
Apple is working on a new smart doorbell camera that will use Face ID technology to unlock doors, This is according to a report by Bloomberg, the device could be released by the end of 2025 and will bring Apple’s biometric security system to the front door, offering seamless access to users. The upcoming smart doorbell camera will function similarly to Face ID on Apple’s iPhones. Related Stories DR Congo files criminal case against Apple over alleged Illegal mineral exploitation Apple to introduce satellite communications to smartwatch by 2025 The device will automatically unlock the door when it detects the face of a resident, providing a secure and hands-free entry system. The camera will include Apple’s Secure Enclave chip, which will securely store and process Face ID data separately from the rest of the device’s hardware, ensuring user privacy and security. The new camera is expected to work with existing third-party HomeKit smart locks, allowing for easy integration into current smart home setups. Apple may also partner with a smart lock company to offer a complete system from the outset, providing users with a fully integrated security solution. This smart doorbell camera is part of Apple’s larger strategy to expand its footprint in the smart home market. The report also mentions that Apple is working on additional smart home devices, including a new security camera expected in 2026, and smart displays. These displays may include an iPad-like device that can magnetically attach to wall mounts or speaker bases, as well as a more advanced display mounted on a robotic arm. Apple is reportedly developing a new Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chip called “Proxima,” which is expected to feature in upcoming devices like the HomePod Mini and Apple TV in 2025. This chip is expected to enhance connectivity and performance, supporting Apple’s broader vision for the smart home ecosystem. With these developments, Apple is positioning itself as a key player in the smart home market, offering secure, integrated solutions that enhance user convenience and privacy. Nairametrics reported that Apple is set to introduce satellite connectivity and blood pressure monitoring in its Apple Watch lineup by 2025. Satellite connectivity: The 2025 Apple Watch Ultra will feature satellite communication, allowing users to send messages without cellular or internet connections, especially in areas with no network coverage. This expands Apple’s emergency communication capabilities. Blood pressure monitoring: Apple is also working on a blood pressure monitoring feature, enabling users to track their cardiovascular health in real-time, a significant advancement in wearable health technology.
4s in the ratings as too many Middlesbrough players disappoint in Leeds United defeatWeekly horoscope December 23-29: Check predictions for Aries, Taurus, Gemini and other signs IANS Updated: December 22nd, 2024, 21:10 IST in Feature , Horoscope 0 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Linkedin Here is your astrological guide for the week ahead, the forecast for December 23-29. Aries Also Read Horoscope December 21: Virgo will face serious financial problems today 2 days ago What You Should Know About Managing Hypertension Effectively 2 days ago This week, Aries, the stars increase your desire and determination to succeed at work. If you are searching for new jobs, you can look forward to getting some interesting leads. For those already in employment, you will find yourself more committed and willing to go to greater heights in your job. This is the best time to take the bull by the horns and make the necessary changes. In love, single Aries, you might meet someone with a different perspective on life – this can turn into something deep. Couples will benefit from your passion; however, do not overdo it and be considerate of your partner’s feelings. Your lucky days for love are Tuesday and Thursday, and your lucky colour of the week is red for confidence and strength. Tip of the week: Take the bull by the horn Taurus This week makes your spirit of adventure and exploration come alive. You may be inclined to go somewhere or immerse yourself in a new learning topic. If you are actively searching for a job, you may want to consider looking for one that will allow you to learn and grow – this might be a great new job. For those already employed, your creative energy will assist you in being easily noticed in projects, and you should not hesitate to take charge. In love, singles may meet a person with a different cultural background or perception of life – this is a new addition that may be needed in your life. If you are in a relationship, spend some time to surprise your partner with an impromptu date; the new environment will be great for your relationship. Monday and Wednesday are considered lucky days for love, and green is your lucky colour of the week. Tip of the week: Learn and grow Gemini This week brings a boost of energy about change and self-development. For a job seeker, this is the best time to seek jobs that will offer him or her an opportunity to rise to the challenge. Do not avoid such jobs because they may require change or innovation; they may pay off in the long run. For working individuals, it is now the best time to take on challenging tasks at work. In love, singles may be attracted to a person with whom they feel a spiritual connection, which can result in a passionate, liberating experience. If you are in a relationship, you must be careful of power relations – but again, if you are truthful. Tuesday and Friday are considered lucky days for lovers, while the lucky colour is black. Tip of the week: Rise to the challenge Cancer This week is all about relationships. Expect an increase in energy in your romantic life, whether single or in a relationship. If you are looking for a life partner, do not reject someone who may be a thinker because he or she might be the right partner for you. For those in a relationship, it is a good time to rekindle the flame with your partner by having an honest conversation or going on an impromptu date. Favoured days for love are Thursday and Sunday; your lucky colour for the week is silver. In your career, job seekers may find an opportunity to work with other people, which means new opportunities. Employees will excel in a team environment—your interpersonal skills will help you get promotions. Tip of the week: Be honest in relations Leo This week gives a boost to your daily grind and workweek. You will be more inclined to go at it and complete tasks as they come, whether in the process of seeking employment or during your daily work. For those already in a job, this is a good time to overcome all the barriers at the workplace and demonstrate your leadership. If you are in a relationship, the other partner will definitely notice the effort and energy you put in. Monday and Friday are lucky days for love, and this week’s lucky colour is gold, which is associated with vitality and prosperity. Family affairs will demand your attention, especially with the parents or the siblings. In education, students should concentrate on critical thinking or problem-solving areas, such as engineering or health sciences. Tip of the week: Stick to deadlines Virgo This week, Virgo, your efforts will be directed toward projects you can creatively contribute to. If you are a job seeker, you should look for jobs that demand creativity. For those lucky enough to be employed, it’s a perfect time to take the reins on innovative projects. In love, people may meet a person with similar interests and beliefs, and the relationship will be full of interest and passion. For those who are in a relationship, you and your partner will discover new ways of having fun together – it’s all about play and exploration. Favoured days for love are Tuesday and Saturday, while your lucky colour is yellow, representing happiness. Concentrate on creative occupations such as design, performing arts, or communications in education. Tip of the week: Be creative Libra Libra, you will strongly desire to concentrate on your domestic issues this week. Whether you are seeking employment or already employed, issues of work-life balance will be important in your life. Candidates may look for employment in areas of caregiving or catering, for instance, in estate agency or home decoration. Work will be more satisfying for those already employed when you introduce harmony and creativity into your environment. In love, singles will feel attracted to someone who makes them feel relaxed, while those in a relationship will have a better emotional connection with their partners. The lucky days for love