‘The smiling one’ Ruben Amorim says he can be ruthless when he needs to beWoman quitting her job after winning huge lottery prize in Michigan. ‘Huge relief’DALLAS , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bestow , a leading technology company in the life insurance industry, has been named one of the Top 100 Financial Technology Companies of 2024 by The Financial Technology Report . This recognition highlights Bestow's innovative approach to modernizing life insurance and its commitment to delivering seamless, high-impact solutions. The Financial Technology Report annually highlights organizations redefining financial services with innovation, influence, and impact. Bestow's inclusion places it among industry leaders, underscoring its role in transforming how life insurance is provided. "This recognition is a testament to our team's relentless focus on creating a better way to offer life insurance," said Melbourne O'Banion, CEO and Co-Founder, Bestow. "Bestow plays a crucial role in driving rapid innovation within the industry, and I'm proud of our team's commitment to our mission." Bestow's proprietary platform removes traditional barriers in the life insurance process, offering a fully digital experience that eliminates the need for medical exams and lengthy paperwork. Its advanced technology enables businesses to quickly integrate life insurance solutions and products into their platforms, helping carriers increase customer growth and profitability. Since its inception, Bestow has been at the forefront of insurtech innovation, leveraging data science and AI, forging strategic partnerships, and developing scalable solutions that empower businesses and broaden access to life insurance. This leadership has solidified its position in the evolving financial technology sector. Earlier this year, Bestow was recognized as one of the Top 25 Insurtech Companies by The Financial Technology Report for its success in partnering with leading carriers to broaden the reach and impact of life insurance solutions. Additionally, CNBC honored Bestow as one of the world's leading insurtech companies of 2024. For more information about Bestow, visit: Bestow.com About Bestow Bestow is on a mission to increase financial stability for everyone. We partner with top life insurance carriers to deploy cutting-edge technology and data solutions that reduce costs, maximize efficiency, and drive growth by streamlining processes from origination and underwriting through administration. To learn more, visit Bestow.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bestow-named-a-top-100-financial-technology-company-of-2024-302333006.html SOURCE Bestow Inc.
Top 7 must-read transportation stories of 2024 — Interesting EngineeringUD to pay $700K to settle claims it failed to disclose professor's ties to ChinaIndian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering & Telecommunications (IRISET) is building a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) for modern signalling for ‘Kavach’, the indigenously designed automatic train protection system, at a cost of ₹41.11 crore along with a ₹28.46-crore testing facility for the next generational 5G technology in association with IIT-Chennai. The CoE has already begun functioning from the premier training facility of the Indian Railways located in Secunderabad. It has developed Kavach standard training and operating manuals as well as installation practices for the loco pilots, loco inspectors, loco-shed supervisors, signal and telecom engineers and other field personnel in recent times, informed senior officials. The centre, which has been working on the newer version and roll-out of Kavach, has just released an ‘Uniform Braking Algorithm’ incorporating various special features to meet operating conditions across various Original Equipment Manufacturers. Standard installation drawings of Kavach and various kinds of locomotives have been finalised, they explained. The ‘logic’ behind direct loco-to-loco communication on existing railway network designed by the centre has also been accepted by Research Design & Standards Organisation as a standardised arrangement to be used by all stakeholders. With the Railways Ministry expediting Kavach roll-out, the analysis of “incidents in the field” is being carried out from time to time for necessary corrective action. More than eight “critical” issues have been analysed apart from minor routine issues through verbal guidance, said senior officials. Pacts have been signed with three colleges — Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology (Hyderabad), Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology (Gorakhpur) and MBM University (Jodhpur) for introducing ‘open’ electives and certification course on railway signal engineering and ‘Kavach’, for B.Tech students. Earlier, six other colleges had come on board for the course. While the focus is on conducting training courses on Kavach since it has become the flagship programme this year, about 1,014 personnel, including electric loco shed supervisors and mechanical officers alongside the usual trainees, have been trained through 45 programmes. Another 11 special training programmes were conducted for 877 chief loco inspectors in the technology, said IRISET Director-General Sharad Kumar Srivastava during the annual day function. Published - November 26, 2024 12:24 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
In a year-end interview, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi sits down with Erik Bay to discuss important issues in the city in 2024. They discussed a wide range of topics, including the residential property tax increase and how the provincial budget in the spring could help lower the rate and progress being made on the province not paying its fair share of property tax in Edmonton. They also touched on safety in the city, the rate of new home construction and housing affordability, and the municipal election that will happen in the fall of 2025 and Sohi’s intentions. Watch that interview in the player above.
