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2025-01-25
Wander through the gently curving path between two 28,110-gallon tanks in the Shedd Aquarium’s redesigned rotunda space, and the calming green hues of a freshwater ecosystem greet you on one side, while the electric blues, pinks and oranges of saltwater life form a vibrant palette just opposite. Together, the two habitats make up Wonder of Water, a new exhibit that opens Tuesday and represents the latest phase of an ongoing renovation leading up to the aquarium’s centennial in 2030. Returning visitors may recall the previous iteration of this space: a Caribbean-inspired reef that opened in 1971 and featured tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. Before that, the rotunda housed a rock garden and sunken tropical pool filled with native fish, turtles and frogs. Now, through Wonder of Water, the Shedd aims to provide a place for guests to pause and reflect on Earth’s biodiversity, while piquing their curiosity about the other animal and plant life to be explored at the aquarium. Unlike the former Caribbean exhibit, which used sculpted corals, the new saltwater habitat is home to living corals that the Shedd has acquired and cultivated over the past several years, along with over 1,500 fish. The updated Wonder of Water gallery with freshwater on the right and marine water on the left at the Shedd Aquarium on Dec. 6, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune) “The corals in here act as an absolute ecosystem, so not only are they part of the beauty of this exhibit, (but) an integral part of the life support system as well,” said Keoki Burton, director of animal care and sustainability at the Shedd. Fans of “Finding Nemo” will easily spot the clown fish and anemones, but Burton pointed out that these aren’t the only symbiotic relationships that can be observed in the saltwater habitat. Several shrimp have established “cleaning stations” among the corals and rocks, where they perch and groom fish swimming by. Many of the fish are already displaying nesting and mating behaviors, too. These are examples of “the natural behaviors that we are able to elicit from these animals, because we’re providing them with such a dynamic ecosystem,” Burton said. In the freshwater habitat, more than 5,000 fish live among 50 species of plants, most of which are native to southeast Asia and have been cultivated by the Shedd for the past year and a half. Some of the plants have already grown from tiny leaflets into seven-foot stalks that are beginning to flower, and they are kept healthy and lush with a CO2 injection system and other advanced technologies that optimize the water flow, chemistry, filtration and lighting. Visitors can use periscopes to zoom in on details of both habitats and explore tactile models of the species represented in the exhibit. ADA-accessible seating will also provide a spot to relax and take in the maritime motifs in the rotunda’s ornate architecture. “There are moments when people want to lean in, they want to be more activated, and there are moments when people want to lean back and let the experience wash over them a bit more,” said Sarah Hezel, vice president of design and exhibits. “We tried to strike that balance here, so if you want to just be in this space and have it be a respite, you get that, and if you want to drill in and observe some of those incredible behaviors, that’s there, too.” In addition to the rotunda, several other spaces at the Shedd have been refreshed. The Amazon Rising gallery reopened in October after a renovation that added nearly 30,000 gallons in volume to its habitats — an expansion necessary to accommodate animals that continue to grow, such as an 11-foot anaconda and the arapaima, a South American fish that can reach up to 10 feet in length. Amazon Rising now features signage in English and Spanish — a change that will eventually be made throughout the aquarium — and new interactive activities such as a thermal imaging display that mimics how an anaconda senses its environment. The renovation also allows more sunlight to stream in through skylights, which not only helps visitors observe more details but also encourages natural behaviors from the animals. Tactile models are new in the Amazon Rising exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium on Dec. 6, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune) In November, the Shedd unveiled its redesigned entryway, which offers improved accessibility, streamlined arrival procedures and more options for guests to choose their own route through the aquarium. The star of this upgraded space is a new art installation titled “The Once and Forever Lake Michigan,” designed by artist David Franklin in partnership with Kohler. The hanging sculpture features 1,600 individual fish representing Lake Michigan species, each carved from wood, molded and cast in vitreous china. The result is an elegant school of porcelain fish that shimmers in a blend of natural light and soft blue-green accents. A sculpture by David Franklin representing five different species of Great Lakes fish in the entranceway at the Shedd Aquarium on Dec. 6, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune) People walk in the updated entranceway, featuring a sculpture by David Franklin representing five different species of Great Lakes fish, at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Dec. 6, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune) Future upgrades slated to open in 2026 include expanded learning facilities; a redesign of the historic Great Hall; and reimagined exhibits about ecosystems in lakes, rivers and oceans. In the Changing Oceans gallery, visitors will learn about the impacts of global warming and ocean acidification, see the recreation of a California kelp forest and get a diver’s view of a coral reef in a new walk-through tunnel. Hezel assures anyone who misses the Caribbean reef animals from the old rotunda display that they will be able to see their favorites again in this much bigger space. These renovations represent one part of the Shedd’s centennial strategic plan, which also includes commitments to deepen community partnerships, expand experiential programs and digital engagement, and pursue advancements in animal care and aquatic research. Although the new Wonder of Water exhibit is just one phase of this years-long project, its location in the rotunda has special significance, Hezel said. “When people come in the new entrance, it’s their first animal experience. Because of the orientation of all the other galleries, all roads lead back here, so in many ways, this is the heart of Shedd Aquarium.” Emily McClanathan is a freelance writer. The Wonder of Water exhibit is included with admission to the Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; $35.20-$48.45 for adults, $26.45-$36.45 for children ages 3-11, $14.95-$19.95 for Chicago residents; more information at sheddaquarium.org or 312-939-2438how to play jili games

