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Pulwama and Budgam Kareawas were famous for growing almonds, saffron and apples in the past. These kareawas were bulldozed during laying of Srinagar Qazigund railway line more than 20 years back and the destruction continues even now and Govt authorities have been allowing this destruction under the garb of so called development. There are some patches of land which have still been preserved by the local villagers but the Govt wants to destroy them as well for so-called development? On December 24th 2024 the office of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama issued an order constituting a team of Revenue Officers who will prepare necessary papers for setting up of a new campus for National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar at Newa Pulwama. The DC office is planning to transfer more than 4,834 kanals which is equivalent to around 604 acres of land. The DC office claims that 4800 kanals of land is state land but the locals say that they have been cultivating the land for the last more than 100 years which is mentioned in the revenue extracts as well. In this article I will try to throw some light on this issue and explain the legal and environmental aspects of this proposed project. The official order issued by DC office Pulwama vide communication number : DCP-SQ/24-25/2148-58 Dated: 24.12.2024 which is signed by Assistant Commissioner Revenue Pulwama has constituted a team of around 7 Revenue Department officers who will be responsible for preparation of necessary revenue papers. The team includes Naib Tehsildars Newa and Kakapora, as well as revenue staff such as Girdawars (GQ) Trich and Parigam and Patwari’s of Patalbagh, Kangan, and Newa. Isn’t Panchayat a State We need to understand that State in a broader term and is not restricted to the Offices of President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Governor or Lt Governor etc. As per Article 12 of the Indian Constitution: “ Definition in this part, unless the context otherwise requires, the State includes the Government and Parliament of India and the Government and the Legislature of each of the States and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the Government of India.” This definition makes it crystal clear that the state within the meaning of constitution of India means: Government and Parliament of India i.e., the Executive and Legislature of the Union Government and Legislature of each State, Union Territory i.e the Executive and Legislature of the various States / UTs of India All local or other authorities (Panchayats, Municipalities) within the territory of India Local Bodies custodians of state land In addition to the constitutional definition of state, there are several judgments of the Supreme Court and different High Courts which say local bodies are covered under the definition of State. If Municipality or Panchayat is a state then the land located in its jurisdiction also belongs to this institution? How can a Govt issue an order from Civil Secretariat or Raj Bhavan and tell Deputy Commissioner of a district to transfer almost 5000 kanals of land for NIT’s new campus while as people of the area, who have been cultivating the same land for more that 100 years, area not even asked for their consent? On various occasions in the past, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been highlighting the importance of local bodies and panchayats in J&K, but for more than a year these elections haven’t been held and all our panchayats are defunct. Even the local DDC members are not consulted by administration during execution of mega developmental projects. At a time when there are no elected Panchayats in villages, how can the Govt initiate land acquisition process of “state land” in a village? For the last one year plus the Panchayat Administration lies with local Block Development Officer-BDOs. Has the BDO Newa been asked to hold Halqa Majlis / Gram Sabha in the Newa and adjoining villages to see if people are ready to give their land for the new NIT Srinagar campus? Environmental Impact Our agricultural land is shrinking already in J&K. In Kashmir valley its impact is more as a lot of agricultural land has been acquired for new highways and rail projects. We are a land deficit place and our agriculture and horticulture is the backbone of our economy. There are apple and almond orchards spread on more than 5000 kanals of land in Newa Pulwama area which are spread on massive Karewa land. The setting up of new apple orchards has not only boosted the economy of locals but also controlled the air pollution as well. The apple trees play a significant role in carbon sequestration. Through photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass (trunks, branches, and roots). This reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thereby helping to mitigate global warming. Mature apple orchards can act as long-term carbon sinks, locking away carbon for decades. Apple plantations improve air quality as their leaves and bark trap particulate matter and other air pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide-SO2 and nitrogen oxides. This is particularly beneficial in areas with poor air quality due to industrial emissions or vehicular traffic. Apple orchards create habitats for a wide range of organisms, including insects, birds, and small mammals. Pollinators like bees and butterflies benefit immensely from the flowers of apple trees, which provide a critical source of nectar and pollen. The increased biodiversity enhances ecosystem resilience and stability. If the Govt allows cutting down of these trees in a 5000 kanal area , imagine what would be its impact on environment and ecology ? Conclusion How can any civilized society allow the destruction of such a great biodiversity and allow concrete buildings to come on this beautiful Karewa landscape? On one hand, the Government sets out agendas for empowerment of the institutions of local self governance but when it comes to taking control of the state land, the ownership rights are not given to the local bodies or PRIs. Issuing orders from the Civil Secretariat and getting it executed through District Administration kills not only the essence of the Welfare State but also chokes the spirit of our local self governance as well. Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is an Acumen Fellow & Founder / Chairman J&K RTI MovementFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Recommended Videos “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department's operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. Is it a plan in motion or more rhetoric? On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Death row inmates are mostly sentenced by states Before Biden's commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Could rape now be punishable by death? Berman said Trump's statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump's rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. What were the cases highlighted by Trump? One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl's mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden's decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. _______ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Figure Skating Championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. “Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports college basketball game and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.” Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Outside of his career as a sportscaster, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years. Associated Press reporter Mike Sisak contributed.0 is equal to 。

Colorado adds record insurance coverage for Sanders and Hunter before Alamo Bowl

SAN ANTONIO — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to complete their college careers in the Alamo Bowl rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount of insurance coverage each received, citing privacy laws. Coach Deion Sanders and athletic director Rick George both said it was the largest in college football history. "We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft," Sanders said Monday. "We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football." While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and two-way star Hunter received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft. "It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of," George said. "So, we worked together on that. We're excited about it. We think it's great that all our players are playing in the game. That's what all bowl games should be like." Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday. While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster. "It's more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State)," Colorado linebackers coach Andre' Hart said. "They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it's beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it's going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that's excellent." Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps. "They've taken care of us, everybody," Colorado running back Micah Welch said. "It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they're taking care of us." Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Juan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. He said at his introductory news conference on Thursday that the Mets “showed me a lot of love." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, Soto was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNC Bill Belichick is already the most decorated coach in NFL history. His next challenge is college football after he agreed to a five-year deal to coach at North Carolina. The reaction around the NFL ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. Others caution that the players he brings into UNC should prepare to have their limits tested.

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( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Blood gas and Electrolyte Analyzers Global market Report 2024 - Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033 The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-for a limited time only! LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, December 20, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- Grab your chance in The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-limited time only! Market size growth for blood gas and electrolyte analyzers has been quite remarkable in recent years, withestimated expansion from $3.26 billion in 2023 to $3.52 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 8.0%. This surge can be linked to rapid urbanization, the growing number of patients in emergency units of hospitals, improved infrastructure in diagnostic centers, rising earnings and standard of living, increased healthcare expenditure, an increase in the elderly population, and the rise in obesity. What Does the Future Hold for the Blood Gas and Electrolyte Analyzers Market? Future growth in the blood gas and electrolyte analyzers market looks promising and is prognosticated to reach $4.86 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 8.4%. This anticipated growth can be pinned on increasing government initiatives, a rising number of patients in critical care units and intensive care units ICU, escalations in medical tourism, and a surge in chronic diseases. Other major trends to look forward to include technological advancements, product innovations, digital blood gas analyzers, automated blood gas analyzers, the use of venous blood gas values, and complete blood count CBC diagnostics technology. To delve into more comprehensive insights about this burgeoning market, feel free to download a sample report here: What's Driving