By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS NEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you . In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. The initial response from customers and American employees “has exceeded our expectations,” Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in a statement. She added that the airline is “thrilled” to have the technology up and running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday . American got lots of attention when it unveiled its gate-control testing last month. Analysts say that isn’t surprising. It’s no secret that line cutting in airports hits a nerve. Whether intentional or not, just about every air traveler has witnessed it, noted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. It can add to frustrations in what can already be a tense environment, with particular anxiety around passengers wanting to sit together or rushing for some overhead bin space. Harteveldt doesn’t see American’s recent move as “shaming” customers who cut the line. “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos,” he said. “And I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger (from) people who simply think they’re entitled to board out of turn .... It’s just not fair.” Harteveldt added that he thinks this change will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents. Others say more time will tell. Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero, said he can see the benefits of more orderly and universal gate-control enforcement, particularly for airlines. But he said he isn’t “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers” just yet. Families, for example, might be booked on several different reservations across more than one group, he said. Airlines typically have workarounds for that, and American noted Wednesday that customers traveling with a companion in an earlier group can simply have a gate agent “override the alert” to continue boarding. Still, Miller said, “you have to go through the extra hoops.” And a difficult customer still might choose to hold up the line and argue when they’re not allowed to board, he added. Related Articles National News | Bob Casey concedes Pa. Senate race, congratulates Dave McCormick on win National News | A Mexican cartel leader arrested in the US faked his death and assumed a phony name, prosecutors say National News | Major storm drops record rain, downs trees in Northern California after devastation further north National News | SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down National News | ACLU sues government for records detailing Trump’s mass deportation plan Another question is whether customers who encounter a beep will walk away feeling embarrassed. But Harteveldt said he was happy to learn that American’s alert is “not a bellowing sound that can be heard throughout the terminal,” or accompanied by your name read over a loudspeaker, noting that this is important to avoid feelings of shame. Expanding this technology just a week before peak Thanksgiving travel could be “both good and bad,” Harteveldt adds. On one hand, the tech could help significantly improve the boarding process during such a busy time, he said, but airport employees might also have appreciated more time to prepare. Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other carriers soon follow American’s lead. Headaches over airport line cutting are far from new. While maybe not to the extent of American’s new tech, Miller noted he’s seen gate agents from other airlines ask people to leave a line and wait for their group. Harteveldt added that he’s been to some airports in Asia and Europe with “sliding doors” that ensure passengers are in the right group before boarding a plane. The more than 100 airports that American is now using its gate-control technology in are all spoke, or non-hub, locations — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airline says it expects to further expand to its hubs and other airports in the coming months.A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge’s order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. ____ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana.
Olympic great calls time on career
The morning catch up: ASX set to rise as global markets rebound, but Trump bump looks shortlivedA a day has become the secret to for one of Australia's oldest people. or signup to continue reading Bridget Grocke, who turned on November 18, 2024, has had a can of Emu Export beer every day for more than 60 years. "If there was a bunch of , I would choose that one; I'd always choose that one," Mrs Grocke said. Her one vice, she swears by the daily ritual, which has become her secret to a long life. But she also credits her longevity to the strong bonds she has with family. Mrs Grocke's daughter, Jan Robertson, said her mother's strength and independence have been constants throughout her life. "Her daily Emu Export is just a part of who she is, and it's heartwarming to see her reaching this milestone with the same joy and routine she's had for decades," Mrs Robertson said. Mrs Grocke was the second oldest of seven children. Born in the Perth suburb of Leederville in 1914, she spent time in Kalgoorlie and went across Western Australia as the family followed her father's work as an engine driver. She helped her mother Eva Jennings - who only had one arm - with meals, organising clothing, peeling potatoes, making pastries and doing the washing with a copper and washing dolly. Mrs Grocke worked as a cashier at Montgomery Brothers' Store in Kalgoorlie, and it was her job to count the money, tally it up and present a balance sheet. "Her diligent work earned her respect and recognition from her employees," Mrs Robertson said. Mrs Grocke also worked at David Jones in Perth, plus went off travelling to New Zealand, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. She married Jim at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Subiaco in 1942. "Their relationship was deeply loving, they did everything together and raised four kids together," Mrs Robertson said. During World War II, Bridget and her friends didn't focus on the hardships; they kept active and social, enjoying outdoor games and tennis. Mrs Grocke said her four children are her proudest achievement. She lived independently at home in Doubleview until aged 109, when she moved into Bethanie Subiaco. There, she enjoys physical activities like darts and staying engaged with her surroundings. "She's not one for puzzles or books but thrives on movement and staying physically active," Mrs Robertson said. Mrs Grocke uses a a walker for stability - but can do without one. Things she wants younger generations to know about life and/or growing older are to be nice to people - "they will be nice to you back", and always be honest. "Mum always talked about respect, manners and boundaries and to cherish family moments," Mrs Robertson said. "Simple things like sitting together at the table for dinner every single night with no distractions or external factors - something we have continued for generations to enjoy good old family discussions." While she has experienced loss - her husband Jim who passed in 1985, and two of her children - she still has her youngest sibling, plus one daughter (Mrs Robertson) and a son. Today, Bridget has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Ken Weeks, Australia's oldest person, turned 111 in October 2024. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . AdvertisementNational Savings Bank records Rs. 25.5 b PBT for 3Q in 2024
