Building a gaming PC is too expensive, and GPUs really aren't helpingKey premiers dismiss Doug Ford's threat to stop Donald Trump's tariffs by cutting off energy to AmericansDemocrats maintain trifecta, yet Republicans hopeful for 2025Change is the only constant in not just life, but also fashion. This year has brought forth a number of surprising fads, along with new interpretations of old trends. As we approach the year end, here’s a look back at the most notable of them – whether they are good or bad, we’ll let you be the judge of that. 1. BAG CHARMS A post shared by Miu Miu (@miumiu) There’s no doubt about it – accessorising your bag was the biggest trend of the year, going by how viral it went on social media. What used to be a fun thing children did to their school bags officially became a fashion trend embraced by celebrities, influencers and people of all ages. “More is more” seemed to be the popular way to go about bag-decorating, too, although there were no real rules – it’s all about curating an eclectic selection of bag charms that are personal to you. Bag-accessorising is nothing new, of course – but did you know that it was first made fashionable by style icon Jane Birkin? Unlike most other Birkin bag owners, she used her own Birkins as a canvas for expressing her individuality and decorated them with an assortment of personal knick-knacks including stickers, scarves, strings of beads, amulets and even keys. 2. BARREL-LEG JEANS A post shared by Free People (@freepeople) Elle magazine declared barrel-leg jeans the denim shape of 2024 . The barrel-leg cut got get all the attention in fashion circles not just because of its unconventional shape – characterised by a wide curved cut along the outer seam of the legs – but also because it is universally flattering. Alaia kickstarted the trend when creative director Pieter Mulier sent a fantastic rendition down the runway. Since, everyone from Gianni, Toteme, Frame, Free People and even Uniqlo have gotten with it. A decided departure from restrictive skinny jeans, the jodhpur-styled barrel-leg jean is comfortable as it is stylish. Hence, its meteoric rise. 3. LEOPARD PRINT A post shared by Kendall Jenner (@keenjnny) This animal print has never really gone out of style , making brief appearances on fashion runways every now and then. This year, however, it received greater attention – from brands including Christian Dior, Alaia, Versace and Alexander McQueen. And reason for that was because the print was also seen on multiple celebs. Kendall Jenner was among the famous names who fuelled the trend when she was seen in a sparkling sequinned leopard-print number that she wore to an event. 4. SHIELD SUNGLASSES A post shared by SSENSE (@ssense) It was time to go big when it came to eyewear – small and narrow sunnies that were all the rage in the past few years were pushed out of the picture as oversized shield sunglasses took the spotlight this year. The broad, wraparound style of shades was the perfect accessory for the extreme hot summer temperatures across the world, and channelled the sporty vibe that’s fitting for the summer Olympics that took place this year. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Christian Dior contributed to the trend, which was seen on celebs including Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Rihanna. 5. POLO SHIRTS A post shared by Miu Miu (@miumiu) While polo shirts have long been a wardrobe staple for men, they broke into womenswear in a big way for Spring/Summer. Straddling smart-casual and masculine-feminine, the latest takes on the garment are nothing like those in dad’s closet. Besides athleisure, the polo shirt was seen dressed up with a tailored suit and even worn with eveningwear. The celebrity set including Sydney Sweeney, Sabrina Carpenter, Zendaya and even Pamela Anderson couldn't get enough of this new-again shirt. 6. GRANDPACORE Designers are constantly inspired by trends from past decades, so little wonder that the young of today wore clothes influenced by the styles of the generations that came before them. Grandpacore is exactly what its name says – the trend was about emulating grandad’s look, but with items that are modern takes on the pieces that he would wear. Naturally, it’s a trend that men can easily try, although women can also partake in it with feminine versions of the essentials required to create the look. They include cardigans and vests, tweed blazers and pants, knit materials and prints like plaid and checks. And if you can’t find ideal ones in the stores, thrifting is also a good way to go since vintage pieces are sure to fit right in with the look. Harry Styles, Tyler, The Creator and Alexa Chung exemplified grandpacore with their personal style, while Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid were also seen incorporating its influences into their outfits. 7. BUBBLE SKIRTS Rounded and voluminous, the bubble hem makes a girlish statement and exudes a playful mood. The gathered style takes many forms – on long and short skirts, as well as dresses, and in varying levels of “pouffiness”, depending on the design and fabric of the garment. It first surfaced in the 1950s, introduced by designers Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin, and has made a return to modern fashion several times over the years since – most notably in the 19 80s and noughties. Now, it is back once again and has been seen on Blackpink’s Jennie and Rose, Zendaya and Hailey Bieber. 8. NO PANTS A post shared by Miu Miu (@miumiu) Wearing your underwear as outer wear is something we would never do ordinarily – yet that didn’t stop major fashion players like Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Miu Miu from dabbling in the trend. To be accurate, the models weren’t in knickers but hot shorts and bottoms that resemble swimwear. These bottoms are designed to be part of the outfit, sometimes bearing a print or embellishments like sequins, and often also worn with sheer tights or stockings. 9. BARN JACKETS What exactly is a barn jacket? As its name suggests, it’s a utility coat meant to be worn when working in farms and fields – generally work that’s likely to get someone’s clothing dirty. Barn jackets have a boxy silhouette, and are mostly made of durable materials like canvas and twill. What visibly distinguishes it from other types of outerwear, however, is its contrasting collar, which is usually made of corduroy or leather and in a colour that’s darker than the rest of the jacket. Barn jackets appeared on the Prada, Loewe, The Row’s runways in 2023, but only really became an It fashion item this year, inspiring plenty of fast-fashion versions and widespread coverage on social media. 10. SHEER CLOTHING A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial) Translucent garments have long been seen on the runways, but played a more prominent role in 2024 – a trend that’s likely to continue into the earlier part of next year. They were also spotted all over the red carpets, as celebrities like Mun Ka-young, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner and Dua Lipa stepped out in a variety of takes on the sheer trend, putting plenty of skin on display. A post shared by Dolce&Gabbana Beauty (@dolcegabbana_beauty) It’s surprisingly a very versatile and wearable trend – since there are many ways to play with how revealing one would like to go with different fabrics of varying levels of transparency and the design of the garment.
