After a thrilling double-overtime win over Fresno State, California Baptist makes the nearly 2,500-mile trip to Orlando to face Central Florida on Sunday. The Lancers (5-3) capped their time at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Springs, Calif., with an 86-81 victory over the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That followed a last-second, 79-77 loss to SMU the day before. Dominique Daniels Jr. played 45 minutes against Fresno State and led California Baptist with 29 points. He paces the Lancers with 20.3 points per game, while Kendal Coleman averages 15.1 points and is shooting 59.7 percent form the floor. However, coach Rick Croy's team has struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 30.7 percent entering its first true road game this season. UCF (5-2) is coming off of an 84-76 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday despite being outrebounded 41-31. The Knights were helped by the heroics of senior guard Darius Johnson, who had 28 points as he shot a career-best 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. "Darius was terrific," UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. "He's so comfortable in his leadership role now, he's leading our team and running the show, and our new players are becoming more comfortable playing with him. He's been a rock for us this season, and you love to see it out of a senior point guard." "I had an extraordinary night shooting the ball from three," Johnson said. "I rarely think that would happen again, but it's great. I know my teammates are going to have nights like that as well." Johnson is among the nation's leaders in minutes per game (36.6) and is shooting a team-high 50 percent from 3-point range (23 of 46). He, along with his fellow guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, are each averaging 16.9 points to lead UCF. The Knights opened the season with an impressive win over Texas A&M, now No. 20 in the AP poll, but lost both games at last weekend's Greenbrier Tip-Off, including a triple-overtime defeat against LSU on Sunday. UCF has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2018-19. This will be the first meeting between the Knights and the Lancers, who will each have time off afterwards. UCF won't play until Dec. 8 against Tarleton State, while California Baptist is idle until its Dec. 11 game at San Diego State. --Field Level MediaAccording to eyewitness accounts, thick smoke billowed from the building as flames licked at the structure, creating a scene of utter devastation. Emergency responders, including firefighters and paramedics, quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the flames and attend to any injuries.
As fans anxiously await the ceremony where the winners will be revealed, the buzz surrounding Kate Winslet, Selena Gomez, and 384 continues to grow. Will these talented artists take home the coveted Golden Globe trophies? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain - their double nominations are a testament to their incredible talent and dedication to their craft.
By KELVIN CHAN, Business Writer LONDON (AP) — Looking for a new social media platform because X, Threads and Mastodon just aren’t cutting it? You could try Bluesky . People seeking to avoid chaos, noise and political bluster in the aftermath of the U.S. elections are noticing a different mood on the Bluesky social platform, where the vibe is seemingly welcoming and there are noticeably fewer trolls. The site announced it had rapidly added more than a million new users in the week after Election Day, and has emerged as one of the fastest growing rivals to Elon Musk’s X and similar platforms. If you’re tempted to check out the new space, here’s a guide on how Bluesky works: Getting started Maybe you’re not ready to commit to adding yet another social media account. No problem — you can still look around on Bluesky without signing up because all posts and profiles are public. You might get a sense of deja vu because the platform’s look and feel are very similar to X. That should be no surprise because Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey was an early Bluesky champion. (Dorsey’s no longer involved with Bluesky, which is owned and run by its executive team as a public benefit corporation.) If you take the plunge and get an account, you’ll need a username. You’ll notice Bluesky handles are a little bit different because they end by default in the site’s domain, .bsky.social. You can personalize your handle to make it more memorable, by using your own website’s domain or buying a custom one through Bluesky. But it might not be something most newbie users need or want to do right away. How do I find interesting people? Bluesky boasts that it gives users “algorithmic choice” to tailor the content they’re shown instead of leaving it up to the whims of a centralized system. “Our online experience doesn’t have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see,” it says . What it means is that you can follow custom feeds set up by other users, or design your own. If you tap #Feeds in the menu on the left, you’ll see some default offerings like Cat Pics and Gardening. My Bangers is a list of your most popular posts by likes and Catch Up shows the site’s most popular posts from the past 24 hours. You can find more by doing a search and tapping the Feeds button. There’s also the usual “Discover” feed of suggested posts and a chronological feed of accounts that you follow. To help new users settle in, Bluesky has starter packs of recommended feeds and accounts to