It has been a year of adjusting for North Dakota State Junior Guard Brennan Watkins, who has found a new home in Fargo after two seasons at VMI. "It's different in the stand point that I get to just focus on basketball more. At VMI there was military, a lot of academics and then basketball was kind of an after thought. Obviously there is time for academics but I have more time to be in the gym and get more shots up," said Watkins looking back at his time out east. As the Missouri native navigates his first season with the green and gold, Watkins also has to adjust to some new headgear after a gruesome injury in the game against Weber State earlier this season. "I didn't even know where I got hit. I just knew there was pain radiating around my face. My reaction was to just put my hands to my face. I kind of took my hands away and my hands were just completely filled with blood and I was like oh no that's not good" he said. Watkins suffered a compound fracture breaking his nose in two places. "When I was at the game the team doctor readjusted it partially there and they said it was too swollen to completely adjust it. I think once I go back to the doctor they are going to adjust it a second time too. There is not pain but it is difficult to breathe. I'm not really getting as much airflow through my nose as I am used to" said Watkins describing his challenges with the broken nose. Despite the injury, Watkins hasn't missed a game or a beat becoming the "Masked Man" for the Bison. "It's completely different. I can't really see out of my peripherals. Once I start to sweat the clear mask starts to fog up so that creates another problem. It's truly difficult. I don't think people understand how much of a difference it makes," he said. "Brennan has always been a really talented basketball player. Gifted offensive player and we have challenged him on the little things, the winning plays and he is starting to understand those and execute those things and that's the next step for him," said NDSU Head Coach, Dave Richman. A warrior, Watkins is determined to stay on the floor and make those winning plays for North Dakota State. "Just do anything for my team and help them win that is just kind of the player I am. It doesn't matter if I have a broken nose. If I am able to play I'm going to be out there," said Watkins. The Bison Men's Basketball Team has one more non-conference match up against CSU-Bakersfield on Monday night before conference play begins on January, 2nd.
Can the US win a war with China? Shocking new simulation reveals what could happen if Taiwan is attacked Casualties would quickly hit 10,000 on all sides in simulations of a war in 2026 By JAMES REINL, SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT, FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:00, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 17:00, 23 November 2024 e-mail 17 shares 19 View comments House lawmakers this week weighed the prospects for a 2026 conflict between the US, Japan , and China over Taiwan in a war simulation that warned of devastating costs for all involved. Exercises gamed out by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed how the US and its allies could derail an amphibious Chinese assault - but not without taking heavy losses themselves. Fighting would claim some 10,000 casualties on all sides, CSIS projected. The US would lose 10-20 warships, two aircraft carriers, 200-400 warplanes and some 3,000 troops in just the first three weeks of fighting. But China comes off worse, failing to regain Taiwan and losing most of its amphibious fleet, 52 major warships and 160 warplanes - a military humiliation that would imperil the country's communist leaders. The grim war simulations come at a time of political upheaval, with Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te taking a tougher line on China , which sees Taiwan as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary. China has ramped up its military activities around Taiwan in the past five years, and President Xi Jinping has reportedly asked his generals to prepare to retake the island of 24 million people as soon as 2027. US President Joe Biden has vowed to defend the territory. But the US is not under any treaty obligations to do so, and president-elect Donald Trump has signaled he is less willing to bankroll a war in Asia in pursuit of his 'America First' policy. Against this tense backdrop, the CSIS this week showcased 25 possible simulations of the conflict to the members of the House China Select Committee, which is led by Michigan Republican John Moolenaar. Ready for action: A Taiwanese conscript launches rockets during an exercise at a military base in Tainan, Taiwan The big unknown: Would Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) launch an attack on Taiwan, and would president-elect Donald Trump defend the island? Pictured: a meeting of the two leaders in 2017 Read More EXCLUSIVE Retired arm general's chilling warning over China's chokehold on US military 'We walked through one simulation of what might happen in a worst-case scenario conflict with China and learned ways we can work together, in a bipartisan manner, to ensure that America is prepared,' Moolenaar told Fox News. 