Shares of space exploration company Intuitive Machines Inc (LUNR) surged over 4% on Monday after the firm revealed it has secured additional contracts from NASA’s Near Space Network for Direct-to-Earth (DTE) services. The company explained that DTE communication and navigation services are important for enabling missions to exit Earth’s orbit, reach lunar destinations, and explore deep space. Intuitive Machines’ contracts include two DTE services that offer enhanced data transmission capabilities and autonomous operations and address mission needs for highly elliptical orbits and deep space operations. The company stated that these awards are firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task orders “designed to bolster NASA’s Lunar Exploration Ground Segment.” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said the new awards complement the firm’s existing NSN contract and will expand its space communications and navigation service offerings. “They position us to capitalize on the $4.82 billion maximum potential value of the NSN contract, while supporting NASA’s Artemis campaign and commercial endeavors to expand the lunar economy,” he said. The timelines for the contracts span from February 2025 to September 2029, with an additional five-year option period that could extend a contract through Sept. 30, 2034. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment inched up into the ‘neutral’ territory (51/100) from ‘bearish’ a day ago. Despite the rise in stock price, retail chatter on Stocktwits indicated a mixed take on the shares’ potential. Earlier this month, the firm was in the news after it announced the pricing of its upsized offering of over 9.52 million shares at a price of $10.50 per share. Notably, the stock has more than quintupled since the beginning of 2024. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com. NBA hand out suspensions after fracas in PhoenixTrump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible Eight students from across Northeast Tennessee recently completed the Hospitality & Tourism Certificate program offered in partnership with East Tennessee State University’s Office of Professional Development and the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. This certification was the 2022 recipient of the Association for Continuing Higher Education South Award. The first of its kind in the region, the program has grown over the last six years to include an alumni network of nearly 70 graduates. The students participated in classes held at Hands On! Discovery Center and Gray Fossil Site, hearing from more than 30 nationally recognized professionals in the industry, as well as representatives from city and county tourism departments and Main Street programs. “Tourism is a major economic driver for our region, with visitors spending $867 million annually,” said Alicia Phelps, executive director of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. “By investing in workforce development through education and training, we can further strengthen the hospitality and tourism sectors. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with ETSU and offer this valuable certification program. Our region boasts a wealth of expertise and renowned institutions, and this program provides unique opportunities for participants to learn from industry leaders and gain hands-on experience.” 2024 Northeast Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Certification Graduates: Session II Completion, Continuing Studies: The Hospitality & Tourism Certificate will be offered again in August 2025, with enrollment beginning in the spring. The certificate program is designed for those interested in expanding their skills and knowledge for personal and professional development, including tourism and hospitality professionals, graduate students, and others seeking to enhance their expertise in areas such as management, public relations, current technology, and social trends. The program prepares graduates for entry or advanced management positions in culinary, food and beverage, lodging, attractions, and tourism-related industries. Students gain insights into regional and international facets of the hospitality and tourism industry, with topics ranging from marketing, financial management, safety, strategic planning, and employee management in the local billion-dollar tourism industry. A strong emphasis is placed on applied skills, with students having access to industry leaders, as well as experienced faculty and staff from East Tennessee State University. For more information, including cost and enrollment details, visit NortheastTennessee.org/HTC or call 423-439-8084.Moving into a new home is a stressful undertaking, but usually once you're in you can settle back and enjoy it. Unfortunately for one man in the Green Quarter, a mishap with ordering a new sofa from IKEA led to weeks of stress and lost sleep. George Hind, 25, was delighted to move into his own flat in the Green Quarter. As part of his move, civil servant George decided to replace the sofa in the flat with a new sofa bed so there was more space for guests. When he ordered the FRIHETEN sofa bed from IKEA on December 4, George paid £45 extra for premium delivery so he could have the furniture delivered on the Friday. But the parcel which arrived on Friday December 6 only contained one third of the sofa. Frustrated, George rang up the helpline to try and trace the missing two thirds of his sofa, but couldn't get any answers. Three days later on December 9, a second parcel arrived. Unfortunately for George, this only contained another third of the parcel which he had ordered and was still missing the main part which had all the bolts used to assemble the furniture. George said that he spoke to 10 different advisors, but was unable to get any consistent