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Israel detains the director of one of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals, Palestinians say DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel’s army has detained the director of one of northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals. The announcement on Saturday came after health officials said Israeli troops stormed the hospital on Friday and forced many staff and patients outside and told them to strip in winter weather. Israel’s army didn’t respond to questions about the hospital director. It denied it had entered or set fire to the complex but acknowledged it had ordered people outside. It said it was conducting operations against Hamas in the area. The military repeated claims that Hamas militants operate inside Kamal Adwan Hospital, which officials there have denied. Israeli airstrikes hit a Yemen airport as a jet with hundreds onboard was landing, UN official says UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. humanitarian official in Yemen says Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s main airport as a civilian Airbus 320 with hundreds of passengers on board was landing this week. He says a U.N. delegation led by the head of the World Health Organization was waiting to leave on Thursday as two Israeli airstrikes hit the airport in the capital of Sanaa. Julien Harneis told U.N. reporters on Friday that the most frightening thing about the airstrikes wasn’t the effect on him and about 15 others in the VIP lounge at the international airport. Rather, it was the destruction of the airport control tower as a Yemenia Airways plane was taxiing in after touching down. Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office President-elect Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. Trump's request Friday came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court. Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The brief said Trump opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” Bloodied Ukrainian troops risk losing more hard-won land in Kursk to Russia KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Five months after their shock offensive into Russia, Ukrainian troops are bloodied by daily combat losses and demoralized by the rising risk of defeat in Kursk. Some want to stay in the region at all costs. Others question the value of having gone in at all. Battles are so intense that commanders are unable to evacuate their dead. Lags in communication and poorly timed operations have cost lives and commanders say they have little way to counterattack. The overstretched Ukrainians have lost more then 40% of the territory they won in the lightning incursion that seized much of Kursk in August. US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the United States is expected to announce it will send another $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. It's part of a push by the Biden administration to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Officials say the large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds. The officials say they expect the announcement will be made on Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. Canadian Cabinet ministers meet with Trump's nominee for commerce secretary in bid to avoid tariffs TORONTO (AP) — Two top Canadian Cabinet ministers have met with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary at Mar-a-Lago as Canada tries to avoid sweeping tariffs when Trump takes office. New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, as well as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department. The meeting was a follow up to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month. Trump has threatened to impose sweeping tariffs if Canada does not stem what he calls a flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who instituted economic reforms, cremated in New Delhi NEW DELHI (AP) — Manmohan Singh, the former Indian prime minister widely regarded as the architect of the country’s economic reform program, has been cremated after a state funeral. The veteran leader, who was also credited for a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, died late Thursday at age 92. Singh’s body was taken Saturday to the headquarters of his Congress party in New Delhi, where party leaders and activists paid tributes to him and chanted “Manmohan Singh lives forever.” Later, his body was transported to a crematorium ground for his last rites as soldiers beat drums. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh was prime minister for 10 years until 2014. Winning ticket for $1.22 billion lottery jackpot sold in California, Mega Millions says At least one Mega Millions player has plenty of dough to ring in the New Year after drawing the winning number. After three months without anyone winning the top prize in the lottery, a ticket worth an estimated $1.22 billion was sold in California for the drawing Friday night. The California Lottery said the winning ticket was sold at Circle K (Sunshine Food and Gas) on Rhonda Rd. in Cottonwood. The winning ticket matched the white balls 3, 7, 37, 49, 55 and the gold Mega Ball 6. The identity of the winner or winners was not immediately known. The estimated jackpot was the fifth-highest ever for Mega Millions. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks.Trump says he had a 'productive meeting' with Trudeau after leaders met for surprise dinner in Florida
