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Heydar Aliyev Foundation VP Leyla Aliyeva participates in inauguration of Center for Development of Cultural and Creative Industries (PHOTO)The world is an incredible place, and as usual, National Geographic has the photos to prove it. The magazine’s editors have chosen the best images from the past year to showcase in their annual photo issue, highlighting the top moments captured by their photographers. From baby penguins to a fiery volcano, a rare tiger to a biofuel that could save the planet, here are five photos that offer a timely reminder to step away from the political chaos for a minute and contemplate the wonders of the universe. ADVERTISEMENT Fuego Volcano in Guatemala has been erupting continually since 2002. This image shows hikers who have made the one-day trek to the top of its dormant twin, Acatenango, to see one of Fuego’s breathtaking eruptions, which can take place multiple times a day. A young emperor penguin jumps off a 50-foot cliff to take its first swim. Penguins typically breed on low-lying sea ice, but climate change has pushed some colonies to higher, more permanent shelves. As the image shows, that hasn’t stopped their intrepid young from taking their first, daring swims. A rare black tiger with tell-tale merged stripes patrols the Similipal Tiger Reserve in India. Black tigers are one of three color variants found among Bengal tigers, with their black patch caused by a genetic mutation. The photo was taken with a remote camera trap triggered by the tiger’s motion. Macaw parrots are a popular but undesirable pet. They can live 40 to 60 years but panic in captivity, leaving many owners to abandon them to wildlife refuges like the Oasis Sanctuary in Arizona, pictured here. In the photo, executive director Janet Trumbule tries to coax them with walnuts. This photo might not be the most visually stunning of the bunch, but its implications are huge. It shows a solar synthetic fluid from the Swiss company Synhelion made using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. The new fuel could someday be used to power trucks, ships, and planes—all without any retrofitting. Maybe there’s hope for humankind after all. For more on this story—and to go behind the scenes with the photographers—visit NatGeo.com/Photos .
Even in outwardly inclusive workplaces, LGBTQ+ employees face ‘invisible’ challenges
The Center forthe Development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CreativeCenter), established by the Ministry of Culture, was inaugurated onDecember 28 with the participation of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-Presidentof the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, reports. Minister of Culture Adil Karimli provided an overview of thefacilities at the Center, highlighting its mission to support youngtalents, enhance their professional skills, and foster therealization of creative potential. The Center aims to implement cultural and creative industryprojects, support the establishment and growth of newentrepreneurial ventures and startups, facilitate the creation andexport of local creative products and services, and attracttalented youth from various regions. The Creative Center is running several successful initiatives,including three incubation programs focused on Music, “Gametech,”and “Cultech,” resulting in 20 startups and over 50 activeresidents. Adil Karimli noted that since 2023, the Ministry has beenorganizing the "Creative Talks" project. This initiative promotesthe development of skills in culture and creativity in both thecapital and the regions, serving as an educational platform aimedat supporting the formation of creative entities. The Center also organizes masterclasses and training sessions onthe use of artificial intelligence in animation, music and filmindustries, design, and creative fields under the "Ai4Art" project.Over 200 young individuals participate in these educationalprograms. The Center encompasses the "Creative Market" marketplaceplatform and the "Creative Edu.az" educational center, providingadditional support and resources for creative development. The Center is equipped with advanced technology to supportdiverse creative endeavors, including studios for photo and videoproduction, sound recording, animation, dance, and more. The Creative Center collaborates with both local entities andinternational organizations as its partners. The establishment of the Center for the Development of Culturaland Creative Industries was approved by an order of the Presidentof Azerbaijan on July 22, 2022. Founded by the Ministry of Culturein 2024, it is part of the Action Plan for the “2022-2026 Socialand Economic Development Strategy of the Republic ofAzerbaijan.”The WA music scene’s top moments in 2024
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Man Steals Almost $4,000 Of Electronics From Walmart
