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Jeff Kromrey, 69, will sit down with his daughter the next time she visits and show her how to access his online accounts if he has an unexpected health crisis. Gayle Williams-Brett, right, is frequently overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for her severely disabled mother, who lives with her in a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn. She says she has often felt alone as a full-time caregiver. Cornell Antoine for The Washington Post Gayle Williams-Brett, 69, plans to tackle a project she’s been putting off for months: organizing all her financial information. Michael Davis, 71, is going to draft a living will and ask a close friend to be his health care surrogate and executor of his estate. These seniors have been inspired to take these and other actions by an innovative course for such “solo agers”: Aging Alone Together, offered by Dorot, a social services agency in New York City. Most of them live alone, without a spouse, a partner or adult children to help them manage as they age. Until a few years ago, few resources were available for this growing slice of the older population. Now, there are several Facebook groups for solo agers, as well as in-person groups springing up across the country, conferences and webinars, a national clearinghouse of resources, and an expanding array of books on the topic. All address these seniors’ need to connect with others, prevent isolation and prepare for a future when they might become less robust, encounter more health issues and need more assistance. EASING ISOLATION “Older adults who cannot rely on family members need to be very intentional about creating support systems and putting other plans in place,” said Ailene Gerhardt, a patient-advocate in Boston who created the Navigating Solo Network three years ago. In a survey published last year, AARP – which broadens the definition of older Americans to people 50 and older – examined those who live alone and don’t have living children. Ten percent of people 50 or older meet this definition, AARP estimates. An additional 11% have at least one living child but are estranged from them. And another 13% have children who they believe can’t or won’t help them manage their finances and health care. Preparing in isolation for the future can be daunting. “If solo agers don’t feel they have people to talk to as they craft their aging plan, they often will skip the whole process,” said Gerhardt, who endorses a group planning model for these seniors. That’s the format Dorot has adopted for its free course Aging Alone Together, which is available nationally online and in person in New York. More than 1,000 people have participated in the program since it was launched in 2021. Dorot is working with partners across the country to expand its reach. The program consists of six 90-minute, online interactive weekly sessions that focus on the seniors’ key concerns: building communities of support, figuring out where to live, completing advance care directives such as living wills, and getting financial and legal affairs in order. One goal is to help participants identify priorities and overcome the fear and hesitation that so many older adults feel when peering into their uncertain futures, said Claire Nissen, a Dorot staffer who runs the program. Another is to offer practical tools, advice and resources that can spur people to action. Yet another is to foster a sense of community that promotes a can-do attitude. As Nissen said repeatedly when I took the course in September and October, “Solo aging doesn’t mean aging alone.” PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE That message resonated deeply with Williams-Brett, who lives with her severely disabled mother, 97, in a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn. Williams-Brett, who is divorced and never had children, expects to be on her own as she grows older. Her mother had a devastating stroke three years ago, and since then, Williams-Brett has been her full-time caregiver. Overwhelmed by everything on her to-do list – declutter the house, make home repairs, straighten out her finances, safeguard her mother’s health – Williams-Brett told me she’d been struggling with shame and fear. Hearing other seniors voice similar concerns during Aging Alone Together sessions, Williams-Brett realized she didn’t judge them as she was judging herself. “I thought, we all have issues we’re dealing with,” she said. “You don’t have anything to feel ashamed of.” Kromrey, who lives alone in Tampa, knows he’s fortunate to be healthy, financially stable and very close with his adult daughter, who will be his health-care and legal decision-maker if he becomes incapacitated. Kromrey, widowed nine years ago, also has three sons – two in South Carolina and one in West Palm Beach, Florida. While participating in Aging Alone Together, Kromrey realized he had assumed he would never have a health crisis such as a stroke or heart attack – a common form of denial. His daughter and her husband planned to travel from North Carolina to join Kromrey over Thanksgiving. During that visit, Kromrey said, he would give her passwords to his computer and online accounts, explain his system for keeping track of bills, and show her where other important files are. “That way, she’ll just be able to take right over if something unexpected occurs,” he said. Davis is an artist who never married, doesn’t have siblings and lives alone in Manhattan. In a phone conversation, he said his most pressing concern is “finding something to do that’s worthwhile” now that arthritis has made it difficult for him to paint. In some ways, Davis is prepared for the future. He has a long-term care insurance policy that will pay for help in the home and a rent-regulated apartment in a building with an elevator. But he recognizes that he’s become too isolated as his artistic activities have waned. “There are days that go by when I don’t say a word to anyone,” Davis acknowledged. “I have my friends, but they have their own lives, with their children and grandchildren. I’m turning to Dorot for more social contact. And Aging Alone Together has helped me focus on the here and now.” RESOURCES For more information about Aging Alone Together, email agingalonetogether@dorotusa.org or visit the program’s website at dorotusa.org/agingalonetogether . A national clearinghouse of resources for solo agers and information about solo-ager groups in the United States is available at the Navigating Solo website . The National Council on Aging has assembled a guide to resources and support for older adults living alone on its website, ncoa.org . Facebook groups for solo agers include Elder Orphans (Aging Alone), Elder Orphans, NYC Solo Agers and Solo Aging Without Personal Representative. Another online community is The Solo Ager/Aging Together. Books about planning for solo aging include “Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers,” “Solo and Smart,” “Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?” and “The Complete Eldercare Planner.” Several videos about planning for solo aging can be found on YouTube. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous Next »The record will show that tight end Trey McBride had a great season, Marvin Harrison Jr. has a promising future, the Cardinals’ defense played over its head for much of the year and Arizona was almost a good football team in 2024. Key word — almost. A frustrating stretch continued on Saturday when the Cardinals (7-9) lost 13-9 to the host Los Angeles Rams . Arizona was pushing for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, but Kyler Murray’s pass took an unlucky bounce off McBride’s helmet and LA’s Ahkello Witherspoon made a spectacular grab for the interception, snagging the ball just before it hit the turf. “I think we can compete with anybody, but again, that doesn’t count,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s about winning and losing, you what I mean? I just got to do a better job, but I know they’re doing the right things.” The Cardinals did a lot of things right against the Rams. Despite being eliminated from the postseason, Arizona competed hard. Murray completed 33 of 48 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown — but also had two interceptions. McBride caught 12 passes for 123 yards, including his first TD catch of the year. Harrison had one of his best games with six catches for 96 yards. RELATED COVERAGE Eagles QB Tanner McKee gets 1st career TD football back with a little help from fans in the stands Jim Harbaugh and Chargers focused on accomplishing more after wrapping up playoff berth Giants topple Colts 45-33 to eliminate Indy from the playoff race “I’m going to choose to be positive about it,” Murray said. “I see a light at the end of that tunnel. I think we’re a couple plays away, a couple of plays away from being a 10-win team or right where we want to be, going to the playoffs or winning the division.” The Cardinals’ defense played well for most of the game, limiting the Rams to 257 yards. But in the end, it was another loss. The Cardinals have dropped five of six after starting 6-4. “I know we’re close, man, and I know it’s hard to see that,” Gannon said. “For me, that’s hard to take on the chin but we’ll get better from it. We’ll get better.” What’s working The Murray-to-Harrison connection was much better on Saturday, producing several big plays. Gannon challenged Harrison to be more physical against opposing defensive backs last week, and the receiver responded, looking much more like the player the Cardinals expected when they selected him with the No. 4 overall pick. “I think the physicality of it, coming from college to the league, guys don’t realize how physical you can be when you get to the league,” Murray said. “He’s going to be big time.” What needs help After doing a great job of taking care of the ball over the first 11 games, Murray has thrown seven interceptions over the past five. A few of those came in late-game situations when he had to take a chance and force a pass, but it’s still not a good trend. Stock up McBride had his third 100-yard game of the season, showing sure hands and fighting through contact for extra yards. The third-year player has 1,081 yards receiving this season, becoming just the second tight end in franchise history to exceed 1,000 yards. The other was Hall of Famer Jackie Smith, who had 1,205 yards in 1967. He has 104 catches and is just the 10th tight end in NFL history to top 100 in a season. Stock down Arizona’s special teams have been very good for most of the year, but Los Angeles’ block of an extra point attempt by Chad Ryland in the third quarter proved costly. If the Cardinals had trailed by three points on the final drive instead of four, they would have had the option of kicking a tying field goal in the final minute. Injuries RB James Conner tried to battle through a knee injury against the Rams, but gained just 4 yards on the ground. His status for the season’s final game is uncertain. LB Joey Blount (ribs) and CB Elijah Jones (ankle) were inactive. Key number 822 — Harrison’s receiving yards on the season. That ranks third for a rookie in franchise history behind Anquan Boldin (1,377 in 2003) and Frank Sanders (883 in 1995). Next steps Arizona’s final game will be at home on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also eliminated from the playoff race. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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There was a moment during the August publicity tour for the movie It Ends With Us when the mood online seemed to dramatically change. For months, fans had noticed something was amiss between the film's main stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who also directed the movie. For one thing, Lively's husband, fellow actor Ryan Reynolds, blocked Baldoni on Instagram — the ultimate snub in 2024. And it soon became apparent that Lively and Baldoni were not posing on red carpets together or doing joint interviews, despite being the movie's leads. But online speculation about a possible feud between the actors suddenly morphed into an internet pile-on, with TikTok, Reddit and X users blaming Lively for the drama surrounding the publicity tour. The 37-year-old was slammed for encouraging movie goers to "grab your friends, wear your florals and head out to see" It Ends With Us — a film about a domestic violence survivor named Lily Bloom. "Wear your florals? WTF? This isn't another Barbie movie type film. So damn tone deaf. This is why we need Justin to do the marketing," one Instagram user posted. "Mean girl vibes, Justin deserves better," said another. Lively was also criticised for spruiking her new hair care line, discussing her red carpet looks, and claiming credit for the final edit of the movie. Baldoni, meanwhile, was lauded online for raising awareness about domestic violence during the movie's publicity campaign. "If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theatre, and make a different choice for herself than the one that was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself," he said. Online, fans said Lively and her team had "bullied" Baldoni, and wrestled away creative control of the movie he directed, many