The Harrier is an exceptionally unique and immediately identifiable fighter jet. It stands out from virtually every other aircraft ever built. This jump-jet, as it was often called, was adopted by the Marines in the form of the AV-8B Harrier II. After demonstrating its exceptional battlefield capabilities in the service of the British Armed Forces, the US Marines chose it for themselves as well. Its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities were the focus of its design, lending the aircraft flexibility of incredible value for the American expeditionary forces. After 38 years of frontline service, serving the Marine Corps since 1985, the Harrier is finally ready to retire. The new, fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II will assume the role that the it has fulfilled for nearly four decades. After demonstrating unrivaled battlefield versatility and embodying expeditionary air power, we must bid farewell to the distinguished old warbird of the Devil Dogs. The Harrier in combat Building on the success of the original Harrier, the AV-8B Harrier II made its debut on the Marines' flightline in 1985. To make their new bird more rugged and more lethal, the USMC made modifications to the avionics, increased its payload and revamped many of the jet’s systems to provide close-air-support, under fire. Now the British military’s doctrine employed the Harrier in a way very similar to what the Marines had in mind so with a few upgrades, their new jump-jet was right at home on the amphibious assault ships (big decks) or foward operating bases (FOBs). The AV-8B saw combat action in conflicts like the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Its STOVL (or V/STOL) capability was put to the test flying from unusual and geographically austere environments throughout the Middle East. Throughout its time with the Corps, the Harrier II's systems were continuously improved . The Litening pod along with other improvements to targeting systems, avionics and other improved its performance in combat. The most recent version carries the APG-65 radar, also utilized on the F/A-18 Super Hornet for attack, air interception, and close air support missions. No matter the challenge, the Harrier executed its missions with great success, delivering precise strikes to troops under fire and hitting hard at fortified targets. Over decades of counterinsurgency warfare in the Middle East and peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, the Harrier was there to put bombs on target. Transition, F-35B Lightning II The F-35 B Lightning II is the successor to the AV-8B. Built by Lockheed Martin n and also called the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) the F-35 will bring fifth-generation capabilities to the US Marines . Its performance, vastly superior technology, stealth design and data-networking are just a few of the ways in which this new jet will revolutionize Marine Corps aviation. The Harrier was a flexible, adaptable fighter-bomber that gave the Marines a rugged and reliable support platform but the landscape of modern warfare has changed and the iconic jump-jet has become vulnerable to many new emerging threats. The last pilots and maintainers destined to fly the Harrier finished their training in 2024. They underwent dual-track training from the start of the process to guarantee operational preparedness during the overlap of the AV-8B and F-35. The Marine Corps Times noted, “The last class of Harrier mechanics graduated in 2024, marking a shift to supporting the F-35 fleet.” The AV-8B is expected to remain operational until 2029, allowing for a phased transition to the JSF while maintaining the Marine Corps’ expeditionary air power. Harrier tech The AV-8B Harrier II is renowned for its unique design, which was an incredible aviation revolution at the time of its debut. The STOVL (or V/STOL) performance it offered also came with a balance of versatility and payload capacity. As noted by the National Interest , the Harrier II’s unique operational capabilities provided an invaluable advantage during its time in service. AV-8B Specs : Length: 14.12 m/46 ft 4 in Wingspan: 9.25 m/30 ft 4 in Height: 3.55 m/11 ft 8 in Max takeoff weight: 14,061 kg/31,000 lbs Engine: Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan, thrust 105 kN/23,500 lbs Max speed: 1,013 kmh/630 mph Range: 3,148 km/1,956 mi Legacy After its many years of service, the slow retirement of the AV-8B is entering its final phase. The full transition to the F-35B is expected to be complete by 2026. The sundown of the Harrier marks an end of an era in tactical aviation. The last Marine pilots of the Harrier completed training in April 2024 . Lt. Col. Nathaniel Smith, the commanding officer of VMA-223, was quoted saying: “I am incredibly proud of the legacy of the AV-8B, both within Marine Aviation and here in eastern North Carolina. Our platform is part of the fabric of eastern North Carolina, as countless Marines, sailors, and civilians have contributed to our success for decades. It is exciting to see our last two students graduate from the FRD and hit the fleet. Our team of pilots, maintainers, and supporting staff have done outstanding work in supporting both the FRD and VMA missions here at VMA-223, and I look forward to us continuing to support 2nd MAW and the MAGTF at home and overseas.” Force News remarked, the Harrier’s legacy will endure with the Marines as they continue to adapt to emerging challenges in the future. The mark that the Harrier left on the fly boys of the Marine Corps is indelible and the future may be heralded by the F-35 but the influence of the Harrier will live on in legacy.
