Year' Alejandro Sejanovich also consults yearly with a highly qualified team of vineyard experts. Queirolo's nearly 2,000-acre expansion into the Ica Valley in 2003 helped establish ' Intipalka ', the estate's premium label, which translates to 'valley of the sun' in Quechua, the language spoken during the Inca empire and still used in the highlands of Peru . These high-altitude vineyards experience a desert-like climate with high diurnal ranges to produce wines with exceptional complexity and structure. Whether it's Queirolo's Intipalka flagships, Santiago Queirolo's entry-level wines that pair well with Peruvian dishes, or the distilled and unique Piscos that can be enjoyed neat or in creative cocktails, the estate is the world's window to Peru's classic beverages and quality potential. Carlos de Jesus , Partner and President of Colangelo & Partners Europe, expressed his excitement about the new partnership, "as a team of passionate wine lovers and category builders, we are thrilled to be working alongside the Queirolo family and the fine wines of Peru . While Peruvian wine is still an emerging category, the caliber of terroir- expressive wines coming from Viñas Queirolo is a testament to their expertise and hard work, and we are excited to be a part of their growth in the U.S. market." Intipalka and Santiago Queirolo wines and Piscos can be found nationwide, specifically at your local Total Wine & More. About Viñas Queirolo - www.santiagoqueirolo.com The history of Bodega Santiago Queirolo dates back to 1880, when Santiago Queirolo Raggio , a Genoese immigrant, arrived in Peru with his family from Italy in search of new opportunities. The family settled in the district of Magdalena Vieja, now known as Pueblo Libre, where Santiago began working with his passion for winemaking. Initially, Santiago produced wines and piscos in an artisanal way for local consumption, which quickly gained popularity among the community of the time. Over time, his small production became a prosperous business, marking the first steps of what would become a family tradition and one of the most emblematic wineries in Peru . Today, the winery controls estate vineyards in Ica Valley and Cañete Valley that are meticulously farmed by the third generation of Queirolo: Santiago, Jorge and Francisco. About Colangelo & Partners - www.colangelopr.com Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution and communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on 'closing the loop' between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer to maximize its communications programs' efficiency and deliver measurable results. Founded in 2006, Colangelo & Partners was honored as one of the year's top integrated communications firms at the 2013 Agency Elite Awards and for one of the best digital marketing campaigns at the 2014 Digital PR Awards. SOURCE Colangelo & Partners Public Relations
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro
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Colorado hands No. 2 UConn second straight loss in MauiKing-Nd: Block NdFeB, generally applied into linear motor 11-27-2024 10:00 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Short Description:NdFeB block magnet is one of the most widely used shape in the market. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/afa9778a2bb584ff463703c9ea28706b.png Our production steps: batching - melting - powder processing - pressing - sintering - surface grinding - cutting - double-sided grinding - chamfering - electroplating - magnetizing - packaging. Our delivery time: sample production 7-15 days, mass order production cycle 20-30 days. Advantages: The most cost-effective, fast delivery, convenient assembling. Grade range: From N30 to N54, N33M to N52M, N33H to N52H, N33SH to N50SH, N33UH to N48UH, N33EH to N42EH. Application: Widely used in brushless motor, permanent magnet industrial motor, textile motor, automobile motor, permanent magnet direct drive motor, linear motor, air conditioning compressor motor, mechanical equipment permanent magnet motor, Marine generator, permanent magnet generator, permanent magnet propulsion motor, mining permanent magnet motor, coupling motor, chemical permanent magnet motor,drive motor for EV, pump motor, EPS motor, sensor and other area. Product customized: magnet are all customized, length can be from 0.5mm-200mm, width from 0.5mm-150mm, thickness from 0.5mm-70mm, which can meet most customers' requirement. Coating: NdfeB magnet is easy to oxidize, so normally it need a coating, the coating that common used in the market like:1. ZN plating ( a kind of metal coating,salt spray test can reach 24-48 hours, high cost performance, so it is one of the best choice for most customers).2. NICUNI (a kind of metal coating, salt spray test can reach 48-72 hours, cost performance is higher than ZN, but still very widely used in the market the assembly condition is harsh, the product corrosion resistance requirements of the customer can choose).3. Epoxy (non-metallic coating, non-magnetic conductivity, can reduce the motor eddy current loss, salt spray test can reach 72-96 hours, higher cost than ZN an NICUNI coating.)4. Other coating that also used: Phosphate, Sn, Au, Ag, Parylene and so on...Tolerance: Normally our magnet tolerance are +/-0.05mm after coating. About King-Nd SHANGHAI KING-ND MAGNET CO., LTD. Founded in 2008, the production base is located in Ningbo, the magnetic capital. It is a high-tech enterprise specializing in R&D, production and sales of rare earth NdFeB. NdFeB was put into production in 2008, and it has formed a complete industrial chain from rare earth permanent magnet blank material to finished products.Currently, we are equipped with high-precision testing instruments and automatic and semi-automatic production lines. The technology of low-heavy rare earth, dysprosium-free technology, and dysprosium and terbium infiltration processes have entered stable batch production, and the product stability and consistency have been well received by customers. Media Contact Company Name: Shanghai King-Nd Magnet Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=kingnd-block-ndfeb-generally-applied-into-linear-motor ] Country: China Website: https://www.kingndmagnet.com/ This release was published on openPR.