using remarkably similar language in the comments. "Justin Baldoni, the man that you are, you deserve better," wrote one TikTok user. "Justin Baldoni, the man that you are, still such a caring and compassionate person after everything that's happened," said another. "Oh Justin Baldoni, the man that you are," wrote a third, along with a heart and crying emoji. Then old clips began to circulate online , in which social media users claimed Lively was being snippy or hostile to reporters during interviews. "Is Blake Lively set to be CANCELLED? String of 'hard to watch' videos that have surfaced following 'tone deaf' Q&A," the Daily Mail wrote in August. But Lively has now alleged in a legal complaint filed against Baldoni that the wild events of the It Ends With US promo tour were not just the internet taking sides in a Hollywood feud. The actress instead claims her co-star hired a crisis public relations expert to orchestrate a smear campaign against her. "Millions of people (including many reporters and influencers) who saw these planted stories, social media posts, and other online content had no idea they were unwitting consumers of a crisis PR, astroturfing, and digital retaliation campaign created and funded by Mr Baldoni and [his production company] Wayfarer to hurt Ms Lively," she said in her court filing. "That is precisely the goal of an astroturfing campaign — to light the fire and continue to stoke conversations secretly, blurring the line between authentic and manufactured content, and creating viral public take-downs." A lawyer for Baldoni's production company, Wayfarer, has vigorously denied the allegations , saying they are Lively's "desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation". But the furore has raised questions about the role of astroturfing in manipulating public opinion. In a social media ecosystem already rife with misogyny, racism and aggression, experts say it's remarkably easy to shape the narrative around a public figure. Lively is not the only female celebrity to claim to have been the victim of online smear campaigns. Actor Amber Heard says she was the target of the same PR firm hired by Baldoni when she was sued for defamation by her ex-husband Johnny Depp. And the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, who once described herself as "most trolled person" in the world, appears to have also been the centre of a coordinated hate campaign of mysterious origins. 'Astroturf' is all around you Astroturfing is a deceptive tactic to fake a grassroots movement with the aim of influencing public opinion. It predates the internet — and the practice is not just limited to Hollywood. For example, in the 90s, the tobacco industry was facing increased restrictions and higher taxes as governments tried to dissuade people from smoking. To combat this, Philip Morris hired a PR firm that created a group called the National Smokers Alliance, a collection of thousands of apparently disgruntled tobacco users willing to fight for their right to smoke. But the group had quietly paid hundreds of people to recruit members in bars and bowling alleys across the United States, according to UK anti-smoking group, Tobacco Tactics. The rise of social media has only made it easier for political organisations and companies to engage in astroturfing without detection. Russia's attempts to influence the outcome of the US election in 2016 by hiring troll factories to sow discord online was an astroturfing campaign. Even social media influencers who spruik a product to their followers without disclosing the fact that they've been paid by a company to do so are technically engaging in astroturfing. No matter the strategy of an astroturfing campaign, the goal is always the same: to make an illusion feel like reality. At the heart of Lively's dispute with Baldoni is a debate over whether the damage to her reputation this year was his fault or hers. What we know for sure is that Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us in 2023 — an allegation he denied. Then, during the film's publicity campaign, Baldoni feared Lively might leak damaging stories against him, so he engaged the services of crisis management expert Melissa Nathan to safeguard his reputation. Texts and emails obtained by Lively's legal team appear to show Ms Nathan, Baldoni, and his publicist Jennifer Abel, discussing the possibility of using astroturfing techniques. In one exchange between Baldoni and Ms Abel, he sent her a screenshot of a thread on X which claims to outline the bullying behaviour of a female celebrity. "This is what we would need," he allegedly wrote, according to Lively's complaint. The subpoenaed communications make references to "social manipulation" and "proactive fan posting," as well as celebrating that they were "crushing it on Reddit". "Socials are really, really ramping up. In his favour, she must be furious. It's actually sad because it just shows you have people really want to hate on women," Ms Nathan allegedly wrote to Ms Abel. But all of those allegedly involved in the smear campaign deny engaging in astroturfing, instead saying that the backlash against Lively was entirely her fault due to her own missteps. "No negative press was ever facilitated, no social combat plan, although we were prepared for it as it's our job to be ready for any scenario," Ms Abel wrote on Facebook. "But we didn't have to implement anything because the internet was doing the work for us. "Sure we talked about it, contemplated if we needed certain things, flagged accounts that we needed to monitor, worked with a social team to help us stay on top of the narrative so we could act quickly if needed, and yes, we rejoiced and joked in the fact that fans were recognising our client's heart and work without us having to do anything but keep our heads down and focus on positive interviews for our client." Lively is not the first high-profile woman to be smeared The crisis management team that represented Baldoni amid his alleged smear campaign against Lively is linked to several other embattled Hollywood stars. Ms Nathan and her firm, The Agency Group PR (TAG PR), have reportedly represented the rapper Drake, who was this year accused of having sex with underage girls — a claim he denies. The firm also reportedly worked with rapper Travis Scott after a crowd crush at his concert in 2021 resulted in 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries. On its website, the agency says it "redefines the rules of reputation management," with "years of success behind some of the most noteworthy, high-profile crisis and litigation events in recent history". TAG PR was also hired