Digital IDs and Financial Services Collaboration Strengthen Proactive Fraud Prevention
Mass. college sports information director ID'd as man killed in head-on crash( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) Thumzup (NASDAQ: TZUP) , a rising leader in social media branding and programmatic marketing, continues to demonstrate robust growth, with its advertiser base surpassing 600, just weeks after exceeding 500. The company attributes this success to its innovative platform, which empowers advertisers to connect with diverse audiences through authentic, user-generated content while offering monetary incentives to app users. Recent integrations with X (formerly Twitter) and a partnership with Tedras Global Solutions to leverage AI further enhance Thumzup's ad targeting and campaign optimization capabilities, solidifying its disruptive position in the digital advertising landscape. Building on this momentum, Thumzup has strategically expanded into South Florida, targeting high-growth areas like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Leveraging its Nasdaq debut to fuel expansion, the company aims to tap into the region's multi-billion-dollar advertising market, vibrant retail activity, and rising consumer demand. By fostering partnerships with local businesses, empowering gig economy workers to promote brands, and investing in data-driven marketing technology, Thumzup plans to drive scalable growth and economic impact. As a member of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Thumzup has already begun forging connections with potential advertisers, reinforcing its commitment to empowering creators and businesses in this dynamic region. To view the full press release, visit About Thumzup® Thumzup Media Corporation is democratizing the multi-billion dollar social media branding and marketing industry. Its flagship product, the Thumzup platform, utilizes a robust programmatic advertiser dashboard coupled with a consumer-facing App to enable individuals to get paid cash for posting about participating advertisers on major social media outlets through the Thumzup App. The easy-to-use dashboard allows advertisers to programmatically customize their campaigns. Cash payments are made to App users/creators through PayPal and other digital payment systems. Thumzup was featured on CBS Los Angeles and in KTLA . NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to TZUP are available in the company's newsroom at About TechMediaWire TechMediaWire (“TMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on pioneering public and private companies driving the future of technology. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, TMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. TMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from TechMediaWire, text“TECH” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TechMediaWire website applicable to all content provided by TMW, wherever published or re-published: /Disclaimer TechMediaWire Los Angeles, CA 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] TechMediaWire is powered by IBN MENAFN26122024000224011066ID1109033812 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.GORDON TOMB: Dig, Baby, Dig: Making Coal Great Again
LOVE Island star Ciaran Davies has appeared to take another swipe at his ex girlfriend Nicole Samuel in the wake of their shock split. Ciaran Davies, who coupled up with Nicole Samuel in this summer 's series of Love Island , has posted a series of pictures from recent events which praised his new found single status. He told Instagram fans: "Just me living my best life in December." The post featured pictures from Christmas as well as him hanging out with Love Island alumni Sammy Roots, heading to the gym and attending a London movie premiere. This isn't the first time Ciaran has made a dig at Nicole or his single status, with the pair locked in what appears to be a public spat since their break up. Previously taking to TikTok Ciaran reposted a cryptic quote, which read: "The truth always comes out in the end, no matter how hard anyone tries to hide it or stop it. More on Love Island "Lies are just a temporary delay to the inevitable." Another TikTok post which didn't get missed by fans included another quote that Ciaran reposted, which read: "When IK [I know] they lying I just gotta see how stupid they think I am first." The first news of the couple's split came with a confirmation that Ciaran and Nicole had parted ways "on amicable terms" four months after leaving the villa. A representative for the pair told us: "Over the last couple of days Nicole and Ciaran have made the mutual decision to part ways. Most read in Celebrity "They have left the relationship on amicable terms, and will remain good friends going forward." Following the split Nicole quickly unfollowed Ciaran and deleted pictures of him from her social media, hinting that things were less than friendly between them after their split. It's also now confirmed that Ciaran is one of the stars taking part in the upcoming series of Celebs Go Dating . An insider said to us : "He's signed a big money , five figure deal to appear on the show next year. "Nicole isn't best pleased - it's the last thing she wants to see him dating on TV - but she knows it's his choice and will be good for his career."The New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. The 33rd Team was founded in 2019 by Tannenbaum as a media and technology company. In their announcement, the Jets said The 33rd Team will help identify and vet GM and coach candidates and coordinate interviews. Douglas was fired last Tuesday , the latest shakeup for a franchise that had Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback but has limped to a 3-8 start and appears likely to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. Phil Savage, a senior football adviser with the Jets since 2019, will serve as the interim general manager for the rest of the season. The firing of Douglas came exactly six weeks after Johnson fired Saleh as coach on Oct. 8 after the Jets were 2-3 to open the season. New York has since gone 1-5 under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was tabbed as the interim coach. The Jets are coming off their bye-week break and will host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The