Iran could have an operational nuclear weapon within "weeks, maybe days," a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. said, as Israel closely watches whether Iran could quickly pivot and create a nuclear weapon before next month's change of administration in Washington. Michael Oren told Newsweek that Iran will be dreading President-elect Donald Trump 's return to the White House, adding that Tehran wouldn't "dare" to make the final push toward an operational nuclear weapon once the new administration takes over. Iran says its nuclear development, which had been curbed by now-lapsed restrictions, is peaceful and not intended to make weapons. But Iranian officials have started to publicly float whether Tehran should abandon this track, and analysts say it would not be difficult for Iran to take the final step toward a weaponized nuclear program. Iran has enough highly enriched uranium to make three or four relatively low-yield nuclear bombs, according to expert estimates. Iran may not have decided to make a nuclear weapon yet, but Tehran has certainly done its best to make sure it could do so very rapidly, said William Alberque, a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center and a former director of NATO 's Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation Center. There is "not a lot of time at all" until January 20, when Trump will be inaugurated, said Oren, who was ambassador from 2009 to 2013. But "it's enough time for them to make a nuclear weapon" if Iran resolves to do so. "This is a point I can't stress enough—that we're in a very perilous period," he added. "I don't think they'll dare do this on Trump's watch." Although Israel has an "incredible degree" of intelligence insight regarding Iran, Israeli authorities may not know if, or when, Iran makes the decision to move forward with a nuclear weapon, Oren said. Officials and experts stress it is not clear whether Tehran has determined to push through the final stages toward a nuclear weapon. If they do, though, "we're talking about weeks, maybe days" until they have an operational nuclear weapon, Oren said, although this assumes Tehran has a warhead to match. Iran and the Nuclear Deal A 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or simply as the Iran nuclear deal, relieved sanctions leveled against Iran in exchange for new limits on Tehran's nuclear program. Also, the powers involved at the time tried to limit weapons sales to and from Iran, as well as the country's ballistic missile development. However, Iran has openly said it has abandoned parts of the JCPOA since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal during his first time in office. Israeli officials say the Iranian regime was severely weakened by events in the Middle East over the past year and could feel a rush toward an operational nuclear weapon may be its only viable option to display strength. Rafael Grossi, the director general of the United Nations ' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in November he had visited Iranian enrichment sites at Fordow, south of Tehran, and Natanz to the southeast. Grossi said it is approaching four years since Iran had stopped complying with nuclear-related commitments outlined by the JCPOA, and the agency has "lost continuity of knowledge" around key parts of the enrichment process, including centrifuges. Iran turned off cameras at nuclear sites in mid-2022, but the IAEA reinstalled monitoring at some sites in early May 2023. There are deep suspicions about other undeclared facilities in Iran, and "they could have a ton of centrifuges hidden somewhere we don't know about," Alberque said. What we do know, however, is that the Iranians' capacity to enrich uranium more quickly has "gone up considerably" as they increased the number of cascades they have throughout this year, Alberque told Newsweek . Cascades are groups of centrifuges working together. The output in every single category of enrichment, from the lower 2 and 3 percent all the way up to 60 percent, has increased by roughly 10 percent in the past few months, Alberque said. Lower percentages of enriched uranium, up to the 3.67 percent allowed under the JCPOA, are used for nuclear power. Percentages between around 20 and the high 90s, however, can be used to make nuclear weapons. The higher the percentage, the more efficient a nuclear weapon would be. Uranium enriched to 60 percent could theoretically be used for a nuclear weapon, albeit an inefficient one by most standards. Grossi told the BBC earlier this month that Iran was increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent to a "much higher level," adding that Tehran's decision to produce significantly more highly enriched uranium was "very worrisome." "They have a nuclear program that has grown, has spawned in every possible direction," Grossi said. "The Iran of 2015 has nothing to do with Iran of 2025." Current and former Israeli officials describe the coming days and weeks as a crucial moment of evaluation in Israel, as well as in Washington and Tehran, with the latter possibly looking at how to project power in a new way across the Middle East. Iran has previously leaned heavily on its grip on regional actors, like Hezbollah, Hamas , and the Yemen-based Houthis, rather than on nuclear threats. But many of these groups, particularly the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas, have been shattered by Israel's devastating military efforts since Hamas' unprecedented October 7 attack last year. Israel also says its large-scale airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have strangled Hezbollah, cutting off Iran's access to what was once a formidable political and militant force on Israel's northern border. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier this month that he did not believe an Iranian nuclear weapon was "inevitable" but added that it was "more a question now." Tehran has "lost different lines of defense," Blinken said, meaning "you're going to see more thinking about that." "But the costs and consequences to them for pursuing that route I think would be severe," he added. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told Newsweek in October that the U.S. and Israel should make sure Tehran does not get nuclear weapons, an attitude reiterated by Israeli officials. "If you end up with an Iran with a nuclear weapon, it'll be a very, very dangerous situation for the world, and you'll spark a nuclear arms race right across the region," Blair said. How Would Israel Respond? The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have said in recent weeks that the Israeli military has taken out the vast majority of Syria's air defenses after the collapse of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad 's regime earlier this month. In late October, Israel launched waves of targeted strikes on Iran in retaliation for Tehran's massive attack on Israel earlier in the month. The IDF is thought to have knocked out multiple advanced air defense systems in this attack. Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said earlier this month that these strikes had carved out a "window to act against Iran" before Tehran makes a nuclear weapon. But that's no easy task. "One of the reasons Israel hasn't done it yet is that it's very hard to do," said Alberque. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that Israel had hit part of Iran's nuclear program the previous month. Israel has advanced fighter jets, which it has used extensively to strike targets in the region. But they aren't heavy bombers, meaning it would be difficult for the jets to carry enough explosives to successfully hit Iran's nuclear sites deep underground. Israeli conventional ballistic missiles could certainly destroy aboveground facilities and surrounding infrastructure, Alberque said, but to get to the protected facilities, the IDF may need a sustained bombing campaign. Even then, he said, this couldn't guarantee success, and Iran could be hiding other sites across the country. Iran has been preparing for this exact scenario for years, Alberque said. But even with guaranteed air superiority for Israel's jets, it would be risky. Grossi warned against an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, predicting "very, very serious" consequences involving Iranian retaliation and the possible spread of radiation. Could the U.S. Get Involved? There are uncomfortable questions for the U.S. concerning how Washington fits in. It's not clear how much Israel would look to the U.S. for approval for any such strike, whether the Biden administration could be resistant in this hypothetical scenario and what Trump would make of the dilemma. On November 1, the White House said it would deploy B-52 bombers, among other military assets, to the Middle East as one aircraft carrier prepared to leave the region. "Should Iran, its partners or its proxies use this moment to target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every measure necessary to defend our people," the Pentagon said at the time. Referring to the high-flying B-52s and their heavy payloads, Oren said that if "you're going to take out a site like Fordow, which is under a mountain, you're going to need a lot of these bombs, and the United States has the ability to do this without risking its pilots." Oren described the deployment of B-52s to the Middle East as an "extraordinary move," adding: "Why move those planes unless you have the remotest intention to use them?" He continued: "I wouldn't rule it out, put it that way. The Iranians have to make the decision, and the Americans have to make the decision, and, frankly, Israel has to make the decision."Middle East latest: Syrians celebrate Assad's fall as US seeks a peaceful political transition
Political Leaders Association of the South-East (PLASE) has hailed President Bola Tinubu for reconstitution the inaugural Board of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC). Recall that the media aide to the President, Bayo Onanuga, had in a statement announcing the reconstitution of the Board, said that the chairman of the board will be former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu; executive director for finance will be Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, while executive director of projects is Hon. Toby Okechukwu, and another director in the management team is Dr. Clifford Ogbede. Reacting to the development, the association, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Perry Okpara, said the jig of the board was a welcome development. The group hailed the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and other lawmakers, who sponsored the Bill for the creation of the interventionist Commission and worked tirelessly to ensure thay it became law. The political leaders described the SEDC Board members as people of competence and character who will be loyal to the President to fulfill the commission agenda, saying that their appointment have elicited joy and brought happiness. Noting that finally after decades, the commission will soon kickstart work aimed at addressing the region’s infrastructural challenges, ecological problems, and environmental issues, the group urged the appointees to work diligently to realise the SEDC’s mandate and promote regional development.