this Growth? A primary accelerator of this market's growth is the increased number of patients which led to an uptick in blood sample testing. Blood tests are utilized for various purposes, including measuring cholesterol and blood glucose levels. These tests aid in monitoring the risk of heart disease, vascular disease, and diabetes, as well as evaluating how effective treatments are. For example, in 2021 of the 118.5 million blood donations received globally, 40% were garnered in high-income countries. Intriguingly, children under five years old receive almost 54% of blood transfusions in low-income nations, whereas in high-income countries, patients over 60 years old receive up to 75% of all transfusions. It becomes clear, then, how the increase in patient numbers fuels the growth of the blood gas and electrolyte analyzers market. To uncover extensive insights and strategies, you can consider checking the full report here: Who Are the Movers and Shakers in the Industry? The key players in this market include F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Danaher Corporation, Siemens Healthineers AG, Werfen, Abbott Laboratories, Medica Corporation, EDAN Instruments Inc, Radiometer Medical, Nova Biomedical, OPTI Medical systems Inc, I Sens Inc, JOKOH CO. LTD, Prolong Medical Equipment Co. Ltd, Sensa Core Medical Instrumentation Pvt. Ltd, Hunan Rainbow Technology Co. Ltd, ERBA Mannheim, EKF Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics, Grifols, Vygon SAS, Biofidus, KwertyMed, Instrumentation Laboratory Company, Becton Dickinson and Co, and Microbiology E.A Ltd. What Are the Eminent Trends in the Industry? Major companies are more inclined towards technological advancements to solidify their market presence. A noteworthy example is Sensa Core's launch of the ST-200 CC Blood Gas Analyzer-Ultra Smart in India. This highly advanced blood gas model is completely automated, microprocessor-controlled, and uses an ION selective electrode ISE, Impedance Hct, and Amperometry pO2 technology to perform arterial blood gas and electrolyte analysis. How Is This Market Segmented? The market is segmented by product into Blood Gas Analyzers, Electrolyte Analyzers, Combined Analyzers, and Consumables. By modality, it is categorized into Portable, Laboratory, and Benchtop and by end user, it is divided into Central Laboratories, Point Of Care, Diagnostic Centres, Hospitals, and Other End Users. What Are the Regional Highlights? North America emerged as the largest region in the blood gas and electrolyte analyzers market in 2023. This region is also anticipated to witness the fastest growth moving ahead. Other regions covered in the report include Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. Browse Through More Similar Reports By The Business Research Company: Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Global Market Report 2024 Blood Glucose Meters Global Market Report 2024 Gastric Cancer Drugs Global Market Report 2024 Learn More About The Business Research Company As a global market research firm, The Business Research Company has published over 15000+ reports across 27 industries, spanning over 60+ geographies. The reports draw on 1,500,000 datasets, thorough secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders. Contact us at: The Business Research Company: ]( Americas +1 3156230293 Asia +44 2071930708 Europe +44 2071930708 Email us at ... Follow us on: LinkedIn: ]( YouTube: ]( Global Market Model: global-market-model](global-market-model Oliver Guirdham The Business Research Company +44 20 7193 0708 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. 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Jaland Lowe, Pitt charge past LSU in second half to move to 6-0

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kyler Murray was driving to the Arizona Cardinals' practice facility Wednesday when he realized that it had been almost exactly two years since he tore the ACL in his right knee in a game against the New England Patriots. Then another thought crossed his mind: It was the Patriots who were coming to town this Sunday for the first time since the injury. “Yeah, it’s a little weird,” Murray said with a wry grin. "I will try not to have that happen again.” The injury on Dec. 12, 2022, cost Murray roughly 11 months of his career, but he has been healthy this season. And now the Cardinals (6-7) are clinging to playoff hopes when they host the Patriots (3-10) on Sunday. Both teams have lost three straight games. The Patriots are coming off their bye week and haven't played since a 25-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 1. The Cardinals are trying to move past a brutal 30-18 loss to NFC West rival Seattle which knocked them into a tie for last place in the tightly packed division. Murray is coming off one of his worst games since the injury, throwing two interceptions that each eventually lead to touchdowns for Seattle. It was a rare blemish on an otherwise solid season — he has thrown for 2,862 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Now the Cardinals are pretty much in must-win territory. “For us, all we can do is control what we can control and that’s this weekend,” Murray said. "Today, tomorrow, go out there on Sunday and play good football.” The Cardinals' defense needs a better performance after giving up 409 total yards to Seattle last week, including 176 yards on the ground. Tightening against the run game is particularly important against New England's rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who's averaging 9.1 yards per rush on 38 attempts. The highest rushing average for an NFL quarterback in a single season is 8.5 by Michael Vick in 2006, when he had 123 rushing attempts for 1,039 yards with Atlanta. Maye's far from one-dimensional. He has thrown for at least 220 yards in each of the past three games, improving rapidly. The Patriots took Maye with the No. 3 overall pick out of North Carolina. “Yeah, I