jili178 bonus ( MENAFN - The Conversation) On this day three years ago, we witnessed the nail-biting launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the largest and most powerful telescope humans have ever sent into space. It took 30 years to build, but in three short years of operation, JWST has already revolutionised our view of the cosmos. It's explored our own Solar System, studied the atmospheres of distant planets in search of signs of life and probed the farthest depths to find the very first stars and galaxies formed in the universe. Here's what JWST has taught us about the early universe since its launch – and the new mysteries it has uncovered. JWST has pushed the boundary of how far we can look into the universe to find the first stars and galaxies. With Earth's atmosphere out of the way, its location in space makes for perfect conditions to peer into the depths of the cosmos with infrared light. The current record for the most distant galaxy confirmed by JWST dates back to a time when the universe was only about 300 million years old . Surprisingly, within this short time window, this galaxy managed to form about 400 million times the mass of our Sun. This indicates star formation in the early universe was extremely efficient. And this galaxy is not the only one. When galaxies grow, their stars explode, creating dust. The bigger the galaxy, the more dust it has. This dust makes galaxies appear red because it absorbs the blue light. But here's the catch: JWST has shown these first galaxies to be shockingly bright, massive and very blue , with no sign of any dust. That's a real puzzle. There are many theories to explain the weird nature of these first galaxies. Do they have huge stars that just collapse due to gravity without undergoing massive supernova explosions? Or do they have such large explosions that all dust is pushed away far from the galaxy, exposing a blue, dust-free core? Perhaps the dust is destroyed due to the intense radiation from these early exotic stars – we just don't know yet. The early stars were the key building blocks of what eventually became life. The universe began with only hydrogen, helium and a small amount of lithium. All other elements, from the calcium in our bones to the oxygen in the air we breathe, were forged in the cores of these stars. JWST has discovered that early galaxies also have unusual chemical features . They contain a significant amount of nitrogen, far more than what we observe in our Sun, while most other metals are present in lower quantities. This suggests there were processes at play in the early universe we don't yet fully understand. JWST has shown our models of how stars drive the chemical evolution of galaxies are still incomplete, meaning we still don't fully understand the conditions that led to our existence. Using massive clusters of galaxies as gigantic magnifying glasses, JWST's sensitive cameras can also peer deep into the cosmos to find the faintest galaxies . We pushed further to find the point at which galaxies become so faint, they stop forming stars altogether. This helps us understand the conditions under which galaxy formation comes to an end. JWST is yet to find this limit. However, it has uncovered many faint galaxies, far more than anticipated, emitting over four times the energetic photons (light particles) we expected. The discovery suggests these small galaxies may have played a crucial role in ending the cosmic“dark ages” not long after the Big Bang. Read more: What ended the 'dark ages' in the early universe? New Webb data just brought us closer to solving the mystery The very first images of JWST resulted in another dramatic, unexpected discovery. The early universe is inhabited by an abundance of“little red dots”: extremely compact red colour sources of unknown origin. Initially, they were thought to be massive super-dense galaxies that shouldn't be possible , but detailed observations in the past year have revealed a combination of deeply puzzling and contradictory properties. Bright hydrogen gas is emitting light at enormous speeds, thousands of kilometres per second, characteristic of gas swirling around a supermassive black hole. This phenomenon, called an active galactic nucleus, usually indicates a feeding frenzy where a supermassive black hole is gobbling up all the gas around it, growing rapidly. But these are not your garden variety active galactic nuclei. For starters: they don't emit any detectable X-rays, as is normally expected. Even more intriguingly, they seem to have the features of star populations. Could these galaxies be both stars and active galactic nuclei at the same time? Or some evolutionary stage in between? Whatever they are, the little red dots are probably going to teach us something about the birth of both supermassive black holes and stars in galaxies. As well as extremely lively early galaxies, JWST has also found extremely dead corpses : galaxies in the early universe that are relics of intense star formation at cosmic dawn. These corpses had been found by Hubble and ground-based telescopes, but only JWST had