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International Mountain Day, celebrated on December 11, focuses in 2024 on sustainable solutions for mountain regions, emphasizing innovation, climate adaptation, and youth participation to address the challenges faced by mountain communities. For centuries, mountain communities have developed strategies to adapt to harsh conditions while protecting and restoring biodiversity. In 2024, International Mountain Day highlights three key priorities: innovation, climate adaptation, and youth engagement. Innovations are essential to solve the complex challenges in mountain areas, combining technological advances with creative approaches like climate-smart agriculture. Climate change continues to threaten mountain ecosystems, making adaptation strategies critical to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience. These strategies include disaster risk reduction tailored to specific ecosystems and leveraging indigenous knowledge. Youth participation plays a key role in ensuring long-term sustainability. The 2024 theme calls for providing opportunities such as decent jobs, accessible education, and entrepreneurial initiatives to enable youth to contribute to the sustainable management of mountain resources. Mountains are vital ecosystems, supporting 15% of the global population and hosting half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. They are also a crucial source of water, food, and energy for nearly half of humanity. However, mountains are increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, natural disasters, and overexploitation. Rising global temperatures have accelerated the melting of mountain glaciers, endangering freshwater supplies for millions of people. Land degradation affects over 311 million people in mountainous areas of developing countries, with 178 million facing food insecurity. International Mountain Day was established in 1992 following the adoption of Agenda 21 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The day was first observed in 2003 after the UN declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads the global coordination for the preparation and implementation of the event. International Mountain Day continues to raise awareness about the significance of mountain regions, calling for global action to safeguard these natural treasures. On International Mountain Day, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Iran, Turdakun Sydykov, highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s initiatives to promote sustainable development in mountain regions, addressing climate challenges and international cooperation. Here is the full text of his statement about the international initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic on promoting sustainable development of mountain regions: 1. Mountain agenda Climate change poses a serious threat to the most important aspects of life in mountain countries. These include an increase in natural disasters, threats to food security, growing hungry populations, the most vulnerable of whom are women and girls, slower economic growth, water scarcity and growing tensions between countries. In the 21st century, mountain countries will face many challenges and problems. In this regard, it is necessary to build in advance a system of joint actions of mountain countries to prevent and mitigate them. The first thing that should be done to achieve this goal is to unite their efforts. Only joint efforts can stop the processes of gradual degradation of mountain regions in the light of climate change. Kyrgyzstan, as a mountainous country, deeply realizes its responsibility to ensure the well-being of mountain regions and their sustainable development. Kyrgyzstan is taking consistent steps within the framework of the UN to gradually build up the global agenda for sustainable mountain development. Since the early 2000s, Kyrgyzstan has been actively working to attract the attention of the world community to mountain issues, in particular, by the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic the following events were held: 1. Declaring 2002 as the International Year of Mountains; 2. Holding the first Bishkek Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek in 2002; 3. Establishment of December 11 as the International Mountain Day at the 57th session of the UN General Assembly; 4. Adoption from 1998 to 2019 by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) of the 13th International Day of Mountains. Adoption by the UN General Assembly (GA) of 13 resolutions on mountain countries (A/RES/53/24, A/RES/55/189, A/RES/57/245, A/RES/58/216, A/RES/59/238, A/RES/60/198, A/RES/62/196, A/RES/64/205, A/RES/66/205, A/RES/68/217, A/71/463/Add.10, A/74/209, A/RES/77/172); 5. Formation of the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries on 29 August 2019, comprising 26 States (Afghanistan, Andorra, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bolivia, Canada, Georgia, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey and Switzerland); 6. At the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, the 76th session of the UNGA adopted a resolution to declare 2022 the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development. 