DETROIT — Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library. The answer: You can keep it — and no fine. Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars.” He borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old “baseball nut” but never returned it. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago holds the book “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars,” which was due Dec. 4, 1974, at the Warren, Mich., library, on Dec. 10. “When you’re moving with a bunch of books, you’re not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go,” said Hildebrandt, who lived in many cities. “But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. ‘What is this?’” Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt told The Associated Press he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago shows the library slip in the overdue book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" on Dec. 10. He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn’t heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven. “Some people never come back to face the music,” she said of patrons with overdue books. “But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system.” So “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars” is back on Hildebrandt’s shelf. In return, he’s now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental , a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt seeded the effort with $457. - Draft: 11th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 457 - Career stats: 214 wins, 3.15 earned run average, 1.08 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 75.0 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,499 - Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 85.3 - Draft: 48th overall pick in 1978 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,001 - Career stats: 431 home runs, .276 batting average, .788 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, Md.) - Wins above replacement: 95.9 - Draft: 19th overall pick in 1983 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 709 - Career stats: 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 139.2 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 1989 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,322 - Career stats: 521 home runs, .301 batting average, .974 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.) - Wins above replacement: 73.8 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Catcher - Games played: 2,158 - Career stats: 389 home runs, .267 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Binger HS (Binger, Okla.) - Wins above replacement: 75.1 - Draft: 333rd overall pick in 1989 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,543 - Career stats: 612 home runs, .276 batting average, .956 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.) - Wins above replacement: 73.1 - Draft: 8th overall pick in 1995 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,247 - Career stats: 369 home runs, .316 batting average, .953 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) - Wins above replacement: 61.8 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2004 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 518 - Career stats: 260 wins, 3.25 earned run average, 1.12 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.) - Wins above replacement: 81.7 - Draft: 428th overall pick in 1988 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,103 - Career stats: 130 home runs, .299 batting average, .794 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 68.4 - Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,707 - Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: El Segundo HS (El Segundo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 88.6 - Draft: 25th overall pick in 2009 - Position: Centerfielder - Games played: 1,518 - Career stats: 378 home runs, .299 batting average, .991 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Millville Senior HS (Millville, N.J.) - Wins above replacement: 86.1 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 425 - Career stats: 210 wins, 2.48 earned run average, 1.00 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Highland Park HS (Dallas, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 79.7 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1973 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,856 - Career stats: 251 home runs, .285 batting average, .772 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: William Howard Taft Charter HS (Woodland Hills, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 77.4 - Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 692 - Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Santiago HS (Garden Grove, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 94.5 - Draft: 295th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 807 - Career stats: 324 wins, 3.19 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Alvin HS (Alvin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 81.3 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1992 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,747 - Career stats: 260 home runs, .310 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.) - Wins above replacement: 71.3 - Draft: 96th overall pick in 1976 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 3,081 - Career stats: 297 home runs, .279 batting average, .820 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 111.1 - Draft: 30th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,404 - Career stats: 548 home runs, .268 batting average, .908 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) - Wins above replacement: 106.9 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,986 - Career stats: 762 home runs, .298 batting average, 1.051 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 162.8 - Draft: 86th overall pick in 1977 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,573 - Career stats: 28 home runs, .262 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 76.9 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1993 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,784 - Career stats: 696 home runs, .295 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Westminster Christian School (Miami, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 117.6 - Draft: 402nd overall pick in 1999 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,080 - Career stats: 703 home runs, .296 batting average, .918 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 101.4 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 1,986 - Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 58.6 - Draft: 4th overall pick in 1986 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 486 - Career stats: 211 wins, 3.28 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.) - Wins above replacement: 67.8 - Draft: 17th overall pick in 1995 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 416 - Career stats: 203 wins, 3.38 earned run average, 1.18 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Arvada West HS (Arvada, Colo.) - Wins above replacement: 64.2 The Major League Baseball draft is unique among professional sports drafts. The 30 organizations pick teenagers and college students who will not join their big league clubs for years—if ever. These athletes will spend that time honing their craft in the minor leagues, where long bus rides and minuscule paychecks are the norm. A few will move quickly up the ranks, seizing playing time opportunities to advance their careers and making their names known to scouts, fans, and other observers around the country. Some of the best will become MLB stars, but there's minimal correlation to draft position. Four of the players on this list were picked after hundreds of other diamond darlings, and only two were #1 overall selections. There's also more than a handful who didn't do much for the teams that drafted them, including superstars such as Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson. Each of these players was traded before they evolved into Hall of Famers. Still, calling the draft a "crapshoot" might be going too far. College players are " slightly more likely " than high schoolers to reach the revered stadiums of the majors, and third-rounders have a better chance than fifth-rounders, for example, though the margins are slim, as Vice reported. Teams not only make picks based on years-in-advance projections but also whether they can sign players, a step that must be completed before those youngsters begin playing professionally. To see how clubs have fared since the inaugural draft in 1965, ATS.io compiled a list of the best draft pick by each franchise using data from Baseball Reference . The players were ranked using career wins above replacement , so not one recent choice was named. The amazing Mike Trout, a 32-year-old selected in 2009, is the youngest player. Unsigned picks were not considered, and players who were traded as picks were credited to their acquiring teams. Data is as of June 5, 2024. - Draft: 31st overall pick in 1984 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 744 - Career stats: 355 wins, 3.16 earned run average, 1.14 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Valley HS (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Wins above replacement: 106.6 - Draft: 76th overall pick in 2007 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,589 - Career stats: 417 home runs, .258 batting average, .874 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 44.3 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 1985 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,976 - Career stats: 284 home runs, .303 batting average, .880 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, Miss.) - Wins above replacement: 56.5 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 618 - Career stats: 303 wins, 3.29 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 101.1 Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Dean Huijsen heads Bournemouth to victory against Tottenham

