What are the cheapest ways to invest in physical gold?The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
Western researchers document the sixth ever asteroid spotted prior to impact
Michigan's defense of national title fell short, aims to cap lost season with win against Ohio StateSubscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . From sexy frescoes emerging from the ashes to hidden cities surfacing due to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans, archaeologists continue to make discoveries that transform our understanding of the past and how best to preserve it for the future. This year especially, archaeologists stood by their work and spoke out about threats to Lebanon’s cultural heritage and a video of Israeli soldiers handling antiquities in Gaza, to name a few instances of researchers refusing to stay complacent in the face of repressive regimes. Just as we have covered everything from ancient dye to the earliest evidence of tea in the past, we present a few of the archaeological stories and ancient finds that came to light in a rather dark year. Oldest Known Church in Armenia Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities In October, Rhea Nayyar reported on a team of German and Armenian archaeological researchers that excavated the remains of “what’s said to be the oldest known Christian church in Armenia” found in the ancient city of Artaxata , dated to the 4th century CE by the project leads. The co-director, Achim Lichtenberger, called it “sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia.” Between this and the newly scanned early Christian silver amulet found in Germany, our understanding of early Christian religion within the late Roman Empire and beyond is still evolving. The Artaxata church was also uncovered in the wake of reports of the Azerbaijani military’s destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). 8,600-Year-Old Bread in Turkey In March, Stephanie Wong and I covered the curious claim that the earliest bread had been discovered at the ancient Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in southern Turkey, which, naturally gave rise to a wealth of bread puns. The remains of unbaked, leavened bread dating to around 6600 BCE were published, but we upset Turkish archaeologists and bakers by questioning the Turkish state’s assertion that the remnants constituted “the world’s oldest bread.” As we wrote, “researchers working in Jordan found that the invention of bread likely predated agriculture by about 4,000 years” in 2018. This was due to the discovery of flatbread (unleavened bread made from wild grains) at the Natufian hunter-gatherer site of Shubayqa in the Black Desert. The Jordanian finds call into question Çatalhöyük’s unfounded first-place bread title. We also learned something about the nature of these discoveries themselves: When government-sponsored press releases note an archaeological finding as “the first” or “the oldest,” there is often a slice of nationalism on the side. Cats for the Win Museums and archaeologists finally learned that cats are where it’s at in 2024 — and we hope this trend extends into 2025. In July, Maya Pontone reported that China’s Shanghai Museum in the People’s Square announced that owners could bring their cats to a series of events organized around a new Egyptian antiquities exhibition. Then, the Cats: Predators to Pets show opened at the Field Museum in Chicago in November. Mental Floss also published an incredible essay on “a feral cat colony numbering in the dozens [that] wreaked havoc on the British Museum following World War II.” This cat-astrophe lives rent-free in the litter box of my mind. The “Lion of Venice” Has Roots in China In another feline story published in September, I discussed a study addressing whether the famed “lion of Venice” actually came from China. The new research, led by scholars from the University of Padua and the International Association of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies, found that the winged leonine artwork’s lead isotopes revealed that a major part of the statue was made of bronze from 8th-century China. The findings point to the global nature of trade during the Middle Ages and the impressive reach of arts from China’s Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). But they also revealed the increasing importance of isotopic analysis within art history and archaeology. Giza Restoration Canceled First, there was the news of an ill-conceived “restoration” project at Giza revealed in a January Facebook video posted by then-Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry. Elaine Velie covered this in early February . Before the month’s end, the outcry halted the project . Black Archaeologists Transform the Ocean I look forward to Lakshmi Rivera Amin ’s Required Reading column every week to keep on top of things, and loved her remark in August that “several Black artists, archaeologists, and divers are transforming the ocean by approaching it as a graveyard, a site of the Middle Passage, and a possible space for healing,” by linking to an amazing story on Black divers in Atmos by Omnia Saed. Repatriating and Protecting Cultural Heritage Archaeology as a field sprouted from violent regimes , which often deployed scholars as agents of colonialism and erasure. This year, small but important steps were taken in pressuring institutions to repatriate cultural heritage, including remains held in museums. In September, Rhea Nayyar reported that the “National Park Service awarded a little over $3 million in grants to 13 Native American tribes and 21 American institutions to facilitate the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural objects currently held in collections and archives across the country.” Maya Pontone also reported on the American Natural History Museum’s repatriation of the remains of 124 Native people in July. These returns are long overdue, as is the fact that the only UNESCO site in Ohio, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks , will reopen on January 1 for the first time in close to a century. In August, UNESCO also added a monastery in central Gaza to its World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger. Psychedelic Cocktail in Ancient Egypt Just this month, Rhea Nayyar covered “traces of psychotropic plant matter, human bodily fluids, honey, wheat, yeast, and licorice” that researchers found in a vessel bearing the likeness of Bes, the deity of childbirth and music. Ancient Egyptians appear to have enjoyed some mind-bending trips. And how could we forget that in February, Elaine Velie reported that archaeologists found evidence of a hallucinogenic poisonous plant in Ancient Rome? The more researchers begin to study the microscopic residue left on things like ceramics, the more we find out that people in the ancient world enjoyed a number of psychoactive drugs . Ancient Maya City in Mexico A number of previously unknown Maya cities were uncovered using airborne LiDAR technology originally undertaken as “part of a forest-monitoring survey measuring carbon emissions,” Maya Pontone reported in October. The research recovered 6,674 “completely unstudied structures in the state of Campeche” in southern Mexico. The advent of new archaeological technology has meant huge leaps in the field, both on the ground and from space . Pompeii Is Still Saucy We covered PBS’s new docuseries Pompeii: The New Dig , which addressed everything from a newfound fullery to the stunning Egyptian blue room. Archaeologists also found an Ancient Roman reed matmaker’s workshop covered over in the eruption of 79 CE. And while it’s no secret that Pompeians loved erotica and ran numerous brothels , the discovery of a satyr copulating with a nymph, as Isa Farfan wrote in October, did cause some pearl-clutching. Some things never change. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook
Alabama flips RB Jace Clarizio from Michigan StateNone
Tyreek Hill sparks retirement rumors after cryptic social media post
Shares of Zoom Communications Inc. .css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} .css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} ZM advanced 1.23% to $83.65 Wednesday, on what proved to be an all-around great trading session for the stock market, with the NASDAQ Composite Index COMP rising 1.30% to 19,735.12 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rising 0.69% to 45,014.04. Zoom Communications Inc. closed $9.15 below its 52-week high ($92.80), which the company reached on November 25th.NoneS&P/TSX composite closes up nearly 150 points on Monday, U.S. stock markets up
AI and medicine: A match or mistake?World's Leading Specialty Battery Franchise Achieves Historic Success with Unprecedented Commercial Sales Throughout 2024 Batteries Plus achieved a 23.7% year-over-year increase in total systemwide commercial sales for October 2024 . Franchise commercial sales grew by 24.4% in October, setting a new all-time monthly record. October's systemwide commercial sales marked nearly 20% growth year-over-year for Batteries Plus. HARTLAND, Wis. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus , the world's leading specialty battery franchise, has marked a historic milestone in October 2024 , setting all-time commercial sales records across its franchise and systemwide channels. Total systemwide commercial sales grew by 23.7% year-over-year, with franchise commercial sales increasing by 24.4%, marking the highest monthly performance in the company's history. The record-breaking success in October was not an isolated achievement, but rather a continuation of a historic 2024. Batteries Plus has experienced more than 20% year-over-year growth in systemwide commercial sales for five of the first 10 months of the year. Year-to-date, total commercial sales have grown by 16.1% through October. "Achieving this record-breaking October is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of our franchisees and the ongoing strength of our commercial growth strategy," said Scott O'Farrell , Chief Commercial Officer of Batteries Plus . "Our commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions for our commercial partners continues to position us as a leader in the industry." This October milestone also capped off a flawless 10-for-10 streak in exceeding commercial sales targets for 2024, driven by Batteries Plus's commitment to exceptional service, in-stock availability, and a diversified approach across consumer and commercial channels. The company has exceeded its sales plan for every month, currently 2.6% ahead of plan through October. Remarkably, the top eight commercial sales months in franchise history have all occurred this year, demonstrating the strength and scalability of the franchise system. "October's success is just the beginning of an exciting period for Batteries Plus," said Joe Malmuth , Chief Development Officer . "We're witnessing substantial growth across all facets of the business. This record-breaking performance is a direct result of our team's tireless efforts to drive meaningful results for our franchise owners and customers alike." Building on this momentum, Batteries Plus is looking ahead to close the year strong, with plans to enhance its market presence, introduce new business partnerships, and continue the expansion of its franchise network that has reached over 800 store locations in operation and development nationwide. In 2024, Batteries Plus was ranked on Franchise Times' Top 400 list at #128 and named to Entrepreneur Magazine 's Franchise 500 ® Hall of Fame, alongside placements on Entrepreneur 's Franchise 500 ® and the Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owners lists. For more information on Batteries Plus, including franchise opportunities and a virtual store tour, visit batteriesplusfranchise.com . ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS: Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI , is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli , a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City . To learn more about one of Forbes ® ' Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https://www.batteriesplusfranchise.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Danny Stewart , Fishman Public Relations, dstewart@fishmanpr.com or 847-945-1300 ext. 266 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/batteries-plus-celebrates-record-breaking-commercial-sales-month-surpassing-major-milestones-in-franchise-and-systemwide-commercial-growth-302315675.html SOURCE Batteries Plus © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs
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Lumber stocks rise as analysts see price hikes
Innofactor Plc Stock Exchange release, on November 25, 2024, at 20:00 Finnish time Innofactor's Board of Directors has appointed Anni Wahlroos as Debuty CEO for Innofactor Group as of November 25, 2025. She will continue as the Chief People Officer of the Innofactor Group and as a member of the Group's Executive Board, reporting to CEO Sami Ensio. Wahlroos has been with Innofactor since 2015 and has been a member of the Group's Executive Board since 2022. "I am grateful and humbled by the trust placed in me. At Innofactor, we have the most amazing professionals and clients in the Nordic countries, and it has been a joy and an honor to do my dream job with them for the past ten years. Innofactor's new strategy, the rapidly changing world, and artificial intelligence bring exciting opportunities for the future as well," says Anni Wahlroos. "I am very pleased with Anni's appointment as our Deputy CEO. Over the past ten years at Innofactor, Anni has demonstrated exceptional expertise and commitment to the company and her work. A skilled and motivated staff is at the core of Innofactor's operations - PeopleFirst. I am confident that Anni will continue to develop Innofactor and help the company achieve its growth targets also in the future," says CEO Sami Ensio. Espoo, November 25, 2024 INNOFACTOR PLC Board of Directors Additional information: Sami Ensio, CEO Innofactor Plc Tel. +358 50 584 2029 [email protected] Distribution: NASDAQ Helsinki Main media www.innofactor.com Innofactor Innofactor is the leading driver of the modern digital organization in the Nordic Countries for its about 1,000 customers in commercial and public sector. Innofactor has the widest solution offering and leading know-how in the Microsoft ecosystem in the Nordics. Innofactor has about 600 enthusiastic and motivated top specialists in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The Innofactor Plc share is listed in the technology section of the main list of NASDAQ Helsinki Oy. www.innofactor.com #ModernDigitalOrganization #PeopleFirst #CreatingSmiles #BeTheRealYou
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