As the Black Friday Week is officially here, Amazon is offering great deals on Apple’s latest 2024 MacBook Pro models equipped with the new M4/M4 Pro chips . Released just weeks ago in early November, these laptops are available at their lowest prices ever (they’ve actually never been discounted until now) which makes this an terrific opportunity for anyone looking to invest in high-performance technology. Apple never provides any direct discounts on its website or in its retail stores, and it makes these Amazon promotions the only way to save on the new MacBook Pro M4 models. It’s quite unexpected to see such significant price reductions so soon after launch. We recommend you to act quickly before stock runs out. The “entry-level” model is the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M4 chip , and it comes with 16GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD: originally priced at $1,599, it is now available for just $1,399, representing a great 13% savings . See MacBook Pro M4 / 16GB / 512GB at Amazon For those needing more power, the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is an excellent choice. This model features a robust 12-core CPU and a 16-core GPU, along with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Priced at $1,749, down from $1,999 , this configuration is great for professionals who need enhanced processing capabilities for demanding tasks such as video editing or software development. See MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14′′ / 24GB / 512GB at Amazon For users who need additional storage, the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is also available with a larger 1TB SSD. This model is priced at $2,099, down from $2,399 . With its powerful specifications and enhanced storage capacity, it caters to professionals who work with large files or require extensive software libraries. See MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14′′ / 24GB / 1TB at Amazon The larger 16.2-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip offers even greater performance with a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU. This model includes 24GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD and is now available for $2,199 instead of $2,499 . The expansive display provides ample screen real estate for multitasking and creative work. See MacBook Pro M4 Pro 16′′ / 24GB / 512GB at Amazon Power, Power and Power All models feature Apple’s innovative M4/M4 Pro chip architecture that significantly enhances performance while maintaining energy efficiency. The M4 chips improve CPU and GPU performance but they also integrate advanced AI capabilities through Apple Intelligence. This allows for faster processing of machine learning tasks and improved graphics rendering. Battery life remains one of the much appreciated feature across all models – with Apple advertising up to 24 hours of usage on a single charge —which is an industry-leading achievement for laptops. The combination of powerful hardware and optimized software (thanks to this Apple-developed chips) ensures that users can work throughout the day without needing to recharge frequently. A great aspect of these Black Friday deals is that Amazon offers an extended return policy allowing customers to return products until January 31, 2025. This extended timeframe makes it easier for shoppers to purchase gifts without worrying about immediate returns after the holiday season. But as these deals are the first discounts seen on these new models, the stock is likely to diminish very quickly. See MacBook Pro M4 / 16GB / 512GB at Amazon See MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14′′ / 24GB / 512GB at Amazon
ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson scored 28 points and the Atlanta Hawks closed out a four-game homestand, winning a third straight contest, 120-110 over the Miami Heat on Saturday. Trae Young added his 22nd double-double of the season, with 11 point and 15 assist, and De’Andre Hunter scored 26 points in his 14th consecutive game with at least 15 points coming off the bench. Tyler Herro scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists and Bam Adebayo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. It was the Heat’s fourth game in a row without star Jimmy Butler , who sat out for what the team called “return to competition reconditioning.” Takeaways Heat: Miami lost despite five players finishing with double-digit point totals. The Heat shot 44.4% from the field, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a Hawks team that hit over half of its shots, 51.2% from the field. Hawks: Johnson has been on an offensive tear in his last two games. He finished two points shy of his single-game career high of 30 points, set in his last game, on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls. Hunter also finished just one point shy of his single-game career high of 27 points. Key moment After a close first half that featured nine lead changes, Atlanta seized control early in the second half. With five minutes to go in the third quarter, Atlanta’s Garrison Mathews and Hunter hit back-to-back 3s to give Atlanta an 81-72 lead, their biggest of the night, and forcing a Miami timeout. Key stat Young finished one assist shy of a franchise single-game record for assists against the Miami Heat, set by Mookie Blaylock in 1993. Up next The Hawks begin a six-game road trip in Toronto on Sunday, while the Heat visits the Rockets on Sunday. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB) and AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB) Critical ContrastUber Will Deliver Your Christmas Tree And In Some Cities Bring Carolers To HousesHoliday tech gifts for kids: 5 things to know