NoneIn their final fixture of 2024, Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the opening period. Arsenal’s victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, having played one match more than the Reds, and a point clear of Chelsea following their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. Ipswich, although much improved in the second half, have now lost five of their last six games, and remain just one place off the bottom of the table, three points away from safety. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/hDd5bkHwXr — Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 27, 2024 Mikel Arteta’s men have been rocked by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury which could keep the England winger, who has nine goals and 13 assists this season, out of action for the next two months. Gabriel Martinelli was handed the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening. The Ipswich defence failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Leandro Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard fought his way to the byline before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards. It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and no less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4 per cent of the possession, deserved. Heading into Friday’s fixture, Arsenal had lost only one of their last 75 Premier League games when they had opened the scoring, and their triumph here rarely looked in doubt following Havertz’s strike. Three points that take Arsenal into second 🪜 #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/Dx3s6XlwQ2 — Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2024 Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead with 34 minutes gone when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – handed his third successive start for the first time in a year – strayed into an offside position in the build-up. When referee Darren England blew for half-time, Ipswich had failed to touch the ball in Arsenal’s box, becoming just the second side to do so in the Premier League this season. Nottingham Forest were the other, away at Liverpool, before they went on to inflict Arne Slot’s sole defeat of his tenure so far. And for all of Arsenal’s possession, while they held just a one-goal advantage, Ipswich knew they were still in the game. An encouraging start to the second half for the Tractor Boys ensued, albeit without testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Shortly after the hour mark, Gabriel should have settled any growing Emirates nerves when he arrived unmarked to Declan Rice’s corner, but the defender headed wide of Arijanet Muric’s post when it looked easier to score. Just over an hour on the clock. #ARSIPS pic.twitter.com/JXNipX1J1Z — IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) December 27, 2024 Martin Odegaard then forced a fine fingertip save from Muric at his near post after a mazy run and shot from the Arsenal skipper. Rice’s stinging goal-bound volley from the following corner was blocked by Dara O’Shea as Arsenal pushed for a game-killing second. Havertz should have tapped home Trossard’s header but he fluffed his lines. And moments later, substitute Mikel Merino’s effort was diverted from danger by a diving Muric. Ipswich looked to catch Arsenal on the counter, but the match ended without them registering a single effort on Raya’s goal. Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win which keeps the pressure on Liverpool.Seasoned retail executive to lead next phase of growth for extreme-value retailer PHILADELPHIA, PA, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE), the trend-right, high-quality extreme-value retailer for teens and pre-teens, today announced the appointment of Winnie Park as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024. An accomplished retail executive with a career spanning more than three decades, Ms. Park has extensive experience in driving customer-centric business strategies, merchandising and brand building across a broad spectrum of specialty and value retail. In her new role, she will partner closely with Kenneth Bull, who will continue as Five Below's Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Thomas Vellios, Co-founder, will continue as Executive Chairman, working alongside Ms. Park, Mr. Bull and the rest of the leadership team to drive the Company's strategic priorities. Ms. Park will be based in Philadelphia. "Winnie is a passionate retail visionary with a deep understanding of the consumer and the power at the intersection of trend and value,” Mr. Vellios said. "The breadth of her leadership experience, especially her merchandising expertise, customer acumen, strong global background, and importantly, how she values people and champions organizational culture all make her uniquely suited for the role. Combined with Ken's expertise and deep knowledge of our business, I'm confident that together we will unlock tremendous potential for our customers and shareholders by delivering amazing product at exceptional value in a fun store experience.” Ms. Park served as Chief Executive Officer of Forever 21 since January 2022, leading a transformational brand refresh for the fast-fashion company focused on younger consumers with a social-media-first approach to engaging with customers. Under Ms. Park's leadership, the brand launched its omnichannel capabilities, social commerce and an award-winning metaverse partnership with Roblox. She also expanded categories beyond women's apparel to include kid's, gift, beauty and accessories. Prior to Forever 21, Ms. Park was the CEO of Paper Source, where she drove the business from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to an omnichannel lifestyle brand. Under her leadership, Paper Source developed a robust digital presence, encompassing social media, digital content, online subscriptions and affiliate partnerships. Prior to Paper Source, Ms. Park served as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and eCommerce, and Global VP, GMM, Merchandising, at