answers. "Every agent I've spoken to it's like they're with a different company with different policies," he told the Manchester Evening News. "It's like as soon as that phone call ends they don't care." George's old sofa which he wanted to switch out for a sofa bed (Image: George Hind) George also found that he was unable to trace the main bits of his parcel. He said: "There was another that came and that had the £1.50 tape measure, and that's the one that was tracked, not all the other parcels." To add to the problems, George was also left without the sofa as he had already gotten rid of his old one after it was collected on Thursday December 5. "On the Thursday I got rid of the old sofa, because I was expecting the next one the next day, " he said, "I gave it to someone." After ringing up every day, George said he was told on December 12 to ring back on December 16 to trace his order. When he did so, he was initially relieved that a third parcel had finally arrived, but his relief was shortlived. After part of the new sofa arrived (Image: George Hind) "I was finally going to get the last piece of the jigsaw, only to open the parcel and it was a part I've already got," he said. "It's quite a large parcel." He added: "I'm very frustrated and upset. It's been two weeks since I sent the first order. I was on a call with them for two hours. I can't do this anymore. "I've lost sleep over this. I've got a flatmate as well, so he's had no sofa." George ended up spending hours chasing up the sofa (Image: George Hind) His patience exhausted, George decided he simply wanted the large boxes out of his flat. But he ran into yet another problem. He said: "I told them I don't want to mess around with IKEA, when can you come and pick it up? He said New Year's Eve. The whole Christmas period my living room is IKEA's warehouse, their storage. "It's ruined my Christmas. I just don't know what to do at this point." After two weeks and just under eight hours on the phone to customer support, George confirmed that IKEA had finally been able to collect the parts and offered him a refund. To make matters worse, he found out that the part he was missing hadn't even been in stock. He said: "I’ve wasted the last two weeks and spent just under eight hours on the phone trying to resolve this, only to find out that the missing part was never in stock. If I’d continued listening to their advisers, I’d still be waiting for the unavailable part. "Altogether, I’ve had four separate IKEA van visits over the past two weeks: the original delivery, another third of the sofa, the same third I already had, and now the collection. It’s been an absolute shambles." IKEA confirmed in a statement to the M.E.N. that they will offer George a full refund, compensation, and apologised for his experience. An IKEA Spokesperson told the M.E.N.: “We always want all of our customers to be happy with the service they receive. "Whilst we strive to live up to their (and our) expectations, we recognise that this didn’t happen on this occasion and sincerely apologise for Mr Hind’s experience. We have since been in contact and are currently in the process of arranging a full refund and offering compensation for the inconvenience caused." UConn head coach Dan Hurley insists he's not overvaluing Wednesday night's game between his 25th-ranked Huskies and No. 15 Baylor in Storrs, Conn. Sure, it comes on the heels of the two-time reigning national champion Huskies (5-3) responding to losing all three games during the Maui Invitational with a blowout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday.A teenager who died in a crash in an allegedly stolen car has been remembered as a “beautiful young man with a huge heart”. Kai McDonald was killed when the allegedly stolen Audi he was a passenger in collided with a station wagon on the Princes Hwy at Pakenham in Melbourne about 4pm on Thursday. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen killed after allegedly stolen car crashes on Vic highway. The Audi rolled and crashed into nearby trees and a power pole. The 16-year-old was rushed to hospital but died a short time later. Another 16-year-old boy allegedly behind the wheel of the Audi remains in a critical condition, while a fellow 15-year-old passenger is stable. McDonald’s mother told 7NEWS that her son was not involved in the alleged car theft, and that his only mistake was to accept a lift with a friend. Outpourings of support and grief from McDonald’s devastated community continue to flow, as family, friends and local sports clubs share their shock at the news. McDonald’s football club said he was a “much loved friend and teammate”. “The Carrum Downs Junior Football Club committee, players and supporters wish to pass on our deepest condolences to Samantha and family on the tragic passing of Kai McDonald,” the club said. “Kai was a much-loved friend and teammate of our Under 17’s. Forever a part of the team, forever in our hearts.” Chelsea Baseball Club, where McDonald also played, said he was a “beautiful young man” taken too soon. “It is with great sadness that we have heard the news of a passing of one of our own. Kai, you were a beautiful young man with a huge heart taken way too soon,” they said. “Fly high, buddy, sending love to all of your family and friends in this sad time. “He had a huge passion for baseball and football. Even though you were only with us for a short time, you made a big impact. Never forgotten. RIP Kai.” Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and said on Friday that they believe the Audi was stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne North on Sunday “Police are investigating reports the Audi was seen driving erratically on the Princes Hwy prior to the collision,” Victoria Police said. Police urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.