It takes money to make money. However, it doesn't require a lot of cash to get started generating passive income. Several high-quality dividend stocks cost less than $33 a share. Three great ones under that price point are Brookfield Renewable ( BEPC -0.70% ) ( BEP -0.26% ) , Invitation Homes ( INVH -0.59% ) , and Kinder Morgan ( KMI -0.26% ) . Because of that, you can buy one share of all three for less than $100. That would supply you with a growing stream of dividend income that you can add to as you have more cash to invest. A high-powered dividend stock Brookfield Renewable is a leading global renewable energy producer. Its shares currently fetch less than $29 apiece. The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.355 per share ($1.42 annually). That gives it a nearly 5% dividend yield at the recent share price. The renewable energy giant has increased its dividend payment at a 6% compound annual rate since 2001. It aims to grow its payout at a 5% to 9% yearly rate in the future . Brookfield Renewable has ample power to achieve that growth plan. It expects to grow its funds from operations ( FFO ) per share at a more than 10% annual rate over the next decade. That growth is highly visible and secured through 2029 and increasingly visible and secured beyond that. It has multiple growth drivers, including inflation-linked rate increases on existing power purchase agreements, a vast pipeline of development projects, and acquisitions. Cashing in on the affordability gap Invitation Homes is a real estate investment trust ( REIT ) that owns and manages single-family rental homes. Its share price was recently just below $33. The landlord pays a quarterly dividend of $0.29 per share, which it recently increased by another 3.6%. It has raised its dividend every year since it came public in 2017. Its payout now yields 3.6%. The REIT has many growth drivers. Its existing portfolio should continue to supply a growing stream of rental income as it increases rents. It's benefiting from strong demand for rental housing due to the affordability gap between renting and buying a home (which is currently more than $1,000 a month in its markets). On top of that, Invitation Homes will continue to expand its portfolio, which consists of more than 110,000 homes it owns or manages. It has partnered with several leading homebuilders, which will deliver about 2,500 new homes to the REIT in the coming years. Invitation Homes also buys properties from various other channels, including purchasing existing homes listed for sale, acquiring properties and portfolios from other investors, and investing in joint ventures. For example, it recently invested $50 million into a joint venture that plans to deploy $500 million into buying newly constructed homes and communities in several high-growth markets. These growth drivers should enable the REIT to continue increasing its dividend. The fuel to continue growing Kinder Morgan is the country's leading natural gas pipeline operator. Shares of the pipeline company currently fetch $27 apiece. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.2875 per share ($1.15 annually), giving it a 4.2% yield at the recent share price. The company has already unveiled plans to increase its dividend to a $1.17-per-share annualized rate next year. That will mark its eighth consecutive year of dividend growth. Kinder Morgan should have ample fuel to continue pushing its payout higher in the future. It currently has several billion dollars of expansion projects under construction that should come online through 2028 . The company expects to approve additional projects in the coming months to help meet the expected surge in natural gas demand by the end of the decade from catalysts like artificial intelligence (AI) data centers . Those future projects would enhance and extend its growth outlook, giving it even more fuel to increase its dividend. High-quality dividend stocks for fairly low prices Brookfield Renewable, Invitation Homes, and Kinder Morgan all currently have share prices below $33 apiece. That makes them very affordable stocks for those seeking to start generating some passive dividend income. The trio should be able to increase their dividends in the future, which will provide investors with a growing income stream that they can add to as they buy more shares.Election of district unit presidents of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh was to be completed by the end of this year. However, the entire process has been delayed as nominations are yet to be filed. After completing the nomination process for 1918 posts of mandal chiefs (adhyaksh) across the state on December 15 in 98 districts, the party had to complete the nomination process for district presidents by December 31. However, the final list of elected mandal chiefs is yet to be declared. The BJP has divided the state into 98 districts for organisational purposes. “Nomination process for election of district presidents is yet to start. The election process was to be completed by the end of this year. Now, most likely it will be completed in January,” said a senior BJP leader. “There is nothing unusual in this delay. Elections get delayed. Next month, the process will be completed,” he added. While electing mandal adhyaksh and district presidents, the party will focus on giving maximum representation to OBCs and Dalits. “In organisational polls, OBC and Dalit factors will matter most while electing mandal and district chiefs as part of the party’s plan to bring back these two politically important caste groups back into the party fold,” said a senior BJP leader. In four successive poll victories in Uttar Pradesh—2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha and 2017, 2022 assembly polls—the BJP managed the most diverse representation minus Muslims by keeping its caste umbrella intact—broadly non-Jatav Dalits, non-Yadav OBCs and upper castes. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the SP’s PDA formulation succeeded in bringing a large chunk of OBC and Dalits into its fold, giving a jolt to the BJP. The BJP’s tally in Uttar Pradesh came down to 33 in the last Lok Sabha election from 62 in 2019.Mr Chairman, may I make a suggestion...
Stephen A. Smith Challenges LeBron's Media Criticism: "Not Wrong, Just Not Complete"Select Vape Offers Nicotine Salt Options As Users Transition From Free Base Nicotine to Nic SaltUCF will attempt to shake off a dreadful offensive performance when it collides with LSU on Sunday afternoon in the third-place game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The Knights (4-1) couldn't get anything going against No. 19 Wisconsin on Friday, going 21-for-62 from the field (33.9 percent) and just 2-for-17 from 3-point range (11.8 percent) en route to an 86-70 loss. Jordan Ivy-Curry finished with 13 points while Keyshawn Hall and Dior Johnson added 11 apiece for UCF, which never led and fell behind by as many as 23. Knights coach Johnny Dawkins is hoping that his team's struggles don't carry over into the meeting with the Tigers (4-1). "We have to do better offensively," Dawkins said. "We have to space the floor better. We have to balance our offense between our perimeter and our bigs. Those are things that we didn't do consistently (on Friday)." LSU also needs to clean things up after committing 15 turnovers in a 74-63 setback against Pitt on Friday. Tigers forward Jalen Reed doesn't believe giving the ball away will be a lingering issue. "I feel like a lot of our turnovers were more on us than them," Reed said. "I feel like a lot of the turnovers were careless, but we're a better team than that and I feel like we'll take care of the ball better moving forward." Reed and Vyctorius Miller each posted 14 points in the loss to the Panthers, with Reed also hauling in seven rebounds. Cam Carter chipped in 11 points. Carter is putting up a team-leading 16.4 points per game. Jordan Sears (12.0 points per game), Reed (11.0) and Miller (10.2) also have scoring averages in double figures. Ivy-Curry (16.8 points per game), Hall (16.2) and Darius Johnson (13.0) have been leading the way for UCF. Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between the Knights and Tigers. --Field Level Media
In the ever-evolving realm of gaming, a groundbreaking concept is whispered on the winds of innovation: Supernicro . Emerging from the cutting-edge intersection of microscopic technology and gaming, Supernicro promises to revolutionize how we interact with virtual worlds, offering unprecedented precision and immersion. Imagine a gaming interface so refined that it can respond to the subtlest nuances of your movements. This is the promise of Supernicro. Combining nanotechnology with gaming peripherals, Supernicro systems utilize microscopic sensors to capture and interpret a player’s actions at an astonishing level of detail. By embedding these barely-visible sensors into controllers, wearables, and even directly onto skin-safe patches, gamers can achieve an entirely new level of in-game control. What sets Supernicro apart is its capability to enhance virtual reality (VR) experiences exponentially. With these advanced sensors, VR can move beyond headsets and hand controllers to a holistic, body-sensitive system. Imagine navigating a game world where every tilt of your wrist, shift of your posture, or even your heartbeat could influence gameplay, creating a more personalized and engaging experience. Industry pioneers suggest that Supernicro could also have significant implications beyond entertainment, potentially influencing sectors like rehabilitation therapies, sports training, and even remote work environments. The fine-tuned interaction capabilities of Supernicro technology could help shape the future of digital interaction, making the impossible possible. In an age where gamers demand more immersive experiences, Supernicro technology offers the next frontier of digital evolution. Keep this on your radar—it’s not just the future of gaming, but a transformation in how we live alongside technology. Unveiling Supernicro: The Next Big Leap in Gaming Technology In the fast-paced world of gaming innovations, Supernicro stands out as a revolutionary advancement that’s poised to redefine interactive experiences. Emerging from the convergence of microscopic technology and gaming, Supernicro offers