by Depp in 2022 when he sued his ex-wife Heard for defamation after she described herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse". The jury may have found that both Depp and Heard defamed each other. But in the court of public opinion, she was deemed a psychopathic manipulator who sought to destroy her ex-husband by accusing him of domestic violence and sexual assault. After the trial, investigative reporter Alexi Mostrous spent a year looking into the origins of the online hate against Heard. In his podcast , Mostrous presents evidence that much of it was manufactured. An analysis of 1 million anti-Amber tweets found that more than half of them were "inauthentic", much of them spewed out by bot networks in Thailand and Spain. The source of the alleged smear campaign was never clear, but days after Lively filed her complaint against the firm, Heard released a statement of support. "Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying 'A lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on'," Amber Heard said in a statement to NBC News. "I saw this firsthand and up close. It's as horrifying as it is destructive." The PR firm hit back at Heard's statement through Baldoni's lawyer. "TAG PR must be the most powerful group of publicists the world has ever seen for it to be able to completely change the perception of both Amber Heard and Blake Lively," Bryan Freedman said. "The only correlation between both individuals was that for decades every move they have made has been out there for everyone to see, widely filmed and documented for the public to make up their own minds — which they did, organically." The real emotional cost of online smear campaigns Sometimes, an astroturfing campaign's sole intent is not to sell a product, or help a celebrity's cause, but simply to harm its high-profile target. In 2020, the Duchess of Sussex described the level of online trolling she received as "almost unsurvivable". In the same year, she and her husband, Prince Harry, "stepped back" as working members of the British royal family, instead choosing to settle in California. Their reasons for doing so were complex, but the couple told Oprah Winfrey they felt unsupported in the face of so much racist and misogynistic bullying online. In 2021, an investigation by Bot Sentinel, a crowdfunded site that tracks disinformation and targeted harassment online, concluded that most of the online hate faced by Meghan began as astroturfing. "Our research found that a relatively small number of single-purpose anti-Meghan and Harry accounts created and disseminated most of the hateful content on Twitter," Bot Sentinel wrote in their report. "However, the primary accounts had assistance that allowed their content to be repackaged and shared by accounts with a considerable following." An analysis of 114,000 tweets found that 70 per cent of them were driven by the same 83 accounts, which coordinated their campaign with a level of sophistication unlike anything Bot Sentinel had seen before. "There's no motive," Bot Sentinel CEO Christopher Bouzy told BuzzFeed News. "Are these people who hate her? Is it racism? Are they trying to hurt [Harry and Meghan's] credibility? Your guess is as good as ours." For those who believe they are victims of astroturfing, it may come as cold comfort that much of the vitriol they experienced was fuelled by bots or bad-faith actors. In the end, those fake posts still enter the feeds of genuine social media users, and may influence the way they see the world. Heard has given up on acting and moved to Spain, while Meghan said her ordeal had a severe impact on her mental health. In her court filing, Lively said her experiences caused "severe emotional distress" to her family, and cost her business opportunities. "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted," she said. ABCAttendees call Yuewen Music Festival a disaster
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The Asus NUC 14 Pro is one of the most customizable mini PCs I’ve tested yet, with loads of different configuration options to meet a variety of workflows. You can choose between a slim or a tall case and it’s also available in a barebones configuration, along with a standard one where you don’t have to buy your memory and storage separately. Regardless of which route you go, you then have five different Intel-based processor options to pick from. Despite the NUC 14 Pro’s absolutely tiny size (it’s even smaller than the Mac mini M4), Asus has managed to cram this mini PC full of ports, though it is missing one particularly useful one. It’s also one of the few mini PCs with not one, but two Thunderbolt 4 ports and if you go with the tall case, you can get third-party expansion brackets to add even more ports around back. Depending on how you configure the NUC 14 Pro though, things can get expensive quickly. Likewise, its fan can be a bit on the noisy side when the system is under heavy load. My Asus NUC 14 Pro review will help you decide if this is the best mini PC for you or if you’d be better off buying something less customizable but more affordable. Asus NUC 14 Pro: Cheat sheet Asus NUC 14 Pro: Specs Asus NUC 14 Pro: The ups The Asus NUC 14 Pro can easily be tailored for most workflows thanks to the numerous configuration options available with multiple processors to choose from. Despite its small size, it also packs plenty of ports, along with a spare M.2 slot and even a 2.5-inch bay for a hard drive or SSD. There’s also a rear expansion slot to add even more ports if you opt for the tall chassis. Configurations galore Normally with most mini PCs, you have a few processor options to choose from, along with two options for your RAM (16GB or 32GB) and storage (512GB or 1TB). With the Asus NUC 14 Pro, not only can you pick from five different Intel processors (one Core 3, four Core Ultra), you also get to choose between a slim or a tall chassis. Alternatively, you can buy a barebones version of this mini PC in either size and buy your memory and storage separately. If you’re upgrading from an older Intel NUC, you’ll surely appreciate all of these options. However, if this is your first mini PC, you might be a tad intimidated by all the choices it offers. The configuration of the NUC 14 Pro from Asus that I tested has a tall chassis, an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H processor with Intel Arc Graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Even with just 16GB of RAM, I’ve been able to have dozens of Chrome tabs open in multiple windows and quickly edit photos in GIMP. In fact, I used it as my main computer while covering Black Friday and it never missed a