are Wednesday and Sunday. The lucky colour is soft green, which represents harmony. Tip of the week: Seek domestic happiness Scorpio This makes for a stimulating week. Whether you are a job seeker or an employee, your communication skills will be your most valuable tool. People who are searching for a job should look for writing, teaching or media-related jobs because your words matter. For those fortunate to have a job, now is a good time to volunteer to lead in group discussions or to present. In love, singles might meet a person with whom they are intellectually compatible – and this may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. If you are in a relationship, do not be shy about sharing your ideas and your desires with your partner since this will strengthen your relationship. Love days are Monday and Friday, and the lucky colour is orange. Tip of the week: Leverage your communication skills Sagittarius This week, it’s time to focus on your finances and beliefs. You will feel a boost of motivation to get a better financial position, whether you are looking for a job or are already in a job. The candidates may search for vacancies in the fields of finance, sales or entrepreneurship. For those with a job, it is that time to ask for a raise or undertake tasks that would earn you more money. For those in a relationship, this week is all about security and creating a strong foundation for the future – discuss your plans with your other half. Tuesday and Thursday are lucky days for love, while the lucky colour for this week is green, which stands for growth. Family matters will be beneficial, especially with parents—spend time with your family. Tip of the week: Manage your finances Capricorn This week makes you more charged and eager to grab any opportunity with both hands. Whether you are a job seeker or an employee, this is the right time to be assertive and go out there and take risks and chances towards your dreams. Employers will discover that confidence leads to job opportunities for candidates, while employees will excel at promotions or handling difficult responsibilities. In love, singles may feel drawn to someone with a powerful character – this can become an intense, passionate relationship. If you are in a relationship with someone, your energy and passion will positively affect your partner but do not overdo it. Finding your love on Wednesday and Friday is good, while your favouritecolour is red. Tip of the week: Be assertive Aquarius This week, Aquarius, your energy might be more internal than usual. It is the time to think about your objectives and take a break. For the job seeker, the process should be more inward and about discovering what you want from your work. You should always go by your gut feeling if you are in doubt. For those employed, this is a time to do the behind-the-scenes work – your work may not be glamorous or recognised by others, but it will prepare the groundwork for future successes. In love, people may want to meet an enigmatic person or a relationship that builds up gradually. For those in relationships, allow your partner to be free, but take time and space to do the same. Favourable days for dating are Monday and Thursday, and the lucky colour is purple. Tip of the week: Look inward Pisces Pisces, your friends and career plans will be the focus this week. If you are a job seeker, this is the time to engage and build relationships with people who can assist you achieve your dreams. For those already in employment, teamwork and collaboration will be instrumental in achieving your goals. It is a good time to collaborate with other professionals in the organisation to complete large assignments. Those who are in a relationship should engage in activities that they used to do with friends or activities that they both have an interest in. Favoured days for love are Tuesday and Saturday, while your lucky colour is blue, which represents trust and harmony. In education, it is better to concentrate on such subjects as technology, social sciences or group dynamics. Tip of the week: Build new connections IANS Tags: Astrology Horoscope Zodiac sign Share Tweet Send Share Suggest A Correction Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human:
Fitness is an important topic year-round, but it's often top of my mind as we approach the new year. Sometimes, it feels like we've plateaued in our journey, and we see limited results no matter how hard we work. In some of these cases there may be some habits that are preventing you from seeing that progress. But you don't have to bring those habits into 2025. Don't forget that weight doesn't determine your health . You should always check with your doctor to discuss other aspects of your wellness that you can focus on instead of weight loss. These are the top pitfalls you should avoid to help improve your likelihood of fitness success -- and the good news is, they're not as big of a change as you might think. 1. Stop thinking in the short term Everything on this list is somewhat of a hard truth, but this is often the hardest to accept (and change). If you approach weight loss with a short-term attitude, you may not make it anywhere except on the yo-yo diet train. Without a long-term approach to weight loss, you may lose 10 or more pounds in two weeks and then suffer a rebound when you discover that regimen wasn't working for you. This is all too common when people embark on strict diets such as keto or paleo or fad diets that promise rapid weight loss. In reality, for most people, a well-balanced diet that includes all food groups and even some treats works best in the long run. Part of successful, sustainable weight loss -- losing the weight and keeping it off for good -- is understanding that fad diets , excessive exercise and "detoxes" don't usually work. They last only as long as your willpower lasts, and I'm willing to bet that's not more than two weeks to a couple of months. Despite what the wellness industry might have you believe, there are no quick fixes, miracle cures or magic pills when it comes to weight loss. Losing weight requires dedication to a plan that supports long-term healthy habits. The general recommendation for weight loss is a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per week, although initial weight loss might surpass that for people who are very overweight, and then slow down to the suggested one to 2 pounds per week. Studies have shown this to be an effective way to lose weight without losing too much water or lean tissue and to avoid a rebound . Overcoming an all-or-nothing mindset promotes long-term weight loss. 2. An all-or-nothing mindset could be harmful Many people who struggle with a short-term attitude also struggle with an all-or-nothing mindset. I began my health and fitness journey with this mindset. I cut out all processed foods : no bread , no pasta, no milk, no cheese and no individually wrapped snacks. I basically existed on chicken, vegetables and berries . This was great until it wasn't, and I ended up on a CVS run for all the chocolate and Goldfish I could hold in two hands. Then, because I'd "ruined" my diet, I would eat as much as I could physically handle, because, "Why not? I already ruined it." Then I'd feel bad about the snacks I ate and return to my overly restrictive regimen the next day. This is a destructive cycle to be in, but it's something I see all the time with personal training clients. An all-or-nothing mindset can keep you in a perpetual cycle of lose-gain-lose, not to mention shame and guilt around food . This all-or-nothing concept applies to fitness, too: If you've been doing the most effective workouts to get in shape in the least amount of time left and right but don't feel fitter or stronger, you might be doing too much. Toning it down could — counterintuitively — be the answer to improving your fitness (and playing the long game). A supportive community, in real life or online, can keep you motivated to lose weight and stay fit. 3. A stronger support system could do the trick Supportive friends, family members and significant others are critical to successful weight loss. If I were asked to cite the most common reason for not sticking to a healthy diet from my past personal training clients, I would say stigma. That's right. As silly as it sounds, people really do get made fun of for eating healthy, especially in regions where food is an integral part of the culture. Growing up in southern Louisiana near New Orleans, I experienced this very often when I decided I was making changes to my diet. At family gatherings and social outings, I'd get comments like, "That's all you're eating?" or, "You're really not going to