Hong Kong-based international retail leader Duty Free Shoppers, a division of LVMH. At DFS, Ms. Park launched the company's first global eCommerce site, serving customers across China, Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United States. Ms. Park has also led Women's Merchandising for Dockers at Levi Strauss & Co. and worked at McKinsey in fashion retail and consumer digital. Ms. Park served on the board of Dollar Tree from 2020 to 2024. She earned a BA from Princeton University and an MBA from Northwestern University. "I'm a huge fan of the Five Below brand and its unique ability to connect with and empower teens and pre-teens through an amazing assortment of extreme-value items in a fun shopping environment,” said Ms. Park. "There is enormous opportunity to build on the exciting initiatives that are already underway as we elevate our product, value and experience. I am excited to be a part of the continued growth of the brand and to be partnering with Tom, Ken and the rest of the talented team as we execute on the long runway for growth ahead.” Mr. Vellios continued, "I would like to extend a deep appreciation to Ken for his support as interim CEO over the past several months. His contributions have been critical in helping us refocus and create momentum in the business. I'm delighted that Ken is continuing in his role as COO, and on behalf of the board and the entire Five Below team, I want to thank him.” Mr. Bull said, "I've been honored to call Five Below my home since 2005 and am thrilled to welcome Winnie to the team. Her experience, leadership style and deep focus on people - both customers and crew - make her a great fit. I am excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to partnering with Winnie to unlock our full potential and drive the next phase of Five Below's growth.” Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect management's current views and estimates regarding the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning its market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, store count potential and other financial and operating information. Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future" and similar terms and phrases. The Company cannot assure investors that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to risks related to disruption to the global supply chain, risks related to the Company's strategy and expansion plans, risks related to our ability to attract, retain, and integrate qualified executive talent, risks related to disruptions in our information technology systems and our ability to maintain and upgrade those systems, risks related to the inability to successfully implement our online retail operations, risks related to cyberattacks or other cyber incidents, risks related to increased usage of machine learning and other types of artificial intelligence in our business, and challenges with properly managing its use; risks related to our ability to select, obtain, distribute and market merchandise profitably, risks related to our reliance on merchandise manufactured outside of the United States, the availability of suitable new store locations and the dependence on the volume of traffic to our stores, risks related to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions, risks related to increased operating costs, including wage rates, risks related to inflation and increasing commodity prices, risks related to potential systematic failure of the banking system in the United States or globally, risks related to extreme weather, pandemic outbreaks, global political events, war, terrorism or civil unrest (including any resulting store closures, damage, or loss of inventory), risks related to leasing, owning or building distribution centers, risks related to our ability to successfully manage inventory balance and inventory shrinkage, quality or safety concerns about the Company's merchandise, increased competition from other retailers including online retailers, risks related to the seasonality of our business, risks related to our ability to protect our brand name and other intellectual property, risks related to customers' payment methods, risks related to domestic and foreign trade restrictions including duties and tariffs affecting our domestic and foreign suppliers and increasing our costs, including, among others, the direct and indirect impact of current and potential tariffs imposed and proposed by the United States on foreign imports, risks associated with the restrictions imposed by our indebtedness on our current and future operations, the impact of changes in tax legislation and accounting standards and risks associated with leasing substantial amounts of space. For further details and a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the Company's periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov . If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this news release speaks only as of the date on which the Company makes it. Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. About Five Below Five Below is a leading high-growth value retailer offering trend-right, high-quality products loved by teens and pre-teens. We believe life is better when customers are free to "let go & have fun" in an amazing experience filled with unlimited possibilities. With most items priced between $1 and $5, and some extreme value items priced beyond $5 in our incredible Five Beyond Shop, Five Below makes it easy to say YES! to the newest, coolest stuff across eight awesome Five Below worlds: Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Create, Party, Candy and New & Now. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Five Below today has over 1,750 stores in 44 states. For more information, please visit www.fivebelow.com or find Five Below on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @FiveBelow. Investor Contact Christiane Pelz Vice President, Investor Relations Five Below, Inc. [email protected] Media Contact Jessica Liddell Partner, ICR [email protected]
Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum
By ERIC TUCKER WASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China’s hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals.” Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Related Articles National News | Judge says woman accusing Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her at age 13 can proceed anonymously National News | What is the Native American Church and why is peyote sacred to members? National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | OpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicide Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number” were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are “primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.