Romania has taken a decisive step towards political stability as Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu secures a narrow victory for his new pro-European coalition government. The 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature came after a prolonged political crisis triggered by a canceled presidential election. The coalition encompasses the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the ethnic Hungarian UDMR party, and other national minorities. This strategic alliance aims to counter the rising influence of far-right nationalist parties, who gained ground following high living costs and a sluggish economy. Despite the challenges of the current political landscape, Ciolacu remains optimistic about restoring public trust. He plans to organize a rerun of the annulled presidential election, with an agreed common pro-European candidate. President Klaus Iohannis is anticipated to swear in the new government soon. (With inputs from agencies.)Politicians truly are the worst among us
Natural gas prices hovering near 1-year high as peak winter season approachesNone
The artist’s concept portrays a sleek and modern new building with sharp angles and generous natural light. The Butte Community Wellness and Resilience Hub would be built near the Butte Civic Center and on formerly contaminated ground associated with the Parrot Tailings. As envisioned, the center would serve a host of functions, ranging from providing recreation and wellness programming and facilities to a shelter during times when wildlife smoke diminishes air quality and threatens health — an increasingly common scenario given climate change. Butte-Silver Bow County appears destined to benefit from EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. The city-county learned recently that it would receive a multi-million grant from the program. Fine-tuning will follow, according to Taylor Gillespie, a regional spokeswoman for EPA. “After a grant is selected, they go through work plan negotiations which is a back-and-forth process between Butte-Silver Bow and the EPA project officer to make sure that the details are solid and that they are on track to meet the requirements of the grant,” Gillespie said. “This would include going line by line through their budget, looking at all of the specifics in the work plan, etc.” EPA has not yet announced the grant amount, but Butte-Silver Bow’s application last spring sought $20 million. And that’s the amount J.P. Gallagher anticipates local government will receive. “This is going to be a huge benefit to the community,” said Gallagher, chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow. “We are very confident that we will be fully funded but before we go into final engineering and design, we need the full confirmation of that funding,” he said. “The cost of construction could affect the square footage of what can be built. There are still some unknowns.” An estimate of total square-footage was not available Thursday. Gallagher said the city-county received feedback that its application, completed in consultation with Water & Environmental Technologies, was one of the most complete received by EPA for funding from the agency’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. No taxpayer money was involved in preparing the ambitious grant application, Gallagher said. The proposal had to fall within the grant program’s environmental and climate justice framework. The grant application alluded to the human and economic costs of federal Superfund designation for Butte because of historic mining and smelting pollution. “With an active Superfund site, prolonged disinvestment and significant indicators of poverty and negative environmental impacts, Butte-Silver Bow has been designated as a disadvantaged community and continues to struggle with the impacts of social, economic and environmental decline,” the application noted. Given that status, how will Butte-Silver Bow pay to operate the new facility? One estimate puts annual operating costs at about $560,000. The feasibility study completed by Water & Environmental Technologies cites a variety of ways, in fees and rentals, that the facility could cover expenses. Gallagher weighed in. “The analysis is that the facility would make money to pay for operation,” he said. The feasibility study observes, “One of the most important criterion when selecting and evaluating potential programming is the ability of that programming to recover at least 100% of its expense.” The study adds, “Providing spaces for event, birthday, meeting, fitness and gymnasium rentals offers potential for recovering expenses.” Gallagher said the recreational functions of the facility will likely be less like a fitness center and more like a gym — with basketball and volleyball courts and probably pickleball, too. Programming at the Community Wellness and Resilience Hub would focus on such things as community resiliency, emergency preparedness and wellbeing activities. Several regional environmental consulting businesses and contractors benefit from the so-called remediation economy tied to Butte’s status as a federal Superfund site. And a few cleanup projects have benefitted the community in tangible ways. But a cost/benefits analysis of the Superfund status hitched like a lamprey to Butte since 1987 would have to consider a host of costs, including environmental stigma. Some residents of Butte-Silver Bow are routinely critical of EPA’s handling of Superfund work in the region. But relationships recently improved when EPA proposed a dramatic decrease in the action level for lead in residential soils and interior dust.CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They'll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation," coach Zac Taylor said after