franchise has plenty of questions to answer over the next several months, including decisions on their next general manager and coach — and the future of Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP turns 41 next week, has dealt with leg issues all season and is off to the worst statistical start of his career. Tannenbaum and Spielman will help the Jets find the people to help Johnson and brother Christopher make those key decisions. Story continues below video Johnson took a similar approach in 2015, the last time the Jets hired a general manager and coach in the offseason. Former NFL GMs Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf worked as consultants for the team, which hired Mike Maccagnan as GM and Todd Bowles as coach. Tannenbaum, currently an analyst for ESPN, has first-hand familiarity with Johnson and the franchise. He worked in the Jets' front office for nine years before being promoted to general manager and serving in that role from 2006 to 2012. Tannenbaum helped build the 2009 and 2010 Jets teams that went to the AFC championship game in consecutive seasons under coach Rex Ryan. Ryan, who last coached the Jets in 2014 and also is currently an analyst for ESPN, recently has been lobbying on air for a return to New York's sideline. Tannenbaum also was Miami’s executive vice president of football operations from 2015 to 2018. Spielman served as the Vikings’ general manager from 2012 to 2021 after working as the team’s vice president of player personnel for six years. He was also the Dolphins’ GM in 2004 and served as an adviser last year for the Washington Commanders in their GM and coaching searches. This story has been corrected to show that Spielman was formerly GM of the Minnesota Vikings instead of the Detroit Lions. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and the Colorado Energy Office today announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors across the state. In total, 33 DC fast charging sites offering more than 80 charging ports are now available to EV drivers along highways across Colorado. The initiative was made possible by $10 million in state funding and more than $2 million in contributions from private and local government partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ ChargePoint and the Colorado Energy Office announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors, doubling the coverage of corridor DC fast charging across the state. (Photo: Business Wire) “This project is a testament to the leadership we're seeing across the country at a state level to accelerate the build out of a robust charging network for all EV drivers,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint. “Public-private partnerships such as our relationship with the Colorado Energy Office continue to play a critical role in building out charging infrastructure. Together, we are ensuring drivers across the state are able to charge quickly at convenient locations.” According to the Colorado Energy Office, the project has doubled the coverage of corridor DC fast charging in Colorado. Before the start of this project in 2019, 40% of highway corridors were within 30 miles of a fast charger. Upon completion, up to nearly 80% are within 30 miles of a fast charger. Investments through programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will continue being made, complementing the state’s efforts to deploy more charging infrastructure. Additionally, the Colorado Energy Office recently reported that Colorado is first in the nation for market share of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, so the infrastructure is anticipated to be utilized heavily from day one. “Colorado is leading the nation in EV sales and making EV travel more affordable and convenient for everyone. Colorado's growing network of charging stations allows EV owners to travel with confidence knowing that there will be a place to get a quick charge at the store, going to and from work, or traveling across the state,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “Our partnership with ChargePoint to install 33 fast chargers across the state was essential to help establish a foundation for Colorado’s public EV fast-charging network,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “With convenient access to charging along our major transportation routes Coloradans can now drive across the state in an electric vehicle, from the north to the south and the east to the west. We’re grateful for ChargePoint’s efforts to make this happen.” These charging sites enable fast, reliable charging strategically located along the state’s major highways, including Highway 40, I-70, Highway 50, Highway 550 and other key travel corridors. Locations range from convenience stores to local visitor centers to meet the needs and entertainment of drivers who are charging. Drivers can find the location of charging sites on the ChargePoint mobile app or website. A list of all new sites powered by ChargePoint Express Plus in Colorado can be found online at the Energy Office’s website: https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/transportation/grants-incentives/ev-fast-charging-corridors . ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds-of-thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom , the ChargePoint Investor Relations site , or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations . CHPT-IR View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ CONTACT: ChargePoint John Paolo Canton Vice President, Communications JP.Canton@chargepoint.comAJ Gosselin Director, Corporate Communications AJ.Gosselin@chargepoint.com media@chargepoint.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES AUTOMOTIVE URBAN PLANNING CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY STATE/LOCAL UTILITIES GREEN TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES/FUELS PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT ENERGY SOURCE: ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 04:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/enUnion Pacific Corp. stock rises Thursday, outperforms market
Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own New York City thrives on precision and punctuality—here, time is not just money; it is everything. As one of the busiest and most fast-paced cities in the world, NYC residents expect services to be delivered promptly and efficiently, especially during life transitions like moving. The fact that Perfect Moving and Storage has built a stellar reputation in an industry often associated with stress, delays, and uncertainty is nothing short of remarkable. Perfect Moving and Storage has risen to prominence by offering a simple yet powerful promise: to deliver on time, every time. The company’s commitment to this ideal has earned it top ratings across platforms, from Google to Yelp, making it a leader in the moving and storage industry in New York City. Perfect Moving and Storage specializes in a range of services tailored to the diverse needs of New Yorkers. The company offers residential and commercial moving services, long-distance relocations, and innovative storage solutions, including eco-friendly crate rentals. One way Perfect Moving distinguished itself from competitors in a crowded market is through its eco-friendly approach, offering sustainable and reusable crates. With over 10,000 customers served annually, Perfect Moving has become a household name and a company that embodies reliability and excellence. In a city where delays can lead to financial losses and inconvenience, Perfect Moving and Storage provides a “perfect” moving experience. Their commitment to care, professionalism, and timeliness has become synonymous with the brand. Whether moving across Manhattan or to a neighboring state, the team ensures every step is handled with precision. To fully understand the importance of Perfect Moving and Storage’s on-time service, one must recognize the challenges of moving in New York City. With narrow streets and strict building regulations, delays—even by minutes—can result in lost access to elevators, traffic fines, or extra charges. New Yorkers expect efficiency and professionalism in all areas of life, including moving. The company understands this reality all too well. “New Yorkers expect things to happen fast and on schedule,” says the company’s sales manager Peter Lagator. “Being late is not an option for us. We have built our business on the promise that we will be there when we say we will, and our customers trust us because we deliver on that promise.” But beyond convenience, Perfect Moving and Storage’s commitment to timeliness reflects a deeper understanding of the emotional toll that moving can take. For many, moving marks a significant life event, and by delivering on time, the company helps alleviate the stress that often accompanies it. Perfect Moving and Storage’s leadership takes a hands-on approach, engaging in all aspects of the business, from operations to customer service. Their philosophy is straightforward: prioritize the customer, and success will follow. This approach has resulted in an outstanding online reputation, with consistent 5-star ratings on platforms like Google, Yelp, and TrustPilot. The company’s success has not been without challenges, from dealing with the logistical hurdles of NYC’s congested streets to building trust in an industry not always known for reliability. One of its key advancements has been integrating technology into the company’s operations. “We use AI-driven logistics to ensure that our trucks are on the most efficient routes, avoiding traffic and delays,” Peter Lagator explains. “Our team can track the progress of every move in real-time, and customers can stay informed throughout the process. It’s all about transparency and making sure our clients feel confident that their move is in good hands.” Lagator also credits the company’s focus on training and employee development as a critical factor in its success. By investing in his team and fostering a culture of accountability, he ensures that the company’s high standards are consistently met. Perhaps most notable is Perfect Moving and Storage’s eco-friendly approach to moving. Recently, the company has introduced sustainable crate rentals, offering customers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cardboard boxes. These crates have reduced waste and streamlined the packing process, offering clients a more efficient and sustainable solution. A key differentiator for Perfect Moving and Storage is its focus on customer service. Unlike many moving companies that treat jobs as mere transactions, Perfect Moving assigns a dedicated move coordinator to each client. This personalized approach reduces confusion and stress, allowing customers to feel more in control of their move. Peter Lagator believes that the company’s success is also due to its focus on continuous improvement. “We are always looking for ways to improve our service,” he says. “Whether it’s investing in new technology, training our staff, or finding ways to make the process more efficient, we never stop evolving.” Technology has played a crucial role in Perfect Moving and Storage’s ability to maintain its promise of on-time service. The company uses AI-powered logistics software to optimize routes, considering real-time traffic data, construction delays, and other potential roadblocks. This technology allows drivers to make adjustments on the fly, ensuring that they arrive on time, regardless of external factors. “We’ve embraced technology because it allows us to be more efficient and transparent,” Peter Lagator explains. “Our customers appreciate knowing that they can rely on us to be on time, and the technology we use helps us deliver on that promise.” Perfect Moving and Storage’s goals are clear. In the short term, it plans to expand its footprint beyond New York City, offering services to neighboring states while maintaining the same high standards that have earned them their top ratings. Long-term, the company is focused on continuing its push toward sustainability. “We want to lead the way in making the moving industry more eco-friendly,” Peter Lagator says. “Our crate rental program is just the beginning. We’re exploring other ways to reduce our carbon footprint and make moving a more sustainable process.” But no matter how the company evolves, one thing is certain: Perfect Moving and Storage will continue to prioritize what matters most to its customers—on-time service, transparency, and a commitment to making moving as stress-free as possible.