Ruud van Nistelrooy ‘disappointed’ and ‘hurt’ after cutting ties with Man UtdAnge Postecoglou searching for answers over Tottenham’s injury crisisWinston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2024-- Volato Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SOAR), a leader in private aviation innovation, announces a new patent-pending technology that advances how aircraft generate revenue by repurposing underutilized aircraft resources for cryptocurrency mining. First filed in 2023, this innovation has already benefited from significant Bitcoin price appreciation, reinforcing its potential to turn aviation’s untapped resources into valuable digital assets. By default, the system operates using excess electricity generated during normal flight operations, ensuring seamless integration with no additional costs or resource demands. However, the system is designed to dynamically scale up and utilize additional onboard electricity when spoiled capacity—such as unoccupied seats or unused cargo space—occurs. This flexibility allows operators to transform inefficiencies into valuable Bitcoin assets, maximizing revenue potential while maintaining operational integrity. Bitcoin Mining Tailored for Aviation At the heart of Volato’s invention is its patented use of specialty mining hardware, optimized to achieve peak performance at high altitudes. By operating in the cool and energy-rich environment of cruising aircraft, the system delivers superior efficiency compared to ground-based mining setups. Aircraft operators can seamlessly integrate this technology into standard operations, turning inefficiencies into opportunities without impacting the aircraft’s primary function. “Our technology secures a future where aircraft don’t just move people or goods—they actively create value through advanced computing,” said Matt Liotta, CEO of Volato. “As Bitcoin adoption continues to accelerate, this innovation ensures that aviation can participate in its evolution while leveraging its unique operating environment.” Sustainability Meets Profitability Volato’s patent-pending system aligns with aviation’s growing focus on sustainability. The revenue generated from Bitcoin mining can support the purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or fund carbon offset programs, offering a pathway to enhance profitability while reducing environmental impact. This dual benefit positions Volato’s technology as an attractive tool for forward-thinking aircraft operators. Opportunities for Partners Volato is actively seeking partners across the aviation and cryptocurrency sectors to refine and scale this innovation. Partnership opportunities include validating operational performance, tailoring the system for specific fleet needs, and exploring broader applications beyond Bitcoin mining. “Collaboration will be key to unlocking the full potential of this invention,” Liotta added. “We welcome partners who see the opportunity to shape the future of aviation and cryptocurrency together.” Broad Applications Across Aviation This technology is versatile, with applications ranging from private aviation to commercial and cargo operations. Whether deployed on a smaller jet or a large transport aircraft, the system adapts to maximize value generation in every flight scenario. The commercial aviation sector alone, with a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of approximately 25,600 aircraft, demonstrates the immense scalability of the system. Volato’s patent-pending innovation transforms aviation into a platform for advanced computing, providing a new layer of financial optimization. With Bitcoin’s significant price appreciation over the past year and its long-term potential, this technology offers a unique way to capitalize on underutilized resources. By turning inefficiencies into Bitcoin assets, Volato is positioning aviation to lead in the next wave of cryptocurrency innovation. About Volato Volato (NYSE American: SOAR) is a private aviation company advancing the industry with innovative solutions in aviation software and on-demand flight access. Volato’s proprietary Mission Control software drives efficiency across operations and supports operators in managing fractional ownership, charter, and other services. Volato’s Vaunt platform connects travelers with available private flights, offering a flexible option for on-demand travel. With a commitment to advanced technology and customer-focused solutions, Volato is building scalable tools to elevate service quality and operational effectiveness in private aviation. For more information about Volato, please visit www.flyvolato.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202589135/en/ CONTACT: For Media: media@flyvolato.comFor Investors: investors@flyvolato.