Community housing group in Southgate talks in regional forumThe Hotline mailbag publishes weekly. Send questions to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com and include ‘mailbag’ in the subject line. Or hit me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity. With a 12-team College Football Playoff, does ranking 25 teams each week make sense? Instead, why not rank 14 teams and, at least through 2025-26, include the top five conference leaders and the Group of Five representative if they aren't in the top 14? — Jon Joseph A: In our view, playoff expansion is the most impactful competitive change in the history of the sport. It has made more teams, and more games, relevant than ever before. The move from four teams to 12 was essential and overdue, and college football is exponentially more compelling because of it. But flaws remain, and they probably won't get corrected in the next 12 months. The current CFP system runs through next season. There is no format for the playoff beginning in the fall of 2026, when a new contract cycle with ESPN begins. But the SEC and Big Ten are watching the 2024 version carefully and could force major changes in 2026 if they don't like what they see. We aren't sure it matters whether the committee ranks 14, 20 or 25 teams each week. The issue isn't the number of teams; it's the rankings themselves. They are an ESPN creation to fill airtime, generate viewers and spark debate (in a sport that already has plenty of debate). The committee doesn't benefit from the weekly rankings. Instead, the exercise undermines confidence by exposing inconsistencies in the logic and setting up the committee chair to look dazed and evasive. But ESPN is paying for the playoff, ESPN wants the rankings show each Tuesday and, in college sports, ESPN gets what ESPN wants. (Same for Fox.) That said, the situation is far worse this season than ever before because the committee seemingly has no clue how to handle the expansion elements — expansion of the playoff and expansion of the conferences. Realignment has created bigger leagues with unbalanced schedules and, especially in the case of the SEC and Big Ten, more good teams. Depending on the schedule rotation, some playoff contenders will naturally have more losses than others within the same conference -- and certainly more than other contenders in different conferences. The SEC is loaded with good teams and, in our view, is somewhat akin to the NFL, where even the best teams have an inexplicable loss every so often. But the committee is using the same approach to evaluating and ranking the teams, with a heavy emphasis placed on the number of losses. Oklahoma defensive lineman Gracen Halton (56) tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the second half of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Warde Manuel, the committee chair, admitted earlier this week that strength of schedule isn't highly valued even though it's the first listed criteria in the selection process and should be the most important component given the bigger conferences and unbalanced schedules. "Teams can only play the schedule that's in front of them," Manuel explained on a media teleconference Tuesday evening. "They can only play the opponents that they have ... "From our perspective, if it was just about strength of schedule, we wouldn't be needed." And therein lies the irony apparently lost on Manuel and Co.: By minimizing strength of schedule, the committee is expediting its own demise. Which conference stands to benefit the most in the selection process from an emphasis of schedule strength? The SEC. Which conference stands to suffer the greatest harm if the committee devalues schedule strength? The SEC. Which conference has the most influence over the postseason and could, if desired, force a complete overhaul of the CFP selection process, with computers replacing people for the 2026 version and beyond? And that's not all. The SEC (and Big Ten) could simply eliminate the at-large pool and establish a process by which each conference receives a predetermined number of automatic bids. We'll close the circle with this: So much of the frustration that could spur the SEC to insist on format changes will have taken root not on selection day (Dec. 8) but during these weekly ranking shows that expose the flaws in the committee's process. Every utterance by Manuel about minimizing schedule strength pushes his committee closer to extinction. Gut feeling: Is Alabama in the College Football Playoff with a 9-3 record? — @WorkishFromHome A: The likelihood is greater than 50%, in our view. The 13th-ranked Crimson Tide was on the CFP bubble this week and positioned to climb into the field if a few teams above them lose, which seems more likely than not. The Hotline noted on the social media platform X several weeks ago that this whole exercise pointed toward the SEC placing a three-loss team into the field. That outcome remains in play despite the intra-conference carnage last weekend. Should Alabama make the field with three total losses, two losses to unranked teams and one ghastly performance (at Oklahoma)? That's an entirely different question. However, the opinion above still stands: The SEC's weekly grind increasingly resembles that of the NFL's regular season, meaning bad losses will become more commonplace. (To a lesser extent, the same is true in the Big Ten.) But again, the committee has shown no ability to adjust its process to