Texas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement of the case in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other competition show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations, which he called “an appalling smear.”President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the promise that his policies would reduce high borrowing costs and lighten the financial burden on American households. But what if, as many economists expect, interest rates remain elevated, well above their pre-pandemic lows? Trump could point a finger at the Federal Reserve, and in particular at its chair, Jerome Powell, whom Trump himself nominated to lead the Fed. During his first term, Trump repeatedly and publicly ridiculed the Powell Fed, complaining it kept interest rates too high. Trump’s attacks on the Fed raised widespread concern about political interference in the Fed’s policymaking. Powell, for his part, emphasized the importance of the Fed’s independence: “That gives us the ability to make decisions for the benefit of all Americans at all times, not for any particular political party or political outcome.” Political clashes might be inevitable in the next four years. Trump’s proposals to cut taxes and impose steep and widespread tariffs are a recipe for high inflation in an economy operating at close to full capacity. And if inflation were to reaccelerate, the Fed would need to keep interest rates high. Because Powell won’t necessarily cut rates as much as Trump will want. And even if Powell reduces the Fed’s benchmark rate, Trump’s own policies could keep other borrowing costs — such as mortgage rates — elevated. The sharply higher tariffs that Trump vowed to impose could worsen inflation. And if tax cuts on things like tips and overtime pay — another Trump promise — quickened economic growth, that, too, could fan inflationary pressures. The Fed would likely respond by slowing or stopping its rate cuts, thereby thwarting Trump’s promises of lower borrowing rates. The central bank might even raise rates if inflation worsens. “The risk of conflict between the Trump administration and the Fed is very high,” Olivier Blanchard, former top economist at the International Monetary Fund, said recently. If the Fed increases rates, “it will stand in the way of what the Trump administration wants.” Yes, but with the economy sturdier than expected, the Fed’s policymakers may cut rates only a few more times — fewer than anticipated just a month or two ago. And those rate cuts might not reduce borrowing costs for consumers and businesses very much. The Fed’s key short-term rate can influence rates for credit cards, small businesses and some other loans. But it has no direct control over longer-term interest rates. These include the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which affects mortgage rates. The 10-year Treasury yield is shaped by investors’ expectations of future inflation, economic growth and interest rates as well as by supply and demand for Treasuries. An example occurred this year. The 10-year yield fell in late summer in anticipation of a Fed rate cut. Yet once the first rate cut occurred Sept. 18, longer-term rates didn’t fall. Instead, they began to rise again, partly in anticipation of faster economic growth. Trump also proposed a variety of tax cuts that could swell the deficit. Rates on Treasury securities might then have to be increased to attract enough investors to buy the new debt. “I honestly don’t think the Fed has a lot of control over the 10-year rate, which is probably the most important for mortgages,” said Kent Smetters, an economist and faculty director at the Penn Wharton Budget Model. “Deficits are going to play a much bigger role in that regard.” Occasional or rare criticism of the Fed chair isn’t necessarily a problem for the economy, so long as the central bank continues to set policy as it sees fit. But persistent attacks would tend to undermine the Fed’s political independence, which is critically important to keeping inflation in check. To fight inflation, a central bank often must take steps that can be highly unpopular, notably by raising interest rates to slow borrowing and spending. Political leaders typically want central banks to do the opposite: keep rates low to support the economy and the job market, especially before an election. Research has found that countries with independent central banks generally enjoy lower inflation. Even if Trump doesn’t technically force the Fed to do anything, his persistent criticism could still cause problems. If markets, economists and business leaders no longer think the Fed is operating independently and instead is being pushed around by the president, they’ll lose confidence in the Fed’s ability to control inflation. Once consumers and businesses anticipate higher inflation, they usually act in ways that fuel higher prices — accelerating their purchases, for example, before prices increase further, or raising their own prices if they expect their expenses to increase. “The markets need to feel confident that the Fed is responding to the data, not to political pressure,” said Scott Alvarez, a former general counsel at the Fed. He can try, but it would likely lead to a prolonged legal battle that could even end up at the Supreme Court. At a November news conference, Powell made clear that he believes the president doesn’t have legal authority to do so. Most experts think Powell would prevail in the courts. And from the Trump administration’s perspective, such a fight might not be worth it. Powell’s term ends in May 2026, when the White House could nominate a new chair. It is also likely the stock market would tumble if Trump attempted such a brazen move. Bond yields would probably increase, too, sending mortgage rates and other borrowing costs up. Financial markets might also react negatively if Trump is seen as appointing a loyalist as Fed chair to replace Powell in 2026. Yes, and in the most egregious cases, it led to stubbornly high inflation. Notably, President Richard Nixon pressured Fed Chair Arthur Burns to reduce interest rates in 1971, which the Fed did, as Nixon sought reelection the next year. Economists blame Burns’ failure to keep rates sufficiently high for contributing to the entrenched inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s. Thomas Drechsel, an economist at the University of Maryland, said that when presidents intrude on the Fed’s interest rate decisions, “it increases prices quite consistently and it increases expectations, and ... that worries me because that means inflation might become quite entrenched.” Since the mid-1980s, with the exception of Trump in his first term, presidents have scrupulously refrained from public criticism of the Fed. “It’s amazing, how little manipulation for partisan ends we have seen of that policymaking apparatus,” said Peter Conti- Brown, a professor of financial regulation at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. “It really is a triumph of American governance.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!Canada shares higher at close of trade; S&P/TSX Composite up 0.15%