follow, which anyone can create and share. They don’t show up in Bluesky’s search results but can be found in directories online . Or someone might share one with you. After I signed up, a colleague pointed me to one for major news outlets . There are tens of thousands of starter packs, ranging from broadly appealing topics like Taylor Swift to niche interests like cargo bikes or U.K. comedians . You can follow the whole pack or scroll down the list to choose individual accounts. What about people you followed on X? There’s a browser extension tool called Sky Follower Bridge that will help you find X users who’ve migrated to Bluesky. But check before clicking the follow button to make sure it’s not a different user using the same display name or handle. How to post Ready to join the conversation? You can write posts or reply to others but keep it short because there’s a limit of 300 characters — 20 more than on X. You can also upload photos and videos, though videos can’t be longer than 60 seconds. GIFs and emojis are, of course, available too. You can still @ people by typing in their username, like posts by tapping a heart icon or use hashtags to highlight a theme. Bluesky has added a menu to hashtags, so when you click on one you’ll get different options for seeing, or muting, posts on that topic. What about trolls? Bluesky’s decentralization ethos extends to the content control options it offers. For starters, users can choose in their settings menu whether to see replies, reposts or quote posts in their feed. Specific words or tags can be muted temporarily, or forever, while accounts can be muted or blocked individually, or in bulk by adding them a moderation list. You can even fine tune the level of adult content that shows up in your feed. Bluesky has a team of content moderators to police the site for material that’s illegal or breaks the rules. But it’s also taking a different approach by open sourcing its content moderation system in an attempt to resolve problems with traditional moderation services which it says “lack transparency and user control.” So, individuals or groups can set up their own content filters, or labelers, that go beyond what Bluesky offers. These labelers can be used to categorize content or users, which can then be blocked or hidden. But they could also be used for informational or creative purposes, like curating or verifying content. There are labelers to identify images generated by artificial intelligence or to fact check news posts. You can find lists of labelers online. After I subscribed to a U.S. politics labeler, some posts in my feeds were flagged “!Donald Trump” or “!Democrat politician” and hidden unless I click Show. Follow Kelvin Chan on Bluesky Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
As details surrounding Liu's death continue to emerge, questions have been raised about the safety of cosmetic procedures and the risks associated with elective surgeries. The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of thorough research, careful consideration, and proper medical supervision when undergoing any form of cosmetic enhancement.How to get started with Bluesky
Tweet Facebook Mail A man is in hospital after he was shot by police in southern Brisbane this morning. At about 5.50am, police were called to a business on Brickworks Place, Rochedale, following reports of a disturbance. They found a man inside a warehouse, who allegedly advanced on police with a knife while making threats. READ MORE: Man arrested, car seized after deadly western Sydney shooting A man is in hospital after he was shot by police in Brisbane. (Fairfax Media) Police said officers used a taser, which was ineffective, and then fired one bullet as the man continued to advance. The bullet struck the man, and police rendered immediate medical assistance. The man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. No other injuries were reported. The Ethical Standards Command is now investigating the shooting. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .Liverpool boss Arne Slot talks up ‘special player’ Mohamed Salah
Hugel aims to secure strong business coverage in the region via the strategic partnership The MENA aesthetic market is projected to witness strong growth in the next few years with UAE and Saudi Arabia taking the lead SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hugel Inc., a leading global medical aesthetics company, said on Friday it will spur expansion in the botulinum toxin market of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) via a strategic partnership with Dubai -headquartered aesthetic and medical distribution partner Medica Group. The two companies have recently entered into an agreement to bolster the distribution of Hugel's toxin Botulax in the key markets of the region. Hugel, which exports its own toxin to 64 markets including the US, Europe and China , the world's three largest toxin buyers, obtained sales approval for Botulax in the Middle East last year. Medica Group is a leading player in the region and has strong distribution networks through its head office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and branches in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon . The company distributes medical aesthetic products from about 30 global brands, proving their solid know-how in the field and strong execution capabilities in the MENA. The MENA is one of the fastest growing regions for medical aesthetics, driven by strong economic momentum, favorable demographic characteristics, increasing accessibility to social media as well