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DATA MANAGEMENT OTHER TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY DIGITAL CASH MANAGEMENT/DIGITAL ASSETS TRAVEL CRYPTOCURRENCY AIR TRANSPORT AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Volato Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/02/2024 04:00 PM/DISC: 12/02/2024 04:03 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202589135/enPITTSBURGH (AP) — Preseason’s over. Now the real work begins for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the past three months have been promising and productive for the first-place Steelers (10-3), it has come largely at the expense of teams who will likely watch the playoffs on TV. Six of Pittsburgh’s victories have come against teams who currently have losing records. The other four wins — , the , and — are solid resume-builders with a small caveat: none of them lead their respective divisions. To be clear, Pittsburgh’s play is part of the reason those four clubs find themselves looking up to others in the standings. That will change on Sunday when the Steelers travel across the state to face NFC juggernaut , the start of an 11-day sprint in which Pittsburgh also faces a rematch with the Ravens and spends Christmas Day at Acrisure Stadium against Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending . “It’s just going to show us how good we can be,” safety DeShon Elliott said. It’s a testament to the weekly tunnel vision Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin creates that wide receiver Calvin Austin III needed to be reminded about the daunting stretch that awaits after Sunday’s relatively over Cleveland. “Who do we play again?” Austin said. When reminded it was three teams that fully expect to be in New Orleans on the second Sunday in February, Austin laughed. “That’s a tough little stretch, but at the end of the day it’s a five-star matchup as Coach T says because we’re in it,” he said. “We know that when we’re out there, it’s going to always be a big-time performance.” One Austin and his teammates believe they’re ready for after a workmanlike victory over the Browns in which the Steelers were only too intent to let Cleveland self-destruct behind a flurry of penalties, missed field goals and turnovers. More will likely be required in the coming weeks, which is fine by the Steelers. They have put themselves in a position to do things the franchise hasn’t done in a while. And for all the good things they’ve done since early September, they’re only too aware their season will be defined by what comes next. Sure, they’d love a little more time between games to rest up. The scheduling gods didn’t give them that option. So be it. “I feel like the league kind of hates us already, man,” Elliott said. “It’s all right. We’re going to go out here, play those games, work our butts off, go out and be 3-0.” What’s working Letting everybody eat. Russell Wilson seems to be almost pathological in his determination to get every eligible skill position player involved. A week ago , he connected with 10 different players. In the rematch with the Browns, it was eight, including Mike Williams and Scotty Miller, veterans who have largely been afterthoughts of late. Tomlin greeted Miller after an acrobatic 20-yard third down grab on the sideline in the third quarter with “this isn’t a lightning strike,” a popular Tomlin-ism that means simply Miller did all the work necessary to succeed, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when it comes. Asked if he felt compelled to mention this to Tomlin the next time Miller is a candidate to be inactive on game days — as he has often been in recent weeks — Miller smiled. “If you could tell him that, that’d be great,” he said with a laugh. What needs help George Pickens’ maturity. While Pickens believes opponents haven’t found a way to get under his skin, the evidence suggests otherwise. How else to explain why nearly three years into his career, Pickens still frequently finds an envelope in his locker from the league telling him he’s been fined for everything from unsportsmanlike conduct to unnecessary roughness? Pickens’ teammates respect his talent and understand his importance — look at how disjointed the offense looked on Sunday for proof — but will he before the playoffs arrive? That will be entirely up to Pickens. Nothing seems to have gotten through so far. Maybe watching the team win without him while nursing a hamstring injury — as Pickens did on Sunday — will do the trick. Stock up The Steelers may have found their heir apparent to the seemingly ageless Cam Heyward in second-year defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. While Benton will likely never come close to matching Heyward’s impact as a pass rusher, he can do just about everything else and his first career interception on Sunday — a leaping pick of an ill-advised screen pass by Jameis Winston — showcased his spiking football IQ. Stock down Everyone who put money down during the offseason on the . It looked like a good investment over the summer with two new quarterbacks, a new offensive coordinator, no second big-play wide receiver to complement Pickens and playing in what was viewed as the best division in the league. Not so much anymore. Pittsburgh has a 99% chance of reaching the postseason for the fourth time in five years. Injuries Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi — selected as the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee last week — left in the second quarter with a groin injury. Defensive tackle Montravius Adams (knee) is trending toward playing for the first time since October and could be available in Philadelphia. Key number Plus-28 — the Steelers’ turnover margin since the start of the 2023 season, tops in the NFL. Next steps Try to do something they haven’t done in nearly 60 years: beat the Eagles on the road. Pittsburgh’s most recent victory in Philadelphia was on Oct. 24, 1965. ___ AP NFL:
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' reliance on hotels and motels to shelter homeless people will be phased out in the next couple of years, Gov. Maura Healey said Friday, outlining changes to the state's emergency family shelter system. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' reliance on hotels and motels to shelter homeless people will be phased out in the next couple of years, Gov. Maura Healey said Friday, outlining changes to the state's emergency family shelter system. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts’ reliance on hotels and motels to shelter homeless people will be phased out in the next couple of years, Gov. Maura Healey said Friday, outlining changes to the state’s emergency family shelter system. The Democratic governor said the changes would help more families find stable, permanent housing and help manage costs. Healey said the emergency assistance system has remained steady at around 7,500 families with up to 40 families initially seeking shelter per day. In recent months, that average has fallen to about 15-18 families per day, she said. “In recent years, the state’s family shelter system has grown to be increasingly unsustainable,” Healey said in a statement. “We’ve taken significant action to rein in its growth, and we’ve seen tangible results.” Last year, Healey declared a state of emergency, capping shelter capacity at 7,500 families. The state has also barred homeless families from sleeping overnight at Logan International Airport in Boston. Healey said the state will be phasing out the use of hotels and motels to shelter homeless people during the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. The facilities lack the space for services and can be isolating, Healey said. She said providers will work with families to find safe and stable housing. The administration will also push to increase the state’s temporary rental subsidy, Healey said. Under the proposed change, families will be eligible for up to $25,000 of rental assistance per year for two years. The current benefit is a total of $30,000 over two or $45,000 over three years. Beginning Dec. 10, homeless families will be placed on either a “Rapid Shelter Track” or “Bridge Shelter Track” depending on their needs, Healey said. The Rapid Shelter Track is aimed at families who have the resources to quickly find permanent housing. They will be offered 30 days of support to receive help with transitioning quickly to stable housing. The Bridge Shelter Track is meant for families with more complex needs who may take longer to find permanent housing – including women with late-term pregnancies and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Gladys Vega, president of La Colaborativa, an immigrant aid organization in Chelsea, Massachusetts, said it’s critical to maintain a safety net for those struggling to find housing they can afford. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “As rental prices continue to rise, families across the commonwealth are increasingly finding themselves unable to sustain the cost of housing,” Vega said. “Many Massachusetts residents are a single paycheck away from homelessness.” Massachusetts has struggled to deal with a spike in demand for homeless services — in part due to the influx of migrants to the state. In June, Healey announced that beginning Aug. 1, families not prioritized for placement in emergency assistance shelters would be eligible to stay at overflow sites for just five days. Healey said she was tightening restrictions on emergency assistance system eligibility because of the system’s “continuing capacity constraints” and the need to protect its financial sustainability Beginning June 1, the state also began limiting how long homeless families can stay in shelters to nine months. After that, families are eligible for up to two 90-day extensions. Advertisement AdvertisementBERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday. The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. The England forward is the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Bundesliga in what was his 43rd game. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in matches it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. Two minutes later, Kane scored with a header after controlling Leon Goretzka's cross with his first touch for a flattering scoreline. Bayern had possession and chances, but the visitors defended resolutely with Augsburg goalkeeper Nediljko Labrović denying Kane, then twice Jamal Musiala to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Bayern counterpart Manuel Neuer, who overcame a rib injury to start, had little to do at the other end. Musiala, Goretzka and Michael Olise all went close after the break. Labrović and the Augsburg defense held on. Then Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win without conceding a goal since it conceded four at Barcelona (4-1) on Oct. 23 in the Champions League. Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in that competition on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerUS to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office