Warangal Police Commissionerate reports decline in crime rate in 2024
Israeli prime minister meets with Hamas hostage's NJ familyWarangal Police Commissionerate reports decline in crime rate in 2024
The world of non-fungible tokens has revolutionized the way digital assets are owned and traded. With NFTs continuing to dominate the digital landscape, the ease of creating and minting NFTs without knowing extensive coding is a game-changer. Today, so many platforms make it easy for creators, whether digital artists or entrepreneurs, to mint NFTs with ease. Here's a look at the top platforms that make NFT creation a breeze for non-coders. Purpose: All-in-one NFT marketplace OpenSea is one of the most popular platforms for creating, buying, and selling NFTs. Its lazy minting feature allows creators to mint NFTs without paying upfront gas fees. OpenSea supports multiple file types, including images, audio, and videos, making it ideal for creators from diverse fields. Purpose: Decentralized NFT marketplace Rarible is an intuitive platform that caters to creators without coding expertise. With its easy-to-use interface, you can mint NFTs on Ethereum , Tezos, or Polygon networks. Rarible also offers customizable royalty options, ensuring that creators earn from every future sale of their work. Purpose: NFT creation with user-friendly tools Mintable is notable for its user-friendly interface that is friendly to beginners. The platform has a gasless minting feature, allowing you to mint NFTs without paying blockchain transaction fees. Mintable also avails comprehensive tutorials for first-time creators to make the process smooth. Purpose: Premium NFT creation and sales Foundation focuses on high-quality NFTs, providing exclusive environments for artists and collectors. Although invite-only, its streamlined tools make creating NFT easy for those without coding experience. Foundation focuses on art and creative works, offering a premium experience for serious creators. Purpose: It is a creator-first NFT platform. Zora is known for its decentralized approach, allowing creators to control their NFTs fully. Its no-code tools let users mint NFTs, set royalties, and sell directly to buyers without intermediaries. Zora is a favorite among creators looking to tokenize unique art and cultural assets. Function: Simple and inexpensive NFT creation AirNFTs is built on the Binance Smart Chain, offering creators affordable NFT minting. It has low transaction fees and a simple interface for newbies. The platform also allows for multi-chain minting, providing the flexibility to select from any blockchain network. Purpose : Sustainable and accessible NFT platform Voice caters to creators seeking an eco-friendly NFT solution. The platform uses a carbon-neutral blockchain, making it a great choice for environmentally conscious users. Voice's interface simplifies the NFT creation process, enabling creators to focus on their art rather than technical details. Purpose: Multi-functional NFT marketplace NFT minting is integrated with all DeFi functionalities. Its user-friendly platform allows fast NFT creation at minimal fees. BakerySwap is part of the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem. Therefore, it would guarantee fast and affordable transactions. Purpose: Curated NFT drops and collections Nifty Gateway hosts exclusive NFT drops from top artists and brands. For creators, the platform offers an easy-to-use minting process that doesn't require coding knowledge. Nifty Gateway's integration with fiat payment systems makes it accessible to a wider audience. Purpose: Programmable and interactive NFTs Async Art innovates NFT creation by offering the possibility of programmable art pieces that designers may create. A given NFT can have many layers, with the layer providing various forms or states. This platform would be ideal for creators who explore dynamic and interactive art concepts. The rise of no-code NFT platforms democratizes access to blockchain technology. Creators can mint digital assets without the technical barrier of learning to code or hiring developers. These platforms also have customizable royalties, eco-friendly options, and multi-chain minting, which are versatile and sustainable. First, select a platform that best fits your needs and goals. Generate your digital art or product, upload it to your chosen platform, and go through the easy process of minting an NFT. Most of them ask for a crypto wallet set up, like MetaMask, to handle your NFTs as well as your earnings. The era of coding -free NFT creation has finally dawned, opening doors for creators worldwide. With leaders like OpenSea, Rarible, and Mintable, everyone can convert their digital assets into NFTs and join the booming digital economy. It doesn't