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said that the Indian Constitution is the guide to the whole world and “we are proud of our Constitution”. Addressing a programme following the inauguration of the Constitution Museum at OP Jindal Global University in Sonipat, he remarked that India is among the leading countries of the world today due to its Constitution. He said the Constitution Museum will inspire future generations. “We will celebrate Constitution Day on 26th November, with programmes being organised in all colleges, universities, and educational institutions. Birla said Prime Minister Narendra Modi started this programme in 2015 to make the people of the country aware of their Constitution. “We should remember our heritage and contribution and be proud of our country’s Constitution and its makers. Our democracy is the strongest in the whole world,” he remarked. Advertisement “Today, people around the world are adopting the values of our Constitution, which is the strength of our democracy. We gave the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to the whole world, and today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving forward with this message,” he said. Remembering the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on the occasion, he said, “Today, we are moving forward with Gandhiji’s ideas, and we are proud that the ideas of the Father of the Nation are being adopted across the world.” The Lok Sabha Speaker said that when the Constitution of the country was drafted, there was a need for equality, and it was within the basic structure of the Constitution that the foundation of equality was laid. He emphasised that the Constitution is not merely a legal framework but a document of social change. “Today, we are happy that we are taking forward the role of ‘Antyodaya’, thanks to our Constitution,” Birla said, thanking the Chancellor of the university and MP Naveen Jindal for building the Constitution Museum. In his address, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “Our Constitution is a matter of pride and glory for us as it gave us the message of freedom, unity, and socialism. We are the Mother of Democracy.” He also congratulated the university for building the Constitution Museum. MP Naveen Jindal said, “Our country is moving forward with democratic values due to its Constitution. With this museum, the university has tried to present all the aspects — from the creation of the Constitution to its implementation and development in the country in front of future generations.” Birla said that a seminar on the Constitution is also being organised at the university campus for four days. Deputy Commissioner Dr Manoj Kumar, DCP East Prabina P, Vice Chancellor of the University C Raj Kumar, and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Advertisement
The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson was carted off the field and taken to a hospital with a neck injury late in the first half of Saturday’s game at No. 24 Missouri. Jackson appeared to injure his neck while trying to tackle Missouri running back Jamal Roberts. Medical personnel tended to Jackson for approximately 10 minutes before he was placed on a backboard and driven to a waiting ambulance. Jackson gave a thumbs-up sign as he was carted off the snow-covered field. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said Jackson had movement in his arms and legs but was experiencing pain in his neck. He said Jackson was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Jackson leads the Razorbacks with 9 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks, and is considered a potential first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft. ___ 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-footballNew Zealand police begin arrests for gang symbol ban as new law takes effect
The Sacramento Kings are close to landing a veteran to help bolster their roster. Per ESPN's Shams Charania , the Kings and free agent forward Jae Crowder are "close to a deal." Crowder, a 13-year veteran, played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .
Washington (6-5) at No. 1 Oregon (11-0) 4:30 p.m. | Autzen Stadium | Eugene, Oregon TV: NBC | Streaming: Peacock | Radio: SportsRadio 93.3-FM KJR Jump to: Live updates » | Comments »Entering 2025, generative AI will shape up to be a very radical change that will shift landscapes in a whole range of industries and lives altogether. This is a brief overview of some of the more important trends in generative AI likely to lead off the year, focusing on impacts and opportunities. Hyper-personalization is the most visible trend of generative AI. Advanced algorithms and new language models allow AI to create very personal experiences based on preferences and behaviours that are typical for individuals. It is especially visible in areas like e-commerce, entertainment, or education - all the things that can involve a user through personalized recommendations and tailored content. For instance, learning platforms use generative AI to come up with learning paths uniquely tailored to the progress and requirements of each learner. A similar example can be seen in streaming services that have been implementing AI to supply content recommendations based on viewers' habits, thus keeping a viewer glued and satisfied longer. Conversational AI will transform customer service and support interfaces because it makes interaction more human-like and effective. Due to advances in NLP , AI virtual assistants and chatbots are also learning how complex it is to question and respond appropriately. The general nature of the customer experience will improve across verticals because of this trend. According to Gartner, by 2028, conversational user interfaces, generative AI, and multilayered technologies will dominate customer service at scale. It will satisfy customers but also will minimize business operation costs. Another trend is multi-modal AI, the ability of an AI to process and integrate information coming from various sources, text, images, and videos. With this capability, the AI can perform more complex tasks and provide richer responses with greater contextual awareness. Multi-modal AI applications include interactive education where AI can present verbal and visual content and advanced customer authentication in finance using facial and voice recognition. By 2025, AI agents will refer to semi-autonomous generative AI systems . In turn, these agents are designed to perform multi-stage work in solitary environments and interact with more than one application for work completion as instructed. The application of AI agents might therefore be seen in the context of sales, as, AI agents automatically follow up on leads that the human agents would then focus their time on more strategic efforts. More