the power to dissect their light to reveal how long they've been dead. It has uncovered some extremely massive galaxies (as massive as our Milky Way today and more) that formed in the first 700 million years of cosmic history. Our current galaxy formation models can't explain these objects – they are too big and formed too early. Cosmologists are still debating whether the models can be bent to fit (for example, maybe early star formation was extremely efficient) or whether we have to reconsider the nature of dark matter and how it gives rise to early collapsing objects. JWST will turn up many more of these objects in the next year and study the existing ones in greater detail. Either way, we will know soon. Just within its first steps, the telescope has revealed many shortcomings of our current models of the universe. While we are refining our models to account for the updates JWST has brought us, we are most excited about the unknown unknowns. The mysterious red dots were hiding from our view. What else is lingering in the depths of cosmos? JWST will soon tell us. Read more: 10 times this year the Webb telescope blew us away with new images of our stunning universe MENAFN24122024000199003603ID1109028509 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Bryce Thompson scored 17 points, Marchelus Avery had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Oklahoma State beat Miami 80-74 on Friday in the consolation bracket of the Charleston Classic. Oklahoma State (4-1) will play in the fifth-place game on Sunday, while Miami (3-2) will try to avoid going winless in the tournament. Oklahoma State led 43-27 at halftime after making 8 of 15 from 3-point range, while Miami was just 8 of 27 overall. Four different Cowboys made a 3-pointer in the first half, with Brandon Newman making three. Thompson banked in a shot early in the second half to give Oklahoma State a 20-point lead at 49-29. Miami, which opened the game by missing 7 of 8 shots, went 1 for 8 from the field to begin the second half. Miami trailed by double figures the entire second half until Matthew Cleveland made a difficult shot in the lane while being fouled. He made the free throw to pull the Hurricanes within 75-67 with 49 seconds left. Arturo Dean restored a double-digit lead by making two free throws at 43.8. Thompson reached the 1,000 career points with the Cowboys on a shot in the lane with 13:01 left in the second half to give Oklahoma State a 55-38 lead. Nijel Pack scored 20 points and Brandon Johnson had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Cleveland finished with 11 points, and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet each had 10. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballMatt Duchene and Jamie Benn lead the Stars past the Blackhawks 5-1

Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

11 states sue three largest institutional investors for anticompetitive trade practicesThe United States and China have renewed a decades-old agreement on science and technology cooperation , officials from both countries said Friday, narrowing its scope and adding safeguards to address concerns about national security risks. The Science and Technology Agreement, originally signed in 1979, was the first accord between the two countries after they normalized diplomatic relations. It had historically been renewed roughly every five years, but U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns in about it recent years as China becomes a growing technological rival. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are The agreement, which was up for renewal in 2023, received two six-month extensions before lapsing on Aug. 27 of this year, and its continuation had been under negotiation for months. The State Department said Friday that the “modernized and strengthened” agreement had been extended for five years. It said the agreement sustains intellectual property protections, establishes new guardrails for protecting the safety and security of researchers, and “advances U.S. interests through newly established and strengthened provisions on transparency and data reciprocity.” The agreement covers only basic research and does not facilitate the development of critical and emerging technologies, the department said. The Biden administration has imposed export controls on advanced semiconductor chips and restricted investment in other strategically sensitive fields in China such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, citing concerns that such technologies could aid China’s military modernization. The renewal of the agreement was also confirmed in a short statement Friday by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, which did not provide details. U.S. & World How to claim your Fortnite refund from the FTC Bob Fernandez, 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, dies peacefully at home 83 years after bombing Supporters of the pact argued that failure to renew it would not only imperil government-to-government collaboration in vital areas such as climate change and public health, but also inhibit academic cooperation between the world’s two biggest economies. Science and technology cooperation has already been chilled by the China Initiative, a Trump-era national security program meant to counter intellectual property theft at universities and research institutions. The program, which has prompted multiple prominent Chinese researchers to leave the U.S., ended in 2022 after a string of failed prosecutions. Asian American advocacy groups said ethnic Chinese scientists were unfairly targeted by the program, which House lawmakers are seeking to revive . NBC News' Rae Wang contributed. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News: What we know about the drones spotted in New Jersey and other states James Kennedy lawyers say 'no injuries' in 'Vanderpump Rules' star's domestic violence arrest Nancy Pelosi hospitalized during congressional visit to Luxembourg

US swaps prisoners with China, releasing 3 convicted spies

Bryce Thompson scores 17 points and Oklahoma State beats Miami 80-74 in the Charleston Classic

Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

Political leaders jousting to prove their love for Ambedkar should read Anand Teltumbde’s Iconoclast: A Reflective Biography of . In this book, they will discover that Ambedkar was a man of contradictory parts. Nothing illustrates this more vividly than his decision to enter into a pact on religious conversion with Hindu Mahasabha leader B S Moonje, whose disdain for the Depressed Classes, as the so-called ‘Untouchables’ were then classified, was revolting. A February 1936 entry in Moonje’s diary bears this out: “Any money spent on untouchables is like feeding a garden-serpent.” The genesis of their pact dates to October 13, 1935, when, at Yeola, declared that though he was born a Hindu, he shall not die as one. Hindu nationalists panicked at the thought of Ambedkar and his followers leaving Hinduism, for in that era, the population of every religious community determined representation in the legislatures. For this reason, there ensued a scramble among leaders of other faiths to woo him. Thereafter, Ambedkar explained at several public meetings why the Depressed Classes should exit Hinduism but never explicitly stated to which religion they should convert. For instance, in April 1936, he attended the Sikh Mission’s conference in Amritsar, where a conversion ceremony took place, sparking speculation whether Sikhism was to be his new faith. But then, on May 30-31, 1936, at the Bombay Mahar Provincial Conference, Ambedkar seemed to suggest yet another “path for salvation.” He said the Untouchables’ plight stemmed from three factors—they were numerically inferior everywhere; they were financially strapped; they were spiritually debilitated as they had internalised their demeaning status as fated and, therefore, lacked confidence. Muslims too, Ambedkar said, were a numerical minority and financially weak, but they were spiritually strong, the reason why violence was seldom visited on them as casually as it was on the Dalits. To overcome the three factors behind their plight, they should convert to an existing religion, he advised. Teltumbde writes, “The manner in which he referred to the Muslim community...indicated his preference for Islam over other religions.” were alarmed, for the conversion of Ambedkar’s followers to Islam would have ballooned the Muslim population and upset the communal balance of power. They sent Moonje to meet Ambedkar on June 18, 1936. Ambedkar took just three days to agree on a pact with Moonje, whom he had dubbed as “communalist” in 1932. The pact stipulated that the Hindu Mahasabha would not object to Ambedkar converting to Sikhism; nor to the inclusion of neo-Sikhs in the list of the Scheduled Castes for whom government jobs were reserved; nor to them contesting seats reserved for the Depressed Classes in the joint electorate. The Depressed Classes were, thus, not to forfeit their rights on abandoning Hinduism as long as they embraced Sikhism, not any other faith. In exchange for these gains, academic Keith Meadowcroft points out in his article on the pact, Ambedkar agreed to assist the Mahasabha in “countering Muslim and Christian proselytising and in propagating Hindu culture.” Sounds incredible today, doesn’t it? For Moonje, the Sikh population was so small that its augmentation because of Ambedkar’s conversion to it could not have posed a threat to the Hindus. By contrast, Ambedkar’s motivation to sign the pact was bewildering, for its purported gains to his followers on conversion could have been guaranteed by the British and perhaps Gandhi, not Moonje. The pact was to be a secret till such time the Mahasabha leadership endorsed it. However, Moonje wrote about the pact to another Depressed Classes leader, M C Rajah, who made it public, triggering a furore that ultimately nixed the pact. Yet, as the controversy over the pact raged, Ambedkar made statements saying conversion to Sikhism suited even Hindus. How? Ambedkar explained, “If the Depressed Classes join Islam or Christianity, they not only go out of the Hindu religion, but