think he’s grown since he’s been playing,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I think he’s playing probably his best ball right now, probably just because of the experience. So definitely his skillset jumps out. You can see why he was taken so high. He’s a good player and he is ascending.” New England offensive lineman Cole Strange has a new haircut and could make his season debut, possibly at a new position. Strange, who usually sports curly locks, returned from the Patriots’ bye week with a buzz cut. It could coincide with a possible switch to center after he was activated this week, making him eligible to see his first game action since suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2023. A 2022 first-round pick, Strange started 10 games at left guard last season before being placed on injured reserve. Strange has been working at both left guard and center since he returned to practice Nov. 20 and could see his first NFL snaps at the latter position. Longtime Patriots center David Andrews had season-ending shoulder surgery in October. Ben Brown has started the last eight games at center. Murray said the Cardinals can't take the Patriots lightly despite their mediocre record. He compared New England to where Arizona was at last season, when the team was out of the playoff race but playing some good football down the stretch. Murray was particularly complimentary of Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, saying he was a “big fan.” Both players are Texas natives. “We were kind of in a similar situation as them, then went on the road to Pittsburgh, Philly and (won),” Murray said. "They’re going to come in here and play hard. We understand that and we have to be ready to go.” The Patriots have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but it didn’t stop Maye from spending part of his bye week watching matchups between teams that are still jockeying for postseason position. The reason? He wanted to get a glimpse — even if from afar — of the common traits of the teams still playing meaningful games at this time of the season. “Especially when you haven’t felt it,” Maye said. “I haven’t really experienced a playoff game. You always hear about what it’s been in the past here at the playoff games and the environment here in Gillette ... and watching Tom (Brady) and those guys duke it out. Those runs they had were special. I think you want that feeling and those guys in the locker room, some of them had it. A lot of us young guys haven’t.” Maye hopes it serves as motivation going forward. “I think we’re striving for that and can use these last four games as a challenge and as a step to, ‘Hey, what we have and what we got here on this team and who can help us and who can make some plays?’” he said. AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower contributed to this story. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLAscentus Digital Expands to Saudi Arabia

Fraser Health has launched a public awareness campaign encouraging pregnant people and people with syphilis symptoms to get tested for the sexually transmitted infection as cases continue to climb in British Columbia. In 2019 the provincial health officer declared a syphilis outbreak in B.C. based on rising case numbers. Since then the entire province has seen a “dramatic” increase in cases, said Dr. Vincent Valdrez, a BC Centre for Disease Control sexually transmitted infection physician. During the first six months of this year, B.C. had 1,049 cases of infectious syphilis, up from 154 cases in all of 2010. There were 1,060 cases in 2019, and 1,964 in 2022, according to the 2023 BC Syphilis Action Plan Refresh. A decade ago most syphilis cases were among men who have sex with men, but today two-thirds of syphilis cases occur in people who report having only heterosexual partners, and one-third of all cases are in women, he said. To boost public awareness about syphilis and the importance of testing, Fraser Health has placed ads on buses and bus stops. They’ve also placed digital ads in Fraser Health facilities, online and on Facebook and Instagram, the health authority told The Tyee in an email. Symptom-free phase can still be contagious Valdrez said it’s not clear why case counts are increasing and the demographics are significantly shifting, but it’s important that people know that anyone who is sexually active has some risk of contracting an STI. Testing is recommended for anyone who has never been tested, has a sexual partner who tested positive, is pregnant or has a new sexual partner, and, of course, anyone who is symptomatic. Regular testing at least every few months is recommended for anyone who has multiple sexual partners or engages in other activities that can increase the risk of exposure, such as sex work. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is usually transmitted through sexual contact, often through a lesion like a genital ulcer, but also can be transmitted when the infected person is asymptomatic, Valdrez said. A pregnant person can also transmit the infection to their developing fetus. The first stage usually consists of a painless sore or sores on the genitals, lips, mouth or anus. The infection then spreads to the rest of the body. At the second stage, symptoms can include a non-itchy rash on the chest, belly, genitals, palms or soles of the feet, having a headache, fever, hair loss or swollen lymph nodes, and having bumps or patches inside the mouth, anus and genitals, according to the SmartSexResource, a service provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control. Syphilis is called the “great mimicker” because these symptoms are non-specific and can be mistaken for other conditions, Valdrez said. It’s important for individuals but also clinicians to be aware of the symptoms and to include syphilis testing when trying to diagnose an illness. The third stage is called the “dormant” or “latent” phase, Valdrez said. It doesn’t have symptoms