capable and autonomous AI agents that can do complex workflows are next in line from the evolution of "copilot" AIs. Generative AI is going to play a double-edged role in cybersecurity-that is, it will assist both attackers and defenders alike. On the defence side, AI speeds up the threat detection period and responds to such threats and makes the task that a cybercriminal is facing an even greater problem because nowadays, cybercriminals can depend on AI to devise more sophisticated forms of attacks thus creating much more sophisticated security solutions driven by AI and require much attention from cybersecurity experts. Generative AI can be considered to play an important role in the research process, accelerating the way to discoveries and inventions. Generative AI models are built to scan massive databases, look for patterns in them, and generate new theories, which, at any speed, quickens the entire scientific research process as a whole. It's highly impactful in drug discovery. This increase is expected to spread around the world, meaning growing ethical and regulatory issues connected to AI. Governments and institutions have great expectations of tough laws for the proper regulation of the application of AI. The concerns include matters on data privacy, issues concerning the bias of an algorithm, and the overall mishandling of AI. The AI landscape around the globe will be diversified as laws relating to AI are dissimilar for different nations and regions will have stringent norms compared to others. Therefore, corporations would need to be wary of navigating through varied regulatory climates and fail the compliance check at their own risk at the expense of the people's trust. Indeed, this is a revolution that comes with generative AI because it allows one to produce novel and innovative designs. In architecture, AI-generated fashion, and product designs can create new designs subject to specific parameters and restrictions to enhance their creativity. This will usher in more efficient and inventive design processes and unique as well as customized products. According to trends in generative AI for 2025, further spreading of these technologies is to be expected in many spheres of everyday life. Hyper-personalization and conversational AI, multi-modal capabilities and AI agents, and generative AI are going to enable tremendous innovation and unlock possibilities. At the same time, rapid innovation increases significant challenges related to cybersecurity as well as ethical aspects. Further development in generative AI, as we enter 2025, will clearly define what may well be supposed about the future of technology and how it goes about ruling society.
Though PopSockets, which come in many colors and designs, may seem like a fashion statement, they are actually quite practical. With a PopSocket on your phone, you can get a better grip with one hand, avoiding phone drops, and use it as a phone stand. Plus, many PopSockets are now compatible with MagSafe, so you can pop it off (pun intended) for wireless charging. The best part: For Black Friday , PopSockets are now up to 50% off on both Amazon and the PopSockets website . On Amazon, the PopSockets Phone Grip with Expanding Kickstand is $15 at 15% off . The MagSafe-compatible version comes in various colors, such as pink, mint lavender and blue. You can also get extra fun colors and shapes like sugar plum , Minnie Mouse and other Disney characters, Harry Potter's birthday cake and a mini Squishmallow plush cat . On the PopSockets website, you can get many of the same designs. You may also want to consider a discounted $28 PopWallet for holding up to three cards. Unique PopWallet designs include rainbow glass , Campari tomatoes and Mickey Mouse . If you're struggling to find stocking stuffers , PopSockets are a great idea. They are small, can have personality depending on the color and are helpful items one may not buy themselves. Why this deal matters This is the best deal we've seen on a wide range of PopSockets on both Amazon and the PopSockets website. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can also get free shipping. On the PopSockets website, if you spend over $40, you can then get free shipping. If you've been wanting a PopSocket or need to find a small, affordable holiday gift , now is the time to take advantage of these discounted prices. Check out our other picks for the only Amazon Black Friday deals worth shopping for this year.There are rolling hills and wild scenery, there’s weaving, tartan and tweed, tales of emigration and sites of bloody battle, with glorious beaches, distilleries, stately homes and spectacular wildlife. Indeed, there seems to be everything a visitor to Scotland might be seeking. Yet when David Hope-Jones stood in front of a group of businesses and guests and announced the ambitious vision to grow the South of Scotland tourism economy by £1bn and create 6,000 jobs within a decade, he heard an audible gasp. “There was some cynicism,” he says, recalling the announcement in March. “It is hugely ambitious. “But I’m a great believer that investment breeds investment and confidence breeds confidence.” Just a few months on and those shocked gasps are being replaced by more optimistic murmurings. Rubers Law sits between Hawick and Jedburgh (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) Recently South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) - the tourism body for the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway – revealed the area had grown its visitor economy by 20% last year alone, increasing it by £150m to £911 million. It recorded 14% more jobs – 15,652 people now work in tourism across the area. In a part of the country which travellers tend to whizz through on their way to somewhere else, visitor numbers soared by 26%, to over five million. If that wasn’t enough to drown out the gasps, along came one of the country’s biggest holiday park operators. Earlier this month Centre Parcs confirmed its first site in Scotland will be just off the A7 near the Borders town of Hawick. The Three Brethren, 16th century cairns near Selkirk (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) The