beat. As the Asus NUC 14 Pro is more geared toward productivity and designed for business users, the integrated Intel Arc Graphics aren’t really for gaming. Still, in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, it managed to hit 36 fps at 1080p. You might be able to play some older titles on the NUC 14 Pro, but if you want a mini PC from Asus primarily for gaming, the ROG NUC 970 is a much better, though more expensive choice. A tiny multi-monitor workstation Even though the NUC 14 Pro is actually smaller than Apple’s new Mac mini M4 , Asus didn’t skimp out on ports. On the front, you get two USB Type-A ports along with a USB Type-C port. The Mac mini M4 does have one port on the front that you won’t find on the NUC 14 Pro, but more on that later. Around back, there are two USB Type-A ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 2.5G Ethernet port, and a power port for the NUC 14 Pro’s barrel jack power connector. It’s worth noting that you get the exact same port selection regardless of whether you go with the slim or tall chassis. With dual HDMI and dual Thunderbolt ports, you can actually run four of the best monitors off of this tiny little mini PC. That’s one more than on the Mac mini M4, and since you have HDMI as well as Thunderbolt, you won’t need any special adapters or a more expensive monitor with USB-C input to easily power a dual monitor setup . While I normally use an ultrawide monitor as my main display with a portable monitor underneath it , I decided to do something different with the NUC 14 Pro to utilize both HDMI ports. To the right of my ultrawide, I set up the LG DualUp monitor so that I can have a vertical display next to my main one to see full-size webpages and documents without having to scroll. Expandable storage and even ports One of my favorite things about the ROG NUC 970 is that it has two spare M.2 slots. Despite being much smaller, Asus has done something similar with the NUC 14 Pro. However, the tall chassis is the better option if you plan on adding multiple drives. With the NUC 14 Pro’s slim chassis, you only get one extra M.2 slot (2242). However, with the extra space in the tall chassis, you can also add a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD on the bottom along with an extra M.2 SSD. Opening the NUC 14 Pro can be tricky the first time, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fairly easy to do. You just need to be careful with the ribbon cable that connects the 2.5-inch bay to the motherboard. Asus claims the NUC 14 Pro has a tool-free design, but I found I needed to use a coin or better yet, a flat-head screwdriver to get the case open. Another interesting thing about Asus’ NUC line of mini PCs is that there’s a whole third-party ecosystem of accessories for them. For instance, I found a company called GORITE that sells expansion brackets and lid replacements that can be used to add extra USB ports or even antennas to the NUC 14 Pro with a tall chassis. This probably won’t be for everyone, but it could be very useful if you want to configure this mini PC for more specialized workflows after the fact. Asus NUC 14 Pro: The downs The Asus NUC 14 Pro almost has every port you’d need on the front and the back, but it’s missing one port in particular that comes standard on every other mini PC. Likewise, its internal fan can get noisy when the system is under heavy load. No audio jack After trying out the Mac mini M2 and then the Mac mini M4 right after it, I really came to appreciate its front ports. Besides the two USB-C ports at the front, you also get a 3.5mm audio jack for quickly connecting wired headphones. It took me a while to notice as I either use my monitor’s built-in speakers or a pair of the best computer speakers connected via USB, but on the NUC 14 Pro, there’s no 3.5mm audio jack on the back either. While this won’t be a deal breaker for most people, it’s a shame that Asus decided to not add a headphone jack to the NUC 14 Pro. There’s a bit of space next to the USB-C port on the front or above the power port on the back where a 3.5mm audio jack would fit perfectly. This can easily be fixed with a USB-to-3.5mm adapter, but one of the reasons to get a Windows-based mini PC over one from Apple is so that you don’t have to deal with dongles. Noisy under load During the weeks I’ve spent testing the NUC 14 Pro, it’s been very quiet for the most part. However, when I had a lot of programs open at once or a very RAM-hungry Chrome tab, I did hear the fan spin up occasionally. It’s loud enough that it can be distracting, but once again, this isn’t a deal breaker by any means. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative and don’t mind the extra noise, the Acemagic F2A also comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra processor. Unfortunately, its dual fans spin almost constantly, and during testing, they got as loud as 55db. Meanwhile, the NUC 14 Pro’s single fan reached a max noise level of 50db when under load. Asus NUC 14 Pro: Verdict The Asus NUC 14 Pro is a highly customizable little workstation that delivers where it counts. This mini PC is fast, comes equipped with plenty of ports, and you can even add more storage if need be. I really like the fact that it’s available with either a slim or tall chassis and even the larger one isn’t all that big at just 4.61 x 4.41 x 2.13 inches. Depending on how you can configure the NUC 14 Pro, it can cost up to $1,000 or as little as $400 if you go with the barebones option and a less powerful CPU. Still, it’s nice to have options, especially if you want to purchase multiple NUC 14 Pros for a business or an office. The third-party bracket and lid customization options are also nice to have, even if the stock configuration is good enough for most people. If you want a powerful and expandable mini PC from a more well-known brand for work and don’t want to switch to macOS, the NUC 14 Pro is a great choice. However, if this is your first mini PC, all of the options might be a tad overwhelming.