7. The 77th session of the UNGA adopted a resolution to declare 2023-2027 as the “Five Years of Action for Development”. “Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions“ (”the Five Years"). The Resolution was adopted unanimously without a vote. 109 UN Member States co-sponsored it. On our initiative and with the broad support of our mountain partners, the “Five-Year Action Plan for the Development of Mountain Regions for the period from 2023 to 2027” is currently being implemented. We have taken a systematic approach to its implementation: at the national level we are implementing the Roadmap, at the international level - the Global Action Plan, which in 2023 and 2024 were presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic at the UN headquarters in New York. It is important for us to ensure access to health care and education, economic and social systems for the inhabitants of mountainous areas. In addition, Kyrgyzstan is initiating the creation of a Global Mountain University, the purpose of which is to create an educational platform for solving current problems facing mountain regions, training personnel, and improving the level of knowledge and qualifications of specialists who contribute to sustainable mountain development. In turn, Kyrgyzstan does not stand aside, in this year we decided to make a modest voluntary contribution to the budget of the Secretariat of the Mountain Partnership in Rome. Mountain initiatives of the Kyrgyz Republic were reflected in the final reports of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Thanks to the efforts of many mountain countries, the mountain agenda was included in the final document and includes five references to mountains and contains a formal request for a dialog on mountains and climate change. Also, as a result of the forum on the role of mountains under the Nairobi Work Program of the UNFCCC, “Mountains, high latitudes and the cryosphere” was declared a priority thematic area for 2024. The key event to promote the mountain agenda on a global scale was the participation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov in the UN Climate Change Conference - COP29 World Leaders Summit in Baku, which demonstrated the commitment of Kyrgyzstan to address climate issues within the framework of membership in the UNFCCC and the goals of the Paris Agreement, readiness to participate in international climate processes and consistent focus in promoting the mountain agenda at the global level. Kyrgyzstan organized its national pavilion for the first time and an extensive program of side events was held on thematic days. On the margins of the COP29 on November 13 this year in Baku with the participation of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov a High-Level Meeting/Dialogue on Mountains and Climate was held. This High-level event was co-organized by Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Azerbaijan, and it was also attended by the Presidents of Mongolia and Nepal. 33 countries supported the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic on the “Call to Action to consolidate the Mountains and Climate Dialogue in the annual calendar of the UNFCCC”. The Kyrgyz side initiated the “Declaration on Climate Change, Mountains and Glaciers”, presented on the margins of the COP29 in Baku, which was supported by 15 countries as the Final Document of the High-Level Dialogue. Kyrgyzstan actively promotes the mountain agenda at three international platforms: the UN in New York, the FAO Mountain Partnership in Rome and the UNFCCC, a group of friends to promote mountain initiatives: the Group of Friends of Mountain Countries of the UN in New York (29 countries), at the invitation of Kyrgyzstan in this year Lesotho joined the group. Member countries of the Mountain Partnership under the chairmanship of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat in Rome (65 countries). In this year, work was carried out to expand the Negotiating Group of the UNFCCC Mountain Partnership, established in December 2023, which initially had Kyrgyzstan and Andorra as members. Also, this year Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Mongolia joined this group. Nepal, Italy, Bhutan, Zimbabwe have expressed their willingness to join thi8s group. The Second Global Bishkek Mountain Summit “Bishkek+25” to be held in Bishkek in 2027 was announced by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Zhaparov at the General debates of the 78th and 79th session of the UNGA in New York. The Kyrgyz Republic is actively announcing the holding of the Second Mountain Summit among foreign partners. Active work is being carried out to attract investments from international partners. We count on the support of the UN member states and other international and regional organizations in providing practical assistance in holding the Mountain Summit in 2027. The Kyrgyz Republic invites all countries, including, of course, the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran, to participate in the Mountain Summit at a high level. Climate finance We, the UN Member States, meet regularly to discuss climate issues and find solutions. No country remains indifferent and indifferent. But not all of us have equal conditions and opportunities to solve them and realize our climate commitments, including those undertaken within the framework of the UN Convention on Climate Change. In this context, Kyrgyzstan fully supports the position of the esteemed UN Secretary-General on the need to reform the international financial architecture and reduce the debt burden on developing and vulnerable states.