move – still in early planning stages - would bring a £350 million investment, with around 700 lodges and assorted attractions in a newly developed forest setting and potential for 1,200 permanent jobs plus an estimated 800 additional construction jobs. Placed alongside a proposal to create Scotland’s third National Park across a swathe of Galloway landscape – currently the topic of heated debate between those for and against it – the £25 million Destination Tweed project with its plans for 113-mile walking and cycling trail, and the new Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast 250-mile cycling route, and that £1bn dream figure suddenly doesn’t seem so outlandish. There are other reasons for tourism chiefs to feel optimistic: South of Scotland has been dubbed the “Home of the Bike” with its network of trails and mountain biking at Glentress and Innerleithen. St Abbs Head sits on the southeastern coast (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) It hosted key events within the 2023 UCI Championships programme which introduced millions of at-home viewers to the area and provided a direct economic impact worth £8m to the region, and the Mountain Biking Innovation & Technology Summit brought 200 delegates to explore what it has to offer. For visitors who prefer the water, earlier this year saw the launch of the 30 miles Tweed Valley Canoe Trail, there’s talk of a new Galloway national park, established and new walking trails and recent £30million investment in the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel that’s brought an influx of well-heeled visitors. Mountain biking at Glentress (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance/FLS) Such is the buzz that respected travel guide Lonely Planet singled out South of Scotland - an area spanning the cliffs of St Abbs Head in the southeast to the vast Solway Firth - as one its top 30 places in the world to visit in 2023. It echoed what David and others in the area have been striving to point out: that many make the "big mistake" of driving through on their way elsewhere instead of pausing to take in its attractions. Those who did stay, it said, could find "breathing room" even in summer and "peaceful corners". But for others who have watched as once relatively peaceful parts of Scotland became tourist hot spots blighted by camper vans, litter, inconsiderate wild campers and few signs of spending in local shops, there may well be nagging concerns. Read more by Sandra Dick: Unearthed: the dirty business of solving Scotland's worst crimes What makes Scottish Men's Sheds so special? Will the South of Scotland become the nation’s next NC500 style tourist hotspot? Can it cope with soaring tourist numbers? And what will all this extra tourism really mean for the area? “It’s not ‘sell cheap and stack high. The whole plan is not just about ‘let’s get lots of people to come here’,” says David, CEO of the SSDA since 2022. “There are four strands: inspiring more people to come to South of Scotland to experience all we have, investing in quality, supporting businesses and doing it a responsible way. “What we care about is economic impact on communities here and how many jobs can be created.” Key, he adds, is encouraging visitors right across the year. And if they happen to be the particularly lucrative North American tourists, all the better. Schloss Roxburghe Hotel has had a £30m investment (Image: Schloss Roxburghe) International tourists spend three times that of domestic visitors. Currently, South of Scotland’s market share of those big spenders is just 6% compared to the Scottish national average of 23%. To boost its numbers, an area that historically saw its share of battles as it strived to keep invaders out, aims to target diaspora who often wrongly assume their hearts and roots lie in the Highlands. “The North American visitor comes with a sense of belonging and nostalgia; they feel Scottish," he adds. “The vast majority think they came from the Highlands. The truth is most people who emigrated did so from the Lowlands because they had money and were able to pay their fare. “We have stories to tell to that high spending American market of emigration from Scotland to New World. Floors Castle, Kelso (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) “But we have not been telling it right. “We are developing a 10-year ‘game changing’ plan to tell that story and to get North Americans to come to South of Scotland which, to put it bluntly, is where they probably came from,” he adds. Likewise, the twisting tale of tartan and tweed also often considered to be the territory of the Highlands and Islands. “This is the historic centre of textile production, but we are not telling it right,” he adds. “We want to build a tartan and tweed centre in a discarded mill building where we can tell the story of tartan and tweed. “Not something glass boxes, but an immersive emotional experience like Johnnie Walker on Princes Street.” Read more by Sandra Dick: New Lanark spinning mill: 'Once closed, it'll never reopen' How a Scottish family business went hell for leather There is a fine balance to be struck, however, as many living on the NC500 route know only too well. Fodor's Travel 2025 'Go and No Lists' which highlight places to avoid travelling, has included the 516-miles North Coast 500 trail citing over-tourism, over-congested roads and shortfall of campsites and other essential facilities. Further south, opponents of the proposed Galloway National Park have already been vocal in highlighting concerns over attracting a flood of tourists to an area which is already struggling to find enough staff to work in hospitality, with a lack of affordable accommodation and rural roads. “A lot of people are worried about mass tourism,” adds David. “But it’s not about increasing visitor numbers and more to do with ensuring those who do come, spend well. “If we can bring visitors to the places that are struggling it will help everyone.” The Centre Parcs announcement came out of the blue, he adds. It offers opportunities to encourage its visitors, who often stay within its confines and then leave, to ‘bolt on’ extra days to explore the