eat any dessert?" or, laden with sarcasm, "Next time we'll have a salad potluck." It's not fun to be ridiculed or scoffed at, especially for things you care about (like your health!), so it can be very easy to fall into a trap of eating — and drinking — for the sake of your social life. This is why a solid support system is key to long-term weight loss. Without it, the journey can feel lonely and intimidating. If you currently feel you lack a support system, try having open conversations with your friends, family and partner about it. You can make it clear that they don't have to change their eating habits if they don't want to, but that your health means a lot to you and you'd appreciate it if they didn't mock or downplay your hard work. If an IRL support system isn't working out, turn to online communities that promote both health and body positivity. I really love Flex and Flow on Instagram , Health At Every Size and the Intuitive Eating Community . These communities emphasize health without emphasizing weight, which is helpful because when you focus on health outcomes, you'll reach your happy weight with ease. Reddit also has a great forum ( /r/loseit ) where you'll find lots of real-life stories about weight loss. Exercise is important for an overall healthy lifestyle, but it's hard to lose weight from exercise alone. 4. Exercise doesn't always conquer all If you're at all attuned to the wellness industry, you'll know this saying: " Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym ." Even if your goals don't include a shredded stomach, the adage is still relevant. You just can't out-exercise a poor diet. Exercise should be part of your overall approach to weight loss because it's proven to aid weight loss (not to mention its long list of other health benefits ), but it's difficult to lose weight from exercise alone. Many people overestimate the number of calories they can burn from their workouts; it's typically a lot less than you think, and far less than the calories your body burns at rest during the day just maintaining your current physique. For example, a 154-pound man will burn fewer than 450 calories during an intense, hour-long weight-lifting workout. You can easily cancel that effort out if you don't pay any attention to your diet. The exact number of calories you burn during exercise depends on many factors, including your current weight, the intensity of the activity, the length of the workout, your age and your body composition. Plus, focusing on only exercise can lead to a destructive cycle of exercising extra to burn off calories you feel you shouldn't have eaten. Or you may end up feeling like you need to "earn" your calories through exercise. Either way, taking this approach can lead to a strained relationship with food and exercise, as well as stalled weight loss. Some people, such as those who have spent years putting on muscle mass, can eat lots of calorie-dense food and not gain weight because muscle burns more calories at rest. Even if you can eat whatever you want and lose or maintain your weight, that doesn't mean it's healthy for you. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins and some whole grains will serve you best in terms of sustainable weight loss and health. Combined with a consistent exercise routine , you'll experience sustained weight loss and weight maintenance once you reach your goal weight. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation can hinder weight loss progress. 5. Sleep more, lower stress and eat better Losing weight will be much harder if you're chronically stressed , sleep-deprived or overworked . This scenario may sound familiar to you: This is OK if it happens occasionally (everyone deserves a lazy evening every once in a while), but weight loss will seem impossible if this happens all the time. The truth is that nutrition and exercise are only two components of a healthy life that can lead to weight loss. While important, too strong of a focus on nutrition and exercise can cause you to overlook other factors that are just as important: sleep and stress management. Supplements don't work unless you do. 6. Supplements can't do all the heavy lifting I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that fat burner supplement in your medicine cabinet isn't going to do the work for you. Certain supplements may help you reach your weight loss goals, but you have to work to make your supplements work. For example, incorporating a daily protein shake in the mornings can help you feel fuller throughout the day, which may help keep cravings at bay. Increased protein intake can also help you build muscle , which aids in body recomposition . Certain weight-loss supplements do have some evidence backing them , but no supplements are proven like the method that no one wants to take: eat fewer calories than you burn .Haryana govt amends CET policy, removes bonus marks based on socioeconomic criteria
Revolutionizing India’s Retail Fashion India's startup landscape is buzzing with innovation, reshaping industries and consumer experiences alike. In an exclusive conversation with The Hans India, Udit Mayor, Co-Founder of The Sock Street, discusses how evolving consumer trends, technology, and sustainability are shaping their approach to creating a modern D2C brand that aligns with India’s dynamic retail and fashion landscape. 1. The startup ecosystem in India is rapidly evolving. What inspired you to start the company, and what role do you see startups playing in shaping India's retail and fashion industry? I have been doing exports in the industry for the past 20 years. I felt that over time, Indian consumers have evolved and are now more experimenting type, they know how to look different from others, and they don’t hesitate to go extreme. This gave me an idea of why not start a D2C company and join in this mission. 2. Technology has become a core enabler for startups in every sector. How do you leverage technology to create unique products and enhance the customer experience in the sock and fashion space? True, Technology, when mixed with human intuition and gut feel, results in an unmatched performance. We use technology to fine-tune and convert our thoughts into a finished product. From designing on paper to fine-tuning it on illustrative software, sourcing material & quality checks by hand, to balancing the supply chain through technology, at every step, there is coordination between a human & machine, which produces the finest socks. 3. What challenges do you think startups in the fashion retail industry face when scaling in India? Ohh, many Indian consumer now prefers to shop online because of ease at every step, but the sad part is, most of it is an impulse buy, the icing on the cake is COD, you see a product you like, and you placed an order on COD, and then you forgot, or realise that Opps you don’t need it, and you choose not to take the order. What happens is the company has invested some amount to get that product delivered to your doorstep and now will invest again to get that product back. So, instead of making a sale, the company makes a loss. While there are many, this (RTO) is the biggest one. 4. With increasing consciousness around sustainability, how do you see balancing fashion, technology, and eco-friendly practices? I believe if you are true about the product, then you will follow the right path, for instances: we have launched 100% Bamboo fiber socks that are 100% natural and eco-friendly, and while others will say that their bamboo socks are 5X softer than cotton, we feel proud in saying that our socks are 3X softer than their bamboo, just because ours is pure bamboo. Even our cotton is 100% combed cotton; we don’t use polyester in any of our products here. 5. India’s growing youth population is increasingly becoming a market driver for innovative brands. How is "The Sock Street" aligning with this trend, and what role do you believe startups like yours play in building the 'New Bharat'? See, India is a growing economy, which also means that youths now have higher disposable income at hand, while their buying behaviour is contrary to their previous generations, for instance, our fathers won’t pay attention to what socks to wear on what shoes on what dress, but the young India understands the importance & impact that it brings into your perception. We at The Sock Street aim to provide unmatched comfort while elevating the look for this running India. We have got you covered every time, from Gym in the morning to Office meetings, from running on track to attending a bachelor party, from going on family trips to hitting the target in the office. We have socks for all moods and occasions.
Manhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says “violence to combat any sort of corporate greed is unacceptable” and the White House will “continue to condemn any form of violence.” She declined to comment on the investigation into the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson or reports that writings belonging to the suspect, Luigi Mangione, said insurance companies care more about profits than their customers. “This is horrific,” Jean-Pierre said of the fatal shooting of Thompson as he walked in Manhattan. He didn’t appear to say anything as deputies led him to a waiting car outside. “I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Hochul said in the statement. “I am coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.” That’s according to a spokesperson for the governor who said Gov. Hochul will do it as soon as possible. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. ▶ Read more about Luigi Mangione Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges. Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
BEIJING, Dec. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) has long been praised for its ability to extinguish fires swiftly, thanks to the inclusion of PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid). Despite its effectiveness, the presence of PFOS has raised serious concerns about environmental pollution and potential risks to public health – according to a new article by China News Network. In an effort to address these issues, the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center (FECO) of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in partnership with the World Bank and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has launched the “Reduction and Phase-Out of PFOS in Priority Sectors Project in China.” This program aims to develop and implement safer, more sustainable alternatives for firefighting across the country. Beyond simply improving fire suppression technology, the initiative is designed to protect ecosystems, safeguard public health, and foster a greener future for generations to come. Through innovative research and collaborative action, China is making significant strides in managing and ultimately eliminating the use of PFOS in firefighting foam. PR Contact Name: Wen Tianxia Email: guojixinwenbu@chinanews.com.cn Phone Number: +86(010)68315046 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65c26b6b-0ff4-4f12-9794-882d1f71bdb6Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back lossHollywood star Scarlett Johansson said no when OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman asked if she could be the voice for a new version of ChatGPT. But they went ahead and released a chatbot that the actor thinks sounds “eerily similar” to herself. As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, how do we protect ourselves from being copied? Featured: Sharon Goldman, AI reporter at Fortune on the . When Open AI and its CEO, Sam Altman, asked Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson if it could use her voice for a new version of ChatGPT, it was a big no from her. But they went ahead and released a chatbot that the actor thinks sounds eerily similar to herself. So as artificial intelligence becomes more and more sophisticated, what protections do any of us really have? Today, AI reporter at Fortune, Sharon Goldman, on the latest scandal. I'm Sam Hawley on Gadigal land in Sydney. This is ABC News Daily. Sharon, Scarlett Johansson, she's pretty unhappy, isn't she? Because she's convinced that her voice was used in the latest version of ChatGPT without her permission. Oh, yes, she's angry. She's pretty mad. So there's this new version of ChatGPT-4o and it has new voices. Just tell me about that. So it's called Sky, the voice that we're talking about, and it's one of five different voices that ChatGPT-4o has so that people could interact with ChatGPT instead of just with text, with their voice and to get voice back. Last week, they did a demo and the voice was a little bit different. Hey, ChatGPT, how are you doing? // I'm doing fantastic. Thanks for asking. How about you? // Pretty good. // What's up? And people immediately thought it sounded like Scarlett Johansson. I think just a couple of days later, there were a lot of people saying that. In fact, we've got a new announcement to make. // That's exciting. Announcements are always a big deal. // And in fact, what if I were to say that you're related to the announcement? // Me? The announcement is about me? Well, color me intrigued. It wasn't until a week later that Scarlett Johansson herself weighed in. She said in a statement that she posted that her closest friends couldn't tell the difference. And she told a story about how OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wanted to hire her to actually provide the voice. And she said no. But they went ahead and put out a voice that sounded remarkably similar to her anyway. And she was, she said, shocked, angered, in disbelief that OpenAI would use a voice so similar to hers. Sam Altman apparently loves the movie Her, which starred Scarlett Johansson as an AI virtual assistant. So it all gets pretty strange. But he said that the voice was not hers. It was another voice actress that they hired and that it was not meant to sound like her. Yeah, right. But it does sound. It does sound quite a bit like her. It totally does. I did a little experiment, Sharon, with Sky, and I wanted to ask it if it had actually copied Scarlett Johansson's voice. Hey, what's up? Hi there. I've heard that you sound like the actor Scarlett Johansson in the movie called Her. Is that right? Yeah, I've heard that comparison before. Her is a pretty cool movie. And Scarlett Johansson's voice performance in it is quite distinctive. So I guess you could say there are some similarities. It's pretty sophisticated, isn't it, in its responses? Oh, yes, absolutely. I mean, this is really, you know, a new wave of technology. These voice capabilities are not easy, but they've gotten more and more realistic over time. And, you know, that's where we are now, where they're quite sophisticated. The answers are more sophisticated. The voices are more natural sounding. They don't sound as robotic as they used to, and they're only going to get better. What else are you curious about? Have you stolen Scarlett Johansson's voice? Not quite. My voice is actually a digital creation crafted by open AI engineers. They didn't go to the moon for it. Just some good old fashioned coding and training. But Scarlett Johansson's voice in Her did inspire some aspects of my design. So in a way, you could say her performance influenced me. Tell me, Sam Altman, the head of open AI, he's been coming under a fair bit of criticism at this point, hasn't he, online? Given that Scarlett Johansson said no, she didn't want her voice used. Really, it's just been quite the little soap opera drama. And Sam Altman is, you know, getting fairly