Seibert misses an extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the Cowboys LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game with 21 seconds left after Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin connected on an 86-yard touchdown, Dallas’ Juanyeh Thomas returned the ensuing onside kick attempt for a touchdown, and the Cowboys pulled out a 34-26 victory Sunday that extended the Commanders’ skid to three games. Seibert was wide left on the point-after attempt following a bad snap. On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown as the Cowboys ended their losing streak at five in improbable fashion. Earlier in the fourth quarter, KaVonte Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD. Sam Darnold leads game-winning drive in OT and Vikings beat Bears 30-27 after blowing late lead CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 90 of his 330 yards in overtime to set up Parker Romo’s game-ending 29-yard field goal, and the Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Chicago Bears 30-27 after giving up 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation. Darnold threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Addison caught eight passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown, and T.J. Hockenson had 114 yards receiving for the Vikings, who remained one game behind Detroit in the rugged NFC North. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears, who lost their fifth straight. Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs win at the buzzer again, topping Panthers 30-27 on Shrader's field goal CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 to reach double-digit wins for the 10th straight season. The Chiefs bounced back from last week’s 30-21 loss at Buffalo and won at the buzzer yet again in a season of narrow escapes. Noah Brown caught two TD passes and DeAndre Hopkins also had a touchdown catch. Bryce Young finished 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, who had their two-game winning streak snapped. No. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streak LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62. The Gamecocks' overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories were snapped. The Gamecocks, who fell to 5-1, lost for the first time since April 2023. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points for South Carolina. The Bruins knocked off a No. 1 team for the first time in school history. The Bruins dominated from start to finish and their defense prevented the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. AP Top 25: Alabama, Mississippi out of top 10 and Miami, SMU are in; Oregon remains unanimous No. 1 Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press college football poll and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks. The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Notre Dame returned for the first time since Week 2 after beating Army for its ninth straight win. No. 6 Georgia moved up two spots, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 8 Miami rose three and No. 9 SMU jumped four places. Indiana dropped from No. 5 to No. 10 following its first loss. Thitikul finishes eagle-birdie to win CME Group Tour Championship and claim record $4M prize NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Down by two shots with two holes to play, Jeeno Thitikul knew exactly what was needed to capture the biggest prize in women’s golf history. And a eagle-birdie finish for the second straight day made it happen. Thitikul claimed the record-setting $4 million first-place check by winning the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday. It was the biggest money prize in women’s golf history. Thitikul shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday and finished the week at 22 under, one shot ahead of Angel Yin (66). Yin had a two-shot lead walking to the 17th tee, only to wind up settling for the $1 million runner-up check. From Maui to the Caribbean, college hoops' Thanksgiving tournaments a beloved part of the sport College basketball is ready for its Thanksgiving Week closeup. The schedule is full of early season tournaments that could create buzzworthy marquee matchups. And many of those come in warm-weather locations. The Maui Invitational in Hawaii turns 40 years old this year. It opens Monday with a field that includes two-time reigning national champion and second ranked UConn. The Battle 4 Atlantis men's tournament in the Bahamas opens Wednesday. It has a field topped by No. 3 Gonzaga. There are also multiple women's events in the Bahamas featuring ranked teams, including the fourth Atlantis women's tournament. Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup title MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Jannik Sinner clinched Italy's second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season at the top of tennis by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2), 6-2 for a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final of the team competition in Malaga, Spain. Matteo Berrettini won Sunday's opening singles match 6-4, 6-2 against Botic van de Zandschulp. The Italians are the first country to win the Davis Cup twice in a row since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013. The No. 1-ranked Sinner stretched his unbeaten streak in singles to 14 matches and 26 sets. Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time. Verstappen still manages to win 4th straight F1 title in one of worst seasons of his Red Bull career LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen won an unbelievable 19 races last season that included an incredible streak of 10 in a row in what would arguably go down as one of the greatest years in Formula 1 history. And yet it is this year’s eight-win season — his lowest victory total since 2020 — that Verstappen considers a career-defining campaign. Those eight wins were enough to win him a fourth consecutive F1 championship on Saturday night with his easy drive at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The championship made Verstappen only the sixth driver in F1 history to win four or more titles. Maverick McNealy birdies the last hole at Sea Island to finally become PGA Tour winner ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy is finally a winner on the PGA Tour, and it took a shot he won't soon forget. McNealy was part of a four-way tie for the lead when he drilled a 6-iron to 5 feet on the final hole at Sea Island for birdie and a 68. That gave him a one-shot victory over Daniel Berger, Nico Echavarria and Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton. Berger and Henrik Norlander moved into the top 125 to keep full PGA Tour cards for next year. Clanton continued to show his promise. It was his second runner-up finish and fourth top 10 this year.