Talphera CEO Vincent J. Angotti buys $3,649 in company stockRuud van Nistelrooy ‘disappointed’ and ‘hurt’ after cutting ties with Man UtdNKMax currently holds master global rights to the intellectual property ("IP”) for troculeucel (formerly known as SNK01) and other proprietary IP that is licensed to NKGen for markets outside Asia. Such an acquisition is expected to put global rights under the control of NKGen. Prior to entering into the rehabilitation process, NKMax announced plans and commenced initial groundwork to commercialize the troculeucel treatment for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases in Japan and South Korea, where such NK cell treatment is legal already. Additional production capacity at NKMax's GMP facility will be an added benefit which could help accelerate production for US trials. " As we have made tremendous progress in our clinical program especially with the launch of our phase II trial for moderate stage Alzheimer's disease, we felt that it was essential for us to preserve the very close scientific and clinical partnership with the NKMax team, rather than have NKMax acquired by someone without any cell therapy knowledge or experience”, commented Paul Y. Song, MD, Chairman and CEO of NKGen Biotech. "As we continue to work towards US FDA approval, we will be able to begin to commercialize troculeucel in countries like Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico and others where an autologous non-genetically modified cell therapy is considered as a legal treatment and already readily available. We believe that we will be much stronger and will deliver more value for our patients and shareholders when operated as one global team.” NKGen does not believe the NKMax rehabilitation process has had any material negative impact on NKGen's business or prospects. About Troculeucel Troculeucel is a novel cell-based, patient specific ex vivo expanded autologous natural killer ("NK”) cell, immunotherapeutic drug candidate. NKGen is developing troculeucel for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and a broad range of cancers. Troculeucel is the International Nonproprietary Name ("INN”) for SNK01 assigned by the World Health Organization ("WHO”). The WHO INN approval of troculeucel establishes a universally recognized nonproprietary drug name for SNK01 and marks a significant step on our journey toward bringing this therapy to market. About NKMax Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, NKMax Co., Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on advancing immune cell therapies. In addition to its therapeutic innovations, NKMax develops and commercializes bioreagents and immunodiagnostic kits, with revenues derived from these products as well as health supplements. In 2016, NKMax completed its GMP-certified manufacturing facility, and obtained approval from the Korean MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) in 2018, strengthening its capabilities in high-quality cell therapy production. Listed on the KOSDAQ, a South Korean stock exchange, NKMax's trading has since been suspended during the course of ongoing rehabilitation efforts. About NKGen Biotech NKGen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative autologous and allogeneic NK cell therapeutics. NKGen is headquartered in Santa Ana, California, USA. For more information, please visit www.nkgenbiotech.com . Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release may contain "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate”, "believe”, "could”, "continue”, "expect”, "estimate”, "may”, "plan”, "outlook”, "future” and "project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company's control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the closing of the Acquisition, which may not close on the terms or timing anticipated, or at all, the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions to the closing of the Acquisition, the anticipated impacts or benefits of the Acquisition, the closing of the expected funding for the Acquisition, the risk of shareholder litigation in connection with the Acquisition, including resulting expense or delay; the risk that NKMax's business will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, the successful and timely completion and the commercialization of troculeucel, statements regarding the Company's plans and expected timing for developing troculeucel and SNK02, including the expected timing of completing and announcing further results from its ongoing clinical studies; and the Company's expected timing for developing its product candidates and potential benefits of its product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the Company's ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical studies; the risk that initial and interim results of a clinical study do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; the risk that studies will not be completed as planned; the risk that the abstract will not be published as planned including delays in timing, format, or accessibility; and NKGen's ability to raise additional funding to complete the development of its product candidates. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company's filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website under the subheading "Investors-Financial and Filings”. Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. Internal Contact: Denise Chua, MBA, CLS, MLS (ASCP) SVP, Corporate Affairs 949-396-6830 [email protected] External Contacts: Chris Calabrese Managing Director LifeSci Advisors, LLC [email protected] Kevin Gardner Managing Director LifeSci Advisors, LLC [email protected]