but can still be contagious. Within as little as a year after infection, syphilis can spread to different organ systems, such as the nervous system, he said. An infection can make people “go blind, [or] people can lose their hearing and it can spread to the brain and people can get strokes or seizures,” which are caused by inflammation around the brain, Valdrez said. “It’s very important to catch syphilis early and to treat it early to prevent these longer-term effects,” Valdrez said. Congenital syphilis An increase in infections in people assigned female at birth is doubly concerning because of the risk of congenital syphilis, in which a pregnant person can transmit the infection to a developing fetus, Valdrez said. Congenital syphilis can mean “babies are quite sick when they’re born, and it can lead to long-term health effects, in their immediate future but also later in life,” he added. Congenital syphilis can result in premature birth, low birthweight and other serious debilitating conditions, including stillbirth, according to Fraser Health. In 2022, over 90 per cent of women with infectious syphilis were between the ages of 15 and 49, according to the 2023 BC Syphilis Action Plan Refresh. There were 355 cases of infectious syphilis in females aged 15 to 49 during the first half of this year, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control. Twenty-three of those cases were diagnosed during prenatal screening. There were 21 cases of congenital syphilis in 2023, up from two cases in 2020, Fraser Health said. In 2019 B.C. introduced a new guideline for pregnant people to test for syphilis during the first trimester or at the first prenatal visit, and again during delivery. Valdrez said a syphilis blood test ideally happens during the first trimester so there are at least four weeks between when they get treatment and when they deliver. This “would ensure a treatment of the syphilis infection in both the pregnant person and the prevention of transmission to the baby,” he said. Unfortunately people aren’t always interacting with the health-care system during their first trimester of pregnancy, he said. There are complex reasons why people don’t access medical care at regular intervals, he added. For example, a person may be unhoused and learn they are pregnant and have syphilis only when they seek emergency care for an unrelated issue, he said. Late is better than never, he said. The good news: syphilis is curable The good news is that testing and treatment for STIs is free in B.C., and that syphilis can be cured with antibiotics at any stage of the infection. Further good news is that, so far, there haven’t been any antibiotic-resistant cases of syphilis found in the province, Valdrez said. British Columbians can speak with their doctor about getting tested for STIs, or use other free and confidential testing services like the BC Centre for Disease Control’s GetCheckedOnline. GetCheckedOnline allows people to make a lab form that they can take to participating labs for free STI testing. Participants don’t need to provide their name or have a Medical Services Plan number — you just need to provide an email and phone number. There are participating labs in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Victoria, Duncan, Kamloops, Kimberley and Nelson. Vancouver is also home to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s STI clinic, located near City Hall and open six days a week. The STI clinic offers free and confidential testing and treatment, and patients are not required to be enrolled in B.C.’s provincial health care. Options for Sexual Health has 60 clinics across the province that provide free STI testing and treatment for people enrolled in MSP. Those without MSP coverage may be charged up to $200, depending on the service, and Options for Sexual Health does not offer anonymous testing like GetCheckedOnline or the BC Centre for Disease Control STI clinic. Syphilis can be treated for free in B.C. with penicillin injections. Urgent and primary care centres, emergency departments, sexual health clinics, community health centres and public health centres will generally have these stocked, or a doctor could order and administer the treatment regardless of where you live in B.C., Valdrez said. Alternative antibiotics are available for people with penicillin allergies; people should discuss options with the doctor who is treating them. SEE ALSO:By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer's surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs long intended to counter those of India, the victor in three major wars they have fought since 1947. Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer said Pakistan has pursued "increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment, that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors." If those trends continue, Finer said, "Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States." The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles that can reach the U.S. homeland "is very small and they tend to be adversarial," he continued, naming Russia, North Korea and China. "So, candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer said. His speech came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development program, including against the state-run defense agency that oversees the program. The Pakistani embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Islamabad casts its long-range ballistic missile program as a deterrent against Indian aggression and intended to maintain regional stability. Finer included himself among senior U.S. officials who he said repeatedly have raised concerns about the program with top Pakistani officials. Washington and Islamabad, he noted, had been "long-time partners" on development, counterterrorism and security. "That makes us question even more why Pakistan will be motivated to develop a capability that could be used against us." Pakistan conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1998 - more than 20 years after India's first test blast - becoming the seventh country to do so. It also has built an extensive arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of lofting nuclear warheads. The Bulletin of the American Scientists research organization estimates that Pakistan has a stockpile of about 170 warheads. U.S.