the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja'Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals' defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Cincinnati's depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLJames Gunn Explains Why Creature Commandos Isn’t Released All At Once By Celebrating the news that had been renewed for a second season, took to social media to explain why the show is released episodically, rather than releasing all at once. What did James Gunn say about Creature Commandos? Under a post celebrating the of Creature Commandos, Gunn was asked by a fan why the series wasn’t released all at once, as some streaming platforms choose to do. Gunn said a week-to-week release allows the show to be talked about more, and gather natural popularity via word of mouth. “Because it affords a quality show an opportunity to be discussed and grow from week to week,” said Gunn. “[Creature Commandos] has gotten more popular from episode to episode because of the positive discussion around it and has cultivated an enthusiastic audience. If we had dropped all the episodes at once who knows what would have happened. I will likely always be in the one-a-week camp for our shows. For people who want to binge all at once they can wait until the end of the season.” Creature Commandos was created by James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios, and is the first project set in the new and ongoing DC Universe of content. The next project set in the DCU will be Gunn’s , which is set to release next year. “Creature Commandos tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans,” the logline for the series reads. “When all else fails... they’re your last, worst option.” The series’ voice cast includes Steve Agee as Economos, Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Anya Chalotra as Circe, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Sean Gunn as GI Robot and Weasel, David Harbour as Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, Indira Varma as The Bride, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. and Warner Bros. Animation produce Creature Commandos, while Safran, Dean Lorey, and Sam Register also serve as executive producers alongside Gunn. Rick Morales serves as a supervising producer. Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share articleKIRKLAND, Wash., Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: MPWR), a global company that provides high-performance, semiconductor-based power electronics solutions, announced today its fourth quarter dividend of $1.25 per common share to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2024. The dividend will be paid on January 15, 2025. Safe Harbor Statement This news release includes “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” or “continue,” and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words. All such statements are subject to certain risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including those described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Qs, and in other documents that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those projected, and may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required by law, MPS does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the initial distribution of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. About Monolithic Power Systems Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (“MPS”) is a fabless global company that provides high-performance, semiconductor-based power electronics solutions. MPS’s mission is to reduce energy and material consumption to improve all aspects of quality of life and create a sustainable future. Founded in 1997 by our CEO Michael Hsing, MPS has three core strengths: deep system-level knowledge, strong semiconductor design expertise, and innovative proprietary technologies in the areas of semiconductor processes, system integration, and packaging. These combined advantages enable MPS to deliver reliable, compact, and monolithic solutions that are highly energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible while providing a consistent return on investment to our stockholders. MPS can be contacted through its website at www.monolithicpower.com or its support offices around the world. ### Monolithic Power Systems, MPS, and the MPS logo are registered trademarks of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and trademarked in certain other countries. Contact: Bernie Blegen Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. 408-826-0777 MPSInvestor.Relations@monolithicpower.com
Jilted boxer who threatened to kill woman over Facebook avoids jailCINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They'll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation," coach Zac Taylor said after on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja'Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals' defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Cincinnati's depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh. AP NFL:( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Rescuing Leftover Cuisine scales nationwide, saving 4.5M+ pounds of food annually, tackling hunger, reducing waste, and inspiring change with innovative partnerships and dedicated volunteers. New York, NY, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and reducing food waste, was recently featured in The Good Men Project . The article highlights the organization's inspiring journey, from its humble beginnings in New York City to becoming a nationwide movement that has rescued over 4.5 million pounds of food annually. Led by co-founder and CEO Robert Lee , RLC continues to break barriers and expand its reach, entering a pivotal phase of growth and impact. “Growing up, we struggled with food insecurity,” shared Robert Lee, reflecting on his childhood as the son of Korean immigrants.