unprecedented precision and immersion that could transform not only gaming but also other industries. Features and Specifications Supernicro’s foundation rests on the integration of microscopic sensors into gaming peripherals. These sensors are designed to capture minute player motions and nuances, allowing for an unparalleled level of control and interaction. The technology can be embedded into various gaming accessories, ranging from controllers to wearables, or even onto the skin with specialized patches that are both effective and safe for regular use. Innovations and Insights One of the standout innovations of Supernicro is its potential impact on virtual reality (VR). Unlike traditional VR systems that focus primarily on headsets and hand controllers, Supernicro introduces a more holistic, body-sensitive interaction. Imagine a VR setting where each minor movement, whether a wrist tilt or a posture adjustment, influences gameplay, enhancing immersion like never before. Furthermore, the technology is not limited to entertainment. Its applications can extend to rehabilitation therapies, allowing for precise monitoring and assistance in patient movements. In sports training, athletes could gain insights into their performances with real-time feedback on their body dynamics. Even remote work could benefit, with Supernicro enabling more natural and intuitive digital interactions. Market Analysis and Predictions The gaming technology market, known for its rapid evolution, is likely to embrace Supernicro as a notable milestone. Industry experts anticipate that its adoption could lead to increased investments in similar microscopic technologies, broadening the landscape of gaming peripherals and accessories. As gamers continuously seek deeper engagement, technologies like Supernicro will be in high demand. Looking ahead, the potential for Supernicro is vast. If fully harnessed, it could pave the way for more intuitive and responsive digital environments, blurring the line between physical and virtual worlds. Trends and Comparisons In comparison to existing technologies, Supernicro represents a significant leap forward due to its microscopic precision and versatility. Current gaming interfaces, though advanced, generally focus on larger motion detection which can limit the finer details that Supernicro effortlessly captures. This positions Supernicro not just as a competitor, but as a frontrunner in the next generation of interactive technology. Final Thoughts As gaming enthusiasts and industry players keep a keen eye on the future, Supernicro emerges as a beacon of what’s possible at the intersection of technology and imagination. Its potential applications and market implications suggest a transformation not just in gaming, but in how we integrate technology into life itself. Stay tuned for developments that are certain to revolutionize the digital landscape. For more groundbreaking advancements in gaming technology, visit TechRadar .Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ( NYSE:BIO – Free Report ) by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 999 shares of the medical research company’s stock after buying an additional 32 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories were worth $334,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in Bio-Rad Laboratories during the second quarter worth $180,040,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC increased its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 32,296.9% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 636,275 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $173,773,000 after buying an additional 634,311 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 64.4% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 494,604 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $135,081,000 after buying an additional 193,700 shares during the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. increased its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 26.2% during the second quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 649,522 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $177,391,000 after buying an additional 134,856 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Earnest Partners LLC increased its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 30.8% during the first quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 514,906 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $178,091,000 after buying an additional 121,272 shares during the last quarter. 65.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on BIO. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $340.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup raised their price target on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. StockNews.com raised Bio-Rad Laboratories from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $446.00 to $469.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $391.80. Insider Activity In related news, EVP James Barry sold 623 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $330.49, for a total transaction of $205,895.27. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 147 shares in the company, valued at $48,582.03. This trade represents a 80.91 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, COO Andrew J. Last sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.94, for a total value of $989,820.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 7,559 shares in the company, valued at $2,494,016.46. This trade represents a 28.41 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 17.06% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Bio-Rad Laboratories Price Performance Shares of BIO stock opened at $332.91 on Friday. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has a 12 month low of $262.12 and a 12 month high of $387.99. The company has a market capitalization of $9.32 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.18 and a beta of 0.93. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $340.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $315.68. The company has a current ratio of 6.14, a quick ratio of 4.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. Bio-Rad Laboratories ( NYSE:BIO – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $2.01 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.85. The firm had revenue of $649.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $628.18 million. Bio-Rad Laboratories had a positive return on equity of 3.74% and a negative net margin of 30.18%. Bio-Rad Laboratories’s quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. will post 9.93 EPS for the current year. Bio-Rad Laboratories Profile ( Free Report ) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through two segments, Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets instruments, systems, reagents, and consumables to separate, purify, characterize, and quantitate biological materials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids for proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical production, cellular biology, and food safety markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. ( NYSE:BIO – Free Report ). 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CII seeks priority sector lending for new and emerging sectors
eLong Power Holding Limited Completes Business Combination with TMT Acquisition CorpCHICAGO — A chilly Chicago winter doesn’t necessarily mean the African lions at the Lincoln Park Zoo have to go inside. In fact, as temperatures dip — even as cold as 10 degrees or in the snow — the pride may huddle up on heated rocks in their exhibit to spend more time relaxing outdoors. “They also have access to indoor holding areas in the winter, so if they want to go into a space that’s completely enclosed and warmer, they can go in there whenever they like,” said Dave Bernier, the zoo’s general curator. “We give them the choice, and luckily, they choose the exhibit spaces a lot more than they choose the holding spaces.” Lions aren’t the only species that are better equipped for the winter than one might expect. Specialists at Chicago’s zoos say they use a combination of technology and habitat features to prepare months in advance to properly care for every animal with unique requirements for the season, from polar bears to koalas to flamingos. The Lincoln Park Zoo prefers to find species that can be outside for the four seasons, based on their temperature guidelines, Bernier said. But, like for the lions, which are found in sub-Saharan Africa, where temperatures usually range between 65 to 85 degrees, there’s a bit of creativity involved to give them a boost in the winter. The lion exhibit, Bernier said, has about 20 of the heated rocks, which have a surface temperature between 55 and 60 degrees. He said the zoo determined the size and placement of the rocks — which helped make them as comfortable as possible — using behavioral data from the previous lion exhibit. There’s also an overhanging shelter so the lions can escape the rain or snow, and they can head inside to a holding area if they want to, he said. Some animals require a bit more oversight, however, including the two male koalas named Brumby and Willum at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The fuzzy animals, which are native to Australia and made their debut at the zoo this summer , are allowed outdoors only if it’s above 40, said Mark Wanner, the associate vice president of animal care and conservation. Unlike most other mammals, a koala has a smooth surface on its brain, meaning it’s unable to draw conclusions or make simple decisions. This means that the zoo staff keeps a close eye on the duo when it’s between 40 and 60 degrees, because the koalas can’t always choose themselves to head inside. “Their cognitive ability is not quite what it would be in a lion, so to speak,” Wanner said. When it starts getting cold out, Wanner said, specialists decide day by day whether it’s safe for various animals to be outside. The wind is also a big factor, he added. “We tend to err on the side of caution, because we do get such drastic drops in temperature and such extreme temperatures here,” he said, adding that some animals, such as brown bears, grow additional hair or fur