-Pakistani relations have undergone major ups and downs, including close Cold War ties that saw them support Afghan rebels against the 1979-89 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Pakistan also was a key partner in the U.S. fight against al Qaeda following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and has been a major non-NATO ally since 2004. But ties also have been hurt by coups staged by the Pakistani military, its support for the Taliban's 1996-2001 rule and its nuclear weapons program. Several experts said Finer's speech came as a major surprise. "For a senior U.S. official to publicly link concerns about proliferation in Pakistan to a future direct threat to the U.S. homeland - this is a mighty dramatic development," said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center think tank. Elizabeth Threlkeld of the Stimson Center think tank, said Finer's speech showed that Pakistani officials had failed to reassure Washington about the aims of their missile and nuclear weapons programs and that U.S. concerns are mounting. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jonathan Oatis)

Probe Suggests Azerbaijan Plane Crashed Due To 'Physical External Interference'A new report from the market research firm TrendForce sheds light on the current state of the VR/MR headset industry. As per the report, Meta retains its crown by securing 73% of the VR/MR headset market share in 2024. Much credit goes to the company's strategy of selling cheaper headsets over premium ones. Meta delayed its plans to launch Quest Pro 2 and released the . The affordable headset was responsible for an 11% year-over-year increase in shipments. Meanwhile, Sony's PS VR2 grabbed the second highest market share of 9%, and the remaining 13% goes to other players in the industry. The global VR/MR headset shipment is expected to reach 9.6 million units in 2024, an 8.8% increase year-over-year. As per the report, three trends are shaping the global VR/MR ecosystem. These include the dominance of low-cost headsets on the market, a shift from entertainment accessories to productivity tools, and using OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) as the preferred display technology for premium headsets. Apple Vision Pro is the first headset in the industry to feature the OLEDoS display technology. The went on sale earlier this year and scored a 5% market share in 2024. However, it's worth noting that Vision Pro costs more than 10 times Meta's Quest 3S. A that Vision Pro is a complex headset with that are bigger than the world has ever seen. Despite its premium price tag, the headset has become a trendsetter, pushing VR/MR devices from "consumer-oriented entertainment toward a broader role as multi-functional productivity tools." In addition to , Vision Pro offers various advanced applications, including document editing, virtual meetings, healthcare, and education. "This paradigm shift is expected to encourage other brands to reevaluate the functional attributes of their own VR/MR devices, expanding their role in both consumer and enterprise markets," the . According to the report, Apple is expected to bring its next-gen VR/MR devices "as early as 2026," which contradicts a from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. A two-way strategy will simultaneously target the premium market and the mainstream segment with an affordable headset. It was only ten new apps made it to the Vision Pro App Store in September this year, suggesting developers may have lost interest due to the high price tag. TrendForce expects Apple to continue using OLEDoS technology with a resolution exceeding 3000ppi for its premium headset. However, it might look for names other than Sony and knock on the doors of Chinese suppliers to source cheaper components and reduce production costs. On the other hand, the Cupertino giant will focus on cost-efficiency and affordability for its mainstream model, targeting price-sensitive customers. It might choose from alternative display options such as glass-based OLED displays and LCDs with LTPO backplane technology.

'Stunning' new transparent TV hits the market for $59,999: What to know about LG's Signature OLED TOTTAWA — After being blanked 4-0 by host Canada the night before, Finland bounced back with a gritty 3-1 win over Germany during Friday’s second day of competition at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa. Emil Pieniniemi, Arttu Alasiurua and Jesse Kiiskinen scored for Finland, which outshot the winless German crew 43-32. Clemens Sager scored for Germany, which lost 10-4 to the defending champion United States on Boxing Day. Finland led 1-0 after the first period and 2-1 heading into the third. Germany’s goaltender Linus Vieillard stopped 40 of 42 shots directed at him, while Petteri Rimpinen stopped 31 of 32 shots for Finland. Both teams play their next games Sunday when Finland plays the U.S. and Germany faces Canada. Earlier on Friday, Slovakia bounced back from a 5-2 opening-day loss to Sweden to edge Switzerland 2-1. Jan Chovan’s goal with 3:18 left in the third period snapped a 1-1 deadlock and lifted Slovakia to the victory. Daniel Jencko also scored for Slovakia. Eric Schneller scored for winless Switzerland, which lost 5-1 on Thursday to Czechia. Both teams had 29 shots on goal. Both teams play again Sunday when Slovakia faces Czechia and Switzerland plays Sweden. In later games Friday, Sweden will square off with Kazakhstan, while Canada will face Latvia. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. The Canadian Press