South of Scotland. Galloway Forest Park, Raiders Road (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) Alongside permanent jobs will be construction workers with potential spin-off benefits for accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers and throughout the area’s economy. “In places like Hawick that has third generation unemployment since the mills closed in the 1970s and 1980s, that scale of job creation is same as reopening the textile mills of the Scottish Borders. “It will be transformative,” he adds. For campaigners hoping to see an extension to the Borders Railway which currently runs from Edinburgh to Tweedale, Centre Parcs is another reason to lengthen the line through more Borders towns and on to Carlisle. While there are hopes better job prospects for the next generation of workers, can halt the drift of young people leaving the area in search of work. “That causes the death of the high street and social economic problems,” David adds. The South of Scotland has become known as a destination for mountain biking and road cycling (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) “This allows us to fix that gaping hole that the loss of the mass mill extinction left in the Scottish Borders, but we need to spend the next few years being active to make sure get the right skills, right people and right infrastructure.” Ewan Thomson of Hawick-based luxury cashmere producers Hawico, whose customers include some of the world’s biggest luxury designer brands, sees many positives ahead. “Newcastle and Edinburgh are only an hour away but people don’t know we are here. It’s like this area is a ‘drive through’ to the rest of the country. “The level investment going on just now is fantastic. It puts us on the map. “On the employment side, it will create challenges - it’s difficult enough trying to get people already. “But I see if from other side. It will probably drive more people to the area, people will see they can buy a house in Hawick that is still relatively affordable, the countryside is beautiful.” In Hawick, flood defence work which caused disruption in the town is nearly finished, there’s a buzz around the Centre Parcs announcement and hopes it will inspire new investment in roads, an extended railway and other infrastructure. A Future Hawick group of businesses is brainstorming ideas and pushing for investment. At Hawico, rooted in the 19th century, there’s ambition to engage with visitors, create new experiences to offer insights into the manufacturing process and tell the story of the Borders mills. “We see what the whisky people have done, and it’s fantastic. People also want to experience retail. “We bring people here and they are amazed at what goes into making a sweater. The River Tweed stretches 97 miles across the Border region (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) “They see the machines going back and forward, all the colours. They often have no idea of the processes. “Most people think there was manufacturing in this area back in the day but it disappeared. “Yet we have businesses here making garments for Chanel and Hermes. “It’s now up to Hawick to make it an interesting place for people to want to come.” At the other side of the South of Scotland catchment area, Ed Forrest, Director at Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, welcomes the flood of interest in the area, but with conditions. “Tourism is a real opportunity for us as a UNESCO Biosphere as long as it’s the right kind of tourism,” he says. “That’s sustainable tourism, that will be good for local communities and good for the environment and local economy. “We’re keen on tourism that is lead by local communities. “We’re not seeking mass tourism: that’s not the answer. But I do think we have a large enough area that can take much more of that small bespoke type of visitor looking for a unique experience.” Dark skies over Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries (Image: South of Scotland Destination Alliance) At SSPA, David, meanwhile, insists he knew nothing of the Centre Parc’s plans when he unveiled the ambitious £1bn tourism target. “This is an area too long forgotten, unloved and unheard of, and suddenly we are at the front of the queue with large investment,” he adds. “We have potential here. It’s about creating that ambition, that vision, making that case politically and generating private sector investment.”That's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. “I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. "But as far as rankings, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.” Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC. In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That's when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26 . The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn't been recognized as national champions since 1986. The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn't on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week. “We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said. Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring. “He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America," Allar said. Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions. “He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40,” Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 171⁄2 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks. Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice. “That’s one of the best looks in the country that you’re going to get,” Striggow said. Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season. “He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.” Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he’ll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season. “We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said. The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow. “It’s been good to reflect, but it’s not over yet," Striggow said. "Those short windows of reflection, I cut ’em out and then say, ‘We’ve got some more memories to make.’” 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 .