they also go out of the Hindu culture...” It would “denationalise the Depressed Classes.” This statement implied Muslims and Christians were not national. On the other hand, their conversion to Sikhism would retain them within the Hindu culture, “by no means a small advantage to Hindus,” he said. Ambedkar’s statements testify to his belief in the Hindutva ideology, which claims that there exists a cultural unity among the followers of faiths born in India. This ‘truth’ constitutes the foundation of cultural nationalism, of which Muslims and Christians cannot be a part as their religions were birthed outside India. Even a decade later, Ambedkar’s idea on this count did not change, Meadowcroft says, citing from his book, Pakistan Or The Partition Of India, published in 1945-46, as evidence: “Islam can never allow a true Muslim to adopt India as his motherland.” That he did not believe India had evolved a truly syncretic culture, which was the basis of its nationalism, was evident from his explanation for converting, in 1956, to Buddhism: “Buddhism is part and parcel of Bharatiya culture. I have taken care that my conversion will not hurt the tradition and culture of this land.” Yet, in the same Partition book, Ambedkar also warns, “If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt, be the greatest calamity for this country.... Hindu Raj must be prevented at any cost.” He was instrumental in enshrining the rights of the minorities in the Constitution, and deepening the meaning of liberty, equality and fraternity. Ambedkar lived a life of contradictions, as did Gandhi and Nehru, as much to be admired as critiqued.Best end-of-year deals on new cars

It’s the time of year when we start looking ahead, and in the gaming world, that means speculating wildly about what Nintendo has up its sleeve. While the rumor mill is churning with whispers of a “Switch 2”, we’ve got something different for you. Forget the hardware, let’s dive deep into the software! Through some clandestine maneuvers and a bit of luck (don’t ask!), we’ve managed to sneak a peek at Nintendo’s internal calendar for 2024. And trust me, it’s packed with enough gaming goodness to make you forget all about new consoles... for now. This isn’t about vague predictions or recycled rumors. We’re talking concrete release windows, surprising collaborations, and a few projects that’ll make you raise an eyebrow. Think of it as your exclusive backstage pass to Nintendo’s 2024 game plan. From resurrected classics to brand-new IPs, there’s something for everyone. So, buckle up and prepare to be surprised, because Nintendo’s 2024 is shaping up to be anything but ordinary! A Familiar Face Returns: Metroid Prime 4 Emerges from the Shadows Remember Metroid Prime 4? Announced what feels like eons ago (2017 to be exact), it’s been shrouded in mystery. Development restarts, radio silence... it almost felt like a myth. But fear not, fellow bounty hunters! Our intel confirms that Metroid Prime 4 is finally launching in Q4 2024. Yes, you read that right. Sources suggest that the game has undergone a massive transformation, leveraging a new engine and incorporating innovative gameplay mechanics. Imagine grappling across vast alien landscapes, seamlessly transitioning between first-person shooting and exploration, all while unraveling a captivating story. While details are scarce, expect a reveal with gameplay footage sometime in early summer 2024. Get ready to return to the world of Samus Aran in what promises to be a truly next-gen Metroid experience. A New Legend is Born: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Expansion Pass Unleashed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom captivated players worldwide with its expansive world and innovative gameplay. But the adventure doesn’t end there. Nintendo is going all-in with a two-part expansion pass, set to drop in Q2 and Q4 2024. The first part, codenamed “Echoes of the Past,” will delve deeper into Hyrule’s history, introducing new dungeons, challenges, and story content that expands upon the lore. Think “Majora’s Mask” meets “Tears of the Kingdom,” with a darker tone and a focus on time-bending mechanics. The second part, “The Skyward Sword,” is even more intriguing. It will reportedly take Link to a series of floating islands high above Hyrule, offering a unique gameplay experience with an emphasis on aerial combat and exploration . New enemies, weapons, and a storyline that ties into Skyward Sword are all on the table. Prepare to soar through the skies and uncover hidden secrets in this epic expansion. Surprise! A New IP Takes Flight Nintendo isn’t just relying on its established franchises. Our sources reveal a brand-new IP slated for release in Q3 2024. Codenamed “Project Phoenix,” this action-adventure game is being developed by a newly formed internal team comprised of veterans from various Nintendo franchises. Details are scarce, but we’ve heard whispers of a vibrant, stylized world, a unique combat system that blends magic and technology, and a strong emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Imagine a