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Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record high"Too many of our people worship a false ideal, and that ideal is called Zionism. It takes our biblical story and turns it into colonialism and genocide. From the start, Zionism has violated human freedom and killed Palestinian children," accuses Naomi Klein, the Canadian activist and author. "October 7 was an act of military resistance. It is neither terrorism nor antisemitism – it was an attack on Israelis," claims prominent American philosopher and gender theorist Judith Butler. Though long associated with feminist values, Butler questioned reports of sexual assaults and rapes during the October attack in Israel, stating: "We want to see proof that these events occurred. It’s not a crime to demand evidence of rape and assault." "The military operation in Gaza goes far beyond self-defense. It enters the realm of collective punishment," analyzes Dr. Norman Finkelstein, a political scientist and outspoken critic of Israel. Finkelstein, who has previously referred to Gaza as a "concentration camp," described the October 7 events as "heroic." What ties these harsh criticisms together is their source: They all come from Jews. These individuals, often labeled "self-hating Jews" or "antisemitic Jews," belong to a phenomenon that has accompanied the Jewish people for generations, reappearing at critical junctions in history. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, anti-Zionist Jews have not hesitated to attack it, questioning the concept of Jewish self-determination and even the legitimacy of Israel's founding. Roots of Anti-Zionist Jewish criticism How can one explain the phenomenon of Jews opposing the legitimacy of Israel? Professor Maoz Azaryahu of the University of Haifa, head of the Herzl Institute for the Study of Zionism, explains: "What we’re seeing now, after the October 7 attack, is the same narrative dominating the global radical left for years – anti-Zionism on steroids. It aligns perfectly with old Catholic ideology, which is why it resonates strongly in countries like Spain and Ireland. Today, anti-Zionism is a socially acceptable stance among educated circles and global academia. From their perspective, Zionism is a moral injustice that should be eradicated." ( Naomi Klein denounces 'false Zionism' ) Azaryahu continues: "When Jews openly and vehemently oppose Zionism, it’s a sign of an antisemitic climate. These are Jews who feel the need to say, ‘We are not them – they are the bad Jews; we are the good ones.’" Why has Zionism become such a global obsession? "I think their obsession with Israel stems from the country’s success," Azaryahu posits. "Israel is one of the last nation-states to emerge, and the radical left is inherently against the idea of the nation-state. According to their thesis, Israel was ‘born in sin.’ That’s their entire story: the sin is the Nakba, and what is born in sin must be erased. In their eyes, there was a Palestinian people here, and suddenly imperialist nations and Jewish-Zionist colonialism collaborated to dispossess the Palestinian Arab people, leading to the establishment of Israel. That’s their narrative." Even if historical events occurred as they claim, what do they expect to happen now, in 2024? What, in their view, could 'correct' this so-called sin? "They want a state of all its citizens, something akin to Syria or Lebanon. Then October 7 comes along, delivering a massive slap in the face, as they see the reality of their ‘dream.’ October 7 proves that their solution – a state where everyone coexists peacefully without a Jewish or Zionist identity – cannot materialize. Perhaps that’s their greatest fear because they’ve received a stark reflection of what would happen here without borders or an IDF. The anti-Zionists have built an 80-story tower of arguments against Israel, but the problem is their theories lack a ground floor. That’s why October 7 is so horrifying for them, and why they try to downplay or deny parts of the attack, shifting the focus to Israel’s response." Naomi Klein and the politics of memory One of the most prominent Jewish voices against Israel is Naomi Klein, a Canadian journalist and author well-known in radical leftist circles. In a recent article in The Guardian, Klein argued that Israel’s "commemoration industry" surrounding the events of October 7 is an attempt to weaponize trauma to justify its actions in Gaza. ( 'October 7 was uprising': Judith Butler ) "To understand her argument, you first need to understand where Klein is coming from," explains Azaryahu. "She belongs to a school of thought that divides the world into two categories: victims and aggressors. The intellectual battle is over who qualifies as the victim, as the victim is seen as the moral victor. In their worldview, Jews in Israel are not allowed to claim victimhood. When we assert that we were the target of a brutal attack, she accuses us of deception because, in her view, we are inherently the aggressors – ‘white colonialists.’ We’re playing a role that, according to her, doesn’t belong to us. Essentially, she’s ordering us: ‘Don’t touch my victims, the Gazans.’" Klein goes further, claiming that Israel’s memorial efforts – such as ceremonies, monuments, songs, tours of affected areas, and exhibitions like the Nova music festival memorial – are merely tactics to shock the public and legitimize Israel's military response. As a scholar of commemoration, Azaryahu sees this as Klein’s attempt to protect her constructed narrative of victimhood. "What she’s saying is that to preserve her victims' narrative, she must deny what happened on October 7. This borders on Holocaust denial. ‘Don’t recount what happened because it detracts attention from the real victims.’" A culture of commemoration Israelis engage in extensive and diverse forms of commemoration, according to Azaryahu. "Commemoration is part of Israel’s cultural DNA," the professor explains. "It’s a deeply ingrained sense of obligation to memory that transcends politics or the current conflict in Gaza. This commitment to remembrance dates back to 1945, immediately after the Holocaust, when Jewish communities sought to document the world that was destroyed and the crimes committed. 