“It wasn't just about being hungry-it was the constant worry of not knowing where your next meal would come from. That uncertainty stays with you.” Turning an Idea into a Movement RLC's mission to save surplus food and deliver it to those in need began in 2013 when Lee, alongside co-founders Louisa Chen and Paul Sun , launched the nonprofit with $1,000 in seed funding from NYU's Changemaker Challenge. Their innovative approach addressed critical gaps in the food recovery process: RLC accepted donations of any size and provided daily pickups facilitated by volunteers. “At the time, most people didn't know donating leftover food was even legal,” Lee said. To combat this misconception, he carried printed copies of the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Act, a federal law protecting food donors from liability. Today, RLC works with donors of all sizes, including corporate cafeterias, event venues, and major institutions like Citi Field and the New York Stock Exchange. “Partnering with Citi Field is a big moment for us,” Lee remarked.“It shows how far we've come-not just our growth in impact, but a broader shift in attitudes toward food rescue.” Meeting Critical Challenges Head-On With food insecurity on the rise due to inflation, the end of pandemic benefits, and the ongoing migrant crisis, RLC's work has become more urgent than ever. Simultaneously, the U.S. wastes approximately 40% of its food, making organizations like RLC essential in addressing this disconnect. “Rescuing food isn't just about hunger,” Lee explained.“It's also about significantly reducing the environmental toll of wasted food. When food decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.” Volunteers: The Heart of RLC's Mission Central to RLC's success is its network of passionate volunteers who facilitate pickups and deliveries, often in shifts as short as 30 minutes. Through an enhanced digital platform, RLC streamlines the volunteer process, making it easier than ever to get involved. “Volunteers are incredibly important to us,” Lee emphasized.“They don't just help redistribute food-they witness the scale of the problem and become advocates for change.” Driving Impact Through Partnerships RLC provides its food donor partners with detailed monthly reports, showcasing the tangible benefits of their contributions. For instance, one restaurant reduced its waste from $65 per day to nearly zero by optimizing production practices based on RLC's guidance. “Our goal isn't just to rescue food,” Lee said.“We want to help businesses minimize waste altogether. That's the best outcome.” A Bold Vision for the Future As RLC looks to the next five years, the organization aims to double its impact by expanding partnerships and raising awareness about food rescue as a critical solution to hunger and climate change. “We're close to a tipping point,” Lee explained.“Soon, donating excess food will be the universal standard, not the exception.” With a national PR push, RLC plans to spotlight food rescue as a bipartisan, essential practice that benefits communities and the environment alike. “Every pound of food we save matters,” Lee said.“It nourishes someone, reduces waste, and protects the environment. It's a win on every front.” About Rescuing Leftover Cuisine Founded in 2013 by Robert Lee and Louisa Chen, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating wasted food and feeding those facing food insecurity. With a mission to fight hunger while addressing the environmental impact of food waste, RLC operates nationwide, partnering with businesses of all sizes to rescue surplus food and deliver it to local communities. Robert Lee, a finance graduate from NYU and former food-insecure child, leads RLC as CEO, drawing from personal experiences and a commitment to creating systemic change. RLC team members have a shared passion for social impact, ensuring RLC continues to grow and scale its mission. Together, the team has transformed RLC from a local initiative into a national movement. Organization: Rescuing Leftover Cuisine Contact: Robert Lee Email: ... 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As creatives, we rely on our tools not just to keep up with our ideas but to enhance and streamline the creative process. The Huion Kamvas Pro 27 aims to be that kind of tool—a professional pen display that blends cutting-edge technology with thoughtful design catering to professionals across various disciplines. Whether you’re an illustrator sketching intricate designs, a photographer editing your images, or an artist bringing your creations to life, the Kamvas Pro 27 promises to deliver. But does it live up to its promises and bring enough value to earn a spot in your workspace? We review it to find out. From the moment you unbox the , you can tell it’s built with creatives in mind. The massive 27-inch display immediately demands your attention, providing ample space for intricate illustrations, detailed photo edits, and even multitasking between projects. Its solid plastic chassis frame strikes the perfect balance between sturdiness and manageability, and it feels solid without being overly heavy or cumbersome. However, it does demand a sizable workspace to use, and I found myself rearranging my desktop to allow it to take its place. An additional VESA arm that attaches to the back of the display can be purchased separately if space is an issue. Two legs on the back of the display, once extended into place, allow for an ergonomic working angle. Whether you’re sketching at a nearly flat angle or refining details with the legs extended, the pen display adapts effortlessly to your workflow. The screen’s matte, anti-glare finish is another great addition, ensuring hours