accustomed to quite a bit of drama. He was very famously fired from open AI back in November and then rehired. And, you know, just the idea that he he tweeted after the original demo of the voice, he tweeted one word and that was Her. You know, so it's clear that he he's a fan of the movie. They wanted the voice to sound like the character in Her, which was Scarlett Johansson. So even if they did not train on her voice, which, you know, they say they didn't and used a different actress, the fact remains that, you know, it sounds enough like Her that a lot of people were fooled or definitely recognised it. And you can completely, you know, as humans, we can understand why she would be angry and upset about that. Yeah. And if people haven't seen the movie Her, it's where a man falls in love with a computer. That's right. So an AI virtual assistant. So it's really like, it's very, you know, reminiscent of exactly what they want to use these voices for. So it seems, you know, very strange to think that, you know, of course they wanted it to sound like Her, I would say. Yes. Totally. And when I was having my chat with Sky, the chat GPT Sky, I did say, it's really weird. Anything else you're wondering about? No, not really. So weird. Yeah. It can feel a bit surreal interacting with AI sometimes, especially when it's designed to sound like someone famous, whether it's weird or not. If you ever want to chat or have questions, just let me know. You know, it talks to you, it's so strange. It is strange. People also said that it sounded quite flirtatious. And that was also part of the backlash against that, that it sounded rather servient and flirtatious. You know, how you might think a secretary might sound. So there was a lot of gender, you know, related backlash around that anyway, even without the Scarlett drama. Yes, that's got a lot of women pretty angry, I think. Tell me, what has Sam Altman had to say then? What's his response to all of this been? His only response has been, you know, the they said the voice of Sky is not Scarlett Johansson's. It was never intended to resemble hers. We cast the voice actor before any outreach to Ms. Johansson out of respect to Ms. Johansson. We have paused. Note, he didn't say stop using Sky's voice in our products. And we're sorry we didn't communicate better. That's all that he said. You know, probably the PR people are saying, please be quiet for a little while. Yes, that's probably a good idea. So, Sharon, the scandal over the similarity to Scarlett Johansson's voice, it just raises huge ethical and legal questions, doesn't it? It really does. I feel like it highlighted some of the really big ones that people have been talking about for a while. But, you know, with a celebrity like Scarlet Johansson, it's really coming right to the fore. So, for example, you know, it raises a lot of ethical and legal questions about whether someone can copy someone's voice, especially a public figure, as well as just the idea is whether someone has control over their likeness, their voice, their image. AI has become incredibly good at creating realistic fakes, what people call deep fakes. That could be a voice. It could be an image. And the idea is like no longer are the voices robotic sounding. You know, they're sounding more and more real to the point that you might not be able to tell whether something is fake or not. You could be scammed. You know, that's another issue. It raises issues about scamming and misinformation. You know, also deep fake images have been in the news. Taylor Swift, very famously, there were deep fakes, nude deep fakes of her that a couple of months ago were made public and really upsetting also. So, you know, it's just there are lots of lawsuits around copyright. I've read that, you know, the Scarlett Johansson case is an example where I actually didn't know this, but your voice is not copyrightable. So she wouldn't have a leg to stand on potentially there. But that's not the end of the story. Scarlett may have a leg to stand on when it comes to being a public figure. For example, there was a lawsuit some time ago where Bette Midler was asked by Ford Motor Company to sing a song for a commercial and she said no. And instead, it acquired the rights to use that song and hired someone else to sing it just like she would have. And she won that lawsuit. So there is a case to be made here that Scarlett Johansson would be able to say, you know, you can't use my voice like that. You meant it to sound like my voice. But I think it's very difficult to say how it will play out. I it's it's a difficult one. Yeah, because the technology is changing so quickly. It really is. Yeah. Is this a huge jump forward in the technology, do you think, or it's just a sort of new skin on the existing system? Is it really significant what this technology can now do, this ChatGPT-4o? It is kind of in the realm of a jump that all of the companies are making, but it's kind of not a you know, I don't think if you spoke to research that they would say it's the big jump in the way that ChatGPT originally was. That was a really big jump to show what it could do in a way and in a format that the mass public could really understand and use and appreciate. So here this is kind of like another layer on that from a voice standpoint. And there have been many little jumps between the original ChatGPT and this. But I do think that it's definitely on the way to a bigger jump because a lot of people say that that will be when these you know, they call them like AI agents, you know, when AI, it's not just about, you know, doing one, answering one question, for example, or even having a conversation. But what about when an AI can help you through an entire task or project or set of tasks, you know, where it also can reason and it can, you know, return your package for you and, you know, go shopping for you or plan your trip, you know, that involves a lot of different tasks. That's what people think will be kind of like a really big jump. Oh my gosh. And that is coming. That's something that, you know, people say will definitely be more likely over the next year. Oh my gosh. Wow. Okay. So for now, though, I guess, Sharon, we should think about copyrighting our voices. Perhaps governments could change the laws. So actually we own our own voices. And when we say no, you can't use my voice. We mean no, you can't use my voice. I definitely think that these are issues that maybe never came, you know, into the forefront before. And examples like this are just going to become more common. And how the public reacts to that and deals with that will certainly inform how these companies and governments and regulators tackle this going forward, because it's only going to get worse. I really do feel like this is just the beginning, but it definitely was a big moment. I think that even people who have been following this for a long time, like I have, it really was like, wow, that's crazy. Sharon Goldman is the AI reporter at Fortune.