Writing has always been my refuge, the space where my thoughts can take shape without the pressure of speaking—a space where I can filter through the noise and unearth truths, no matter how uncomfortable. My teachers, my mother and even my closest friends will attest that my pen often proves more palatable than if I’d voiced my concerns. Perhaps it’s because writing demands reflection, a quality we, as Trinbagonians, sometimes avoid. I love my country deeply. Trinidad and Tobago is a sancoche of culture, friendliness and the unmistakable “Trini salt” that has seasoned the world stage. I write because I also have hope—hope that as a nation, we can do better. So then, for me, writing connects thoughts, cultures and generations—much like the gayelle, this “Trini space” for community and exchange. It’s where stories, proverbs and truths are shared and tested, shaping who we are. Traditionally, the gayelle is a place for stick-fighting, where skill, resilience and community are on display. If “yuh blood close to yuh skin”, it’s not for you. Even so, the gayelle is more than a battleground; it’s where individuality finds purpose in community, challenges and bruises are met head-on and legacies are built. It symbolises the balance between individuality and unity: “One hand cyah clap.” Here, we learn the art of balance—between pride and humility, action and restraint, tradition and progress. Yet, it feels as though we’ve abandoned the essence of the gayelle. We’ve mistaken ego for engagement, and performance for progress. As Leroy Calliste—Black Stalin—sings in “We Could Make It If We Try”: “Our country facing its darkest hour. So, our people need us today more than ever”—but instead of stepping into the gayelle with courage, too many retreat to the sidelines, some unable even to enter the gayelle, let alone pick up a stick to engage. Let’s face it: Christmas in Trinidad reveals a troubling reality. The pastelles, parang and house-to-house traditions are slowly disappearing in a “new-age coup d’état.” While Tobago holds on to tradition, Trinidad swaps it for short-lived, imported trends. We’ve lost sight of the fact that the gayelle calls for loyalty and honesty, not showmanship, and that our legacy will be shaped by our actions, not our appearances. What initially attracted the world to us is at risk of being eroded by our willingness to follow trends, instead of preserving our uniqueness. This superficiality goes beyond the season. Our laissez-faire attitude has betrayed us. We’ve become a “seven-day vexing” people—quick to anger and quicker to forget. “How we vote is not how we party,” they say, but if our live-for-today mindset governs us, it certainly seeps into our politics. Let’s not forget the power of the gayelle to teach us resilience. Stalin’s lyrics, “When the Treasury flat...poor people paying the price”, hits hard. The most marginalised often bear the heaviest burdens, sacrificing for their communities’ survival. Meanwhile, politicians have mastered the art of pacification, “riding their jackasses” into power, armed with hollow promises. Handouts like hampers, “freeness” and money wrapped in jerseys keep the masses quiet—until the next “rum and roti” election. We let it happen, complicit in our own stagnation, choosing comfort over change. This cycle weakens the combined strength needed to forge a better path. Even so, this shouldn’t excuse the rest of us from stepping into the gayelle to share the load. The strength of a nation lies not in the few who struggle, but in the many who uplift: “One hand cyah clap.” Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic. Tradition is a cornerstone of identity, as journalist Ellen Goodman observed: “Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds.” These guideposts embody the values that shaped our ancestors and should continue to guide us. For Trinidad and Tobago, preserving these roots while embracing change is key—not rejecting modernity but ensuring our heritage remains visible for future generations. Resilience and tradition are alive in moments like a young man aiding an elderly “mudda” or a teen feeding the homeless without seeking “likes.” This demonstrates the spirit of our ancestral traditions still thrives; it’s never too late to realign our cultural and national path. Our resilience sets us apart. We are known for our warmth, creativity and joy even in the face of adversity. Now, what has made us resilient has also become our Achilles’ heel. We are a happy people, yes; but we are also forgetful. We dive headfirst tabula rasa, into the present, oblivious to the lessons of the past. So, we repeat our mistakes, compounding them until they tower over us like unsolvable puzzles. Let’s rekindle the spirit of the gayelle in our homes, communities, and hearts. We must be able to sift through the “breadcrumbs” left by our ancestors to ensure our blueprint isn’t redone and recopied so many times it’s unrecognisable. Let’s ensure that when our children look back, they’ll see not just a nation that survived, but one that thrived. Furthermore, if ever you feel to surrender, remember: “It have one little thing that I want we always remember... We could make it if we try—just a little harder.”