DETROIT — Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library. The answer: You can keep it — and no fine. Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled "Baseball's Zaniest Stars." He borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old "baseball nut" but never returned it. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago holds the book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars," which was due Dec. 4, 1974, at the Warren, Mich., library, on Dec. 10. "When you're moving with a bunch of books, you're not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go," said Hildebrandt, who lived in many cities. "But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. 'What is this?'" Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt told The Associated Press he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago shows the library slip in the overdue book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" on Dec. 10. He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn't heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven. "Some people never come back to face the music," she said of patrons with overdue books. "But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system." So "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" is back on Hildebrandt's shelf. In return, he's now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental , a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt seeded the effort with $457. - Draft: 11th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 457 - Career stats: 214 wins, 3.15 earned run average, 1.08 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 75.0 - Draft: 48th overall pick in 1978 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,001 - Career stats: 431 home runs, .276 batting average, .788 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, Md.) - Wins above replacement: 95.9 - Draft: 19th overall pick in 1983 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 709 - Career stats: 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 139.2 - Draft: 31st overall pick in 1984 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 744 - Career stats: 355 wins, 3.16 earned run average, 1.14 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Valley HS (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Wins above replacement: 106.6 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 1989 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,322 - Career stats: 521 home runs, .301 batting average, .974 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.) - Wins above replacement: 73.8 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Catcher - Games played: 2,158 - Career stats: 389 home runs, .267 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Binger HS (Binger, Okla.) - Wins above replacement: 75.1 - Draft: 333rd overall pick in 1989 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,543 - Career stats: 612 home runs, .276 batting average, .956 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.) - Wins above replacement: 73.1 - Draft: 8th overall pick in 1995 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,247 - Career stats: 369 home runs, .316 batting average, .953 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) - Wins above replacement: 61.8 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2004 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 518 - Career stats: 260 wins, 3.25 earned run average, 1.12 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.) - Wins above replacement: 81.7 - Draft: 428th overall pick in 1988 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,103 - Career stats: 130 home runs, .299 batting average, .794 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 68.4 - Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,707 - Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: El Segundo HS (El Segundo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 88.6 - Draft: 25th overall pick in 2009 - Position: Centerfielder - Games played: 1,518 - Career stats: 378 home runs, .299 batting average, .991 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Millville Senior HS (Millville, N.J.) - Wins above replacement: 86.1 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 425 - Career stats: 210 wins, 2.48 earned run average, 1.00 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Highland Park HS (Dallas, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 79.7 - Draft: 76th overall pick in 2007 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,589 - Career stats: 417 home runs, .258 batting average, .874 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 44.3 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1973 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,856 - Career stats: 251 home runs, .285 batting average, .772 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: William Howard Taft Charter HS (Woodland Hills, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 77.4 - Draft: 295th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 807 - Career stats: 324 wins, 3.19 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Alvin HS (Alvin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 81.3 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1992 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,747 - Career stats: 260 home runs, .310 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.) - Wins above replacement: 71.3 - Draft: 96th overall pick in 1976 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 3,081 - Career stats: 297 home runs, .279 batting average, .820 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 111.1 - Draft: 30th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,404 - Career stats: 548 home runs, .268 batting average, .908 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) - Wins above replacement: 106.9 - Draft: 86th overall pick in 1977 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,573 - Career stats: 28 home runs, .262 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 76.9 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 1985 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,976 - Career stats: 284 home runs, .303 batting average, .880 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, Miss.) - Wins above replacement: 56.5 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1993 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,784 - Career stats: 696 home runs, .295 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Westminster Christian School (Miami, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 117.6 - Draft: 402nd overall pick in 1999 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,080 - Career stats: 703 home runs, .296 batting average, .918 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 101.4 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 1,986 - Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 58.6 - Draft: 4th overall pick in 1986 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 486 - Career stats: 211 wins, 3.28 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.) - Wins above replacement: 67.8 - Draft: 17th overall pick in 1995 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 416 - Career stats: 203 wins, 3.38 earned run average, 1.18 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Arvada West HS (Arvada, Colo.) - Wins above replacement: 64.2 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 