MINISTER of State Niall Collins was made to wait for his fifth election to Dail Eireann as he was hoisted high in the air at 2.09am on Sunday morning. He also hopes his wait is over for a seat at Cabinet in the new Government. The Patrickswell man took the third seat in Limerick County after Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Deputy Richard O’Donoghue. “It's my fifth General Election and I’m delighted to be returned on the fifth occasion. So it was a five-in-a-row for Limerick but we wanted it in something else,” smiled Mr Collins. His supporters sang Olé Olé Olé after lifting an emotional Mr Collins on their shoulders. “I'm really delighted. I wanted to thank all the people who voted for me, all the people who gave me preference votes. Three seaters are tough to win a seat. “It's an emotional rollercoaster. Politics is all about people and community,” said Mr Collins, who got 9,284 number ones. He said he has finished first on three occasions and third on two occasions. “That's the way it goes. You're up and down but I was really delighted this time around. My vote increased in this election by about a thousand votes on what I got in the last election,” said Mr Collins, who added that between himself and running mate Cllr Bridie Collins, Fianna Fail received 10,971 first preferences. As thoughts now turn to the new Government, he is hoping for a ministerial promotion. “I have served four and a half years as a minister of state. I absolutely expect to be considered by Micheal Martin for appointment to the Cabinet if Fianna Fail are part of the next Government.” He was first elected as a councillor 20 years ago this year and has no regrets about the path he has chosen. “Politics is hugely, hugely fulfilling in terms of a job. And I love it because you get to help so many people every day of the week, every week of the year, and right through the term of the Dail you meet so many fantastic people. “A lot of times in politics people focus on the negatives and on the bad incidents but for every hundred good interactions, you might have one bad one. So politics is really brilliant, in my opinion, and I would encourage people who are interested in it to pursue their interest in it because there's too many forces from outside of politics trying to knock politics and politicians and trying to undermine them. “I think it's really important for democracy that we have people interested in standing for election and I want to congratulate all the people who put their names on the ballot paper and to wish them well,” said Mr Collins. READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick North Munster Rotary Club launch their Christmas Remembrance Tree He said he is listening to “a lot of nonsense, particularly from left wing political actors who are trying to dismiss the mandate that my party gets and the mandate of other parties of Government”. “They are alleging that there has been a vote for change or that the people are getting the same again. The people are getting what they voted for and it's the responsibility of serious politicians to step up to the plate and to form a Government. "My party has been serious about playing our part in Government and that's certainly something that we're going to seek to do in the days to come - form a government to take our country forward.” "We've had a very challenging four and a half years, but it's also been very, very progressive because I can point to full employment, positive growth in our economy and our really strong exchequer returns,” said Mr Collins.
Motorsport fans were given quite a scare when Shane Van Gisbergen was involved in a dramatic sprint car crash. This incident happened shortly before his anticipated full-time entrance into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing. The crash shook the spectators at Baypark Speedway in Tauranga, New Zealand, during the second heat race on December 28. Van Gisbergen's car flipped after a collision with another vehicle, the first time he had ever experienced such a crash in his impressive racing career. The crash unfolded as Van Gisbergen, piloting the #97A United Truck Parts Sprintcar, collided with Ayrton Hodgson in the #28M car. It all happened quickly in Turn 1 when Van Gisbergen's car climbed over Hodgson's rear wheel, causing the car to take flight followed by several rolls. Remarkably, Van Gisbergen was unharmed, but the damage to the vehicle was severe enough to prevent him from rejoining the later 20-lap feature race, which proceeded without him and was ultimately won by another racer, James Dahm. Reflecting on the shocking moment, Van Gisbergen shared his thoughts on social media: "Well, that was my first flip ever. Unfortunately got collected by someone and took a bit of a ride. Thanks to the safety crew for doing an amazing job. "The United Truck Parts team are having at rebuilding the car and we should be racing tonight at Baypark again." Despite the crash, Van Gisbergen showed immense positivity, staying on at the speedway to meet with fans, sign autographs, and be present in a sport he so clearly loves. His team worked tirelessly to repair the car, although the extent of the damage meant a return to the track that night was unlikely. Shane Van Gisbergen is far more than just a local favorite from Auckland, New Zealand. With three Supercars titles under his belt and strong victories in the Bathurst 1000, he is a towering presence in the sport. His recent foray into the NASCAR scene made headlines when he clinched the win at the 2023 Grant Park 220 in Chicago, mirroring the achievements of NASCAR legend Johnny Rutherford from 1963. His career in NASCAR is expected to grow as he gears up to drive full-time for Trackhouse Racing in their No. 88 Chevrolet ZL1. The crash also highlights Van Gisbergen's dedication to a diverse range of motorsports, maintaining an active part in local dirt racing events when not competing internationally. The Australian racing community is eager to see how his experience on local tracks translates to a full-scale NASCAR career.My husband and I have opposite organizational styles. I learned the hard way that pressuring him to change wouldn't work. A home remodel forced us to face the clutter, and now, we communicate much better. I consider myself a pseudo-minimalist . I don't buy knickknacks when traveling, fill my home with extra furniture, or stock up on pantry, beauty, or toiletry supplies. I like having dresser drawers that close easily and bookshelves I can pull a novel from without four others toppling onto my head. Now imagine the opposite of my personality in the clutter department, and you have my husband. He's a collector . He's a saver of the socks I would throw out because they're starting to get a small hole, of the hockey gear that goes unused, of extra dinnerware we don't have room for. So what are these two personalities doing living under one roof? Well, we love each other. And people do crazy things for love. The difference between how we dealt with clutter took a toll When we married and moved in together, the problem revealed itself in full. We had very different ways of organizing and even thinking about the items we bring — and keep — in our home. I felt suffocated and panicked at the stacks, bags, and boxes of his things. My