of work don’t strain your eyes. The screen itself can double as a second display when not in use, providing you with more desktop real estate. The Kamvas Pro 27 performs like a tool designed to keep up with your vision. Its 4K UHD resolution is stunning, capturing every tiny detail in crystal-clear precision, and is a complete joy to use. For those who rely on color accuracy—such as photographers and graphic designers—the 99% sRGB / 98% Adobe RGB / 97% DCI-P3 coverage certainly won't let you down. Colors appear vivid yet true-to-life, making it easy to trust what you see on-screen. The laminated screen does a fantastic job of reducing parallax, ensuring that every pen stroke lands exactly where you expect it to. I never noticed the parallax during use, perhaps because I was initially in awe of such a large working area. Even with time, the parallax—which exists at 18 ms—never hindered anything I was working on. With 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the pen offers remarkable control, whether you’re laying down the lightest shading or bold, confident lines. Its tilt functionality feels natural at 60 degrees, emulating the fluidity of traditional tools. I found myself often switching between different software simply to try something out, just to see how the pen display handled it—and I can report no issues were found with any software. The is designed for creatives who demand precision, versatility, and vibrant visuals in their workflow. For illustrators, artists, and photographers, its expansive 27-inch 4K screen provides the canvas needed for detailed designs and large compositions, while the responsive pen ensures that every stroke feels natural and accurate. With the 10-point finger touch display, it easily allows you to rotate and zoom your images while working on them without hesitation. Photographers and photo editors will appreciate the exceptional color accuracy, making it a reliable choice for color grading and retouching. Its anti-glare display ensures you can work comfortably, even during extended editing sessions. While I did use the pen display for video editing, I was more inclined to use the mouse, perhaps because of familiarity. Hobbyists may also enjoy the display, but its premium cost caters more to professionals. As someone who edits almost daily, I can confidently say that working on a display of this scale has been a game-changer. It’s not just about having more room to work—it’s about how that space transforms the way I interact with my images. Editing feels smoother, more intuitive, and, dare I say, more enjoyable in a way that smaller screens simply can’t replicate. A pen display of this size, whether working on a composite or editing and refining a photograph, just feels right. It’s immersive and deeply satisfying. The Huion Kamvas Pro 27 stands out as a top contender in the realm of pen displays, delivering a first-class experience that caters to professionals across various creative fields. Its vibrant visuals, precise pen technology, and robust construction are all designed to elevate your workflow. While the size and price might make it a considered purchase, the value it brings to the table more than justifies these factors. Whether you’re illustrating, painting, editing photographs, or compositing, the Kamvas Pro 27 is a tool that inspires confidence and creativity in equal measure. For those looking to step up their game without reaching for the most expensive option on the market—as its nearest competitor is $1,500 more—this display hits a sweet spot of performance and accessibility. You can purchase one . Gary McIntyre is a landscape photographer and digital artist based on the west coast of Scotland. As well as running photography workshops in the Glencoe region, providing online editing workshops, Gary also teaches photography and image editing at Ayrshire college.
Forget Landman and Yellowstone – Taylor Sheridan has pulled out all the military stops for Episode 8, a.k.a the dramatic finale of Lioness Season 2. It’s time to trust the CIA for one last mission. After the events set up in Episode 7, Team Lioness is heading back to base in Iraq, needing to intercept enemy intel on the border as quietly as possible. At the same time, Kaitlyn is now overseeing the overarching plot of Los Tigres, a Mexican drug cartel Joe has been chasing this entire time. They’ve got the inside hand with their niece Josephina being a US soldier, but it’s now up to her dad Pablo to play ball. Joe almost lost her life in the binge-worthy TV show , but she’s intent on being back on the battlefield. But can she make it out alive... and can anyone else? Here’s the full rundown of Lioness Season 2 Episode 8 (Warning: spoilers ahead !). The Iran mission is complex in Lioness Season 2 Episode 8 Episode 8 of Lioness Season 2 opens on the Turkey-Iraq-Iran border convergence. Cody is in position in complete camo (yes, Taylor Sheridan is back !), tracking a helicopter that is about to land. Jo, Bobby, Josephina, and Cruz are following up in tanks, with Joe near her physical limits before they even begin. They get back to the US base, where we saw Joe and Josephina meet during Episode 2 . When the team tries to gear up, Joe insists on taking a gun with her – remember, she was told in Episode 7 that she’s only allowed to observe and advise. Meanwhile, Josephina’s old Commander thinks she’s out of her mind to be flying a helicopter she doesn’t know with only one door gunner and no flight plan. Cruz will be with her, and the two promise to “talk” should they get through the new mission alive. The team is briefed. Essentially, they’ve got about two hours to get to an outpost to intercept the enemy. There’s support, but not much – or it’s been damaged in Afghanistan. The enemy is well-trained and well-stocked, almost entirely