matter whether you are an artist, a musician, or an entrepreneur; all these platforms make it effortless to monetize your creativity.As part of a national “moonshot” to cure blindness, researchers at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will receive as much as $46 million in federal funding over the next five years to pursue a first-of-its-kind full eye transplantation. “This is no easy undertaking, but I believe we can achieve this together,” said Dr. Kia Washington, the lead researcher for the University of Colorado-led team, during a press conference Monday. “And in fact I’ve never been more hopeful that a cure for blindness is within reach.” The CU team was one of four in the United States that received funding awards from the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health , or ARPA-H. The CU-based group will focus on achieving the first-ever vision-restoring eye transplant by using “novel stem cell and bioelectronic technologies,” according to a news release announcing the funding. The work will be interdisciplinary, Washington and others said, and will link together researchers at institutions across the country. The four teams that received the funding will work alongside each other on distinct approaches, though officials said the teams would likely collaborate and eventually may merge depending on which research avenues show the most promise toward achieving the ultimate goal of transplanting an eye and curing blindness. Dr. Calvin Roberts, who will oversee the broader project for ARPA-H, said the agency wanted to take multiple “shots on goal” to ensure progress. “In the broader picture, achieving this would be probably the most monumental task in medicine within the last several decades,” said Dr. Daniel Pelaez of the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which also received ARPA-H funding. Pelaez is the lead investigator for that team, which has pursued new procedures to successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors, amid other research. He told The Denver Post that only four organ systems have not been successfully transplanted: the inner ear, the brain, the spinal cord and the eye. All four are part of the central nervous system, which does not repair itself when damaged. If researchers can successfully transplant the human eye and restore vision to the patient, it might help unlock deeper discoveries about repairing damage to the brain and spine, Pelaez said, as well as addressing hearing loss. To succeed, researchers must successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors and then successfully connect and repair the optical nerve, which takes information from the eye and tells the brain what the eye sees. A team at New York University performed a full eye transplant on a human patient in November 2023, though the procedure — while a “remarkable achievement,” Pelaez said — did not restore the patient’s vision. It was also part of a partial face transplant; other approaches pursued via the ARPA-H funding will involve eye-specific transplants. Washington, the lead CU researcher, said she and her colleagues have already completed the eye transplant procedure — albeit without vision restoration — in rats. The CU team will next work on large animals to advance “optic nerve regenerative strategies,” the school said, as well as to study immunosuppression, which is critical to ensuring that patients’ immune systems don’t reject a donated organ. The goal is to eventually advance to human trials. Pelaez and his colleagues have completed their eye-removal procedure in cadavers, he said, and they’ve also studied regeneration in several animals that are capable of regenerating parts of their eyes, like salamanders or zebra fish. His team’s funding will focus in part on a life-support machine for the eye to keep it healthy and viable during the removal process. InGel Therapeutics, a Massachusetts-based Harvard spinoff and the lead of a third team, will pursue research on 3-D printed technology and “micro-tunneled scaffolds” that carry certain types of stem cells as part of a focus on optical nerve regeneration and repair, ARPA-H said. ARPH-A, created two years ago, will oversee the teams’ work. Researchers at 52 institutions nationwide will also contribute to the teams. The CU-led group will include researchers from the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University and Johns Hopkins University, as well as from the National Eye Institute . The teams will simultaneously compete and collaborate: Pelaez said his team has communicated with researchers at CU and at Stanford, another award recipient, about their eye-removal research. The total funding available for the teams is $125 million, ARPA-H officials said Monday, and it will be distributed in phases, in part dependent on teams’ success. U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat who represents Denver in Congress, acknowledged the recent election results at the press conference Monday and pledged to continue fighting to preserve ARPA-H’s funding under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The effort to cure blindness, Washington joked, was “biblical” in its enormity — a reference to the Bible story in which Jesus cures a blind man. She and others also likened it to a moonshot, meaning the effort to successfully put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon nearly 50 years ago. If curing blindness is similar to landing on the moon, then the space shuttle has already left the launchpad, Washington said. “We have launched,” she said, “and we are on our trajectory.”