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By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden has been briefed on the findings and that the White House “has made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages on Wednesday. Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting.( MENAFN - Nam News Network) TEHRAN, Dec 28 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, yesterday expressed concern, over the“acts of sedition” in Syria, while assuring that Iran seeks to promote calm and prevent chaos in the country. He made the remarks in a post in Arabic, on social media platform X, while reacting to a statement issued by the Arab League (AL) on Thursday, in which the regional bloc called on Iran not to fuel“strife” in Syria. Addressing AL members, Araghchi said,“We, like you, seek calm rather than unrest and chaos in Syria.” He added,“However, we are concerned about the acts of sedition and pretexts designed to divert public and regional attention towards imaginary threats.” The“seditionists” sought to legitimise the occupation of Syrian territory, especially by Israel and the United States, justify foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs, deprive segments of the Syrian people of their rights to self-determination, and advance their intentions and objectives by projecting Syria's problems onto foreign sides, Araghchi said. Iran is on the same page with other countries in the West Asia region, with regard to Syria's peaceful and safe transition, and the formation of an inclusive government, with the participation of all groups in Syria, he stressed, adding, Tehran is ready to help achieve the mentioned goals.– NNN-IRNA MENAFN27122024000200011047ID1109036092 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.(The Center Square) – The latest federal numbers show the U.S. deficit is soaring as President Joe Biden heads out of office. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office released its monthly budget review on Monday, which showed that in the first two months of this fiscal year, the federal government has run up a deficit of $622 billion. “That amount is $242 billion more than the deficit recorded during the same period last fiscal year,” CBO said in its report . That figure means the deficit is nearly 40% higher than this time last year. “The most alarming turkey in November was the federal government’s inability to live within its means,” Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said in a statement. “We are only two months into the fiscal year, and we have already borrowed a staggering $622 billion, with $365 billion in the month of November alone." Deficits never surpassed one trillion dollars before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, they remain well above one trillion and for this next fiscal year are well beyond the pace to surpass $1 trillion. The deficit last fiscal year was about $1.8 trillion. Billionaire Elon Musk, now an advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, lamented the debt, which is about $36 trillion, on X Monday. “If we don’t fix the deficit, everything will suffer, including essential spending like DoD, Medicare & Social Security,” Musk said. “It’s not optional.” CBO did explain that some of the increase is from accounting changes. From CBO: The change in the deficit was influenced by the timing of outlays and revenues alike. Outlays in October 2023 were reduced by shifts in the timing of certain federal payments that otherwise would have been due on October 1, 2023, which fell on a Sunday. (Those payments were made in September 2023.) Outlays in November 2024 were boosted by the shift to that month of payments due December 1, 2024, a Saturday. If not for those shifts, the deficit thus far in fiscal year 2025 would have been $541 billion, or $88 billion more than the shortfall at this point last year, and outlays would have been $38 billion more.”‘Tis the season for a cup of cheer, the Holly Jolly Holiday Bar is here. The pop-up is now open at EP & LP in West Hollywood through Sunday, Dec. 22. The price per admission for the strictly 21 and over event starts at $23 and includes a 90-minute reservation and a welcome cocktail. Brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday at $50 per person and includes a 90-minute reservation, a main entree and a welcome cocktail. Tickets can be purchased at hollyjollybar.com . To help get into the holiday spirit, the halls will be decked with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, trimmings, ornaments, stockings, Christmas trees covered in lights and even some figurines of the big man himself, Santa Claus. Festive bargoers might enjoy a cocktail served in a Christmas-themed mug. Other drinks are decorated with candy canes or have red, green and white sprinkled rims. SEE ALSO: How the new Zero Lounge bar will serve Y2K nostalgia in Hollywood Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, this bar welcomes everyone to enjoy cocktails such as the Rum Rudolph Rum, Drummer Boy, Rockin’ Around, and Sleigh Ride, which is Mexican Hot Chocolate served with a toasted marshmallow. There are also two mocktail options: Silent Night and Let It Snow. The food options include burgers, loaded fries, turkey pot pie, and a lobster roll. For dessert, guests can enjoy the festive Loaded Brownie with chocolate sauce, sprinkles and ice cream. The Jolly Holly Holiday Bar is located at 603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood.
WASHINGTON — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won't provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Best Reverse Image Search Tools: 10 Top Picks
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