'No matter where or when, the US and our allies must have the military means to defeat our adversaries,' he said, adding that America may have to be the world's 'arsenal of democracy once more if called upon.' The Chinese defense industry is operating on a 'wartime footing,' and has ramped up its shipbuilding capacity 230 times greater than America's, reducing the military advantage the US has enjoyed for decades against the rising Asian power, the CSIS warns. Analysts urged lawmakers to be ready to act fast against a Chinese assault on Taiwan - saying the 'Ukraine' strategy of gradually upping support to that country to repel Russian invaders would not work in the South China Sea. Taiwan would have to hold the line against an assault, and the US would need to join the fight immediately, operating through its bases in Japan, says Matthew Cancian, a Naval War College professor and lead author of the project. 'If the US were not to join the fight for two weeks [after an invasion], it would be too late,' says Cancian, a Marine veteran. 'China would already have too strong a footing.' Washington also needs to send more anti-ship missiles to Taiwan to defend itself against an attack, the report says. CSIS said Japan's role in any such conflict was paramount and called for quickly bolstering US-Japan ties, as South Korea would likely not get involved in a war over Taiwan. Cancian said it would be 'very helpful if South Korea stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us.' Analysts also warned that North Korea may use a Taiwan crisis as an opportunity to invade the South, perhaps using the troops currently getting combat experience backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine . Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (center) is taking a tougher line on independence from China than his predecessors A M60A3 tank fires live rounds in Penghu, Taiwan, in a simulation of a response to an attack from China's Coast Guard vessels and militia boats War exercises gamed out by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed how the US and its allies could derail an amphibious Chinese assault Read More Biden refers to U.S. 'alliance' with China before quickly backtracking during final talks Cancian warned that US forces could not defend Taiwan from afar and would have to be deployed on the island to halt any Chinese attack. That's because China's anti-tank and anti-air missiles would threaten US shipments of weapons to the island. 'US forces would have to be directly involved,' said Cancian. 'There is no way to achieve denying a takeover of Taiwan while also keeping US forces safe.' Researchers warned that China is outproducing the US on airplanes, ships, and missiles. Beijing's land attack missiles and anti-ship missiles would be particularly devastating to US and allied forces there. The Pentagon must ramp up production of Harpoon anti-ship missiles, coastal defense cruise missiles and other munitions to defend Taiwan, it is claimed. Washington's current stockpile of some 440 anti-ship missiles would run out in less than seven days in a war with China, researchers warned. They urged Taiwan's admirals to stop ordering large ships that China can easily target and destroy, and focus on smaller vessels and stealthy submarines. The US has long maintained a policy of 'strategic ambiguity' over whether it would step in to defend Taiwan from a Chinese assault . The policy makes Taipei unwilling to provoke a war by formally declaring independence from China, while at the same time deterring Beijing from invading the island, for fear of ending up at war with a superpower. In the war game scenario, Trump, who is set to be president in 2026, comes to the defense of Taiwan. The US is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition. It is not clear what Trump would do under such a scenario - he has in the past suggested Taiwan should pay Washington for giving it defensive aid. The war-gaming took place against the backdrop of mounting tensions between Taiwan, China, and the US. Taiwanese soldiers stand guard during the 'Chen-Chiang' nighttime military exercises, in Penghu, Taiwan Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits a military camp in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in May 2024, soon after taking office A member of the honour guards is seen during a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou in Kinmen, Taiwan Read More Biden to meet Xi Jinping in Peru as White House dodges Trump subject Taiwan's President Lai will visit Taipei's three remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific on a trip starting at the end of the month, his office said on Friday. But the government declined to give details on any transit stops by the president on US soil. Taiwanese presidents usually use visits to allies to make what are officially stop-overs in the US, where they often meet with friendly politicians and give speeches, which anger Beijing. On two occasions in the past two years, China staged military drills around Taiwan after presidential or vice-presidential stopovers in the US. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says it has a right to engage with outer countries and for its leaders to make foreign trips . In August of last year, China held a day of military drills around Taiwan after then-vice president Lai returned from the US, where he officially made only stopovers but gave speeches on his way to and from Paraguay. In April of last year, China also held war games around Taiwan in anger at a US trip by then-president Tsai Ing-wen, who met then-US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles. Japan Taiwan China Share or comment on this article: Can the US win a war with China? Shocking new simulation reveals what could happen if Taiwan is attacked e-mail 17 shares Add comment