An indigenous peoples (IPs) group filed an ethics complaint against House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro on Tuesday, saying the lawmaker should be removed from her House seat due to her lower court conviction on endangering minors. The complaint was filed by members of the Ata-Manobo Tribal Council of Elders of Talaingod-Indigenous Political Structure led by Datu Allan Causing, Andigao Agay, and Gusting Daiyak Dausay. The group’s legal counsel is Israelito Torreon, who also serves as the legal counsel of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing qualified human trafficking complaints. “This is an ethics complaint against Representative France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list for commission of what they deem as crime and she was in fact convicted by the Regional Trial Court. And this is part of the process upon which the IPs are seeking justice,” Torreon told reporters. “They are anchoring their complaint on the provisions of Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, specifically the supposed commitment to public service, the high commitment to public service of these public officials, such as Congress members like Congresswoman France Castro," he added. Republic Act 6713 provides that public officials and employees “should always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest” and that “all government resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues.” The case Torreon was referring to involved the child endangerment conviction decided by a lower court in July that carried four to six years of jail time against Castro and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. The case stemmed from the trafficking charge filed against Castro and 17 others for allegedly holding minors during their solidarity mission in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte in November 2018. The solidarity mission conducted by the camp of Castro, Ocampo, among others, sought to look into the cases of human rights violations by a paramilitary group against the students and teachers of a learning center. Castro and Ocampo have since appealed the conviction, saying they only responded to the request for help of teachers and students of Lumad schools who were allegedly being harassed by the paramilitary group. In response, Castro said the ethics complaint was a “baseless harassment suit,” if not a groundless vengeance. "We know the people behind these harassment suits. They are the same individuals being exposed as gross human rights violators and plunderers of the people's money. Ginagawa nila ito para maghiganti at pagtakpan ang kanilang ginawang kasamaan laban sa mamamayan,” Castro said. (These people are after vengeance and covering up their bad deeds they did to our people.) “For the record, the case against me, Ka Satur Ocampo, and our Lumad co-accused is still under appeal. There is no final verdict yet. These fabricated charges are meant to intimidate and harass those who stand in solidarity with oppressed communities. But we are undeterred. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability,” Castro added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
THE WOODLANDS, Texas , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MIND Technology, Inc. MIND ("MIND" or the "Company") today announced financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter ended October 31, 2024 . Revenues from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 were approximately $12.1 million compared to approximately $5.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The Company reported operating income from continuing operations of approximately $1.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to an operating loss of $1.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 amounted to $1.3 million compared to $568,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Third quarter of fiscal 2025 net income attributable to common shareholders (after the effect of the conversion of preferred stock into common stock) was $15.7 million , or $2.87 per share compared to a loss of $379,000 , or a loss of $0.27 per share in the third quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 was approximately $2.0 million compared to a loss of $1.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, which is a non-GAAP measure, is defined and reconciled to reported net income (loss) and cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the accompanying financial tables. These are the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP . The backlog of Marine Technology Products related to our Seamap segment as of October 31, 2024 was approximately $26.2 million which was flat sequentially compared to backlog as of July 31, 2024 . Rob Capps , MIND's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to report that third quarter revenue grew 21% sequentially and 143% over last year's third quarter. We continue to capitalize on macro tailwinds and customer engagement to stimulate order flow and generate improved results. We are also continually working to improve our execution, efficiency and cost structure, which we expect to contribute to sustained profitability in future quarters. As in the second quarter, we generated positive cash flow from operations in this quarter, increasing our cash balance to $3.5 million as of October 31, 2024 . "We have begun our fiscal fourth quarter with a strong backlog of approximately $26.2 million , essentially flat compared to our second quarter. Looking closer, however, we made substantial order deliveries during the third quarter that contributed to our 21% sequential revenue growth, and we were able to balance this growth with new orders. We expect this trend to continue in future periods and have an active pipeline of pending orders and other prospects that total more than twice our backlog of orders received. The combination of our improved capital structure, encouraging business environment, robust backlog and exceptional pipeline of opportunities gives us confidence for improved financial results in the coming quarters and fiscal year," concluded Capps. CONFERENCE CALL Management has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time ( 8:00 a.m. Central Time ) to discuss the Company's fiscal 2025 third quarter results. To access the call, please dial (412) 902-0030 and ask for the MIND Technology call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Investors may also listen to the conference call live on the MIND Technology website, http://mind-technology.com , by logging onto the site and clicking "Investor Relations". A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available through December 18, 2024 and may be accessed by calling (201) 612-7415 and using passcode 13750138#. A webcast archive will also be available at http://mind-technology.com shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days. For more information, please contact Dennard Lascar Investor Relations by email at MIND@dennardlascar.com . ABOUT MIND TECHNOLOGY MIND Technology, Inc. provides technology to the oceanographic, hydrographic, defense, seismic and security industries. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas , MIND has a global presence with key operating locations in the United States , Singapore , Malaysia , and the United Kingdom . Its Seamap unit designs, manufactures and sells specialized, high performance, marine exploration and survey equipment. Forward-looking Statements Certain statements and information in this press release concerning results for the quarter ended October 31 , 2024 may constitute " forward-looking statements " within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words " believe, " " expect, " " anticipate, " " plan, " " intend, " " should, " " would, " " could " or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts of our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions or dispositions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reductions in our customers ' capital budgets, our own capital budget, limitations on the availability of capital or higher costs of capital and volatility in commodity prices for oil and natural gas. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, unless required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Certain statements and information in this press release contain non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company ' s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Company management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period. Company management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the ability of investors to analyze the Company's business trends and to understand the Company's performance. In addition, the Company may utilize non-GAAP financial measures as guides in its forecasting, budgeting, and long-term planning processes and to measure operating performance for some management compensation purposes. Any analysis of non-GAAP financial measures should be used only in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliation of Backlog, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is not included in this press release due to the inherent difficulty and impracticality of quantifying certain amounts that would be required to calculate the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. -Tables to Follow- MIND TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) October 31, 2024 January 31, 2024 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,505 $ 5,289 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $332 at each of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024 9,471 6,566 Inventories, net 17,249 13,371 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,039 3,113 Total current assets 31,264 28,339 Property and equipment, net 775 818 Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,526 1,324 Intangible assets, net 2,420 2,888 Deferred tax asset 122 122 Total assets $ 36,107 $ 33,491 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 2,179 $ 1,623 Deferred revenue 248 203 Customer deposits 3,112 3,446 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,742 2,140 Income taxes payable 2,093 2,114 Operating lease liabilities - current 660 751 Total current liabilities 10,034 10,277 Operating lease liabilities - non-current 866 573 Total liabilities 10,900 10,850 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2024 and 1,683 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2024 — 37,779 Common stock, $0.01 par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 7,969 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2024 and 1,406 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2024 80 14 Additional paid-in capital 135,572 113,121 Accumulated deficit (110,479) (128,307) Accumulated other comprehensive gain 34 34 Total stockholders' equity 25,207 22,641 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 36,107 $ 33,491 MIND TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended October 31, For the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues: Sales of marine technology products $ 12,105 $ 4,974 31,819 23,132 Cost of sales: Sales of marine technology products 6,684 2,721 17,402 13,402 Gross profit 5,421 2,253 14,417 9,730 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 2,762 2,941 8,305 9,160 Research and development 562 508 1,352 1,479 Depreciation and amortization 221 257 724 892 Total operating expenses 3,545 3,706 10,381 11,531 Operating income (loss) 1,876 (1,453) 4,036 (1,801) Other income (expense): Interest expense — (169) — (536) Other, net (189) 25 320 336 Total other income (expense) (189) (144) 320 (200) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 1,687 (1,597) 4,356 (2,001) Provision for income taxes (396) (112) (1,313) (590) Net income (loss) from continuing operations 1,291 (1,709) 3,043 (2,591) Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — 2,277 — 1,424 Net income (loss) $ 1,291 $ 568 $ 3,043 $ (1,167) Preferred stock dividends - declared — (947) — (947) Preferred stock dividends - undeclared (368) — (2,262) (1,894) Effect of preferred stock conversion 14,785 — 14,785 — Net Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 15,708 $ (379) $ 15,566 $ (4,008) Net Income (loss) per common share - Basic and Diluted Continuing operations $ 2.87 $ (1.89) $ 5.62 $ (3.86) Discontinued operations $ — $ 1.62 $ — $ 1.01 Net income (loss) $ 2.87 $ (0.27) $ 5.62 $ (2.85) Shares used in computing net income (loss) per common share: Basic and diluted 5,473 1,406 2,772 1,406 MIND TECHNOLOGY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $ 3,043 $ (1,167) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 724 1,230 Stock-based compensation 141 264 Gain on sale of Klein — (2,393) Provision for inventory obsolescence 67 23 Gross profit from sale of other equipment (457) (385) Changes in: Accounts receivable (3,006) (688) Unbilled revenue 164 51 Inventories (3,944) (3,174) Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets 2,076 566 Income taxes receivable and payable (24) (21) Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities 98 (1,045) Deferred revenue and customer deposits (289) 1,115 Net cash used in operating activities (1,407) (5,624) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (213) (199) Proceeds from the sale of Klein, net — 10,832 Sale of other equipment 457 385 Net cash provided by investing activities 244 11,018 Cash flows from financing activities: Preferred stock conversion transaction costs (619) — Net proceeds from short-term loan — 2,947 Payment on short-term loan — (3,750) Refund of prepaid interest on short-term loan — 214 Net cash used in financing activities (619) (589) Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (2) (14) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (1,784) 4,791 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5,289 778 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 3,505 $ 5,569 MIND TECHNOLOGY, INC. Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) and Net Cash Used in Operating Activities to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from Continuing Operations (in thousands) (unaudited) For the Three Months Ended October 31, For the Nine Months Ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Reconciliation of Net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations (in thousands) Net income (loss) $ 1,291 $ 568 $ 3,043 $ (1,167) Interest expense, net — 169 — 536 Depreciation and amortization 221 290 724 1,230 Provision for income taxes 396 112 1,313 590 EBITDA (1) 1,908 1,139 5,080 1,189 Stock-based compensation 47 106 141 264 Income from discontinued operations net of depreciation and amortization — (2,308) — (1,762) Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations (1) $ 1,955 $ (1,063) $ 5,221 $ (309) Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities to EBITDA Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 2,288 $ (2,147) $ (1,407) $ (5,624) Gain on Sale of Klein — 2,393 — 2,393 Stock-based compensation (47) (106) (141) (264) Provision for inventory obsolescence (22) (23) (67) (23) Changes in accounts receivable (current and long-term) (115) (2,570) 2,842 637 Interest paid, net — 169 — 576 Taxes paid, net of refunds 473 192 1,411 617 Gross profit from sale of other equipment — 49 457 385 Changes in inventory (1,798) 2,841 3,944 3,174 Changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities and deferred revenue 2,161 (427) 191 (70) Changes in prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets (1,034) 763 (2,076) (566) Other 2 5 (74) (46) EBITDA (1) $ 1,908 $ 1,139 $ 5,080 $ 1,189 1. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA is defined as net income before (a) interest income and interest expense, (b) provision for (or benefit from) income taxes and (c) depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA excludes non-cash foreign exchange gains and losses, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangible assets and other non-cash tax related items. We consider EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be important indicators for the performance of our business, but not measures of performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We have included these non-GAAP financial measures because management utilizes this information for assessing our performance and liquidity, and as indicators of our ability to make capital expenditures, service debt and finance working capital requirements and we believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measurements that are commonly used by analysts and some investors in evaluating the performance and liquidity of companies such as us. In particular, we believe that it is useful to our analysts and investors to understand this relationship because it excludes transactions not related to our core cash operating activities. We believe that excluding these transactions allows investors to meaningfully trend and analyze the performance of our core cash operations. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities or as alternatives to net income as indicators of operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. In evaluating our performance as measured by EBITDA, management recognizes and considers the limitations of this measurement. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our obligations for the payment of income taxes, interest expense or other obligations such as capital expenditures. Accordingly, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are only two of the measurements that management utilizes. Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Contacts: Rob Capps, President & CEO MIND Technology, Inc. 281-353-4475 Ken Dennard / Zach Vaughan Dennard Lascar Investor Relations 713-529-6600 MIND@dennardlascar.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mind-technology-inc-reports-fiscal-2025-third-quarter-results-302328159.html SOURCE MIND Technology, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Putin says will carry out more Oreshnik missile tests in combatStock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back loss