618 - Career stats: 303 wins, 3.29 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 101.1 Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. The Major League Baseball draft is unique among professional sports drafts. The 30 organizations pick teenagers and college students who will not join their big league clubs for years—if ever. These athletes will spend that time honing their craft in the minor leagues, where long bus rides and minuscule paychecks are the norm. A few will move quickly up the ranks, seizing playing time opportunities to advance their careers and making their names known to scouts, fans, and other observers around the country. Some of the best will become MLB stars, but there's minimal correlation to draft position. Four of the players on this list were picked after hundreds of other diamond darlings, and only two were #1 overall selections. There's also more than a handful who didn't do much for the teams that drafted them, including superstars such as Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson. Each of these players was traded before they evolved into Hall of Famers. Still, calling the draft a "crapshoot" might be going too far. College players are " slightly more likely " than high schoolers to reach the revered stadiums of the majors, and third-rounders have a better chance than fifth-rounders, for example, though the margins are slim, as Vice reported. Teams not only make picks based on years-in-advance projections but also whether they can sign players, a step that must be completed before those youngsters begin playing professionally. To see how clubs have fared since the inaugural draft in 1965, ATS.io compiled a list of the best draft pick by each franchise using data from Baseball Reference . The players were ranked using career wins above replacement , so not one recent choice was named. The amazing Mike Trout, a 32-year-old selected in 2009, is the youngest player. Unsigned picks were not considered, and players who were traded as picks were credited to their acquiring teams. Data is as of June 5, 2024. - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,499 - Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 85.3 - Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 692 - Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Santiago HS (Garden Grove, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 94.5 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,986 - Career stats: 762 home runs, .298 batting average, 1.051 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 162.8 Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

We will make you proud at the end of the season – Konadu Yiadom assures Hearts of Oak fansCam Carter put LSU ahead for good with a jumper 1:08 into the third overtime and the Tigers came away with a wild 109-102 win over UCF on Sunday in the third-place game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Carter's make sparked a 5-0 spurt for LSU (5-1), which mounted a ferocious second-half rally that began after Darius Johnson drilled a 3-pointer to put the Knights up 52-34 with 12:57 to play in regulation. UCF (4-2) got back within two in the third overtime, but it never found a way to draw even. Vyctorius Miller and Jordan Sears sealed the victory, combining for three buckets down low that gave the Tigers a 106-99 cushion with 17 seconds remaining. Carter was the late-game hero for LSU, scoring the final four points of regulation to forge a 70-70 tie. He also knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:19 left in the first extra session to give the Tigers a 76-75 advantage. Sears gave LSU a four-point edge with a triple of his own with 2:10 to go, but the Tigers failed to stay in front, and UCF's Keyshawn Hall kept the game going by sinking two free throws with six seconds remaining to make it 82-82. Neither team led by more than three in the second overtime, with Hall again coming to the Knights' rescue. He made two layups in the final 52 seconds of the frame to knot things at 93 and send the teams to a third OT. Few could have predicted 15 minutes of extra basketball after UCF put together a 25-3 first-half run that lifted it to a 38-18 advantage with 2:12 left until the break. LSU responded with seven unanswered points, but the Knights still led comfortably, 40-25, at intermission. Sears finished with a game-high-tying 25 points to go along with nine boards, while Jalen Reed recorded a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double for the Tigers. Carter netted 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey chipped in 14. Johnson collected 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists and five steals for UCF. Hall totaled 21 points and 10 boards, and Jordan Ivy-Curry supplied 20 points. LSU outshot UCF 43.2 percent to 40.7 percent and had narrow advantages from behind the arc (12 made shots to 10) and the free-throw line (21-18). --Field Level MediaBuying PC components at a store like Best Buy or Micro Center is easy. You pick what you want and take it to the register. You'll usually have the option to purchase a warranty, or at least to take things back within a return window if they quickly stop working. But buying new parts is expensive, and if you don't strictly need the latest and greatest, it's compelling to seek out used parts. Reusing computer parts is not only cheaper, it can reduce the environmental and labor impacts of PC building too. However, with the secondhand market comes a lack of guarantee about what you're getting. Unscrupulous sellers may misrepresent parts, and even a trustworthy individual may not have the knowledge to correctly identify the parts or their conditions. That doesn't mean you should necessarily avoid buying second hand PC parts, but it does mean you should educate yourself on how to do so safely and confidently. Here are some of the main things to look out for when buying used computer parts, including which ones to avoid entirely. The most important thing to keep in mind when buying used computer parts is to double check you're getting the right one. Nearly identical components can have very subtle but crucial differences, and you should not assume that the seller has correctly labeled a listing. For example, if you're looking for an Intel CPU, your instinct might be to search for a Core i7 model and buy the cheapest one. But Intel has released countless i7 processors over the years, and if you don't research what will work best with your system, you could end up with a processor from over a decade ago and no way to get a refund. Another example, let's say you're looking for a GPU and find one labeled Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 TI Super. It's an incredible price, so you pounce on it, only to realize after installing it that it's actually the comparatively weaker 4070 TI. This could happen even if the seller wasn't intending to scam you, but simply didn't know enough about computers to identify what they were selling. Moreover, it's not enough to see a part's model number written on it. You need to make sure it's physically correct, since it's possible for scammers to swap things out. For example, you could wind up with an older, less powerful GPU dressed up in the housing of a newer, better one. This logic applies to RAM, motherboards, power units, and every other computer part. You should make sure to research these kinds of subtle differences before shopping, and once you've found a part, make sure to examine it before purchasing. As the saying goes: measure twice, cut once. You should always make sure you're getting a component that will last into the future. Using the example of Intel processors from the previous section, you're better off buying a newer Core i3 or Core i5 processor than you are buying a very old Core i7 or i9. Not only would the lower numbered but new processor have more power, it will also last you further into the future. The exception here is if you're upgrading an older system on an older motherboard. In that case, you might require a similarly dated component to ensure compatibility. If you have an older motherboard that predates the current generation of CPUs or GPUs, it likely won't be compatible with newer parts. If you're shopping for a used motherboard, be extremely careful, as motherboards are among the most fragile computer components. They have a ton of complexity, including things like heatsinks, batteries, and capacitors that help connect all the other PC parts. Another consideration related to the age of components is your operating system. Assuming you're running or plan to run Windows, you might not be able to use the latest version on outdated hardware. Microsoft does not supply older versions of Windows and cuts off support for them. At the time of this writing, Windows 11 is the latest version, and it requires a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, among other requirements. You shouldn't buy components that don't meet these specifications, unless you're purposely doing so and have a plan to get an older Windows version or a different OS that works with your parts. So you've made sure to track down secondhand components that are correctly labeled and compatible with your system. The next step is to ensure they actually work. Of course, it's a good idea to make sure the parts function on a basic level, but even a part that technically works might have issues that won't become apparent without consistent use. For example, RAM is usually safe to buy used, but if you wind up with a defective stick, you could conceivably use it for some time before it malfunctions. Computer components are hard to vet for quality because defects or damage can be totally invisible. For example, parts that were overvolted or overclocked will have more wear on them than those that weren't, and that isn't something you can determine easily. Even if the component isn't old but was used heavily by its previous owner in poor conditions — for example, overheating a CPU — it could age more quickly. Physical damage can be hard to spot. For example, if even one of the many tiny pins on the underside of a CPU gets bent, it won't work properly when installed. If the seller has hidden that by bending the pin into place, you may not notice anything amiss without a magnifying glass. Motherboards in particular are high-risk used purchases because their complexity means more points of potential failure. The best advice here is to familiarize yourself with common kinds of damage that can affect the part you're shopping for. You should never purchase a used PC part from someone who won't let you examine it first. If you're shopping online, you should at least request a video of the part proving a lack of damage. One of the more objective things you can determine about a secondhand computer component is how much it should cost. Since sellers are setting their own prices, any given component will sit within a price range. Those who want to unload their inventory quickly will generally price lower, while those looking to maximize value can price higher. There are multiple tools available online to calculate the resale value of a PC or PC parts. PCPricer will let you search for individual components or a build, whereas Howmuch.one will let you search for the suggested price of a complete build. However, don't take these at face value. Use them as a starting point in combination with other resources like eBay. To determine what you should pay for a part that's still being sold in stores or online storefronts, you can start by looking at what it would cost to purchase new, as well as what people are selling it for used or pre-owned. Again, make sure you're looking at the precise part you want and not some other variant of it. You should never pay more for a used part than the market value of a new one, and usually you should be able to get a significant discount relative to market value. Even if the part is unused, the mere fact that it's pre-owned is enough to warrant paying less than retail because you aren't getting the peace of mind that comes with a store's return policy. If you're purchasing a used PC part and have verified that the part, its price, and lack of damage, the next thing to check for is that any cables or other accessories needed to use the component are there. For example, if you buy a GPU, you'll need the power connector cables that originally came with it (the ones that run the GPU to the power supply unit) in order to get it running. Those cables can be very specific depending on the GPU, and if you don't get them with the graphics card itself, you'll have to shop around carefully to find the right ones. That's extra money and time you don't want to spend. There are exceptions for low-powered graphics cards, some of which draw power solely from the PCIe slot. CPUs and RAM come by themselves as single pieces that slot into the motherboard, so no need to worry about accessories in those cases. When it comes to motherboards, you should check for extra cables, as well as parts like heat sinks that can be crucial to making sure your computer performs at its best. Computer cases are especially important in this regard. They tend to have a ton of little parts, including screws, mounting surfaces, and cables, and without even one of these tiny pieces, you might be out of luck when trying to mount a computer in the case. Cases can also include mechanisms to keep dust out, such as a wire mesh panel, without which a computer might build up debris, or case fans without which the PC could overheat. Always research cases, and examine documents such as user manuals where a full list of pieces for the case might be available. While it can be okay — even beneficial for your wallet and the environment —to purchase some PC parts second hand, there are some PC parts you should avoid buying used at all costs. The number one part you should avoid on the used market is a power supply unit (PSU). PSUs get increasingly unstable and worn out as they age due to the fact that they are managing the electricity powering your rig. A faulty PSU can be a safety hazard, taking down your entire system or even starting a fire. Moreover, new power supplies from top ranked brands are relatively cheap compared to other components. Storage drives should also be avoided on the used market. Most of all, avoid used hard drives that have magnetic and mechanical components inside. These have a high rate of failure and relatively short lifespans because every read or write action requires those parts to move. When it comes to new storage mediums like NVMe SSDs, they still have a limited number of read/write cycles before they go kaput, and last up to five years. Because no one wants them in new computers, hard drives are now quite cheap, so buying new isn't going to crush your wallet. And, although SSDs can be pricey, you're better off with a fresh one. Lastly, as noted elsewhere in this article, motherboards are quite finicky. You don't need to avoid them outright on the used market, but you're better off buying new.