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defence that sacked Canadian quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. “In life, all good things come to an end,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. Late in the first half, Indiana punter James Evans fumbled a snap and was buried at his own 7-yardline with the Buckeyes taking over. That turned quickly into a 4-yard TD run by Henderson that gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Early in the second half, Caleb Downs fielded an Evans punt at the Ohio State 21, raced down the right sideline, cut to the middle and outran the coverage for a TD that put the Buckeyes up 21-7. It was the first time a Buckeye returned a punt for a touchdown since 2014. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. “Our guys just played with a chip today, and that’s the way you got to play the game of football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Indiana scored on its first possession of the game and its last, both short runs by Ty Son Lawson, who paced the Hoosiers with 79 rushing yards. Rourke, a 24-year-old from Oakville, Ont., is the brother of BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke. He was 8 for 18 for 68 yards. “We had communication errors, pass (protection), every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened,” Cignetti said. Indiana’s 151 total yards was its lowest of the season. And it was the most points surrendered by the Hoosier’s defence. The takeaway Indiana: Its special season was blemished by the Buckeyes, who beat the Hoosiers for the 30th straight time. Indiana was eyeing its first conference crown since sharing one with two other teams in 1967. That won’t happen now. “Ohio State deserved to win,” Cignetti said. “They had those (third quarter scores), and we just couldn’t respond.” Ohio State: Didn’t waste the opportunities presented by the Hoosiers when they got sloppy. The Buckeyes led 14-7 at the break and took control in the second half. An offensive line patched together because of multiple injuries performed surprisingly well. “We know what was at stake,” Day said. “We don’t win this game, and we have no chance to go to Indianapolis and play in the Big Ten championship. And that’s real. We’ve had that approach for the last few weeks now, more than that.” Poll implications Some voters were obviously unsure of Indiana because it hadn’t played a nationally ranked team before Ohio State. After this one, the Hoosiers will drop. All about Will Howard made history by completing 80% of his passes for the sixth time this season. No other Ohio State quarterback has done that. He completed his first 14 passes in a row and finished with a 85% completion rate. “I think Buckeye nation is now seeing, after 11 games, that this guy is a winner, he’s tough, he cares about his teammates, he’s a leader,” Day said. Up next Indiana hosts Purdue in the regular-season finale next Saturday. Ohio State hosts rival Michigan on Saturday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press
Owen McCown completed 23 of 30 passes for 254 yards and UTSA rolled up 257 yards on the ground in a 44-15 demolition of Coastal Carolina to win the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday in Conway, S.C. Will Henderson III led the rushing attack with 81 yards and a touchdown on five carries. McCown added a 35-yard rushing touchdown while throwing one TD and one interception for the Roadrunners (7-6), who won a bowl game for the second straight year. Chris Carpenter ripped off a 93-yard kick return touchdown for UTSA to seal the deal. Tad Hudson went 17-for-26 passing for 173 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Coastal Carolina (6-7), which was playing in the bowl game hosted on its campus for the first time. Hudson made his first collegiate start after quarterbacks Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim entered the transfer portal. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hudson sailed a pass to a wide-open Bryson Graves for a 50-yard score that finally put the Chanticleers on the board, cutting the margin to 27-7. But on the ensuing kickoff, Carpenter started to his left, veered right and had nothing but daylight for his third career kick return touchdown. With Coastal trailing 37-7, Hudson hit Senika McKie for a 9-yard TD and completed a two-point conversion pass to Brooks Johnson with 4:43 to go. UTSA responded again, as on the next play from scrimmage Henderson broke off a 51-yard sprint to the end zone. In the first minute of the second quarter, UTSA running back Brandon High got help from his linemen on a 9-yard touchdown push. On the Roadrunners' next drive, McCown kept the ball on an option and chugged down the right sideline, scoring just his third rushing touchdown of the season. UTSA ripped off runs of 19 and 16 yards on its following possession, which lasted just 1:04. Using play-action, McCown tossed a 6-yard touchdown to a wide-open Patrick Overmyer for a 21-0 lead. Before halftime, Coastal Carolina marched down to UTSA's 4-yard line, but on a would-be halfback pass on fourth-and-goal, the Roadrunners disrupted the play and kept Braydon Bennett out of the end zone. UTSA's Tate Sandell made field goals from 38 and 27 yards to account for the third-quarter scoring. He kicked a 29-yarder during the fourth. --Field Level Media
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