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BEIJING , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Baijiayun Group Ltd ("Baijiayun" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RTC), a one-stop AI video solution provider, today announced it was honored with the title of "Exclusive Member Unit". In recent days, the First Council of the Artificial Intelligence Education Professional Committee of the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance and the 2024 Symposium on Artificial Intelligence Empowering the Innovative Development of Primary and Secondary Schools were successfully held at the Affiliated Experimental School of Beijing Institute of Technology. Nearly 200 renowned experts, leaders of education bureaus, principals of primary and secondary schools, front-line educators, and representatives of artificial intelligence technical support units from Beijing , Tianjin , Hebei , Liaoning and other places attended the conference. This conference was hosted by the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance, Baijiayun was also invited to participate in the conference and , together with many well-known enterprises in the industry, and won the honor of "Exclusive Member Unit" of the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance. In the future, Baijiayun will work with the Beijing Educational Informationization Industry Alliance to continue to carry out research and promotion on educational informationization industry technologies across China , promote in-depth cooperation across disciplines, departments, and industries, jointly build an educational informationization development platform, create an industrial resource integration platform, an application service platform, and a technology transformation platform, share the fruits of development, give play to the supporting and leading role of educational informationization in educational modernization, and further promote the innovative development of the national education cause. About Baijiayun Group Ltd Baijiayun is a one-stop AI video solution provider with core expertise in SaaS/PaaS solutions. Baijiayun is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality video experiences across devices and localities and has grown rapidly since its inception in 2017. Premised on its industry-leading video-centric technologies, Baijiayun offers a wealth of video-centric technology solutions, including Video SaaS/PaaS, Video Cloud and Software, and Video AI and System Solutions. Baijiayun caters to the evolving communications and collaboration needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries. For more information, please visit ir.baijiayun.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," and "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of this press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the documents the Company has filed or furnished or may file or furnish with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation. For investor and media enquiries, please contact: Company Contact: Ms. Fangfei Liu Chief Financial Officer, Baijiayun Group Ltd Phone: +86 25 8222 1596 Email: ir@baijiayun.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baijiayun-was-honored-with-the-title-of-exclusive-member-unit-by-the-beijing-educational-informationization-industry-alliance-302331799.html SOURCE Baijiayun Group Ltd
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel gets 5-year contract extensionANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan gave athletic director Warde Manuel a five-year contract extension Thursday on the heels of the Wolverines' upset over rival Ohio State and a strong start to the basketball season. Manuel, who has held the position since 2016, signed through June 30, 2030, the school announced. Manuel is also chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee. “During Warde’s tenure as director, Athletics has put a structure in place where our student-athletes compete for Big Ten and national championships, excel in the classroom, and proudly graduate with their University of Michigan degrees,” university President Santa J. Ono said in the announcement. Michigan had a disappointing football season, finishing 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), but a 13-10 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State took some pressure off of the program. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for the rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Wolverines won the national championship last year in their final season led by coach Jim Harbaugh, whose tenure at the school involved multiple NCAA investigations for recruiting and sign-stealing allegations. Manuel supported Harbaugh through those processes. In basketball, the women's team made its season debut (No. 23) in the AP Top 25 this week. The men are 7-1 a season after firing coach Juwan Howard, who lost a school-record 24 games in 2023-24 as Michigan plummeted to a last-place finish in the Big Ten for the first time since 1967. Michigan has won 52 Big Ten championships since 2020. “Every day, I am thankful to work at this great institution and to represent Michigan Athletics," Manuel said in a statement. "I especially want to thank the student-athletes, coaches and staff who compete for each of our teams and who have helped us achieve unparalleled success athletically and academically. I am excited to continue giving back to a university that has provided me with so much over my career.