attempts to purge items didn't go well. I didn't know how to be kind in my panic, and he didn't want things to change. Living with so much clutter affected my mental health. I felt the pressure of organizing so many things. It seemed impossible to make stuffed spaces look nice. Rooms felt cramped, every storage area overflowed, and our fights over the subject became caustic. I knew it was time for a different approach. He had emotional attachments to things that I didn't understand, but it didn't mean I was right in demanding that they go. Health and wellness consultant Michelle Porter told Business Insider, "Studies show that cluttered spaces elevate cortisol levels, the body's stress hormone. For all household members, this can mean heightened irritability, difficulty focusing, and a reduced ability to relax." In short, our stuff affects our health, and I needed to reduce our load. Biopsychologist Mary Poffenroth explains why organizing shared spaces can be so difficult. "What one partner thinks is necessary organization, the other partner may see as a threat to their emotional safety and well-being." A remodel meant it was time for a new approach During our recent kitchen remodel , I saw that even with the additional space provided by the new cabinetry, it still wasn't enough for all the appliances and dishes he owned. I suggested we only keep what would fit into the new space. To my surprise and delight, he agreed. This made the getting-rid-of-things talks that followed easier because we'd both consented beforehand. Related stories At the end of the remodel, we donated several boxes. I felt empowered. High on the win, we implemented this same tactic in other areas by creating a "one in, one out" rule. If a new shirt comes into the house, he donates one. The same goes for other clothing items. And now, when he wants to buy a new appliance, he considers first if we have a space for it. We now have a new way of talking about clutter For items going unused, it takes a little more patience. I'll bring up the item I'd like to discuss and the fact that it seems we don't really need it. I use the word "seem" specifically so he can correct me if he is using it and I'm wrong. He usually replies with how he's hoping to use the item soon and we agree to a timeline. Then, if it's not used at least an agreed-upon number of times over the next year, we'll sell or donate it. Nowadays, our space is much more comfortable for me than when we first married. Decluttering our space will be an ongoing process as life and needs change, but we've learned how to talk through the "stuff" in a way that works for us both, and that's the real success story.Jon Batiste scores his first No. 1 on Billboard ’s Classical Albums chart, as his new project, Beethoven Blues , debuts atop the list dated Nov. 30. It’s the first in a planned series of solo piano albums, and on this release, Batiste interprets familiar works by composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven Blues also bows at No. 1 on Billboard ’s Classical Crossover Albums chart, another first for Batiste. The Grammy- and Academy Award-winning entertainer also sees Beethoven Blues bow at No. 9 on the Top Album Sales chart, with 13,000 copies sold in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 21, according to Luminate. That marks his biggest sales week ever. (Keep reading for a full recap of the week’s top 10-selling albums.) Batiste has previously notched seven top 10-charting sets on both the Traditional Jazz Albums and overall Jazz Albums charts, including one No. 1, Social Music , in 2014. Beethoven Blues is his first title to chart on any of Billboard ’s classical albums charts. On the all-genre Billboard 200, Beethoven Blues enters at No. 64, landing Batiste’s highest-debut ever, and fifth charting effort in total. The album’s first-week sales were aided by its availability across four vinyl variants (including two signed editions), two CD variants (one signed) and a digital download album. In support of the project, Batiste appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show (Nov. 11) and The Jennifer Hudson Show (Nov. 18), and had a significant profile in The New York Times on Nov. 19. Billboard ’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first week Billboard began tabulating charts with electronically monitored piece count information from SoundScan, now Luminate. Pure album sales were the sole measurement utilized by the Billboard 200 albums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a methodology that blends album sales with track equivalent album units and streaming equivalent album units. The Classical Albums chart ranks the most popular classical albums of the week, ranked by equivalent album units. The Classical Crossover Albums chart ranks the top-selling classical crossover titles of the week. Jazz Albums and Traditional Jazz Albums rank the week’s most popular jazz and traditional jazz albums, respectively, by equivalent album units earned. As for the rest of the latest Top Album Sales chart’s top 10: ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR: Part.2 debuts at No. 1 (179,000; the act’s best sales week ever), Linkin Park’s From Zero debuts at No. 2 (72,000), Jin’s Happy debuts at No. 3 (66,000), ENHYPEN’s chart-topping Romance: Untold jumps 26-4 (51,000; up 1,473% after a deluxe reissue), MF Doom’s MM..Food re-enters at a new high of No. 5 (27,000; up 2,875% after a deluxe reissue), TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s former leader The Star Chapter: SANCTUARY falls 1-6 (17,000; down 82%), Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet fall 4-7 (15,000; though up 24%), Shawn Mendes’ Shawn debuts at No. 8 (nearly 14,000) and Gwen Stefani’s Bouquet debuts at No. 10 (11,000).