mix of Splatoon’s visual flair, Breath of the Wild’s open-world exploration, and a dash of Pikmin’s strategic depth. This could be Nintendo’s next big thing, and we can’t wait to see more. Retro Revival: Game Boy Classics Make a Comeback Get ready for a wave of nostalgia, because Nintendo is bringing back some beloved Game Boy classics! The Game Boy and Game Boy Color libraries are coming to Nintendo Switch Online in early 2024. Expect iconic titles like Super Mario Land, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Metroid II: Return of Samus, and Pokémon Red and Blue to be available at launch, with more added regularly. This is a fantastic opportunity for veteran gamers to relive their childhood and for newcomers to experience some of the greatest handheld games ever made. Partners in Crime: Unexpected Collaborations on the Horizon Nintendo is known for its tight grip on its IPs, but 2024 seems to be the year of unexpected collaborations. First up, we have a Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope DLC featuring Donkey Kong as a playable character, arriving in Q1 2024. This adds a whole new dimension to the tactical gameplay, with Donkey Kong’s unique abilities and personality shaking things up. But that’s not all. Rumors suggest a crossover between Splatoon and Pokémon is in the works for a late 2024 release. Imagine battling it out in ink-splattered arenas using Pokémon with unique ink-based attacks. This could be a truly wild and exciting mashup that nobody saw coming. A Year of Surprises Beyond these major releases, Nintendo’s 2024 calendar is filled with smaller surprises. Expect new entries in the Kirby and Yoshi franchises, a remake of a classic Fire Emblem game, and a new sports title that will get you moving. Nintendo is also experimenting with new ways to engage players, including interactive experiences and augmented reality applications. The Future of Nintendo While we didn’t find any concrete evidence of a “Switch 2” on the calendar, it’s clear that Nintendo is constantly innovating and exploring new ideas. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of exciting new games, unexpected collaborations, and a celebration of Nintendo’s rich history. So, there you have it – a glimpse into the future of Nintendo. While plans can change, this insider information gives us a tantalizing taste of what’s to come. Get ready for a year of surprises, adventures, and unforgettable gaming experiences.

StockNews.com cut shares of LendingTree ( NASDAQ:TREE – Free Report ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Wednesday. Several other research firms have also commented on TREE. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of LendingTree from $71.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Susquehanna increased their price objective on LendingTree from $50.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Truist Financial raised their price objective on LendingTree from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on LendingTree from $67.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price target on LendingTree from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $64.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TREE LendingTree Stock Performance Insider Activity at LendingTree In other LendingTree news, General Counsel Heather Enlow-Novitsky sold 564 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.54, for a total value of $29,632.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 23.40% of the company’s stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. National Bank of Canada FI purchased a new stake in shares of LendingTree during the third quarter worth about $32,000. CWM LLC increased its stake in LendingTree by 230.8% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 602 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 420 shares in the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd increased its stake in LendingTree by 77.0% during the 3rd quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 1,147 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 499 shares in the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of LendingTree by 200.0% during the third quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $70,000 after acquiring an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of LendingTree in the second quarter valued at approximately $132,000. 68.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About LendingTree ( Get Free Report ) LendingTree, Inc, through its subsidiary, operates online consumer platform in the United States. It operates through three segments: Home, Consumer, and Insurance. The Home segment offers purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, and home equity loans and lines of credit; and real estate brokerage services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for LendingTree Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LendingTree and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .I’m not running FCT based on religion – Wike fires back at MURIC