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Daily Post Nigeria Kwara: Go out to change the world – Kwasu VC, Prof Shaykh Luqman-Jimoh to graduands Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Kwara: Go out to change the world – Kwasu VC, Prof Shaykh Luqman-Jimoh to graduands Published on December 14, 2024 By Abdulrazaq Adebayo The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, Professor Shaykh Luqman-Jimoh, has charged the 2023/2024 graduands of the institution to be good ambassadors and go out to positively change the world. Speaking at the 12th Convocation ceremonies for the award of degrees of the institution on Saturday, the VC said, “You are stepping out to a new beginning, and I join your family and friends in looking forward to you making positive marks in society.” “You have been properly equipped to make a difference. The education you have received at Kwara State University is your ticket to change the world.” Professor Shaykh further challenged the 6,891 graduands, including 71 with first-class honors, to propagate the values for which the university is known, convert challenges into stepping stones, see opportunities where others see limitations, take on new adventures, and live lives worthy of emulation. He affirmed that the community service component of the university remains strong as the institution stands firm on the mantra of impacting communities. Among achievements recorded during the academic session, Professor Shaykh disclosed that 104 bedspaces had been completed and commissioned, while the management has partnered with investors to realize the students’ smart city project, which will deliver 25,000 bedspaces in the first phase. Work is ongoing to deliver an initial 8,700 bedspaces within the next few months. He commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for assisting in the opening of the two campuses of the university at Osi and Ilesha-Baruba in Kwara South and North Senatorial Districts of the state. In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, called for additional infrastructure for the school through endorsements and donations, asking friends of the institution to be part of the KWASU endorsements launch. To the graduands, he said, “Today marks the beginning of your journeys to the larger society to face the practical realities of life. You will have to carve a niche for yourself to succeed in the largely competitive world.” In his speech, the Chancellor, Engr Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, said the university has remained steadfast in paying unwavering attention to infrastructural development, information technology, and academic excellence. Related Topics: KWASU VC Prof Shaykh Luqman-Jimoh Don't Miss Troops destroy 22 Lakurawa camps, killed others in Sokoto You may like Late KWASU VC, Professor Muhammed Akanbi buried in Ilorin Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd
In this rapidly growing digital era, Kaushik Velapa Reddy , a seasoned technology expert in the Semiconductor Industry, highlights the transformative impact of the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) on hardware testing . His groundbreaking research showcases remarkable advancements in verification efficiency, functional coverage, and system reliability, positioning UVM as a game-changer across diverse sectors. Accelerating Innovation Through Enhanced Testing Protocols The UVM framework has demonstrated remarkable improvements in verification cycles, showcasing an average reduction of 76% in testing time. This advancement has particularly impacted the semiconductor industry, where organizations have achieved 92% functional coverage in first-pass verification, establishing new benchmarks in testing efficiency and quality assurance protocols. The implementation has led to a 58% improvement in early bug detection rates and a 75% increase in code reusability. Advanced Safety-Critical Systems Integration In the automotive sector, UVM has revolutionized safety-critical systems validation. Research indicates an 89% improvement in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) verification coverage and an 83% reduction in safety-related incidents. These enhancements are crucial as modern vehicles increasingly depend on complex electronic control units (ECUs) and embedded systems. The methodology has enabled verification of up to 115 CAN-FD nodes with 99.997% reliability and supported testing of 3300+ edge cases per test suite. Next-Generation Telecommunications Verification The telecommunications industry has witnessed unprecedented advancement in verification complexity, especially with 5G infrastructure deployment. UVM implementation has achieved 91% improvement in protocol verification coverage and reduced network equipment validation time by 85%. The framework supports testing of 224+ concurrent network streams and provides latency verification accuracy of ±5ns, ensuring robust network performance validation and Quality of Service verification at 99.99%. Mission-Critical Precision Engineering The methodology's impact extends significantly to aerospace and healthcare sectors. Aerospace applications have achieved 99.999% verification coverage for mission-critical components, supporting operations up to 65,000 feet altitude. Healthcare devices demonstrate 99.996% verification coverage, with critical systems like pacemakers achieving signal accuracy verification of 99.999% and response times under 9ms, meeting stringent regulatory requirements. Smart Consumer Electronics Evolution Consumer electronics has seen major gains: 88% better device verification and 76% faster development cycles, accelerating SoC