President Biden and his family arrived Thursday in St. Croix for what may be the final unpaid vacation of his presidency at the home of wealthy businesspeople — after consistent freebies as commander-in-chief drew ethics questions and an outcry over his failure to report the gifts. Biden, 82, first lady Jill Biden and fist daughter Ashley Biden landed aboard Air Force One on the afternoon following Christmas and motorcaded straight to the beachfront villa of Bill and Connie Neville. The president hosted the couple at his first state dinner in 2022 and typically grants them an audience on the tarmac while leaving the island after the new year. The White House did not confirm that the Bidens were again residing at the Nevilles’ deluxe property, which features an in-ground pool, direct beach access and sweeping views of an offshore island, but the motorcade separated near the north shore home. The property typically lists as a VRBO rental available for roughly $900 per night. Biden stayed at the same house at the end of 2022 and 2023 for post-Christmas trips to celebrate New Year’s Eve — and also stayed there during his vice presidency, a fact that was used on promotional material. Unlike President-elect Donald Trump, who regularly stayed at his own properties during his first term, drawing different ethics issues, Biden as president has sought out unpaid stays with prominent supporters, in many cases generating concern about the homeowners securing access and influence. The Nevilles operate the US Viking software company, which makes an online content platform called ENPS marketed by The Associated Press and used by news outlets. The couple scored coveted tickets to Biden’s first state dinner, featuring French President Emmanuel Macron and a select group of the two countries’ business elite, 26 days before the Bidens’ first presidential trip to the Nevilles’ home. Although the precise sequence of events ahead of the initial trip to the beach house are unclear, the Bidens months later directly asked another homeowner , Maria Allwin, the widow of a prominent hedge fund operator, if they could use without payment her vacation mansion in Kiawah Island, S.C. Biden additionally has enjoyed four Thanksgiving-week stays at billionaire private equity titan David Rubenstein’s Nantucket compound — and in a small token of gratitude spoke this September at a lunch hosted by Rubenstein in Washington. Those four stays are presumed to have been unpaid, though neither party has confirmed it. This August, Biden’s family spent five days for free at the sprawling California ranch of medical technology billionaire Joe Kiani, whose substantial government contracts during the Biden administration and appointment by Biden to an advisory board drew Republican outcry. Last August, the Biden family spent nine days at billionaire climate investor Tom Steyer’s waterfront Lake Tahoe retreat in Nevada. The White House initially claimed the Bidens would pay for the stay, prompting a short-lived local investigation of Steyer’s lack of a rental permit, which was called off without explanation. Critics of the stays say they reek of corruption and that Biden’s consistent failure to report the gifts on annual ethics forms could be criminal, though Biden aides have taken the view that they don’t need to be listed due to the lack of clarity in federal law. Mark Paoletta, the incoming top lawyer for the White House budget office, who served in the same role during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, slammed Biden’s reporting omissions in May. “His habit of taking over donors’ homes for vacations and not paying nor disclosing is consistent with his family’s long history of grift and corruption,” Paoletta told The Post after the release of Biden’s annual disclosure forms again showed the omissions. Republicans have accused the media of a double standard in aggressively reporting on conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas not disclosing trips with billionaire developer Harlan Crow, who had no known business before the court. Intentionally leaving gifts off the forms could amount to Biden violating federal law by making false statements — a crime punishable by up to five years in prison under 18 U.S. Code § 1001, former George W. Bush White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter previously told The Post. “It really hurts the Democrats because they have always been claiming to be the party of the people, and yet, time and time again, you find the president in the United States staying in the house of a billionaire,” said Painter, now a Democrat, after Biden stayed again at Rubenstein’s compound. “The problem is the not disclosing. And it makes us very hard for those of us who are very critical of the Supreme Court justices who are not disclosing this kind of stuff.”
( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In DMC To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in DMC between May 3, 2024 and November 4, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against DMC Global Inc. (“DMC” or the“Company”) (NASDAQ: BOOM) and reminds investors of the February 4, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the goodwill associated with Acadia Products was overstated due to the adverse events and circumstances affecting that reporting segment; (2) DMC Global's materially inadequate internal systems and processes were adversely affecting its operations; (3) the Company's inadequate systems and processes prevented it from ensuring reasonably accurate guidance and that its public disclosures were timely, accurate, and complete; (4) as a result, Defendants misrepresented DMC Global's operations and financial results; and/or (5) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false, misleading, or lacked a reasonable basis when made. On October 21, 2024, DMC announced a revision to its financial guidance for the fiscal quarter concluding on September 30, 2024. The company now anticipates that its adjusted EBITDA will be approximately $5 million, significantly reduced from the previously forecasted range of $15 to $18 million. Additionally, DMC indicated that its third quarter financial results will incorporate charges related to inventory and bad debts amounting to approximately $5 million at DynaEnergetics, coupled with decreased fixed overhead absorption due to lower sales at both Arcadia and DynaEnergetics. Moreover, the company disclosed that its financial results will reflect an approximate $142 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge stemming from DMC's acquisition of a controlling interest in Arcadia in December 2021. After this disclosure, the market value of DMC's stock experienced a decline of $2.36 per share, or 18.3%, closing at $10.57 per share on October 22, 2024. This substantial decrease in stock price resulted in financial detriment to the investors. Further developments occurred on November 4, 2024, when DMC released its financial outcomes for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. Following this announcement, DMC's stock value continued to decline, exhibiting a decrease of over 10% during mid-day trading on November 5, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding DMC's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the DMC Global Inc. class action, go to /BOOM or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN26122024004107003653ID1109033702 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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