account for the wide disparity in schedules. If anything, it doesn't seem to care about the opposition and is treating every win the same — a very head coach-driven approach to the evaluation process. You wrote on X last weekend that, "Indiana has no business making the playoff as an at-large team. None." Please explain: Indiana has one loss to a top-five team; Alabama has two losses to unranked teams. — @nickbeatty72 A: The explanation is fairly straightforward: I am a strong proponent of quality wins — in both the CFP selection process and my own AP Top 25 ballot — and Indiana has none. The Hoosiers have played one team currently ranked by the committee, Ohio State, and they lost by multiple touchdowns. I don't care that they beat Nebraska by 49 points and Washington by 14. The Hoosiers whiffed in their only test of the season. (Maybe they shouldn't have canceled a game against Louisville and replaced it with Western Illinois.) And to be clear: The Hotline would take the same view with any team possessing Indiana's résumé. Give us a 9-3 playoff participant with a handful of quality wins over an 11-1 team with zero quality wins. We'd make that trade every time. If Cal and UCLA can schedule a nonconference series now that the Bears are in the ACC and the Bruins are in the Big Ten, why can't Stanford and USC? — @lindamar112 A: Those are completely different situations in this regard: Cal and UCLA share the same governing board. Our understanding, based on conversations with sources, is that scheduling matchups in football and other sports was part of the agreement when the University of California Board of Regents allowed the Bruins to join the Big Ten. Stanford and USC have no such connective tissue despite a football series that dates to the early 1900s. My sense is that both schools would be open to renewing the series if it made sense but are skeptical about the practicality, especially for USC. The Trojans are committed to 10 dates each season with power conference opponents: nine Big Ten games plus Notre Dame. Unless ESPN or Fox offers a truckload of money for a neutral site matchup similar to the LSU showdown in September, the Trojans likely will fill out their nonconference lineup with Group of Five opponents. Is the Pac-12 putting any stock in a possible break-up of the ACC, which would make Cal, Stanford and SMU available as candidates for addition to the conference? — @MarcSheehan006 A: We have heard nothing to suggest the Pac-12 and its consultants foresee an immediate breakup of the ACC despite the lawsuits filed by Clemson and Florida State. But are they considering that outcome in the longer-term plans for the conference? Absolutely. (And by longer term, we mean the early 2030s, when the entire major conference structure could come tumbling down.) Providing a safety net for the Cardinal and Bears — and perhaps the Mustangs — is part of the strategic calculation. The Pac-12 won't expand to the point that it would not be able to easily absorb the Bay Area teams. Will the Pac-12 have a football championship game? — @KoolEconomics A: Like so much else about the rebuilt conference, including the number of football-playing schools, the championship game piece has not been determined. However, it's worth wondering if any conference would stage a title game with eight teams playing just seven league games. (If the Pac-12 ends up with nine or 10 football teams, the calculation changes.) Everything depends on the trajectory of the media rights negotiations and what works best for sending a team to the College Football Playoff. In the next version of the event, which begins in 2026, the criteria for access might make the Pac-12's strategy clear with regard to staging a title game. We should know more sometime this spring. After discussions with their fans online, I believe that Washington State could attract a number of SEC teams to play a game over Labor Day weekend in Seattle. Regardless of the visitor fan count, do you think this would help give WSU a benefit in things such as future playoff allocations or even ending up in a Power Four league? — Dave B A: Respectfully, we would disagree. WSU's support for the game might be strong, but why would SEC teams agree to travel all that way for a game they could play closer to home? SEC coaches and athletic directors assuredly would view the Cougars as a high-level Group of Five opponent playing what is essentially a home game. That's a no-win situation for the visitors. Also, would one of the TV networks pay the cash guarantee needed to make it worthwhile for the SEC team to give up a home game? Unlikely. Add the taxing travel and the limited recruiting benefits, and we struggle to picture any SEC school agreeing to the concept. That said, we like the underlying concept: The Cougars should explore playing a game each season in Seattle. It makes sense on several fronts, just not with the SEC on the opposite sideline. Contact Jon Wilner at wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com . On X (Twitter): @wilnerhotline Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Rice builds up big lead early, hangs on to beat USF 35-28Premier League: Saka Shines As Arsenal Thrash West Ham 7-Goal ThrillerGov’t has realistic economic programme, clear vision to growth, improved living conditions - minister