Perimeter Provides Update on Canada Postal Strike and Mailing of the Company's 2024 Annual General Meeting MaterialsActivists say Montreal pro-Palestinian protests have been over-policed
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra denied speculation that the release on parole of former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, who was convicted of corruption in an earlier rice-pledging scheme, would pave the way for the possible return of fugitive ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. She said on Tuesday that Boonsong was released on parole because he met certain requirements set by the Department of Corrections (DoC), and this has nothing to do with her aunt, Yingluck. "It is about the DoC's regulations. It has nothing to do with the former prime minister [Yingluck]," Ms Paetongtarn said. She also denied that Yingluck had contacted her about a homecoming after a long period overseas in exile. The release of Boonsong has heightened speculation about Yingluck's return. After serving more than six years in jail, Boonsong, 64, was released by the DoC on Monday. His 48-year term was reduced multiple times, bringing it down to 10 years. With his release scheduled for April 21, 2028, Boonsong will be on probation for another three years and five months, during which time he will wear an electronic tag. Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong said on Tuesday that Boonsong was released in line with DoC regulations. The move was considered and approved by the DoC's parole committee, which is comprised of prosecutors, judges, doctors, officials from the DoC, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. While on parole, Boonsong will stay with his son, Dejnatwit Teriyapirom, in Chiang Mai, Pol Col Tawee said. Pol Col Tawee said Boonsong has to wear an electronic bracelet and is required to report to probation officials in Chiang Mai regularly, adding paroled convicts under 70 must wear an electronic tag. He added Boonsong is not allowed to leave the country and has to seek permission from probation officials for any trip outside Chiang Mai. Asked if this would benefit the former premier, Pol Col Tawee said, "Everyone must follow the law". Mr Dejnatwit said on Tuesday his father would report to probation officials in Chiang Mai on Wednesday and officials would inform his father about his reporting schedule. Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, previously said preparations have been made for Yingluck's return, and Boonsong's release will likely help. He pointed to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's interview about his sister's return, expected next April or slightly earlier, and the DoC's new regulation allowing detention outside prison. In an interview with Nikkei Asia last month, Thaksin said he expected Yingluck to return, possibly during the Songkran festival in April. Yingluck, 57, has been a fugitive since August 2017, when she failed to appear before the Supreme Court's Criminal Case Division for Holders of Political Positions for the reading of the court ruling on a charge of dereliction of duty in a rice-pledging programme that ran up at least 500 billion baht in losses.Fresh off its biggest win of the season, Penn State plays its first true road game Tuesday when it visits Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Aces will be wild for the Nittany Lions (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and the Scarlet Knights (5-4, 0-1) as Penn State's Ace Baldwin Jr. will square off against Ace Bailey of Rutgers. Baldwin is the Nittany Lions' leading scorer at 15.1 points per game and dishes out 8.1 assists -- fourth in the nation entering Monday's action. He registered 17 points and six assists Thursday in an 81-70 victory over then-No. 8 Purdue in a game where Penn State led by as many as 27. Freddie Dilione V chipped in 14 points for the Nittany Lions, who had not defeated a Top 10 team since 2019. "A win like that's a statement win," Dilione said. "I just think it's going to put everybody on notice. We're just a walkover team. We're always going be the underdogs, and that's our mentality. We've just got to come in every game and just punch everybody in the mouth." Penn State must be careful not to suffer a letdown against a talented Rutgers squad led by freshmen Dylan Harper (23.1 points per game) and Bailey (17.9). The duo combined for 30 points in the Scarlet Knights' last game -- an 80-66 setback at Ohio State. The defeat was the fourth in the last five games for Rutgers, which plays seven of its next eight in New Jersey. "We've got to get better," Scarlet Knights coach Steve Pikiell said. "We got to get some more consistency out of a lot of things, especially our defense. Can't give up 80 points on the road and expect to win in this league." In last season's meeting with Penn State, it was offense that was Rutgers' biggest issue. The Scarlet Knights shot just 1-of-17 from 3-point range and 34 percent overall in a 61-46 home defeat. "(It's about) finding ways of how to bounce back as a team and staying together," Harper said. "Even though we lose, we're still going to find a way." --Field Level Media
SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United supporters not to get carried away by warning that “the storm will come” and his side will be found out in some games. face at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night in the toughest test yet of Amorim’s short reign, and visit champions Manchester City in the derby clash on December 15 after a home game against Nottingham Forest. A on Sunday, which followed a in the Europa League and in Amorim’s first game in charge extended United’s unbeaten run to seven matches. has introduced a back three and new system since succeeding Erik ten Hag but, with little time to work on those changes on the training pitch given the congested schedule, the Portuguese says there will be problems along the way. “I would like to say different things, but I have to say it again: the storm will come,” said Amorim, who warned after the Ipswich match that United are “going to suffer for a long period”. “I don’t know if you use that expression but we are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games. And I know that because I’m [getting to] know my players and I know football and I follow football. “So I understand the difference between the teams and we are at the point we are putting simple things in the team, without training, and you feel it in this game against Everton. “They changed a little bit the way they were building up – they are a very good team and we were with a lot of problems because we cannot change it by calling one thing to the captain because we don’t have this [time] training.” Amorim added: “I know it’s really hard to be a Manchester United coach and say these things – we want to win all the time, no matter what, and we are going to try to win. “But we know that we are in a different point, if you compare to Arsenal. We will try to win it and we go with confidence to win but we know that we need to play very well to win the next football match.” Amorim admitted he was a huge admirer of the job Mikel Arteta had done at Arsenal, not least in terms of developing younger talent such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard, and hoped to have a similar impact at Old Trafford. “I think he’s done an amazing job,” Amorim said. “Sometimes the coaches are just judged about the titles, but what he has been doing in Arsenal, I think, is amazing. It transformed the team. “He bought some youngsters that now are the big talents in this country. I hope to have the same mindset that he had in the difficult moments because I followed the Premier League for a long time. I think it’s a very good characteristic in Mikel and I think he did a great job.” Arsenal have invested considerable faith and time in Arteta, but Amorim said the scrutiny is such at United that he may need to deliver more quickly than the Spaniard. “That is also always important for a coach to have that confidence, but we have to acknowledge that Manchester United is a little bit different – all the attention that you guys put in here, all the time,” he said. ”So I know that sometimes it is not possible to have all that time. So we will try to manage that and try to do things a little bit more fast knowing that here is a massive attention and massive judgment every day.” One youngster who has made an immediate impression under Amorim is Amad Diallo, who has impressed at right wing-back. The Ivory Coast international is out of contract at the end of the season, although by 12 months to June 2026 and Amorim admitted his future needed resolving. “I think he wants to stay and we want him to stay, so that is clear and we will find a solution,” he said. Amorim said Amad’s versatility and ability to play in different positions, including as a No 10, was “one of his great advantages”. “He’s very good playing in that position but also playing between the lines, because he has good control and he seems faster with the ball than without the ball,” the head coach said. “He is capable of playing in both positions and he can play in different systems. So in the future, we will play in a different system, maybe. So it’s that kind of player that we need in the team.” Asked why he was playing Amad at wing-back rather than behind the striker, Amorim said: “Because of his left foot, sometimes in that position, the way he receives the ball, if you are right-footed, sometimes you don’t have the space to come inside. “But we have, for example, [Noussair] Mazraoui and [Diogo] Dalot who can go inside because they are fast and strong with the ball. But we chose Amad to have one against one outside. And that is very important to break some pressures, especially high pressures, and he has that ability. And then in that position, you need to have a good physicality. Good physicality is not the size, but he can run and that is a key point in that position. “So you try to choose players that you can put in that position and then the technical characteristics are perfect for him.” Luke Shaw says he is going through the “toughest period” of his career after the defender suffered a fresh injury that is expected to rule him out for several weeks. The England left-back made his first appearance for United since February in the – Ruben Amorim’s first game as head coach – nine days ago. Two more substitute outings followed against Bodo/Glimt and Everton, but Shaw is now set to be sidelined until later this month after sustaining a muscle injury. Sources say it is a new problem and not related to the hamstring injury he suffered in February or the subsequent calf problem that ruled him out for the first few months of this season after a brief cameo for England at the Euros in Germany. But it is a bitter blow for the 29-year-old, who has averaged just 16 Premier League starts per season over more than a decade at Old Trafford since a £28 million move from Southampton in 2014. In a statement on his social media feeds, Shaw said: “Hi guys, it’s hurting a lot having to write this, as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles and was on a positive path going forward, but unfortunately I’ve had a small setback. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but this has definitely been my toughest period. I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time. “I understand there are going to be people frustrated, angry, disappointed, and I understand all that. There is no one feeling that more than me at this moment in time. “But what I can promise is I will do everything I can to come back better soon, to help this club achieve its ambitions this season. “Thank you to everyone for the support. It really doesn’t go unnoticed and I really do appreciate it.”Hot Stocks for 2025! Don’t Miss Out.