The following is a transcript of an interview with Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, Democrat of Delaware, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that aired on Nov. 24, 2024. MARGARET BRENNAN: The 2024 election was historic for several reasons. Among them, the first openly transgender person was elected to the United States Congress. She joins us now from the state she will be representing, Delaware. Democratic Representative-elect Sarah McBride. Welcome to Face the Nation. REP.-ELECT SARAH MCBRIDE: Thank you for having me, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: You know, it's interesting, given how polarized, how angry and divided this country is that people choose to serve and to run. You told my colleague Scott MacFarlane that it was your personal experience as a caregiver for your husband during his bout with terminal cancer that inspired you to run. Do you expect that health care policy will be the focus of your work here? REP.-ELECT MCBRIDE: Well, I certainly am glad to be back here in Delaware after two weeks of orientation and to have the privilege of serving this state that I love in Congress. I ran to bring down costs facing workers, retirees and their families. That means bringing down the cost of health care, but also housing and child care and everyday expenses like gas and groceries. I did run for office after my experience as a caregiver to my husband, Andy, during his battle with cancer. And throughout that experience, while Andy ultimately lost his life, we both knew how lucky we were. We knew how lucky Andy was to have health insurance that would allow him to get care that would hopefully save his life. And we both knew how lucky we were to have flexibility with our employers. That allowed Andy to focus on the full time job of getting care, and me to focus on the full time job of being there by his side to care for him, to love him, to marry him, and to walk him to his passing. And I ran for office because I do not believe that in the wealthiest, most developed nation on earth, that that time and that ability to get care should be a matter of luck. I believe it should be the law of the land. And it's why during my time in the Delaware General Assembly, I passed paid family and medical leave and secured the largest investment in our state's Medicaid program. And I want to do that work in Congress on health care, but also on housing and child care. MARGARET BRENNAN: Paid leave is something that Mr. Trump has paid lip service to, we'll see in the new Congress if it comes up. We see in our CBS polling that 86% of voters feel congressional Democrats should find common ground with Mr. Trump and Republicans. Do you feel you can? REP.-ELECT MCBRIDE: Well, I said throughout this campaign that I will work with anyone who's willing to work with me to help Delawareans, to lower costs facing my constituents. There are opportunities for us to find common ground. But it's also clear that this administration, as it begins to fill its appointments with Project 2025 authors, that a lot of the policies that this president will pursue will likely hurt my constituents and raise prices. And so where I need to fight back, I will. But where I can find common ground, I will certainly seek it. That's what I've done during my time in the General Assembly, where nearly every bill I passed passed with bipartisan support. MARGARET BRENNAN: As you mentioned, you were here for orientation. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was asked about you coming to work and some objections by a female South Carolina Republican representative regarding what bathroom you'd be able to use. Here's what the speaker said. SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON (ON TAPE): A man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman. That said, I also believe- that's what Scripture teaches, what I just said. But I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity. MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you believe that you are being treated with dignity by your colleagues? REP.-ELECT MCBRIDE: I didn't run for the United States House of Representatives to talk about what bathroom I use. I didn't run to talk about myself. I ran to deliver for Delawareans. And while Republicans in Congress seem focused on bathrooms and trans people, and specifically me, I'm focused on rolling up my sleeves, diving into the details, setting up my office, and beginning the hard work of delivering for Delawareans on the issues that I know keep them up at night. And I look forward to working with any colleague who's ready to work and ready to be serious about the issues that matter because at the end of the day, how I'm being treated does not matter. What matters is how the American people are being treated and whether we're actually focused on the issues that matter to them. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, some of your fellow congressional Democrats, including Tom Suozzi and Seth Moulton, have also recently spoken about their feelings, looking back at the last election, and said Democrats should be more open about saying whether they object to transgender athletes playing in girls sports. Those were the specific examples they brought up. How would you respond to your soon to be Democratic colleagues on those? Do you understand why some parents, for example, feel uncomfortable or frustrated? REP.-ELECT MCBRIDE: Look, I think this country is still entering into a conversation about who trans people are, the full diversity of the community. And I've had conversations with colleagues in the Democratic caucus already that- that span diversity of thought about how the party should engage on a whole host of issues. But I think we are all united that every single American deserves equal rights. I think we are all united that attempts to attack a vulnerable community are not only mean spirited, but really an attempt to misdirect. Because every single time we hear the incoming administration or Republicans in Congress talk about any vulnerable group in this country, we have to be clear that it is an attempt to distract. It is an attempt to distract from what they are actually doing. Every single time, every single time we hear them say the word trans, look what they're doing with their right hand. Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Look what they're doing undermining workers. And here's also what we have to be clear about, because I think the last week has been a prime example of this. Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents. And we have to be clear that there is a real cost for the American worker every time they focus on this. MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Congresswoman elect, I'm sure we'll be seeing you here in Washington. We'll be right back.National Identity Management Commission has said Nigerians will now pay for the new multipurpose identity card NIMC's head claimed that by paying for the identity card, it would be ensured that only those who needed it would receive one He said that customers would be able to walk into any bank in their neighborhood and ask for the card CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market . Nigerians will have to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card because of the government's limited revenue, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said. Peter Iwegbu, NIMC 's head of card management services said this during a two-day news conference in Lagos on Thursday was Paying for the identity card, according to Iwegbu, would guarantee that it was issued to only those who required it. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! According to him, the choice was made to avoid making the same mistakes as previous attempts to give away free physical cards to Nigerians , which many did not receive. Read also "No longer free": NIMC gives new details on how Nigerians can now process and get national ID card The NIMC official said the commission had previously attempted to provide free national ID cards, producing over two million cards. According to him, a large number of them have not yet been collected. “Before we stopped due to funding, we produced more than two million cards but a lot of them are still in our office, people were not able to pick them up because they didn’t need it,” Iwegbu said. Iwegbu claimed that in addition to the low collection, the government's inadequate revenue prevented it from funding the creation of ID cards. “The government’s limited revenue is also a major factor in the decision to make Nigerians pay for the new ID card,” he added. He noted that people would be able to walk into any bank in their area and seek the card because NIMC is also collaborating with banks nationwide. Plans for those who can’t afford Read also UBA sends message to customers as CBN gives order on dormant, inactive accounts Speaking as well, NIMC's director of information technology , Lanre Yusuf, stated that the concept of a free national ID card had not worked out in the past. According to Yusuf, the new ID card is a post-paid identity card, meaning that people must need it before they can apply for it. “To get the new national ID card , Nigerians will need to make a payment, select a pickup location, and then collect their card from the chosen location,” the director said. “The government has implemented programmes to make the card accessible to the less privileged Nigerians who cannot afford it but require it to access government support. “This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality.” Yusuf added that sample test cards have already been received and that the multipurpose ID cards should appear soon. “The new national ID card is a multipurpose card that can serve the purpose of identity verification, payments, and even government services,” he said. Read also Access Bank speaks on opening Dutch desk after taking over Mauritius Bank How to update date of birth, other NIN details Legit.ng reported that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced a new online self-service modifications portal, allowing Nigerians to update their National Identification Number (NIN) details from the comfort of their homes. The platform enables users to modify personal information such as their name, phone number, date of birth, and address, simplifying the process and reducing the need for in-person visits to NIMC offices. While the service provides convenience, there are associated fees for certain updates. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ng