validation, firmware testing, and certification. The approach delivers 99.92% multi-touch sensing accuracy, 45% improved power efficiency, and verifies 1.2M transactions per second. Cost-Efficiency and Resource Optimization UVM implementation has delivered significant financial benefits across industries. Organizations report cost savings between $2.4 million to $7.2 million per project through improved test automation, reduced verification cycles, and enhanced bug detection rates. The framework has achieved 85% component reuse across projects and reduced verification setup time by 68%, while improving resource utilization by 78%. Industry Standards Compliance The research highlights UVM's crucial role in ensuring compliance with critical industry standards including ISO 26262 for automotive safety, DO-254 for aerospace, and IEC 62304 for medical devices. This standardization has improved cross-industry collaboration and verification methodology adoption, with documentation accuracy reaching 99.997% and risk management coverage at 99.99%. Transformative Technological Impact Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) is transforming hardware verification by streamlining testing processes and improving product reliability. It establishes robust verification standards, enabling the efficient management of complex systems like advanced semiconductor designs and critical medical devices. UVM's adaptability and precision make it essential for ensuring high-quality outcomes, positioning it as a foundational tool for future technology innovations. In conclusion, Kaushik Velapa Reddy 's transformative research demonstrates how UVM has revolutionized hardware verification across industries, achieving remarkable milestones with 76% reduction in verification cycles, billions in cost savings, and 99.999% reliability in critical systems. These groundbreaking results establish UVM as the cornerstone for future hardware verification, ensuring reliability and efficiency in an increasingly complex digital landscape.What's the outlook for Paladin Energy shares in FY25?
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Thursday: Julia Kornberg on Berlin Atomized at Lost City Books Berlin Atomized , the debut novel from author Julia Kornberg , is described as a “kinetic, globetrotting novel” following three “downwardly mobile” Jewish siblings from 2001 to 2034. Originally published as Atomizado Berlín in 2021, the English-language version, translated by Jack Rockwell , was released earlier this week on Dec. 3. To celebrate, Lost City Books is hosting a conversation between Kornberg and Rockwell, with moderation by translator and author Lily Meyer . Berlin Atomized shows the siblings struggling against economic turmoil, environmental collapse, and war, among other crises over the span of multiple decades. Kornberg opens her novel in Nordelta, a wealthy ( and gentrified ) gated community in Buenos Aires, during Argentina’s great depression in 2001. Born and raised in Buenos Aires and now based in New York City, Kornberg has focused on writing about the Jewish Argentine community, culture, and identity. A writer from a young age, Kornberg recently told Beyond the Zero that “this is pretty much all I’ve done” and credited Argentina’s “institution” of literary workshops—one of which she attended as an adolescent—to fueling her interest in writing. Currently, a Ph.D. candidate at Princeton University, Kornberg is working on her second novel. Julia Kornberg discusses Berlin Atomized at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Lost City Books, 2467 18th St. NW. lostcitybookstore.com . Free. —Daryl Perry Saturday and Sunday: Native Art Market at NMAI Across Indigenous communities in the Southeast U.S., weaving baskets has been a crux of culture, society, and technology. Native women used the practice of basket weaving, the oldest preserved artistic tradition of Indigenous culture, as a means of socializing, documenting history, telling stories, and combining practicality with creativity. The tradition lives on through dedicated descendants and artful masters of the craft, and is one of many forms of art that will be displayed at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Art Market. The annual market features Indigenous artists from around the Western Hemisphere, who are known for their award-winning craftsmanship. Lovers of art are invited to immerse themselves in the rich, vibrant culture by learning about Native traditions and the contemporary ways in which these artists adapt them to the modern age. Like basketry, the artwork and creations on display—and for sale—at the market showcase the spirit of vibrant artistry kept alive today. You’ll find beadwork, which predates European arrival to the U.S. and exemplifies just how resourceful Native Americans were in their ingenuity, hundreds of years ago. Also included will be illustrations, jewelry, metalwork, sculptures, photography, and clothing. The Native Art Market runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m on Dec. 7 and 8 at the National Museum of the American Indian, Third Street and Maryland Avenue SW. americanindian.si.edu . Free. — Meg Richards Saturday: The Skeptics Guide to the Universe at Miracle Theatre A podcast steeped in science hosted by people who work in science was once one of the most popular ones on iTunes. A long time ago, when you had to actually download a podcast on a computer and then use a cord to upload it to your iPhone, The Skeptics Guide to the Universe ruled a much less influential platform. It’s not surprising that the easier it became to listen to the format, the dumber and dumber it became. Like most early pods that stuck around, the show has produced more than a thousand episodes, a book, and live shows. Unlike most popular current pods, the show is not a product of any other streaming platform, sponsored by a gambling app or broadcast network. And it’s definitely not part of the crop of pods speaking to the young White dudes who might have swung an election. If the influence of those shows are justifiably bumming you out, this live version of The Skeptics Guide should be a respite from today’s news. If you’re a regular attendee of Nerd Nite at DC9 or the Profs and Pints talks throughout D.C., you’ll most likely like The Skeptics Guide . At a time when the dumbest possible future feels inevitable, it’ll be nice to spend a few hours with some like-minded individuals that realize the universe is vast. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe records at 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Miracle Theatre, 535 8th St. SE. unionstagepresents.com . $40. —Brandon Wetherbee Tuesday: Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute Reading with Kimiko Hahn The Folger Shakespeare Library has been hosting programming at a breakneck pace since reopening this summer. On Tuesday, the library is hosting its esteemed birthday tribute to Emily Dickinson in person for the first time since 2020. This year’s reading will be done by poet Kimiko Hahn , the author of 10 poetry collections and winner of the Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award. The tribute event is a hallmark of Folger’s programming and has previously featured Mary Oliver , Carolyn Forché , and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo , among others. And afterward local poet and civil rights lawyer Sunu Chandy will moderate a conversation with Hahn. Prepare for the birthday festivities by brushing up on your poetry readings , attempting Dickinson’s black cake recipe (the cake will also be served at the event) , or watching the TV show Dickinson , based loosely (to say the least) on her life. Or, before you head to the Folger, you can read the Washington Post Magazine ’s account of Dickinson’s 1855 trip to D.C. that’s at odds with her popular hermit-esque persona. According to the story, the then-24-year-old Dickinson was repelled by the city’s opaque high society but interested in its political and cultural attractions; a stance City Paper readers might get behind. The Emily Dickinson Birthday Tribute starts at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E Capitol St. SE. folger.edu . $20. —Serena Zets Ongoing: Virginia Hall Exhibit at the Spy Museum Virginia Hall was hardly a woman of no importance . Baltimore born and raised, Hall went on to become the Nazis’ most wanted Allied spy and a decorated World War II operative with medals from the U.S., the UK, and France. “One of my favorite photos of her is her jumping off a barn as a little girl,” says Hannah Saloio , curator of the new Virginia Hall exhibit at the International Spy Museum. “I think that kind of tells her entire story.” The small but detailed exhibit, found in the museum’s Spies and Spymasters gallery on the fifth floor, aims to tell Hall’s story in greater detail. The woman who became known as “the lady who limps” by the Gestapo—due to her prosthetic leg, which she nicknamed “ Cuthbert ”—was working as a clerk for the State Department in Estonia when Germany invaded Poland and launched WWII. From driving an ambulance on the front lines in France to being recruited by the British Special Operations Executive, Hall proved that women could play an equally important role in the war’s reconnaissance, sabotage, and espionage efforts. Indeed, some of her biggest confidants in France, where she was stationed, were nuns, sex workers, and a brothel owner. Her “resume” sounds more like something out of an Evelyn Salt movie than real life: She was hunted by the Gestapo’s Butcher of Lyon; fled France on foot over the Pyrenees Mountains—with a wooden leg; and became a wireless operator for the U.S. Office of Strategic Services. For one mission, she filed down her teeth to better pass as an elderly milkmaid in order to track German troops. According to the museum , “she radioed intelligence reports, coordinated parachute drops of supplies, oversaw sabotage missions, and planned ambushes of German soldiers.” An NPR article notes that “at its peak, Hall’s network consisted of some 1,500 people,” including a soldier who later became her husband. Her MBE Medal Award, a passport, and the actual uniform she wore as a French ambulance driver are among the artifacts in the exhibit. But the biggest takeaway is the long-overdue recognition of her work. The Virginia Hall exhibit is now open in the Spies and Spymasters gallery at the International Spy Museum, 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. spymuseum.org . $20–$32. —Sarah Marloff Don’t forget to sign up for City Lights , our twice-weekly guide to the best arts and nightlife, delivered from our writers straight to your inbox every Thursday and Sunday.