1 View gallery Norman Finkelstein ( Photo: A Katz / Shutterstock.com ) "It’s intrinsic to Israeli culture and has nothing to do with Klein’s political critiques. Who is Naomi Klein to dictate to families and communities how they should remember and mourn? Political arguments against the state are one thing, but she has no right to interfere with communal or familial remembrance." Technological advancements have also influenced modern commemoration practices. "In the past, during the Holocaust or the Yom Kippur War, there was no TikTok or WhatsApp. Today, we have tools that allow for one-to-one documentation, creating vivid memorials. These aren’t politically motivated but arise organically from people’s desire to remember and show exactly what happened." Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv Israel indeed leads the world in commemoration efforts, with more memorials per capita and per square kilometer than any other country. "It’s part of our cultural tradition, perhaps because we are an ancient people with a long memory. The detailed documentation of every incident from October 7 may also stem from a need to counter denial narratives, a lesson learned from Holocaust denial efforts." Jewish schism over Zionism In Israel and the broader Jewish world, many are grappling with the question of why some Jews so aggressively oppose the Jewish state. For Azaryahu, "Jews who publicly and vehemently oppose Zionism are often responding to antisemitic pressures. They feel the need to declare, ‘We aren’t like them – the bad Jews. We’re the good ones.’ Today, the barriers against antisemitism have collapsed, and some Jews feel compelled to align themselves with what they see as the ‘just side.’" Israeli response to such critics often points to a harsh reality: When antisemites come for the Jews, they won’t differentiate between "good" and "bad" Jews. Azaryahu recalls a debate he once had with a Jewish woman from England: "She was criticizing me over various things Israel does. I finally told her, ‘Don’t worry – if things get bad and they come for you in England, you’ll always have a place here under the Law of Return.’ You should’ve seen her face – it was priceless," he laughs. >
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That’s exactly what Petr Yan did in his last fight at UFC Macau: Yan won by TKO and is gaining more and more votes among flyweight contenders. The Russian creature stood up; striking and grappling skills led to a unanimous decision victory, ultimately proving his strong stand in the bantamweight division. Petr Yan, who previously lost his bantamweight title to Aljamain Sterling due to a shoulder injury, now aims for the title defense and challenges Dvalishvili to bring fans the rematch. Petr Yan Shoots and Scores: Knocking Figueiredo out in the Decider Petr Yan fought with the former flyweight champion, his opponent Deiveson Figueiredo , in an entertaining match. Figueiredo fought the Russian fighter for five rounds and was badly outmatched by the fighter in a combination of stand-up and ground fighting techniques. Petr Yan was able to stay in control on the ground and suffocate Figueiredo with clean-up strikes, which was pretty diverse. At UFC 303 , Yan’s latest win was his second win in the year 2024 after defeating Song Yadong in the previous fight at UFC 299. There was no delay upon the victory roof to his head; Petr Yan immediately responded with his next plans. After the fight, he was very determined to get back to Merab Dvalishvili and take back his bantamweight belt. Petr Yan, however, brought the memory of the fans and critics to the fact that Figueiredo was heralded as the no. 1 contender in the division, and his victory was a step forward towards getting another shot at the title. Merab Dvalishvili Responds The current bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, appeared on social media to congratulate Petr Yan. Despite acknowledging the UFC Macau main event fight, Merab Dvalishvili suggested they could fight again by naming a match at UFC 313 in Las Vegas on March 8. The two fought for the last time in March 2023, when Merab Dvalishvili defeated Yan through a unanimous decision in UFC Las Vegas. That loss became a painful stretch for Petr Yan as he extended his string of losses to three and gave up his bantamweight title in a rather dubious disqualification decision against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. Since that period, which was difficult for Yan to carry on, he had a couple of wins in 2024. In overwhelming Figueiredo, Volkan’s fans did not just see his technical prowess, which is otherwise a marvel to behold, but also a statement about his standing in the bantamweight category. As for Dvalishvili, he has been on the rampage since his victory over Petr Yan. The Georgian standout knocked out Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 and became the bantamweight champion after a decision win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. Conclusion Petr Yan getting back in the bantamweight division has brought out the championship factor in him again, and with his win against Deiveson Figueiredo at the UFC in Macau, he is still a force to reckon with. This has effectively put the cat among the pigeons, with Merab Dvalishvili admitting that a rematch can be expected next year; a fight between these two top-class competitors could shape the division in 2024. It would be one of the possible fights of the year if fans are waiting for a rematch when Petr Yan wants to prove himself and Merab Dvalishvili wants to continue his dominance . This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.
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