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After a hectic week gone by, the primary market is set to catch its breath next week, though it won’t be entirely quiet on the IPO front. Unimech Aerospace has already announced its public offer, while the SME segment will see two additional issues opening for subscription. Alongside these three new IPOs, the coming week will also witness the listing of eight companies, whose public offers were launched in the latest week. Here's what's on the IPO table next week. Unimech Aerospace IPO Bengaluru-based space startup Unimech Aerospace has announced that it will launch Rs 500 crore initial public offering (IPO) on December 23. The issue, which is priced at Rs 745-785 apiece, will be available for bidding till December 26. The IPO of Unimech is a combination of fresh equity issue of up to Rs 250 crore and an offer of sale (OFS) of up to Rs 250 crore by promoter and promoter group selling shareholders. Stock Trading Derivative Analytics Made Easy By - Vivek Bajaj, Co Founder- Stockedge and Elearnmarkets View Program Stock Trading Technical Analysis Demystified: A Complete Guide to Trading By - Kunal Patel, Options Trader, Instructor View Program Stock Trading Complete Guide to Stock Market Trading: From Basics to Advanced By - Harneet Singh Kharbanda, Full Time Trader View Program Stock Trading Stock Investing Made Easy: Beginner's Stock Market Investment Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Options Trading Made Easy: Options Trading Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Macroeconomics Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Market 103: Mastering Trends with RMI and Techno-Funda Insights By - Rohit Srivastava, Founder- Indiacharts.com View Program Stock Trading RSI Trading Techniques: Mastering the RSI Indicator By - Dinesh Nagpal, Full Time Trader, Ichimoku & Trading Psychology Expert View Program Stock Trading Renko Chart Patterns Made Easy By - Kaushik Akiwatkar, Derivative Trader and Investor View Program Stock Trading Cryptocurrency Made Easy: Cryptocurrency Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Market 104: Options Trading: Kickstart Your F&O Adventure By - Saketh R, Founder- QuickAlpha, Full Time Options Trader View Program Stock Trading Candlesticks Made Easy: Candlestick Pattern Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Commodity Markets Made Easy: Commodity Trading Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Stock Valuation Made Easy By - Rounak Gouti, Investment commentary writer, Experience in equity research View Program Stock Trading Dow Theory Made Easy By - Vishal Mehta, Independent Systematic Trader View Program Stock Trading A2Z of Stock Market for Beginners: Stock Market Course For Beginners By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Technical Trading Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Under the OFS, Ramakrishna Kamojhala, Rajanikanth Balaraman, Preetham S V and Rasmi Anil Kumar will offload part stakes. Also Read: It's a long shot, but investors can check NACDAC Infrastructure IPO allotment here The proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to fund capital expenditure for expansion through the purchase of machinery and equipment, to meet working capital requirements, for investment in its material subsidiary, for repayment of debt and for general corporate purposes. Unimech is an engineering solutions company, specialising in manufacturing and the supply of critical parts such as aero tooling, ground support equipment, electro-mechanical sub-assemblies and other precision-engineered components for aerospace, defence, energy, and semiconductor industries. Anand Rathi Advisors and Equirus Capital are the book-running lead managers to the issue and KFin Technologies is the registrar. SME segment The SME segment will see two new public offers from Solar91 Cleantech and Anya Polytech, opening on December 24 and December 26, respectively. Solar91 Cleantech, which is promoted by four IIT graduates, has fixed a price band of Rs 185-195 per share for its IPO. Meanwhile, Anya is offering its shares to investors at Rs 14 apiece. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )