ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics.Speaker schedules opposition motions after Tories opt against own non-confidence vote
Missoula police gets approval for $515K Taser deal; evaluating AI report-writing software
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Wednesday flatly dismissed claims by a U.S. lawmaker that Iran might be launching drones over New Jersey from a “mothership” off the coast. “There is no truth to that,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh. “There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones towards the United States.” Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew said he had uncovered what appeared to be an Iranian plot. “What we’ve uncovered is alarming — drones flying in from the direction of the ocean, possibly linked to a missing Iranian mothership,” he said on social media platform X. The FAA said it began receiving reports of drone activity near Morris County, New Jersey, on Nov. 18. The FAA has barred drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Last week, the FBI and New Jersey State Police asked the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River. “Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft. We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks,” the FBI said. The Pentagon said an initial assessment had shown the drones were not from another country and that the U.S. military had not shot them down because they did not pose a threat to any military installations. “We have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary,” Singh said. “We’re going to continue to monitor what is happening. But, you know, at no point were our installations threatened when this activity was occurring.” Still, the latest drone sightings are a reminder of the growing concern about a proliferation of drone technology and the potential security considerations, given that drones can carry surveillance technology or even explosives. At a press conference, House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about the lack of information about the drones. “We need a greater degree of transparency from law enforcement authorities and we will make sure that happens in the days and weeks to come,” Jeffries said.NoneCINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Sunday’s 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow. It’s become a familiar story in this disappointing season. Cincinnati (4-8) keeps scoring lots of points but can’t close out games. Seven of the Bengals’ eight losses this year have been by one score. Burrow has stopped talking about the possibility of going on a run and making the playoffs. He’d just like to win another game or two. “Playoffs are the furthest thing from my mind,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “You never know what can happen, so I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to be the best player I can be for the rest of the season, week in and week out.” The Bengals allowed Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to throw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns. After Wilson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the Steelers (9-3) scored on seven of their last nine possessions. They didn’t punt until early in the fourth quarter. RELATED COVERAGE Justin Tucker’s erratic season isn’t getting any better, and it’s hurting Baltimore’s outlook Rams claim CB Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington Buccaneers are back to .500 and in position to control their playoff hopes down the stretch Burrow lost two fumbles and threw an interception. “We haven’t done enough to earn the win,” coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s a simple as that. It’s nobody else’s fault but our own. We haven’t earned it.” What’s working Turnovers aside, Burrow had another strong game, finishing with 28 for 38 for 309 yards with three touchdowns. Burrow is having a great season statistically, and he hasn’t hidden his disappointment and frustration about Cincinnati’s narrow losses. ... WR Ja’Marr Chase had a touchdown catch to bring his league-leading total to 13. What needs help The defense missed tackles and couldn’t hold off the Steelers, even with Burrow keeping the game close. It didn’t help that LB Logan Wilson (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) had to sit out. The Bengals have allowed 34 or more points six times, including in four of the past five games. Cincinnati became the first NFL team to lose four games in a season in which it scored 33 points or more. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . Stock up RB Chase Brown has been dependable as the featured back since Zack Moss went down with a neck injury. He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He also had three catches for 30 yards. The second-year back has 677 yards rushing and six TDs. “He’s really coming along, improving his game every single week,” Burrow said. “Pass game, run game, running hard, understanding his protection responsibilities. He’s a guy that practices hard, plays hard, and a guy you can count on.” Stock down The Bengals’ coaching staff. Something has got to give. There was no excuse for the defense to play this badly after a bye week. The unit gave up 500-plus yards for the second time this season. Injuries None were reported in the game. Key number 30.3 — The average points per game by the Bengals against teams with a .500 or better record this season. They are 0-7 in those games. Next steps The Bengals will try to regroup before facing the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) next Monday night. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
1. A foot massaging machine you can use to apply acupressure on the bothersome parts of your feet to make them feel fantastic before heading off to bed. It's so easy to use you can roll away without taking your eyes off of the TV. Read more about reflexology, acupressure, and how it can help with stress at Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "We got this for our mom who has neuropathy, and her feet are always cold and numb. We've bought all sorts of things to make her feet feel better, like heated socks, foot baths, compression devices for her legs and feet ... nothing worked. So we were skeptical when we bought the Miko foot massager, even though it kept coming up as one of the top foot massagers in our research. We've been pleasantly surprised (shocked, actually) at how much our mom LOVES it. It has an automatic setting for 15 minutes, and she just keeps pushing the start button for hours at a time! The combination of a little heat, the rollers, and the compression all work together to give her feet a nice massage . She keeps things on the high setting so she's able to feel it. There are definitely less expensive foot massagers out there, but this one actually works , so was WELL worth the money!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two styles). 2. And a foot heater for anyone with perpetually cold tootsies — they can fire this bad boy up, turn on Netflix, and enjoy the warmth they're guaranteed to feel from head-to-toe (literally). Promising review: "I love this product. It's well built, nice neutral colors to blend into my carpet, so it's not an eyesore wherever I have it sitting. The fuzziness lends a cozy feel to it, as well. It offers a heat or no-heat setting and two directions for the shiatsu-style massagers to work on your heels. The inside is roomy enough that you can even turn your feet on their side to get an extra massage there as well. It's a gentle yet deep massage, so it's great for days when you've been standing for hours or walking on your feet a lot. I would recommend to anyone looking for a nice foot massager." — Gardener Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors). 3. A Philips compact pasta maker for anyone who is a pasta snob and prefers it freshly made but is simply sick and tired of going out for dinner. Toss your ingredients into the machine and let it prep Sunday dinner for ya. 🍝 It comes with shaping discs for spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, pappardelle, tagliatelle, angel hair, and lasagna. Plus, there's an included recipe book for meal inspiration. Promising review: "I was just as skeptical as you are. I, too, have been doing the old school — make the dough, roll it out, run it through a pasta machine, etc. — method. It's a production, all for AMAZING pasta. With this, you put the ingredients in, push a button, and watch for AMAZING pasta to be extruded. I had hoped I'd be able to multitask a bit more, but it extrudes so fast there isn't much time for other tasks between cutting it. But I think that seems reasonable. The other thing to consider is that you have to be VERY exact with the measurements of the ingredients. I've found weighing them works best. The recipes in the included book work great. " — Conversio Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in black or white). 4. A Furbo camera that's an absolute must-have for pet parents — they'll be able to check on Fido at any time and even receive push notifications when their pup is barking so they can talk to them through the app to calm them and even toss them a treat! It features realtime two-way audio, color night vision, and a 360-degree rotating 1080p camera. Promising review : "Having cameras inside the house are nice for checking on the dogs. Having a feeder where you can watch your dogs eat is better. Having a camera that can swivel to check where your dogs went and feed them? Perfect. Setup was easy and I was up and running in no time. I have no regrets making this purchase and I’ve gotten my dogs used to the new camera and they definitely enjoy all the treats being dispensed. It’s also nice to be able to talk to the pups and stop them from doing stuff through the mic. Highly recommend for people who aren’t at home a lot and worry about their pets and just want to give them some loving while you’re busy." — Eugene Get it from Amazon for $210 . 5. A bird feeder with a built-in AI-powered camera that'll show you a live video of your new feathered friends as they snack away and promptly tell you what kind of species they are! Your productivity is about to go waaaaay down — but you'll learn so much about birds (which is more important than getting your laundry done, right?) Promising review: "The bird feeder is easy to assemble and very easy to set up. The motion detection is just the right amount and reliable. I enjoy getting notifications of birds at my feeder. The product is durable and not cheap feeling. This feeder brings a lot of joy to my day. It's easy to share your videos with friends, so many of my friends get to enjoy it as well." — Robert Foster Get it from Amazon for $149 (available in two colors). 6. A Renpho percussion massager — a must-have if they’re forever complaining about the knots in their back and wishing they could take a daily trip to the spa. Check out a TikTok of the massager in action. Promising review: " I have tried EVERYTHING for my feet, nothing works and I am always in pain. It came, I tried it out, and I thought wow, that feels AWESOME. But the true test is how you feel the next day, right? You cannot always walk around with a massage gun in your hand. The next day, I felt AMAZING. AMAZING. I used it on my hubby's back, too, and he said he felt so much better today as well! In addition, this one is way QUIETER than my original massage gun. It's just really a quality piece. You won't be disappointed in this one. It really is what it says. I know it is hard to choose from all the models on the internet, but this one is the real deal. It's worth the money if you have pain." — L Johnson Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in four colors). 7. A Nanit monitor and wall mount to help you keep a watchful eye on your babe while they sleep — you can also easily see stats on how long they've been asleep or if they're standing and not-so-patiently waiting for you to come scoop 'em up. I switched to the Nanit monitoring system when my daughter was born because the app has an incredible split-screen option that lets me watch both kiddos at once — it's been a game changer . It's super easy to set up, and once you've done so, there's nothing more to do but the occasional software update. The app itself is simple: it shows you a view of your kiddo's crib, notes how long they've been asleep, if they're crying, or if they're standing. The audio and picture are so clear (including the night mode), and the camera itself is unobtrusive to my kids' rooms' decor. I also love that even if I'm out (rarely) I can check in on my sleeping babies for some peace of mind. Promising review: "This baby monitor is an absolute parenting game-changer — a solid 10/10 in every possible way! The seamless synchronization with your phone, even when you're away from home, is revolutionary. The real-time alerts for sound and motion keep you informed about every move your little one makes. The standout feature is the ability to meticulously track your baby's sleep patterns, capturing every waking moment, putting down, and sweet falling asleep. Revisiting memories of your baby sleeping is an emotional treasure, and the expert advice on optimizing sleep for your child is a priceless addition. If you seek a baby monitor that seamlessly integrates advanced technology with practical parenting insights, look no further. This monitor has elevated my parenting journey, offering unparalleled peace of mind and heartwarming memories. A resounding 10/10!" — Savannah Wooden Get it from Amazon for $193.68 (originally $299.99) 8. A stuffed waffle maker you can count on to make all of their breakfast dreams come true — fill 'em with cream cheese, strawberries, chicken, or anything else your heart desires! Promising review: "Oh my goodness. This was way better than expected. Definitely only need one waffle per person, they are huge. They are beyond delicious and the stuffing options are endless. It does take about seven minutes to make one waffle, but it is totally worth it. Comes out perfect every single time. No issues at all. Buy it now!" — armywife Get it from Amazon for $69.99 . 9. A rotating Beachwaver curling iron featuring the ability to basically curl their hair for them while they stand around watching YouTube videos. Technology these days, man. BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly loves hers! She said: "I've used about every kind of hair styling tool on the planet and had given up on curling irons with clamps. I was fully a curling wand girlie because I'm adept at heat styling and it gave me covetable mermaid waves I wanted. Then I tried a Beachwaver and haven't looked back since. I have them in two barrel sizes and now can zone out while I do my hair. The directional buttons for the tool are easy to use and if I accidentally press the button for the opposite way of which I'd like the barrel to spin, it's a quick and easy correction. I try all sorts of products for my job but this has quickly become one that I talk about all the time." Promising review: "As a first time Beachwaver user I was so impressed! I have never been able to use a regular curling iron or a wand so I had high hopes that the Beachwaver would be my hair curling solution, and it was! The Beachwaver is so easy to use and it makes perfect curls every time. At first I had trouble understanding which way I was supposed to curl the hair, but after a tiny bit of practice and a tutorial video I became a Beachwaver pro. It is truly so easy to use and I recommend that everyone gets themselves a Beachwaver even if you already know how to curl hair because it definitely speeds up the hair curling process! " — Raleigh K. Get a pink rose glitter B1 from Beachwaver for $69 or from Amazon for $99 . 10. A heated eye massager complete with five different massage modes and Bluetooth music so they can fully indulge and relax while relieving pain from eye strain and headaches. Promising review : "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse and this technology has helped me get through the night easily.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in two colors). 11. An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter that'll let them use their Bluetooth headphones to watch whatever ~*movie of the month*~ is playing during their flight. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. Twelve South is a small business that has been creating innovative tech accessories since 2009. Promising review: " If you have a wireless earpiece and fly frequently, this is a must-have. Most newer planes have a monitor on the seat backs that enables you to watch movies, etc. This unit enables you to do it using your wireless earpiece. Connection is simple and automatic once you have initially paired your device or devices. It's convenient. I'm happy with the purchase." — JCE Get it from Amazon for $54.99+ (available in three models). 12. A sunrise alarm clock to wake them up so pleasantly they'll forget that they're supposed to be cranky about heading off to work. This lovely lil' gadget has seven different light settings, calming "wake up" noises, and can be set to gradually get brighter at 30, 20, or 10 minutes. Promising review: "I got this recommendation from TikTok and it really has helped especially with Oregon winters where the sun is not out by the time the alarm rings. It has several peaceful alarm settings and even has night music to put you to sleep. The sunrise with the alarm piano is what I play to wake me up every morning and it is a way better way than to wake up to an annoying phone alarm." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $38.99 . 13. A thin bar light to brighten their gaming area so they can happily continue to play hours and hours (AND HOURS) of World of Warcraft without their partner asking "are you still sitting in the dark?" Promising review: "It's a good option for a streamer that has an overhead camera that shows-off their custom keyboard, gaming mouse, or artisan desk mat. Highly recommended and for the price, it's worth every dollar you spend." — MarkusTechCorner Get it from Amazon for $109.10+ (available in three styles). 14. Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones you might want to say "screw it" and buy for yourself while you’re already filling your cart with gifts for everyone else. Promising review: "Sounds quality is so good, sometimes it made my head hurt and ears because of the fit, but it’s kinda comfortable, it’s very loud, and the bass is good. Noise-canceling is so good, I be thinking the earth is quiet, but it’s just the headphones that make it sound like that." — Lolo Get them from Amazon for $249.99 (available in eight colors) 15. Or customizable new Dyson OnTrac wireless headphones that is *very* much a splurge but likely worth it for fans of the brand — they boast up to 55 hours of battery, noise-canceling features, transparency mode, and the ability to swap out the actual colors of the ear cushions and outer caps whenever you get the itch for a *new* pair. Promising review: "I just love these headphones! The Dyson headphones are the first 'high-tech' headphones I have ever owned, and they are so awesome. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear. One of my favorite features is the noise canceling, which makes it easy to pay attention to what I am listening to. Another nice feature is when I pull them off the music automatically stops. I love all my Dyson products, and these are top-notch!" — Mikenna Get them from Dyson for $499.99 (available in four styles) or Amazon for $449.99 (available in two styles). And check out the seven ear cushions and seven outer caps that are sold separately for $49.99 each. 16. A PhoneSoap UV sanitizer they can toss their phone into for a quick 10 minutes after they get home to get rid of the grime that's surely lurking everywhere they go. I have one of these bad boys and can validate that it is SO easy to use. I pop my phone into it when I get in the shower and click the lil' button on the front to start the cleaning process. You can also charge your phone while it's inside the machine. Fellow germaphobes — you can thank me later. Additionally, PhoneSoap is a small business! Promising review: "Bought this along with a set of agar plates to test it for ourselves. We swabbed my daughter's and husband's phones before and after use. It does work. We are very happy with the product." — Ginger Get it from Amazon for $59.95 (available in six colors). 17. A Kindle for any lit lover whose main goal at all times is to plow through a *ton* of books on their TBR list — this will ensure they can have *tons* of books at their fingertips at all times. I have a Kindle and surprisingly have become a big fan of it — especially when traveling. While I absolutely prefer a hardcover book, it's nearly impossible to put more than two (which is a stretch in itself) in my suitcase along with my clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc. I read most of my books these days through the Libby app (all you need is a library card for access) which can be used via your phone or Kindle. No need to spend tons of money on novels when I simply am not someone who rereads them! This latest version sports a 7-inch glare-free screen and a battery that'll last WEEKS! Get it from Amazon for $159 (available in three colors and with/without lock screen ads). 18. A Bluetooth speaker with an adorable '90s feel to it they can program with fun pixelated messages, a clock, and animations galore! This lil' gadget has RGB-backlit buttons and, of course, has the ability to play music and podcasts. Check out an unboxing TikTok from @thatkawaiigrl ! BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes loves hers! You can read more on why it's one of her favorite pieces of desk decor here . Promising reviews : "I actually impulsively purchased this because I saw it on TikTok. I have had it for a little over a month now, and it is actually the best item I have purchased in a while. I admit, there is a slight learning curve when setting it up because there is not a clear-cut instructions guide for all of the features, but once you figure it out, it’s so worth it. It is really multifunctional, and you can customize it to your liking. I really love the mini-games featured here, like Tetris and Snake , because they all bring back childhood memories for me. My favorite part is the fact that it works as a speaker and when I play music, I can have little videos sync to the music. Who knew a tiny little speaker could bring me so much joy. It is a bit pricy, though, but it is just so cute. If you’re looking for a sign to buy this, here’s your sign." — Khuyen Nguyen Get it from Amazon for $79.92 (available in six colors). 19. A Samsung TV that'll disguise itself as an elegant picture frame when it's not in use. A magical marvel in home decor and technology if you ask me. I own this TV and absolutely adore it — it's really helped tie my living room together and I love swapping out the "picture" we display on it for each season. BuzzFeed writer Mallory Mower has and loves her frame TV as well. She said: "This is honest and truly the best splurge I have ever made. It has massively upgraded the look in my living room. My husband loves the photography options and I love all the classical paintings – as someone who loves changing up my decor, being able to update the display images has been so fun. The quality is fantastic while watching movies and TV...but I'm pretty sure I love it as a piece of art in my home even more." BuzzFeed Home Editor Sally Elshorafa is a fan: "This TV was such a splurge for me, but I got it on sale last Cyber Monday so I at least got a really good deal. I love, love, love that when it's not on it looks like a realistic piece of art. There's so many different pieces of art to choose from — from contemporary photography to classic works from the greats like Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh. You can pick the style and color of the mat, too. When it comes to watching TV, it's crystal clear. I should note that I got a custom brown bezel because I'm extremely extra when it comes to interior design. " Get it from Amazon for $499.99+ (available in six sizes, six styles, and with or without expert installation). 20. A 3D printing pen that kids, teens, and adults alike will be in awe of after they see how freakin' cool it is to make their own drawings come to life. 3Doodler is a small business! Promising review: "This pen is great. My kids love it because it is easy to use and easy to maneuver. The pen is easy to control and allows them to make adjustments in order to make their ideas come to life. It fits their hands nicely and produces quality designs." — Megan Sexton Get it from Amazon for $59.99. 21. A Moccamaster drip coffee machine that'll become any coffee snob's most bragged about gadget thanks to how beautifully it'll match their kitchen decor — it comes in over 23 colors! The brewing basket will stop the flow of coffee the moment they remove the carafe and the carafe itself has a hot plate to keep coffee hot as long as necessary. It's perfect for anyone who either A. drinks coffee at all hours of the day and needs a pot at-the-ready or B. is constantly playing host and will need to serve a bunch of people as needed. My husband, a coffee connoisseur, has assured me in the "coffee community" this machine is regarded as one (if not THE) best drip coffee machines on the market. I mean, it does boast the ability to brew between a half or full carafe, a brew basket that automatically stops the flow of coffee when removing the carafe (no mess!), and a hotplate with an independent heating element to keep coffee at the *perfect* temperature. But for me? It's the color options. There are SO many to choose from — there's no doubt in my mind anyone would be able to find an option that would look great in their home. I actually *do* own one in my home (it's fabulous) and it does all that it says it will. It's certainly lived up to our expectations — and we drink a lot of coffee as parents of a one-year-old. Get it from Amazon for $359 (available in 23 colors). 22. A Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso maker that'll have their favorite drink ready in minutes — anyone who is caffeinated is scientifically going to be happier, right? OK, I made that up but it *feels* like a true statement. Promising review: "This is a Breville Nespresso coffee maker. Unlike many Nespresso coffee makers, this has no knob or lever that needs to be tightly secured. Our son has one of those and we find it often hard to open or close the lever. This machine has touch open and close, making it super easy to insert pods. The product works flawlessly, is easy to fill with water and makes great hot coffee." — Phil A Goodman Get it from Amazon for $110.47+ (available in two styles). 23. And a Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother in case they prefer to sip on something a bit more decadent after rolling out of bed. They'll easily impress anyone who cares to join them for breakfast by taking their morning coffee to the next level with some frothy goodness. Promising review: "Bravo Nespresso! I can't rave enough about this item. The simplest and best milk frother I have aver seen. Our lattes and cappuccinos are simply fantastic now with the heated, frothed milk from this machine. I have an expensive Jura coffee maker and it does hot, frothed milk well but not as easy to use or as well frothed as this thing. I can make only the amount of milk I need with this, where I would have a big bulky stainless-steel canister on the counter all day for the Jura with milk I would never get to use so would throw away. Well worth the price if you like perfectly frothed milk. Simple to use too! One of the best items I have ever purchased!" — Customer Get it from Amazon for $73.95+ (available in two colors). 24. A Nintendo Switch OLED with a 7-inch screen, a wide adjustable stand, enhanced audio, and an overall pleasant gaming experience they'll be thrilled to play. They can kickstart their "cozy gamer" lifestyle by purchasing soothing games like Disney Dreamlight Valley or take a more ambitious approach with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom . I have the Nintendo Switch OLED and am a big fan! My husband has the original Switch and I have the Switch Lite, but this newest version has definitely made a good impression on me. I wasn't always enthused with the original version (my hands are small!) but, despite this one being similar in size, the OLED feels a lot lighter and easy to hold. The colors are the screen are beautiful and *so* clear. It connects very easily to the TV, so you can play multiplayer games at any time! Promising review: "Starting off The OLED switch takes things to the next level. I used to play a lot of Mario games many years before, and I didn’t think I’d ever go back to playing Mario again. Nintendo has made it easy to play a lot of my favorite Mario games from back in the day through the online store. Amazon helped ensure that I had confidence with the delivery of my package, they sent me an OTP password through email to help ensure my package was delivered to the right person. I am very grateful to Amazon for helping provide me with a wonderful experience." — Jose A. Hernandez Get it from Amazon for $349 (available in two styles). 25. Or a PlayStation 5 console if they're looking to expand their gaming library overall — it's slimmer than ever so it won't take up any of their already overcrowded space, has 1 terabyte (that's BIG) of storage and loads games at lightning speed. My husband and I (he more than myself) would consider ourselves to be rather avid gamers. Growing up, PlayStation was always my console of choice, so I was super excited to get my hands on a newer model as an adult. It's honestly all it's hyped up to be! There are *so* many games to play now it's overwhelming to even try to choose. That being said, our first foray into the PS5 was through Baldur's Gate 3 (which was 2023's Game of the Year winner). The experience was out of this world, honestly. The picture was so clear and the gameplay was seamless — even while playing alongside one of our friends. We'll definitely get a lot more use of it as the weather gets colder (and, ideally, our kids sleep all night). Promising review: "I haven’t had a PlayStation in years. I have been wanting to play some of the games they have out. All I can say is it is worth every penny." — Jmc Get it from Target for $424.99 . 26. Or an Xbox Series S console — because they might as well complete the gaming console trifecta and get 'em all, right? The Xbox is a staple item for any gamer who wants to be able to play alongside their buddies from the comfort of their own home *and* have access to countless games and other forms of entertainment. I have an Xbox Series S and am forever impressed by all the things it can do in addition to being used for playing video games. You can download a slew of apps on it (Discord, Spotify, Disney+, the list goes on) and essentially use it as a smart TV. It's the smallest Xbox they've come out with so far (I was literally shocked at how tiny and sleek it is when I took it out of the box), but is still packed with great sound and visual specs. My husband set it up in our room so we can hang out and play games before going to sleep — it's great! If you're intimidated by the thought of trying to help your teen set up the console, you can actually book a one-on-one appointment with a Microsoft Expert to set the entire thing up for you! Get it from Microsoft or Best Buy for $249.99. 27. An AeroGarden for their countertop so they can grow their own herbs to take their recipes to the next level — whether they have a green thumb or not. Promising review: "I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend's sister-in-law who lamented not having a green thumb. In the two months that the sis-in-law has had the AeroGarden, the growth has been tremendous. I'm constantly in awe when she sends me pics of the new growth." — Mary A. Walls Get it from Amazon for $105.99+ (available in two styles). 28. A splurge-worthy Dyson Airstrait that'll change the way they straighten their hair forever — it uses directional air flow (no metal plates!) to both dry and straighten hair in minutes. Seriously, it only took me 10 minutes to do my hair directly from the shower! I've had the pleasure of testing out the Dyson Airstrait and, OMG, what an incredible piece of technology. Yes, I called this "tech" instead of a beauty tool. While it is both of these things, I was amazed by the gadget-ness of it right off the bat. I literally had to select on an LCD screen what language MY STRAIGHTENER should be set to...wild. Anyways! The Airstrait has the ability to straighten both wet or dry hair — and does without the use of damaging hot plates. It uses directional airflow to smooth and straighten hair and, honestly, it is a pretty magical experience. The biggest learning curve for me was realizing the copper pieces (where the fan lives) need to face outward so you're not blowing your hair all over the place. The fan increases when you clamp the Airstrait around your hair (HOW DOES IT KNOW!?) and pauses entirely when you set it down (seen in the GIF to the left). Additionally, I have a toddler and am very limited on time. With this gadget I was able to take my hair from directly-from-the-shower wet to natural-looking straight hair in only TEN MINUTES . This is going to be such a game changer for my life!!! It's definitely worth the splurge. Add this to your holiday wish list or, you know, get it now. Get it from Sephora for $499 . 29. A chic Aura picture frame with the ability to display an abundance of photos, perfect for grandparents who love nothing more than showing off their grandkids — you can even pre-load it with pictures ahead of time! You can also invite other people to upload their photos/videos to the Aura app — and there is unlimited storage on each frame. Additionally, Aura is a small business! Promising review: "I had been looking for years for something just like this! Not only is this a very clear picture frame, the app it uses is exactly what I wanted for my parents. Somewhere that the whole family could leave pictures and notes to each other privately. It’s like a personal Instagram for only my family. The initial set up was rather difficult but not a single issue after that. We have been using this frame and app for nearly one year and it has worked flawlessly . I was worried about spending so much money on a digital frame and it not being what I wanted. But this is a true piece of quality and worth every penny." — Nicole Get it it from Amazon for $139+ (available in five colors). 30. An outdoor pizza oven the entire family can enjoy — from rolling out the dough and adding toppings to watching it cook over the flame, this is one purchase you'll get praised for. Promising review: "Want to feed a crowd? Once it's heated, a pizza is ready to go every six minutes. Want to smoke enough BBQ for a small group? Easily handles enough for four people with a chicken or a couple of racks of ribs with the right accessories. Great for searing sous vide steaks or just cooking them from scratch. Portable enough to take on trips, versatile enough to find a use at any gathering." — Nathan Get it from Amazon for $299.99 . 31. A mini beauty fridge to keep their skincare products (think: serums, rollers, the works) chilled so they'll feel super refreshing on their face before bed. Cooluli is a small business! Reviewers also use it to store medications and breast pump parts! Promising review: "Very quiet, keeps everything very cool, and fits in my bathroom perfectly. I keep my facial products in there: I love that my face masks can fit in the door." — Lex Get it from Amazon for $37.10+ (available in eight styles). 32. An iPhone and AirPod charger that'll also act as a stand so they can continue to FaceTime with their mom even if their phone is on its last few drops of battery. I have this charger and absolutely love it. I currently keep it on my desk so when my baby is napping I can keep the monitor app open without having to keep glancing down at my phone. The magnet is super strong, charges my devices quickly, and it doesn't take up much space at all! I'm going to need another one for my nightstand, TBH. Promising review: "Perfect upgrade for hub's nightstand. Looks nice and he says it’s much easier than fussing with plugging a cord in each time. Love that it’s designed to charge phone and AirPods at the same time. Convenient. He loves it! I want one for myself now." — Aubrie S. Get it from Courant for $120 (available in six colors). 33. A triple dock charging station that'll keep *all* of their Apple devices juiced up and ready to go — it also features a stylish oak or walnut base that'll blend beautifully in with their bedroom or office decor. I have the single MagSafe iPhone stand version of this in walnut on my nightstand and I absolutely love it. My husband is jealous of it, TBH. I'm considering getting this version for myself and letting him have the other one, as I use an Apple Watch and he doesn't. Promising review: "Love the aesthetic of this. Beautiful piece sets the tone." — Cherie Get it from Oakywood or Amazon for $80 (available in two styles). 34. A super cool gadget called Tidbyt you can customize with apps of your choosing (think train times, weather, calendar, etc) to display all you need to know at any given time. Tidbyt (which was created by a small business of the same name) is sort of a clock display but does so much more than that. There's a ton of applications users can plug into the gadget to customize it to their liking. Current practical app options include weather, clock, stocks, news, and sports scores. However, the fun *really* starts when they start to dive into the "just for fun" applications like "Burger of the Day," "Who's That Pokémon?" "Nyan Cat," and "Super Mario Kart." They can even pre-schedule the apps to appear at specific times. You're going to blow any techie away with this one-of-a-kind gift. Promising review: "I enjoy having this even more than I thought I would. I have currently: three clocks, live day/night time zone map, Doppler radara, Spotify now playing, most recent MegaMillions numbers, live near Earth objects, and some photos. Love it!" — Jade O. Get it from Tidbyt for $199 (available in two colors). 35. And a seriously impressive xBloom coffee machine bundle that'll transform anyone into a barista seemingly overnight — this spectacular machine will let them use their favorite whole beans in a pod-like system to craft cafe-quality pour-over drinks from their home. It's a seriously next-level machine that is meticulously calibrated (but does so all on its own). This special bundle includes the original machine, a holiday blend duo, a reusable dripper, an Orea sense glass, an instant dry stone coaster set, and a tote bag! You can use whatever beans you like with the machine's grinder feature to make your drinks daily. Look out, Starbies. You've got some serious competition! Promising review: "It had been the best coffee maker I’ve used it’s a whole experience, I showed it to friends and family and everyone it’s impress by its aesthetics and coffee making process. Also the taste it’s just wow!" — Louis A Get it from xBloom Coffee for $699 . Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.The S&P 500 index rose on Wednesday, propelling the Nasdaq past the 20,000-point mark for the first time, fueled by a tech stock rally following a U.S. inflation report that heightened expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell, pulled down by health insurers amid new legislative moves affecting their profitability, the S&P and Nasdaq saw gains. Preliminary data indicated the S&P 500 gained 49.21 points to close at 6,084.12, with the Nasdaq climbing 347.66 points to 20,034.90. However, the Dow decreased by 94.48 points to 44,153.35. The likelihood of a Fed rate cut next week rose to over 96%, according to CME's FedWatch Tool, spurred by recent job growth data. Key tech stocks, including Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon, posted gains, whereas health sector stocks like Cigna and CVS Health faced losses. Meanwhile, shares of GameStop and Broadcom improved due to favorable earnings and strategic partnerships, respectively. (With inputs from agencies.)
The Pattern Discovery EngineTM and the ProSpectralTM platform will be deployed to discover new drivers of human health REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pattern Computer®, Inc. ("Pattern” or "the Company”) today announced that it has entered into a multi-target partnership with Phenome Health, a Seattle-based nonprofit research organization led by CEO Lee Hood, MD, PhD. Delivering value through health innovation. Phenome Health employs a data-driven approach to wellness and disease that integrates diverse types of health data. "Pattern is a pioneer in finding novel patterns in complex data that cannot be discovered using other techniques or tools. The speed of AI innovation is accelerating and is rapidly emerging as a strategic imperative. Pattern is optimally positioned to leverage the expertise of our Pattern Discovery EngineTM (PDE) into the next worlds of trustworthy, transparent computing. Since its founding, Pattern has been on a strategic path with a roadmap largely focused on building our PDE and using it to generate world-class, high-value assets. These include and are not limited to seven combination cancer drugs, and new diagnostic advances, against the world's top five cancers. We seek to partner with firms to bring these therapeutic and diagnostic technologies - such as our ProSpectral TM device, a game-changing medical diagnostic tool and research instrument - into clinical trials,” said Mark Anderson, Chair and CEO. The Partnership will integrate Pattern's technologies with multi-omics time-course data on individuals with the goal of discovering new drivers of human health and longevity - seeding novel strategies to make these discoveries actionable as part of the standard of care. "By measuring how lifestyle choices impact our short, medium, and long-term health, we will identify genes, pathways, and microbes that can be targeted at a molecular level to improve health, rather than merely treat disease. Our goal in this project is to be instrumental in Phenome Health's mission to develop the tools and insights that power data-driven personalized health,” Anderson added. Further, the ProSpectral platform will be used to develop surrogate measurements for expensive multi-omics. ProSpectral makes rapid measurements on two drops of saliva that capture rich biochemical information about the individual and their oral microbiome. An early goal will be to determine the extent to which patterns of gene expression, metabolism, and changes in the microbiome can be reconstructed from ProSpectral's non-invasive, reagent-free assay. Anderson noted, "Success in the integration of ProSpectral with existing multi-omic technologies would reduce the cost of collecting longitudinal molecular data by orders of magnitude - opening precision medicine to regions and economies that are currently priced out of state-of-the-art care. The lightweight, portable nature of our platform ensures that data can be collected anywhere, anytime, without supply chain or economic constraints The rapidity of measurements - seconds instead of hours or days - stands to enable real-time decision support for medical professionals in a way that has never been possible before.” "We are enthusiastic about a partnership with Pattern and the possibilities of identifying non-invasive, rapid, and cost-effective approaches to data-driven personalized health,” added Lee Hood, CEO of Phenome Health. "We envision a world where everyone is empowered by their own data to improve wellness and prevent disease. We see technologies like those developed by Pattern as facilitating this reality.” About Phenome Health Phenome Health was established by internationally acclaimed scientist and entrepreneurial visionary, Lee Hood, to contribute solutions to major challenges causing a crisis in healthcare. The aging population and other factors are driving an explosion of chronic disease that largely contribute to increasing costs at an unsustainable rate in a healthcare system not equipped to solve these problems without a radical paradigm change - namely shifting from a reactive system that focuses on treating disease to a proactive system focused on optimizing health. Economic analysis predicts such a paradigm change would drive trillions of dollars in resources upstream, creating massive opportunity in the health and wellness marketplace. We strive to accelerate this shift through a systematic approach to define health, develop a disease-agnostic discovery framework to understand how and why people transition to disease, and identify new approaches to prevent and reverse disease development. Our ambitious strategy leverages advancements in biotechnologies and computer science to capture and interpret high dimensional health data in order to invent the solutions needed to solve the healthcare crisis. https://phenomehealth.org/ About Pattern Pattern Computer, Inc. uses its Pattern Discovery EngineTM to solve the most important and intractable problems in industry, business and medicine. These proprietary mathematical techniques in advanced AI can find complex patterns in very-high-order data that have eluded detection by much larger systems. As the Company applies its computational platform to the challenging fields of drug discovery and diagnostics in cancer, it is also making major Pattern Discoveries for partners in other sectors, including extended biotech, materials science, aerospace manufacturing quality control, veterinary medicine, air traffic operations, and energy services. See www.patterncomputer.com . CONTACT: Laura Guerrant-Oiye (808) 960-2642 - [email protected] The foregoing contains statements about Pattern Computer's future that are not statements of historical fact. These statements are "forward looking statements” for purposes of applicable securities laws and are based on current information and/or management's good faith belief as to future events. The words "believe,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "project,” "should,” "could,” "will,” and similar expressions signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties, which change over time, and actual performance could differ materially from that anticipated by any forward-looking statements. Pattern Computer undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Copyright © 2024 Pattern Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pattern Computer, Inc., Pattern Discovery Engine, PatternBio, TrueXAI, and ProSpectral are trademarks of Pattern Computer Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.
President-elect Donald Trump will be Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” for the second time. The prestigious award is given to the individual or group who has most affected the world, for good or ill. Time will make the official announcement on Thursday, December 12, marking a big milestone in Trump’s political career. Trump’s selection as Time’s Person of the Year in 2024 comes after a political resurgence that has captured the attention of the nation. His rise to prominence, which saw him clinch the presidency in 2016, has been followed by a remarkable return to the political stage. This time, his selection for the honor highlights the significant impact he has had on American politics and global affairs. The announcement of his selection is expected to be a celebratory moment, as Trump is scheduled to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. This year, Trump’s selection is just like the first recognition in 2016 when he was named Person of the Year following his unexpected victory in the presidential election. That year, Time recognized his ability to defy expectations and disrupt the political establishment. However, in 2024, Trump’s selection reflects the continued influence he wields in American politics as well as the ability to shape global events even after leaving the White House. Trump’s Obsession With Time’s ‘Person Of The Year’ Title Despite the decline of its circulation, Time magazine continues to hold onto the ‘person of the year’ designation as one of its great cultural markers. Trump long has obsessed over that privilege. The former president once publicly expressed his incredulity at the prospect of Time ever anointing him Person of the Year again. Yet now, less than a decade on, he will be so named again. In 2009, a Trump Person of the Year cover was reproduced in several of his golf clubs, although a copy was never actually printed out. This is a defining moment in Trump’s life, and it has etched his name into the history books. Though Trump is the Person of the Year, Time has other honorees for the year. The basketball player Caitlin Clark has been named Athlete of the Year for her great performances in sports. Elton John: The renowned singer is deemed an Icon of the Year through his ever-lasting impact on both music and culture. In further recognition, Lisa Su-the CEO at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)-is this year’s CEO of the Year based on her own leadership, achievements in her field. The Time “Person of the Year” award is considered one of the most honorable titles; and it has been given to such people who have significantly molded global events. It identifies people whose actions had steered history in a year. Winston Churchill, for instance, Queen Elizabeth II, and Vladimir Putin had made an indelible mark in world affairs while being in the list of person of the year. Time’s spokesperson confirmed to Politico that the magazine would not comment on the 2024 selection prior to its official announcement on December 12. The choice of Donald Trump, however, is going to dominate headlines once again and affirm his role in shaping the political landscape of the 21st century. ALSO READ | Chris Wray To Step Down As FBI Director As Trump’s Plans To Replace HimNEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TARA), a clinical-stage company developing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases, today announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of 13,690,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $6.25 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,325,372 shares of common stock at a price of $6.249 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each such pre-funded warrant. In addition, Protara has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,402,305 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $100 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by Protara and excluding any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and the exercise of any pre-funded warrants. Protara intends to use the net proceeds received from the offering to fund the clinical development of TARA-002, as well as the development of other clinical programs. Protara may also use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. TD Cowen, Cantor, LifeSci Capital, Oppenheimer & Co. and Scotiabank acted as joint book-running managers of the offering. The shares of common stock and the pre-funded warrants were issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-275290) that was declared effective on November 14, 2023 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from the offices of TD Securities (USA) LLC, 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017, by email at TD.ECM_Prospectus@tdsecurities.com or by telephone at (855) 495-9846; Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Capital Markets, or by email at prospectus@cantor.com; or LifeSci Capital LLC, 1700 Broadway, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10019, or by email at compliance@lifescicapital.com. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. Forward-looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Protara may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “designed,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected use of proceeds therefrom, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including Protara’s expectations related to the use of proceeds from the offering. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements, including additional risks and uncertainties, are described more fully under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Protara’s filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Protara undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Company Contact: Justine O'Malley Protara Therapeutics Justine.OMalley@protaratx.com 646-817-2836Indore: SGSITS Receives Rs 1 Crore Support Form Startups, HAL Collab To Boost Innovation
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Meta is facing technical difficulties, leading to disruptions across its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to a CW39 report, user-reported issues on the outage tracking site Downdetector reached over 90,000 for Facebook, more than 60,000 for Instagram, and over 20,000 for Messenger and WhatsApp combined as of this afternoon. The issues appeared to be global in scope affecting users from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and several European nations, as noted in the same CW39 coverage. Downdetector showed that the core complaints for Instagram and Threads pertained to app functionality. Meanwhile, WhatsApp users struggled predominantly with message sending capability and Messenger users faced hurdles logging in—with some exceptions services resumed within the hour as noted by a Fox 26 Houston report. Meta's communication efforts have not gone unnoticed, with an Instagram statement pinpointing the crux of the inconvenience: "We're aware that a technical issue is impacting some users' ability to access our apps," as per Fox 26 Houston . In a similar post by Meta itself which was further elaborated as per CW39 , stating the company is "working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and are sorry for any inconvenience."Lake Shore Savings Bank Announces Termination of OCC Consent Order
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