CANEX Closes Final Tranche of Equity FinancingNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.Instagram is allowing creators to test their reel ideas on new audiences before sharing them with followers. Trial reels will be shown to non-followers first, providing engagement data, including views, likes, comments, and shares, approximately 24 hours after publishing to help creators determine whether it’s worth sharing with people following their account. The feature aims to help users try out new ideas and expand their audiences without negatively impacting their established following on the platform, which may be useful for creators who feel chained to a particular style of content. Instagram will provide insights that monitor how trials are performing compared to previous trials that the user has shared. Creators can choose to share the trial reel with their followers if it’s performing well or set Instagram to automatically share it based on the views it receives within the first 72 hours. “We often hear from creators that they feel nervous about posting too much to their audience or trying out new content that’s outside of their niche on Instagram, for fear of it not resonating with their followers,” Instagram said in its announcement. “Now, if you want to try out a new genre, storytelling format or topic, you can easily get a gut check on how your content might perform.” Trial reels are rolling out starting today and will be globally available to “all eligible creators in the coming weeks,” according to Instagram. As described on a support page, the feature is enabled via a “Trial” toggle before publishing a regular reel, and will appear alongside a user's drafts once live. Only the creator can see that the reel is a trial, and it won’t appear on their main grid or reels tab, or in the feeds or reels tabs of their followers.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma will be obtaining mobile counter-unmanned aerial systems detection technology following mystery sightings in other states. Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, announced he had directed Tim Tipton, public safety commissioner and homeland security adviser, to procure the systems to support state and local law enforcement in responding to recent unmanned drone activity. “Drones and unmanned aerial systems are an exciting new industry here in Oklahoma,” Stitt said. “We want to make sure that industry has room to thrive.” Because the technology is new, the state doesn’t have all the measures in place to ensure protection from those who wish to cause harm, Stitt said. “The activity happening in New Jersey and across the country is unsettling,” Tipton said in a statement. “While we’ve only had a few reports of drone activity in Oklahoma, we want to be ready in case the need arises.” Residents in New Jersey and other parts of the eastern United States have reported seeing unexplained drones in the sky recently, sparking concerns over who is operating them. The Associated Press has reported that law enforcement doesn’t believe the drones are a public safety threat, though the FBI has asked residents to share any information, videos or photos they might have. Tipton was not available Monday to answer questions about the announcement, including how much the systems will cost to procure and where the funding will come. Federal law generally prohibits disabling or destroying any unmanned aerial systems because federal rules consider drones to be a form of aircraft. This prevents state and local law enforcement from any activity that would interfere with the flight of a drone, including shooting it down. With the detection systems, the Department of Public Safety can monitor and identify the drones without destroying them and ensure the state’s critical infrastructure is protected, officials said.ANN/THE STAR – Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio is facing three impeachment complaints over her refusal to account for over USD10 million in “confidential funds” her offices distributed to unknown entities, including those seemingly using aliases derived from popular snack and restaurant brands. Observers said the scandal reflects broader concerns over the growing use of and lack of oversight on such government expenditures. The impeachment complaints, lodged this month by civic groups, left-wing activists and lawyers, accuse Duterte-Carpio of refusing to account for the substantial sums handed out by her offices to recipients bearing dubious identities. State auditors reported last month that, between 2022 and 2023, the Office of the Vice-President (OVP) and the Department of Education, which Duterte-Carpio led until resigning from the role in June, spent PHP612.5 million (USD10.5 million) in confidential funds. Both offices issued substantial checks to hundreds of people, later producing as proof acknowledgement receipts (ARs) signed by individuals using names that appear to be related to famous snacks and restaurant chains. Congressional investigators highlighted how some signatories’ purported monikers appeared to be cobbled together from these brand names. One that transfixed the public – “Mary Grace (a popular cafe) Piattos (a potato crisp brand)” – was given PHP70,000 for medicines in December 2022. Several others, such as “Chippy (corn chips) McDonald” and “Carlos Miguel Oishi (the surname, a famous snack brand)”, also raised eyebrows. The Philippine Statistics Authority told investigating congressmen it found zero records supporting the existence of a person named Mary Grace Piattos, adding that out of the 677 ARs provided, 405 of the signatories had no proof of existence or birth certificates.Indian Billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani Fall Off the Centi-billionaire Index – Bloomberg