during the winter to cope with colder weather. To monitor surface and ambient temperatures, humidity and wind speeds, the zoo uses a tool called a “thermal neutral zone kit,” Wanner said. Employees point it at an animal’s habitat to track thermal zones, checking, for example, whether a rock is putting off a sufficient amount of heat. The zoo also has temperature sensors installed in buildings that notify the staff if something goes awry, he said. Both zoos start “weatherproofing” for the winter around September, including switching on heating elements and, at Lincoln Park, a snow melt system for the penguin exhibit. Brookfield employees lay out extra bedding for some animals inside their indoor habitats, what Wanner called their “bedroom,” and make sure water lines are protected. On the flip side, the zoos provide fans, ice and cooling areas to some animals in the summer, such as polar bears and gorillas. Bernier said it’s important to find animals to bring into the zoo that are the right match for Chicago’s climate. When the Lincoln Park Zoo opened the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, it opted to bring in the Canada lynx and snow leopard, rather than an ocelot or margay, small carnivores that live in tropical climates, because they wouldn’t have been able to handle the winters, he said. Snow leopards, which are large cats that weigh up to 120 pounds and found in central Asia, can be outside when it’s below freezing. But Bernier said the animal care team may consider bringing them inside for short periods of time if it hits 20 degrees. It’s one of the “hardy” species at the zoo that are actually suited to cool climates and are quite active during the season. Others include the red pandas and Sichuan takins, as well as the Mexican gray wolf at Brookfield. Lincoln Park Zoo’s plains zebras, which Bernier said are found in very far southern Africa and experience more seasonal rather than temperate climates, can be outside almost all year round in Chicago. The zoo also chose African penguins rather than Antarctic ones, so they don’t have to be kept cool through refrigeration all year. Their pool is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, he added. The animal Bernier said visitors are usually the most surprised to see outside in the winter is the pink flamingos. The zoo is home to Chilean flamingos, which are smaller, live in high altitudes and can tolerate extreme temperatures — even well below freezing — much more so than the Caribbean kind, which Bernier said the zoo once owned and had to put inside a building for half the year. Bernier said the winter is a “fantastic” time to visit the zoo, and that some of his favorite moments are watching the rhinos and polar bears play in the snow. “They like to be out in the snow, and it’s kind of fun to watch them roll around in the snow and see how much they enjoy that kind of weather,” he said. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.MahaYuti’s landslide win a major boost to make Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy
Poll: Trump, Musk viewed nearly the sameLinq Blue Automates and Personalizes iMessage Outreach to Boost Engagement and Efficiency BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Linq, the world's leading mobile CRM and lead capture platform, announces Linq Blue — an iMessage automation tool designed to revolutionize sales communication. This breakthrough feature empowers businesses to automate and personalize customer outreach via iMessage—without requiring an iPhone. Launching January 2025 , Linq Blue offers seamless messaging capabilities that drive higher response rates and unlock new levels of sales efficiency. Why Linq Blue is a Game-Changer Enhanced Engagement : iMessage campaigns have been shown to increase response rates by 29% over traditional SMS outreach. Seamless CRM Integration : Linq Blue integrates with popular CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics, allowing users to manage iMessage communications directly from their existing workflows. Device-Agnostic iMessage Campaigns : Users can send blue text campaigns from any device, including Android, by utilizing a dedicated phone number provided by Linq. Advanced Automation : Users can schedule messages, create sequences and campaigns, and automate confirmation messages to streamline customer interactions. Unlimited Messaging : Linq Blue offers unlimited messaging capabilities, enhancing communication. Reserve Your Spot Today Linq Blue is now open for early access reservations to a closed beta. Learn more and reserve your spot at https://linqapp.com/s/imessage-automation/ About Linq: Founded in Birmingham, AL , Linq is a rapidly growing tech company that transforms the way businesses manage contacts, relationships, and workflows. With a focus on mobile-first solutions, Linq integrates seamlessly with existing CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, offering an easy-to-use interface that enables teams to work effectively, no matter where they are. For more information, visit www.linqapp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/linq-launches-blue-messages-for-sales-302314658.html SOURCE Linq