Calvin Klein is the creator of one of the most famous fashion brands in the world, also known as Calvin Klein. He was born in New York City, New York, on November 19, 1942. His grandparents had emigrated from the Austria-Hungary area and settled in the New York City area. The jet boasts a combination of range, performance, and luxury – and is favored among business, government, and even the military. Klein attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan before attending New York's Institute of Technology. After he graduated, Klein completed several apprenticeships in the fashion industry. He would later become known as the new Yves Saint Laurent, and he developed a company with his childhood best friend Barry K. Schwartz that would later become known as Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. This newly formed company found immediate success in the fashion industry, as his new jeans line became mainstream. Over the years, Calvin Klein Inc. has grown to become one of the most popular providers of underwear and denim products. The company recorded nearly $4 billion in annual revenue in 2022, which has grown Klein's own net worth to over $700 million. Due to Klein's accumulated wealth, it is no wonder that the fashion mogul operates a private jet . This aircraft grants Klein and his family the ultimate luxury while traveling. He has the ability to depart at any time he wants, fly directly to his required destination instead of connecting through various airports, and has a wider variety of airports to fly to. As business jets are typically smaller than commercial airlines, private jets can land at smaller airports with shorter runways, which may be closer than the traveler's intended destination. Let's take a closer look at the unique aircraft that Klein flies, as well as some of the features that make this aircraft special. About Calvin Klein's private jet Currently, Calvin Klein flies a Gulfstream G550 that is registered as N550CK. According to JetSpy , this aircraft was first produced in 2009 and has a serial number of 5251. This aircraft is officially owned by Calvin Klein Studio LLC, although Klein is the main operator of the aircraft. This aircraft is flown frequently by Klein and his team. According to JetSpy, this aircraft has conducted 106 total flights in 2024 so far. These flights have amounted to 316 total flight hours. Additionally, these flights have utilized 138,000 gallons of jet fuel, which has contributed to over 1,300 metric tons of carbon emissions. Additionally, in 2024, Klein's Gulfstream G550 has visited the following airports the most frequently: Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Los Angeles, California Teterboro Airport (TEB) in Bergen County, New Jersey San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco, California About the Gulfstream G550 The Gulfstream G550 has become one of the most popular Gulfstream business jets for celebrities and business executives. The aircraft was first developed by Gulfstream in the early 2000s as an improvement to the popular Gulfstream V. Overall, Gulfstream made significant improvements to the aircraft, including lengthening the interior cabin, updating the avionics system, installing new and more powerful engines, and redesigning many aerodynamic features. The first prototype G550 conducted its maiden flight in July 2002. It was later certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in August 2003, and deliveries of the aircraft began the following year. The aircraft was successfully produced from 2004 through 2021. However, Gulfstream officially halted production of the aircraft in 2021, as the more improved Gulfstream G600 was introduced in 2019. Overall, over 600 total Gulfstream G550s have been produced. The G550 has been popular with business executives, private jet charter providers, celebrities , large corporations, and even governments. Many militaries use this aircraft, including the Algerian Air Force, the Israeli Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the Polish Air Force, and the Swedish Air Force, among several others. Additionally, some of the large corporations that have utilized this aircraft include: 3M McDonald's Coca-Cola Dell Disney Phillips 66 General Motors Google Wynn Resorts Design features and performance specifications of the Gulfstream G550 As previously mentioned, the Gulfstream G550 was designed as a large improvement to the popular Gulfstream V. Many of the upgrades introduced on the G550 were aerodynamic improvements. This includes many drag reduction details that helped improve the aircraft's range and cruise speed. Additionally, Gulfstream moved the entry door forward approximately two feet, which allowed for the addition of a seventh window and a roomier cabin that could fit a maximum of nineteen passengers. The interior cabin had the following dimensions: Cabin height: six feet two inches Cabin width: seven feet four inches Cabin length: 43 feet eleven inches Inside the cockpit, the G550 is powered by the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system. This featured cursor control devices, a heads-up guidance system provided by Rockwell Collins, and an enhanced vision system (EVS) provided by Elbit. The G550 is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, which each provide the aircraft with over 15,000 pounds of thrust. These powerful and efficient engines helped the aircraft achieve the following performance specifications: Length 96 feet five inches Height 25 feet ten inches Wingspan 93 feet six inches Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 91,000 pounds Maximum operating speed Mach 0.885 (585 miles per hour) Typical cruise speed Mach 0.80 (528 miles per hour) Range 6,750 nautical miles (7,770 miles) Service ceiling 51,000 feetAP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:09 p.m. EST