By Stephen Beech via SWNS Cleaning surfaces every two hours at airports cuts potentially deadly norovirus infections by 83%, according to a new study. Researchers found that airport restaurants had the highest risk of norovirus transmission . But frequently disinfecting surfaces, mask-wearing and antimicrobial surface coatings at the transport hubs can all help prevent the highly contagious illness - also known as the winter vomiting bug - from spreading, say scientists. Study author Professor Nan Zhang, of the Beijing University of Technology in China, said: "Norovirus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and is responsible for about 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths each year. "The virus is primarily transmitted through surfaces and outbreaks during air travel are especially common, due to the large number of public surfaces in airports." (PLOS Computational Biology via SWNS) To investigate the risk of norovirus infection from surfaces among passengers in different zones of the airport, the research team collected real touch data from 21.3 hours of video, which captured almost 26,000 touches. They developed a model of surface transmission and simulated the risk of infection from norovirus and the effectiveness of various interventions in different airport areas. Zhang said: "The touch data showed that, without any interventions, restaurants at airports had the highest risk of norovirus transmission, with approximately 4.6 out of 51,494 travelers infected. "Disinfecting public surfaces every two hours reduced the risk of norovirus infection per visit to the airport by 83.2%. "In contrast, handwashing every two hours reduced the risk by only 2%, and mask-wearing 50% of the time reduced risk by 48.0%, because masks stop people from touching their face. CDC "Furthermore, using antimicrobial copper or copper-nickel alloy coatings for most public surfaces lowered the infection risk by 15.9% to 99.2%." He says the study, published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology , provides "crucial" insights for developing infection prevention and control strategies specifically tailored for norovirus within airport environments. Zhang noted that the data for the study was collected during the COVID-19 pandemic , so surface-touching behaviors may have been different from normal. But he said that, overall, the simulated results indicated that public surface disinfection, mask-wearing wearing and the use of antimicrobial surfaces are effective ways of controlling the spread of norovirus via surfaces. Zhang added: "Regular surface infection is much more effective than regular handwashing for blocking norovirus transmission via fomite route in airports."Harris disappears from spotlight, vacations in Hawaii after election loss

USA Water Restoration Expands Services in Vancouver, WA, Delivering Top-Tier Water Damage SolutionsHezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeksCHIHUAHUA, Mexico, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GCC, S.A.B. de C.V. GCC the Company", )) , a leading producer of cement and concrete in the United States and Mexico, announces that Fitch Ratings has upgraded the Company's local and foreign currency long-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) and US$500 million senior notes due 2032 to 'BBB' from 'BBB-', both with a stable outlook. The upgrade reflects GCC's strong operating performance, solid organic growth and financial position. Fitch's report highlights five key drivers behind GCC's rating upgrade: Solid operating performance, supported by resilient demand and the Odessa plant expansion. Disciplined financial management, prioritizing a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility. Strategic expansion driven by targeted investments. Strong leadership positions in the United States and Mexico. Vertical integration and an efficient distribution network, mitigating competitive pressures and sustaining cost efficiency. Fitch Ratings also highlights that GCC's rating reflects its solid business position in the cement, concrete and aggregates segments; diversified asset base; as well as a strong free cash flow generation through different economic cycles. This document is submitted in compliance with Article 50 of the Mexican Issuers' Regulation (Circular Única de Emisoras). About GCC GCC is a leading supplier and producer of cement, concrete, aggregates, and construction‐related services in the United States and Mexico, with an annual cement production capacity of 6 million metric tons. Founded in 1941, the Company's shares are listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GCC*. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "project" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, among others, changes in macroeconomic, political, legal, public health crises including COVID-19, governmental or business conditions in the markets where GCC operates; changes in interest rates, inflation rates and currency exchange rates; performance of the construction industry; and pricing, business strategy and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the beliefs, projections, and estimates described herein. GCC assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. For further information, contact: GCC Investor Relations Sahory Ogushi +52 (614) 442 3176 + 1 (303) 739 5943 soguship@gcc.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Jaipur: More than 80% of the work for setting up the Pachpadra refinery has been completed, said T Ravikanth, principal secretary (mines and petroleum), after visiting the refinery on Thursday. HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd (HRRL) CEO Kamalakar Vikhar provided detailed information about the progress of construction work and mechanical work of various units of the refinery. Ravikanth directed officials of HRRL to speed up work on the sulphur recovery unit. The state govt expects the refinery-cum-petrochemical complex to bring substantial investment in petrochemical products like polypropylene, butadiene, LLDPE, HDPE, benzene, and toluene, in addition to petrochemical products like petrol and diesel. ‘Cairn needs to raise oil output': Vedanta Cairn needs to raise crude oil production using latest technology, said T Ravikant, principal secretary, mines and petroleum during a visit to Mangala Processing Terminal in Barmer. He visited various units of Mangala Processing Terminal along with additional director (petroleum) Ajay Sharma and officials of Vedanta Cairn.tnn