US billionaire Elon Musk has backed Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a guest opinion piece for Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, prompting the commentary editor to resign in protest. In the commentary, published in German by the flagship paper of the Axel Springer media group, Musk expanded on his post on social media platform X last week claiming that "only the AfD can save Germany". "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!" Musk said in the piece. Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD at the national level as a suspected extremism case since 2021. Shortly after the piece was published online, the editor of the opinion section, Eva Marie Kogel, wrote on X that she had submitted her resignation, with a link to the commentary. "Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression. This includes dealing with polarising positions and classifying them journalistically," the newspaper's editor-in-chief designate Jan Philipp Burgard and Ulf Poschardt, who takes over as publisher on 1 January, told Reuters. They said discussion about Musk's piece, which had around 340 comments several hours after it was published, was "very revealing". Underneath Musk's commentary, the newspaper published a response by Burgard. "Musk's diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally false," he wrote, referencing the AfD's desire to leave the European Union and seek rapprochement with Russia as well as appease China. The AfD backing from Musk, who also defended his right to weigh in on German politics due to his "significant investments", comes as Germans are set to vote on 23 February after a coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed. The AfD is running second in opinion polls and might be able to thwart either a centre-right or centre-left majority, but Germany's mainstream, more centrist parties have pledged to shun any support from the AfD at national level. - ReutersVinícius Junior calls for more help in battle against racism
Ole Miss Player Takes Shot At Florida Before Saturday's ShowdownTwin Protocol CEO Stacey Engle on Building AI Digital Twins with Blockchain Technology
PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG)—a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions—today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Natalia Shuman as MISTRAS Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Shuman brings over two decades of leadership experience to MISTRAS Group, having held executive roles at prominent global organizations in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry. Most recently, as Group Executive Vice President and Group Operating Council Member for Eurofins Scientific, she led over 12,000 employees, driving growth strategies, operational excellence, and strategic value creation. Known for scaling billion-dollar enterprises through organic growth and M&A, Ms. Shuman has a proven track record of fostering strong teams and delivering innovative, value-driven solutions. Building on a Strong Foundation Ms. Shuman succeeds Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis as the CEO, who has been serving as both Interim CEO and the Executive Chairman of the Board since October 2023. Mr. Stamatakis will continue in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, providing strategic oversight and support to the CEO and the Company’s leadership team. The Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Mr. Stamatakis for his exemplary service as Interim CEO during a pivotal time for the Company, helping to advance key initiatives and positioning MISTRAS Group for future growth. Mr. Stamatakis expressed the Board’s confidence, stating: "Today's announcement is the result of a deliberate, rigorous search to find the right leader to continue MISTRAS Group’s pursuit of profitable growth and sustainable improvement in shareholder value. Natalia’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and fresh perspective make her the ideal choice to guide MISTRAS toward achieving its strategic goals and unlocking its full potential.” “I’m honored to join MISTRAS Group to lead the Company into its next phase of growth,” said Ms. Shuman. “Working alongside Manny, the Board of Directors, and the leadership team, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established and driving meaningful value for all our stakeholders." Leadership Excellence in TIC and Across Global Industries A global business leader with extensive experience across diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Ms. Shuman has demonstrated a strong ability to achieve results in business-to-business services, spanning manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial services, and construction. As North American CEO for Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman oversaw 7,000 employees across 130 offices and laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She spearheaded a period of significant growth and transformation, steering the company to a diversified, more resilient business model. She also championed a unified “one company” culture, elevating brand recognition in North America. Before joining Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman led international business operations at Kelly Services, a global staffing and human resources outsourcing company. She is also recognized as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, receiving accolades from several prominent organizations. Ms. Shuman earned a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and London Business School. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions ® MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/. Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a06ebcd-e31e-4295-892e-c6b91f4b67fb
NoneWe Have Complained To NSA About Harassment Of Nigerians At Airports – KeyamoNone