matching the Lionesses. Iraq’s border is only two miles away, but Joe has already been told damage needs to happen in Iran. The operation officially gets named Sky Hawk. Related: Pablo chooses his side Kaitlyn and Bryon arrive where Kyle is holing up, looking to talk to Pablo. His global bank accounts have all been frozen, including his trusts for the children. Kaitlyn clarifies they’re there to “eliminate the threat to United States national security,” which is technically his brother. What they want is Pablo’s trust to help them, which in turn they would “tirelessly protect.” When Pablo falters, the pair tempt him with “the security he has in Mexico with the freedom he has in the United States.” Pablo is made to call Alvaro, with Kaitlyn and Bryon wanting to meet him the following morning. They promise him $300 million upfront, with more to be arranged. Meanwhile, Edwin calls the Chief of Staff in to be briefed on an unfolding development. Two Chinese nuclear scientists are en route to Isfahan Nuclear Base with either information or supplies, essentially activating Iran’s nuclear abilities. The president has no knowledge of this. When four vehicles leave the enemy outpost, it’s all go. While Sheridan’s character is driving the equivalent of an army dune buggy across open plains, Josephina and Cruz attack the enemy convoy from the air. Their helicopter is hit and is going down. They brace for impact, crashing into the ground. Bobby and the on-ground team are sent to move in, with Cody in a nearby sniper base trying to take out whoever from the convoy was left standing. We cut to an airfield where Kaitlyn and co. are taken to meet Alvaro. Everybody is made to step out of the car before they arrive at his premises, which turns into a gun standoff. Pablo calms things down, with the cars moving in. Bryon sneaks a gun into Pablo’s pocket, who immediately shoots Alvaro in the face, taking down the rest of his henchmen with him. Pablo tells the remaining guys the cartel has a new boss, and that the Chinese hostage belongs to the CIA. Miraculously, the entire team survives In Iran, Cruz emerges from the crash. Josephina is also alive, but she can’t walk. They’re completely exposed to incoming enemy vehicles, with Joe’s team being called back to base. She dismisses the orders, telling Bobby they need to get there first. They are hugely outnumbered, leading to a shootout before they’re able to get to the crash site. There’s only so much Cody can do, and the rest are getting annihilated. Cody advises they fall back, leaving the snipers to cover after disabling the enemy vehicles. In the meantime, they’re hit by a new tank. They survive, but it’s revealed their location to the enemies on the ground. They move on foot while Joe finds the helicopter. While the team regroups, the entire outpost approaches to attack on foot. As Cody tells Joe they need to move, Edwin watches, being advised to call the president. Backup is still five minutes away, with more enemy soldiers turning up. One by one, the team starts to get shot as enemies swarm in. Joe runs out of ammo, with Josephina left screaming in pain. Just when things look at their bleakest, presidential backup arrives, destroying all enemy units in their surroundings. Relevant ambassadors phone the CIA, with Edwin advising to “let them stew.” Nobody has died, but there are some serious life-threatening injuries among the Lionesses. The clean-up operation is overwhelming, and Joe is left in an extremely emotional state. She breaks down in tears, later arriving back home. Neal is on the doorstep waiting for her, and the two make up after their previous row. Lioness Season 2 is available on Paramount Plus. Check out whether Team Lioness is real , and what happened in the latest episode . You can also catch up with more TV shows streaming this month.
MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELA Bio, Inc. ("TELA Bio") (NASDAQ: TELA), a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative soft-tissue reconstruction solutions, today announced that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of TELA Bio approved inducement grants of restricted stock units covering 1,700 shares of its common stock to three newly-hired employees, with a grant date of December 11, 2024 (the "Grant Date"). The restricted stock units were granted pursuant to the Nasdaq Rule 5635(c)(4) inducement grant exception as a component of each individual's employment compensation and were granted as an inducement material to his or her acceptance of employment with TELA Bio. The restricted stock units will vest in equal annual installments over four years, subject to each individual's continued service with TELA Bio through the applicable vesting dates. About TELA Bio, Inc. TELA Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: TELA) is a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on providing innovative technologies that optimize clinical outcomes by prioritizing the preservation and restoration of the patient's own anatomy. The Company is committed to providing surgeons with advanced, economically effective soft-tissue reconstruction solutions that leverage the patient's natural healing response while minimizing long-term exposure to permanent synthetic materials. For more information, visit www.telabio.com. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations are forward-looking statements and reflect the current beliefs of TELA Bio's management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially and adversely from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this announcement speak only as of the date of this press release, and TELA Bio assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release, except as required under applicable law. Investor Contact Louisa Smith ir@telabio.com