Airport surfaces most likely to have a deadly virus lurking on themBluesky has seen its user base soar since the US presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk's X, which they view as increasingly leaning too far to the right given its owner's support of President-elect Donald Trump. Others are wanting an alternative to Meta's Threads and its algorithms. Bluesky's growth trajectory — with a user base that has more than doubled since October — could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. But with growth comes growing pains. It's not just human users who've been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. The skyrocketing user base — now surpassing 25 million — is the biggest test yet for a relatively young platform that has branded itself as a social media alternative free of the problems plaguing its competitors. According to research firm Similarweb, Bluesky added 7.6 million monthly active app users on iOS and Android in November, an increase of 295.4 per cent since October. It also saw 56.2 million desktop and mobile web visits, in the same period, up 189 per cent from October. Besides the US elections, Bluesky also got a boost when X was briefly banned in Brazil. "They got this spike in attention, they've crossed the threshold where it is now worth it for people to flood the platform with spam," said Laura Edelson, an assistant professor of computer science at Northeastern University. "But they don't have the cash flow, they don't have the established team that a larger platform would, so they have to do it all very, very quickly." To manage growth for its tiny staff, Bluesky started as an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February. That period gave the site time to build out moderation tools and other distinctive features to attract new users, such as "starter packs" that provide lists of topically curated feeds. Compared to the bigger players like Meta's platforms or X, Bluesky has a "quite different" value system, said Claire Wardle, a professor at Cornell University. This includes giving users more control over their experience. "The first generation of social media platforms connected the world, but ended up consolidating power in the hands of a few corporations and their leaders," Bluesky said on its blog in March. "Our online experience doesn't have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see. On an open social network like Bluesky, you can shape your experience for yourself." Because of this mindset, Bluesky has achieved a scrappy underdog status that has attracted users who've grown tired of the big players. "People had this idea that it was going to be a different type of social network," Wardle said. "But the truth is, when you get lots of people in a place and there are eyeballs, it means that it's in other people's interests to use bots to create, you know, information that aligns with their perspective." Little data has emerged to help quantify the rise in impersonator accounts, artificial intelligence-fuelled networks and other potentially harmful content on Bluesky. But in recent weeks, users have begun reporting large numbers of apparent AI bots following them, posting plagiarised articles or making seemingly automated divisive comments in replies. Lion Cassens, a Bluesky user and doctoral candidate in the Netherlands, found one such network by accident — a group of German-language accounts with similar bios and AI-generated profile pictures posting in replies to three German newspapers. "I noticed some weird replies under a news post by the German newspaper 'Die Ziet,'" he said in an email to The Associated Press. "I have a lot of trust in the moderation mechanism on Bluesky, especially compared to Twitter since the layoffs and due to Musk's more radical stance on freedom of speech. But AI bots are a big challenge, as they will only improve. I hope social media can keep up with that." Cassens said the bots' messages have been relatively innocuous so far, but he was concerned about how they could be repurposed in the future to mislead. The company didn't respond to multiple requests for comment for this story.

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance has found that the mobile surveillance system was used in pinpointing the location of the victims of the enforced disappearance prior to picking them up secretly. "Interviews with the victims and the members of the Armed Forces confirm that mobile technology was integral to the surveillance process. In interviews, RAB and military officers indicated that 'silent pick-ups'—unobtrusive abductions—were virtually impossible without mobile surveillance to pinpoint the victim's location with precision," said the Commission report, reports BSS. The five-member commission, led by retired justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury, recently presented the report, titled "Unfolding the Truth," to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna. Prior to the establishment of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) as an independent agency, the report said that the mobile surveillance was conducted through its predecessor, the National Monitoring Centre (NMC), which was housed within the DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence) Headquarters. The DGFI provided dedicated surveillance systems, which were also used by other forces, such as RAB and DB, implicating the DGFI in abetting the commission of enforced disappearances by forces other than its own, it said, adding that the NMC hosted dedicated consoles manned by personnel from various agencies, working in rotating shifts. A former DG of DGFI also confirmed to the Commission that his organization provided logistics support related to surveillance to various law enforcement teams whilst NMC was housed at the DGFI Headquarters. This operational structure again highlights significant coordination among security forces and since the establishment of the NTMC, surveillance activities have transitioned to this independent agency, it said. However, preliminary reports suggest that some surveillance capabilities still reside within individual forces. The extent of these capabilities remains an active line of inquiry, particularly because there appears to be no judicial oversight on the surveillance process, the Commission report said. "Despite the lack of judicial oversight, several victims reported signs of surveillance prior to their abductions," it said. For example, the report said that one victim revealed that his captors referenced a private phone conversation about his wife's dental treatment, suggesting that mobile surveillance had been conducted beforehand. Other victims described receiving suspicious phone calls shortly before their abductions, during which no one spoke at the other end of the line, it also said. "These calls were presumably used to pinpoint the victim’s location," it added. In another instance, the report said that eyewitnesses recounted how the security forces entered a room, instructed the occupants to place their phones in a line, and, when a call came to one of the phones, detained the individual who claimed it. "That person was never seen again," it said.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Genasys Inc. (GNSS) on Monday reported a loss of $11.4 million in its fiscal fourth quarter. The San Diego-based company said it had a loss of 26 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of three analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 11 cents per share. The developer of directed sound technologies used by the military and police posted revenue of $6.7 million in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $9 million. For the year, the company reported a loss of $31.7 million, or 72 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $24 million. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on GNSS at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GNSSStars arrive at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance after Queen pulls out

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