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Love Island’s Ciaran Davies takes fresh swipe at ex Nicole Samuel after shock splitThe New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. The 33rd Team was founded in 2019 by Tannenbaum as a media and technology company. In their announcement, the Jets said The 33rd Team will help identify and vet GM and coach candidates and coordinate interviews. Douglas was fired last Tuesday , the latest shakeup for a franchise that had Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback but has limped to a 3-8 start and appears likely to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. Phil Savage, a senior football adviser with the Jets since 2019, will serve as the interim general manager for the rest of the season. The firing of Douglas came exactly six weeks after Johnson fired Saleh as coach on Oct. 8 after the Jets were 2-3 to open the season. New York has since gone 1-5 under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was tabbed as the interim coach. The Jets are coming off their bye-week break and will host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The franchise has plenty of questions to answer over the next several months, including decisions on their next general manager and coach — and the future of Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP turns 41 next week, has dealt with leg issues all season and is off to the worst statistical start of his career. Tannenbaum and Spielman will help the Jets find the people to help Johnson and brother Christopher make those key decisions. Johnson took a similar approach in 2015, the last time the Jets hired a general manager and coach in the offseason. Former NFL GMs Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf worked as consultants for the team, which hired Mike Maccagnan as GM and Todd Bowles as coach. Tannenbaum, currently an analyst for ESPN, has first-hand familiarity with Johnson and the franchise. He worked in the Jets' front office for nine years before being promoted to general manager and serving in that role from 2006 to 2012. Tannenbaum helped build the 2009 and 2010 Jets teams that went to the AFC championship game in consecutive seasons under coach Rex Ryan. Ryan, who last coached the Jets in 2014 and also is currently an analyst for ESPN, recently has been lobbying on air for a return to New York's sideline. Tannenbaum also was Miami’s executive vice president of football operations from 2015 to 2018. Spielman served as the Vikings’ general manager from 2012 to 2021 after working as the team’s vice president of player personnel for six years. He was also the Dolphins’ GM in 2004 and served as an adviser last year for the Washington Commanders in their GM and coaching searches. This story has been corrected to show that Spielman was formerly GM of the Minnesota Vikings instead of the Detroit Lions. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
For the rich, working from home has morphed into working from boatUS News Today Live Updates on December 25, 2024 : Diddy hit with new lawsuit: Ex-employee claims forced to set up ‘Wild King Nights’ sex parties
Nonlinear compton scattering with a multi-petawatt laser producing ultra-bright gamma rays November 25, 2024 Institute for Basic Science A team of researchers has successfully demonstrated nonlinear Compton scattering (NCS) between an ultra-relativistic electron beam and an ultrahigh intensity laser pulse using the 4-Petawatt laser. The innovative approach was the usage of only a laser for electron-photon collisions, in which a multi-PW laser is applied both for particle acceleration and for collision (also called an all-optical setup). This achievement represents a significant milestone in strong field physics, in particular strong field quantum electrodynamics (QED), offering new insights into high-energy electron-photon interactions without the need for a traditional mile-long particle accelerator. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email In a groundbreaking study recently published online in the journal Nature Photonics , a team of researchers has successfully demonstrated nonlinear Compton scattering (NCS) between an ultra-relativistic electron beam and an ultrahigh intensity laser pulse using the 4-Petawatt laser at the Center for Relativistic Laser Science (CoReLS) within the Institute for Basic Science at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Korea. The innovative approach was the usage of only a laser for electron-photon collisions, in which a multi-PW laser is applied both for particle acceleration and for collision (also called an all-optical setup). This achievement represents a significant milestone in strong field physics, in particular strong field quantum electrodynamics (QED), offering new insights into high-energy electron-photon interactions without the need for a traditional mile-long particle accelerator. Nonlinear Compton scattering requires an electron to absorb multiple laser photons while emitting a single high-energy gamma-ray photon. To observe this phenomenon, researchers approached the "Schwinger limit" -- a theoretical laser intensity (2x10 29 W/cm 2 ) so strong that it "boils" the vacuum of space-time, for generating matter-antimatter pairs. Since the current record for the highest laser intensity in the world, demonstrated by CoReLS, is still a million times below this threshold, the team employed a workaround: an ultra-relativistic electron beam collided with an ultrahigh intensity laser pulse, exploiting Einstein's theory of relativity. In the electron's reference frame, the laser intensity appeared to be about 50% of the Schwinger limit, triggering nonlinear QED phenomena. The scientists conducted a series of experiments using the CoReLS PW laser. The laser beam was split into two beams, each serving distinct roles. The first beam was focused onto a 5-cm-long gas-filled cell, where it triggered "laser wakefield acceleration" (LWFA) of electrons. In this mechanism of acceleration, electrons "surf" a laser-generated plasma wave, gaining an energy up to 3 GeV -- 99.999999% of the speed of light. The second beam was a flash of light focused to a 2-micron diameter (a few % of a hair diameter), lasting only 20 femtoseconds (a femtosecond represents a billionth of a millionth of a second). This beam was directed to collide with the accelerated electrons coming out of the plasma in the gas cell. Achieving the precise overlap required for the collision, within a few microns and 10 femtoseconds, allowed the laser pulse to "shake" the electrons, which bounced up to 400 laser photons, absorbing them simultaneously. The absorbed energy was then emitted as a single high-energy gamma-ray photon with energy in the range of tens to hundreds of megaelectronvolts. Researchers carefully characterized the gamma-ray energy, aided by Monte-Carlo simulations, to ensure that other x-ray and gamma-ray backgrounds did not interfere with the measurements. They verified the gamma-ray signatures against theoretical predictions and compared the experimental results with analytical models and particle-in-cell simulations performed using supercomputers. The agreement between the experiment and simulation confirmed the occurrence of nonlinear Compton scattering and allowed the team to deduce the colliding laser intensity by extracting its "fingerprint" from the gamma-ray signals. Due to the large number of collisions, the resulting gamma-ray beam produced in experiments was 1,000 times brighter than anything previously achieved in laboratories at this energy scale. This breakthrough has potential applications in studying nuclear processes and understanding antimatter production, such as the Breit-Wheeler process for exploring photon-photon collisions to produce electron-positron pairs. This research, published in Nature Photonics, is part of a broader effort to understand quantum electrodynamics (QED) in strong background fields, also known as Strong-Field Quantum Electrodynamics. The research can mimic laboratory phenomena typically found in astrophysical objects like magnetars, supernovae, and the regions in the vicinity of black holes. The first study using a laser-electron beam collision was performed at SLAC in 1996, but using a kilometer-long accelerator and a much less intense laser. Similar experiments are planned also at accelerator facilities such as the DESY (LUXE project, Germany), SLAC (FACET II, USA), and upcoming multi-petawatt laser facilities like Apollon (France), Station for Extreme Light (China), ELI-NP (Romania), ELI-Beamlines (Czech Republic), or Omega EP OPAL (U. Rochester) and ZEUS (U. Michigan, USA). Story Source: Materials provided by Institute for Basic Science . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Related Multimedia : Journal Reference : Cite This Page :
CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and the Colorado Energy Office today announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors across the state. In total, 33 DC fast charging sites offering more than 80 charging ports are now available to EV drivers along highways across Colorado. The initiative was made possible by $10 million in state funding and more than $2 million in contributions from private and local government partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ ChargePoint and the Colorado Energy Office announced the completion of six EV fast charging corridors, doubling the coverage of corridor DC fast charging across the state. (Photo: Business Wire) “This project is a testament to the leadership we're seeing across the country at a state level to accelerate the build out of a robust charging network for all EV drivers,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint. “Public-private partnerships such as our relationship with the Colorado Energy Office continue to play a critical role in building out charging infrastructure. Together, we are ensuring drivers across the state are able to charge quickly at convenient locations.” According to the Colorado Energy Office, the project has doubled the coverage of corridor DC fast charging in Colorado. Before the start of this project in 2019, 40% of highway corridors were within 30 miles of a fast charger. Upon completion, up to nearly 80% are within 30 miles of a fast charger. Investments through programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program will continue being made, complementing the state’s efforts to deploy more charging infrastructure. Additionally, the Colorado Energy Office recently reported that Colorado is first in the nation for market share of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, so the infrastructure is anticipated to be utilized heavily from day one. “Colorado is leading the nation in EV sales and making EV travel more affordable and convenient for everyone. Colorado's growing network of charging stations allows EV owners to travel with confidence knowing that there will be a place to get a quick charge at the store, going to and from work, or traveling across the state,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “Our partnership with ChargePoint to install 33 fast chargers across the state was essential to help establish a foundation for Colorado’s public EV fast-charging network,” said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. “With convenient access to charging along our major transportation routes Coloradans can now drive across the state in an electric vehicle, from the north to the south and the east to the west. We’re grateful for ChargePoint’s efforts to make this happen.” These charging sites enable fast, reliable charging strategically located along the state’s major highways, including Highway 40, I-70, Highway 50, Highway 550 and other key travel corridors. Locations range from convenience stores to local visitor centers to meet the needs and entertainment of drivers who are charging. Drivers can find the location of charging sites on the ChargePoint mobile app or website. A list of all new sites powered by ChargePoint Express Plus in Colorado can be found online at the Energy Office’s website: https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/transportation/grants-incentives/ev-fast-charging-corridors . ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ChargePoint is creating a new fueling network to move people and goods on electricity. Since 2007, ChargePoint has been committed to making it easy for businesses and drivers to go electric with one of the largest EV charging networks and a comprehensive portfolio of charging solutions. The ChargePoint cloud subscription platform and software-defined charging hardware are designed to include options for every charging scenario from home and multifamily to workplace, parking, hospitality, retail and transport fleets of all types. Today, one ChargePoint account provides access to hundreds-of-thousands of places to charge in North America and Europe. For more information, visit the ChargePoint pressroom , the ChargePoint Investor Relations site , or contact the ChargePoint North American or European press offices or Investor Relations . CHPT-IR View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en/ CONTACT: ChargePoint John Paolo Canton Vice President, Communications JP.Canton@chargepoint.comAJ Gosselin Director, Corporate Communications AJ.Gosselin@chargepoint.com media@chargepoint.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EV/ELECTRIC VEHICLES AUTOMOTIVE URBAN PLANNING CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY STATE/LOCAL UTILITIES GREEN TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES/FUELS PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENT ENERGY SOURCE: ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 04:04 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216928854/en
Creditors approve proposed $32.5B deal with tobacco giants today: lawyer