as social and consumption transformation. Hugel's Executive Chairman, Suk Cha , commented on the partnership: "We are very pleased to enter into this strategic collaboration with Medica Group. The Middle East represents a key market for Hugel, with its rapidly growing demand for medical aesthetic treatments. We have chosen Medica Group as our distributor because they share our commitment to excellence and quality. Their proven expertise, extensive reach and deep understanding of the region make them the ideal partner to bring our Botulax product to this dynamic region. Botulax is recognized globally for its quality, and we are confident that, through this partnership, it will become a leading choice for medical professionals and patients in the Middle East and Africa ." Andre Daoud , CEO of Medica Group, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: "Our partnership with Hugel marks a key milestone for us as we continue to expand our portfolio and lead the aesthetics market with global solutions. The introduction of Botulax in the Middle East and Africa offers healthcare professionals access to a world-class botulinum toxin that is highly trusted for its quality, safety, and performance. This strategic partnership aligns with our mission to provide advanced, innovative products and services that meet the demands of the region's growing beauty and medical aesthetics market. Hugel's global expertise, combined with our deep local knowledge and network, will create tremendous value for our customers and their patients." About Hugel Established in 2001, Hugel is a leading global medical aesthetics company that manufactures injectables for skin rejuvenation such as botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and skin boosters as well as absorbable sutures and cosmetics products. The company is the only South Korean supplier to the world's three largest botulinum toxin markets, the US, China and Europe . It exports medical aesthetic products and devices to around 70 countries and operates eight global subsidiaries in the US, Australia , Canada , Taiwan , China , Hong Kong and Singapore . About Medica Group A leading partner in the field of aesthetic medicine, Medica Group continues to push the boundaries of beauty and wellbeing in the region. Being at the forefront of the industry, the group is renowned for its innovative approach, state-of-the-art solutions with a solid commitment to delivering outstanding results and setting new standards in aesthetics. A trusted partner for international aesthetic brands, Medica showcases a commitment to excellence and quality through the technologies of its product and services, and the collaboration of the aesthetic medicine community. Contact: Jihyun Kim , Manager of the PR Team, Hugel jihyun.kim@hugel-inc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hugel-and-medica-join-forces-to-boost-botulinum-toxin-sales-in-middle-east-north-africa-302313729.html SOURCE Hugel © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.BY MIKE PETRO Dec. 4, 2024 Blasdell-headquartered startup building new plants in Texas and Washington With $20 million in grants secured from the U.S. Department of Energy, CleanFiber is opening new plants in Washington and Texas. These grants are part of more than $75 million in financing vehicles, grants, and tax credits the Buffalo-headquartered startup has secured in 2024. The company, which makes building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard supporting energy efficiency, moved to Buffalo after winning $500,000 in the 43North business competition in 2016. The company was founded in Massachusetts in 2013 and was originally named UltraCell. Production facilities will be built in Lewis County, Washington and Ellis County, Texas. CleanFiber employs more than 100 people in Western New York, and company officials say over 40% of them represent marginalized groups. Company officials plan to continue creating employment opportunities for all as CleanFiber continues its growth. “We are honored to have the DOE’s support in accelerating our growth,” said Jonathan Strimling, CEO of CleanFiber. “We are committed to delivering benefits not only to our customers, but also to disadvantaged and coal communities, where we’ll be creating employment opportunities, and, of course, reducing carbon emissions at the same time.” The company now known as CleanFiber celebrates at the 43North competition in 2016. Earlier this year, CleanFiber closed a $33 million Series B funding round led by Spring Lane Capital, which also established a $31.5 million project financing facility to support the buildout of the company’s new plants. In addition, CleanFiber received a $10 million Section 48C tax credit allocation, and is also being offered significant incentives via state economic development agencies. Last year, the company wrapped up a $5 million investment round that supported the completion of an expansion to its factory in Blasdell. CleanFiber’s $16 million expansion and machinery upgrade in Blasdell will bring the facility to 67,000 square feet. CleanFiber took ownership of that facility in 2022. The firm plans to establish additional facilities in Arizona and Michigan, with longer-term plans to also develop sites in the Southeast and across the border in Canada. Albion startup wins $500K in Grow-NY competition Agricultural startup Udderways of Albion won a $500,000 prize in the 2024 Grow-NY global food, agriculture & technology competition. Twenty finalists competed in the sixth annual pitch on Nov. 6 and 7, and Udderways was among the seven winners chosen by a panel of judges. UdderWays uses a brushless technology to gently stimulate cows and ensure clean and dry teats. With the startup’s patented vortex-style application, farmers can effortlessly promote milk letdown. The competition awarded $3 million – including the $1 million grand prize, as well as two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes. Each winning team will commit to operating in the region for at least one year, while also providing a modest equity stake to Cornell University, to fund future food and agricultural entrepreneurship programming. WNY companies earn ESD grants Four Western New York companies were among 35 chosen to receive funding from the Innovation Matching Grants program from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation. Graphenix Development, Inc., IBEX Materials, Atrevida Science, Inc., and Immunotolerx Therapeutics, LLC are now eligible for matching state grants of up to $200,000 to provide additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance. Empire State Development awarded the 35 businesses more than $4.6 million in rounds 1 and 2 of its new matching grants program, which started in May. NYSTAR received more than 35 applications within a week of opening its first round of funding. The awarded projects span 18 strategic technology areas, and the program’s aim is to support early-stage technology development and accelerate the path from research to market, which ESD says has contributed to business growth, job creation and stronger regional economies in the state. Kredit Academy partners with local credit union Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union is partnering with 43North winner Kredit Academy to help expand its accessible financial education services. Financial literacy platform Kredit Academy says the credit union will now be offering Kredit Quest, which delivers personalized learning content to customers that covers everything from finance basics to credit mastery. With Kredit Quest, Greater Niagara members gain access to interactive lessons and practical tools designed to build financial confidence. "We chose Kredit Academy as a partner for their proactive approach to financial education and look forward to our work together,” said Maggie Wilmore, who works in marketing for Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union. Founder Evan Leaphart has also been building a relationship with M&T, including working with the bank as part of the city’s exploration and financial education summer program, and the company has deals with other local credit unions are in the pipeline. 43North is hiring 43North is in search of a social media coordinator with an interest and background in venture capital and knowledge of the Buffalo startup ecosystem. The startup accelerator and incubator is seeking a candidate to help manage, optimize, and analyze 43North’s social media presence. It will soon welcome its 10th cohort to Buffalo in early January. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News brings you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . THE LATEST Ingram Micro is cutting 850 jobs across its operations , but isn't specifying the impact on its Western New York workforce. Federal regulators have lifted the consent order that Lake Shore Savings Bank operated under for nearly two years. Work is beginning this week on People Inc.'s latest housing project in Western New York. Hundreds of former Sumitomo Rubber workers flocked to the Lincoln Park Athletic Center in the Town of Tonawanda on Tuesday for a job fair. The City of Niagara Falls is seeking to buy a cluster of Main Street properties to keep them out of the hands of out-of-state investors. Developer Doug Jemal is tweaking the design of his project at Elmwood and Bidwell avenues. The snow put a damper on holiday shopping in the Southtowns. It's not like the old days, but some hardy souls were out in the darkness to start their Black Friday shopping . Two of Buffalo's top development officials have been ousted . New solar project starts construction in Great Valley. Scanlon, Poloncarz criticize land bank for delays and cost of homes on projects in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. How do the Bills believe they will ever get to the more than 5,000 potential season ticket holder accounts on their waitlist for the new stadium and why advertise for more of them? Developers battle over Tonawanda Island site but sewer capacity may hinder projects. What went wrong at Tonawanda's Sumitomo tire plant ? And why did Sumitomo's Japan-based parent decide to pull the plug now? Work has begun on venture studio built to fill void in Buffalo's entrepreneurial space . Artisans report as much as 50% of their annual revenue comes from the holiday shopping season. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Locally owned stores are pulling out all the stops to attract customers who may otherwise be lured in by the convenience of major retailers and online shopping. 2. The Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology has expanded in his mission to help local adults and teens pursue successful careers. 3. Get the story behind Evans Bank's hunt for a merger , which ended with the Amherst-based bank's acquisition by NBT Bank. 4. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals. 5. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early . The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Title: Volunteer Helps Female Master's Student Reconnect with Family in Just Two HoursKotputli (Rajasthan) [India], December 30 (ANI):The rescue operation to save a three-and-a-half-year-old girl trapped in a borewell in Rajasthan is progressing, despite difficulties in cutting through solid rock. Authorities are hopeful of completing the work by Monday, according to NDRF officials. The operation, which has entered its eighth day, involves constructing a tunnel to reach the trapped girl, said NDRF team in-charge Yogesh Kumar Meena. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Woman Gives Birth to Child at Makeshift Hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar (See Pics). "Due to the solid rock, we are facing difficulties. It is hard to cut through the rock, but the rescue work is underway. We hope to rescue the girl soon. Approximately half of the work is done, and we will try to complete it by tomorrow," Meena told reporters on Sunday. Kotputli-Behror District Collector Kalpana Agarwal explained on Sunday that the construction of a tunnel to reach the girl has faced increased challenges due to the rocky terrain of the tunnel route. Additionally, the significant temperature difference between the top and bottom of the tunnel is posing difficulties. Also Read | Akash Sagar, Social Media Influencer, Will Be Arrested Soon for Chanting 'Siya Ram Jai Jai Ram' Inside Church in East Khasi Hills, Say Meghalaya Police (Watch Video). "We are building the tunnel...the challenge has increased because the tunnel route is rocky...there is a huge difference in temperature at the top and bottom...all options are being considered and discussed...the best equipment has been made available..," Agarwal said. According to the officials, the operation reached a crucial point on Thursday night (December 26), with the B-plan being implemented, and a casing pipe being lowered into the hole next to the borewell. Authorities including teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration are leading the rescue operation. A NDRF personnel had said that they are making every effort to rescue the girl despite challenging conditions. The girl fell into the borewell while playing in an agricultrue field owned by her father on December 23 in Kiratpura village. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Overall, the announcement of the "The Legend of Zhen Huan" evening party has reignited the passion and love that fans have for the iconic drama. The reunion of Sun Li and the rest of the main creators is a momentous occasion that will undoubtedly make history in the realm of Chinese television. As the evening party approaches, anticipation is high, and excitement is building for what promises to be a memorable and joyful celebration of the enduring legacy of "The Legend of Zhen Huan."
On the other hand, there are those who argue that LeBron James is more than capable of handling heavy minutes and that his experience and conditioning allow him to thrive in high-pressure situations. They believe that limiting his playing time could disrupt his rhythm and impact the team's performance on the court. LeBron himself has been known for his work ethic and dedication to maintaining his physical fitness, which has allowed him to defy age and continue to dominate the game.
After a thrilling double-overtime win over Fresno State, California Baptist makes the nearly 2,500-mile trip to Orlando to face Central Florida on Sunday. The Lancers (5-3) capped their time at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Springs, Calif., with an 86-81 victory over the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That followed a last-second, 79-77 loss to SMU the day before. Dominique Daniels Jr. played 45 minutes against Fresno State and led California Baptist with 29 points. He paces the Lancers with 20.3 points per game, while Kendal Coleman averages 15.1 points and is shooting 59.7 percent form the floor. However, coach Rick Croy's team has struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 30.7 percent entering its first true road game this season. UCF (5-2) is coming off of an 84-76 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday despite being outrebounded 41-31. The Knights were helped by the heroics of senior guard Darius Johnson, who had 28 points as he shot a career-best 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. "Darius was terrific," UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. "He's so comfortable in his leadership role now, he's leading our team and running the show, and our new players are becoming more comfortable playing with him. He's been a rock for us this season, and you love to see it out of a senior point guard." "I had an extraordinary night shooting the ball from three," Johnson said. "I rarely think that would happen again, but it's great. I know my teammates are going to have nights like that as well." Johnson is among the nation's leaders in minutes per game (36.6) and is shooting a team-high 50 percent from 3-point range (23 of 46). He, along with his fellow guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, are each averaging 16.9 points to lead UCF. The Knights opened the season with an impressive win over Texas A&M, now No. 20 in the AP poll, but lost both games at last weekend's Greenbrier Tip-Off, including a triple-overtime defeat against LSU on Sunday. UCF has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2018-19. This will be the first meeting between the Knights and the Lancers, who will each have time off afterwards. UCF won't play until Dec. 8 against Tarleton State, while California Baptist is idle until its Dec. 11 game at San Diego State. --Field Level Media