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The Standard & Poor’s 500 edged up less than 0.1% to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It has climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10-billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 points to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 points to close at 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since election day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re seeing a nearly 3-in-4 chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report, which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar after a frenetic night during which President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9%, helping lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs, including for goods coming from China. Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris, where the government is battling over the budget. Choe writes for the Associated Press. AP writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed to this report.As part of a national “moonshot” to cure blindness, researchers at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will receive as much as $46 million in federal funding over the next five years to pursue a first-of-its-kind full eye transplantation. “This is no easy undertaking, but I believe we can achieve this together,” said Dr. Kia Washington, the lead researcher for the University of Colorado-led team, during a press conference Monday. “And in fact I’ve never been more hopeful that a cure for blindness is within reach.” The CU team was one of four in the United States that received funding awards from the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health , or ARPA-H. The CU-based group will focus on achieving the first-ever vision-restoring eye transplant by using “novel stem cell and bioelectronic technologies,” according to a news release announcing the funding. The work will be interdisciplinary, Washington and others said, and will link together researchers at institutions across the country. The four teams that received the funding will work alongside each other on distinct approaches, though officials said the teams would likely collaborate and eventually may merge depending on which research avenues show the most promise toward achieving the ultimate goal of transplanting an eye and curing blindness. Dr. Calvin Roberts, who will oversee the broader project for ARPA-H, said the agency wanted to take multiple “shots on goal” to ensure progress. “In the broader picture, achieving this would be probably the most monumental task in medicine within the last several decades,” said Dr. Daniel Pelaez of the University of Miami’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which also received ARPA-H funding. Pelaez is the lead investigator for that team, which has pursued new procedures to successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors, amid other research. He told The Denver Post that only four organ systems have not been successfully transplanted: the inner ear, the brain, the spinal cord and the eye. All four are part of the central nervous system, which does not repair itself when damaged. If researchers can successfully transplant the human eye and restore vision to the patient, it might help unlock deeper discoveries about repairing damage to the brain and spine, Pelaez said, as well as addressing hearing loss. To succeed, researchers must successfully remove and preserve eyes from donors and then successfully connect and repair the optical nerve, which takes information from the eye and tells the brain what the eye sees. A team at New York University performed a full eye transplant on a human patient in November 2023, though the procedure — while a “remarkable achievement,” Pelaez said — did not restore the patient’s vision. It was also part of a partial face transplant; other approaches pursued via the ARPA-H funding will involve eye-specific transplants. Washington, the lead CU researcher, said she and her colleagues have already completed the eye transplant procedure — albeit without vision restoration — in rats. The CU team will next work on large animals to advance “optic nerve regenerative strategies,” the school said, as well as to study immunosuppression, which is critical to ensuring that patients’ immune systems don’t reject a donated organ. The goal is to eventually advance to human trials. Pelaez and his colleagues have completed their eye-removal procedure in cadavers, he said, and they’ve also studied regeneration in several animals that are capable of regenerating parts of their eyes, like salamanders or zebra fish. His team’s funding will focus in part on a life-support machine for the eye to keep it healthy and viable during the removal process. InGel Therapeutics, a Massachusetts-based Harvard spinoff and the lead of a third team, will pursue research on 3-D printed technology and “micro-tunneled scaffolds” that carry certain types of stem cells as part of a focus on optical nerve regeneration and repair, ARPA-H said. ARPH-A, created two years ago, will oversee the teams’ work. Researchers at 52 institutions nationwide will also contribute to the teams. The CU-led group will include researchers from the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University and Johns Hopkins University, as well as from the National Eye Institute . The teams will simultaneously compete and collaborate: Pelaez said his team has communicated with researchers at CU and at Stanford, another award recipient, about their eye-removal research. The total funding available for the teams is $125 million, ARPA-H officials said Monday, and it will be distributed in phases, in part dependent on teams’ success. U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat who represents Denver in Congress, acknowledged the recent election results at the press conference Monday and pledged to continue fighting to preserve ARPA-H’s funding under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The effort to cure blindness, Washington joked, was “biblical” in its enormity — a reference to the Bible story in which Jesus cures a blind man. She and others also likened it to a moonshot, meaning the effort to successfully put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon nearly 50 years ago. If curing blindness is similar to landing on the moon, then the space shuttle has already left the launchpad, Washington said. “We have launched,” she said, “and we are on our trajectory.”