White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaignAP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:23 p.m. EST
BARKHAMSTED – Perhaps no other hamlet in Connecticut can better recapture the aura of a Dickensian Christmas than Riverton, nestled in the northwestern corner of town. Established at the turn of the 19th century, the buildings in the quaint village date to the very period when Charles Dickens was writing his signature story, “A Christmas Carol.” Indeed, every year during the annual Christmas in Riverton celebration – slated for today, Saturday and Sunday – the town re-enacts the classic story of redemption with performances by Riverton Theatre in the Congregational Church, a venerable edifice built in the same year Dickens penned the play. The festival will follow a tried-and-true pattern again this year, starting with a candlelit walk through town tonight from 6 to 8, followed by coffee in the Grange hall. A portion of the proceeds will be gifted to the Tiny Tim Fund. Advance tickets are on sale at Riverton theatre2024.square.site. Businesses will be open to welcome guests, offering holiday shopping from 5 to 9 p.m. Several businesses, including Orchard Hill Baking, the Old Riverton Inn and Riverton General Store, will serve food during the evening. Carolers will rove the streets, setting the mood. The Grange will open its Festival of Trees from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring nonperishable food items or cash donations to support the Community Food Bank, and view trees decorated by community members and organizations. There will be a first performance of “A Christmas Carol,” followed by subsequent presentations Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at Rivertontheatre2024.square.site. Saturday brings more shopping opportunities at local businesses. Clifford, the Big Red Dog, will roam the village (off-leash, of course), and face painting will be offered at the fire department. Children can decorate ornaments or stockings at the firehouse, where firefighters will be selling fried dough. There will be a gingerbread man, children’s craft workshop, baby goats to pet and a magic show, as well as wagon rides to Santa’s Village. Sunday features a final performance of “A Christmas Carol,” another appearance by the gingerbread man, more chances to stroke baby goats and wagon rides. Holiday shopping continues until 6 p.m. For details and times, visit rivertonct.com. Colebrook children can meet Santa COLEBROOK – The town’s annual Children’s Christmas Party with Santa, sponsored by the Colebrook Center Ladies Auxiliary, is slated for Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Colebrook Center Firehouse, 31 Bunnell St. Children through grade 5 are welcome to visit and receive a gift from Santa. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided. Holiday open house Sunday COLEBROOK – Colebrook Historical Society will hold its Holiday Open House and Silent Auction on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the Seymour Tavern in the center of town. Music and refreshments will be provided. The event will conclude with the lighting of the trees on the Green. This year’s theme is “Deck the Halls,” and there will be an opportunity to get something special to do just that at the silent auction. Miniature trees, wreaths, ornaments and other holiday treasures will be on display and preliminary bids can be made. Final bidding will take place Dec. 14,, the date of the Colebrook Holiday Fair. Hollywood’s fabulous faces in Norfolk NORFOLK – Robert Dance, author of “Fabulous Faces of Classic Hollywood,” will introduce “All About Eve” (1950), a classic Bette Davis film, tonight at 7 at Norfolk Library, 9 Greenwoods Road East. The screening is the conclusion of a three-film series. Visit norfolklibrary.org or call 860-542-5075, ext. 2, to register. Farmers holiday market NORFOLK – The Farmers and Artisans Holiday Market will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Battell Chapel. The market will have 32 vendors offering intriguing gifts for the holiday season. Santa Claus is coming to town BARKHAMSTED – Santa and his little elves will come to town Saturday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Barkhamsted Elementary School to have breakfast with local families. Santa will be happy to pose with youngsters for photographs. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for tots 2 and under.Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, which they view as increasingly leaning too far to the right given its owner’s support of President-elect Donald Trump, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter, championed by its former CEO Jack Dorsey. Its decentralized approach to social networking was eventually intended to replace Twitter’s core mechanic. That’s unlikely now that the two companies have parted ways. But Bluesky’s growth trajectory — with a user base that more than doubled since October — could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. But with growth comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who flocked to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. The skyrocketing user base — now surpassing 25 million — is the biggest test yet for a relatively young platform that branded itself as a social media alternative free of the problems plaguing its competitors. According to research firm Similarweb, Bluesky added 7.6 million monthly active app users on iOS and Android in November, an increase of 295.4% since October. It also saw 56.2 million desktop and mobile web visits, in the same period, up 189% from October. Besides the U.S. elections, Bluesky also got a boost when X was briefly banned in Brazil. “They got this spike in attention, they’ve crossed the threshold where it is now worth it for people to flood the platform with spam,” said Laura Edelson, an assistant professor of computer science at Northeastern University and a member of Issue One’s Council for Responsible Social Media. “But they don’t have the cash flow, they don’t have the established team that a larger platform would, so they have to do it all very, very quickly.” To manage growth for its tiny staff, Bluesky started as an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February. That period gave the site time to build out moderation tools and other distinctive features to attract new users, such as “starter packs” that provide lists of topically curated feeds. Meta recently announced it is testing a similar feature. Compared to the bigger players like Meta’s platforms or X, Bluesky has a “quite different” value system, said Claire Wardle, a professor at Cornell University and an expert in misinformation. This includes giving users more control over their experience. “The first generation of social media platforms connected the world, but ended up consolidating power in the hands of a few corporations and their leaders,” Bluesky said on its blog in March. “Our online experience doesn’t have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see. On an open social network like Bluesky, you can shape your experience for yourself.” Because of this mindset, Bluesky has achieved a scrappy underdog status that attracted users who grew tired of the big players. “People had this idea that it was going to be a different type of social network,” Wardle said. “But the truth is, when you get lots of people in a place and there are eyeballs, it means that it’s in other people’s interests to use bots to create, you know, information that aligns with their perspective.” Little data has emerged to help quantify the rise in impersonator accounts, artificial intelligence-fueled networks and other potentially harmful content on Bluesky. But in recent weeks, users began reporting large numbers of apparent AI bots following them, posting plagiarized articles or making seemingly automated divisive comments in replies. Lion Cassens, a Bluesky user and doctoral candidate in the Netherlands, found one such network by accident — a group of German-language accounts with similar bios and AI-generated profile pictures posting in replies to three German newspapers. “I noticed some weird replies under a news post by the German newspaper ‘Die Ziet,’” he said in an email to The Associated Press. “I have a lot of trust in the moderation mechanism on Bluesky, especially compared to Twitter since the layoffs and due to Musk’s more radical stance on freedom of speech. But AI bots are a big challenge, as they will only improve. I hope social media can keep up with that.” Cassens said the bots’ messages have been relatively innocuous so far, but he was concerned about how they could be repurposed in the future to mislead. There are also signs that foreign disinformation narratives have made their way to Bluesky. The disinformation research group Alethea pointed to one low-traction post sharing a false claim about ABC News that had circulated on Russian Telegram channels. Copycat accounts are another challenge. In late November, Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech, found that of the top 100 most followed named individuals on Bluesky, 44% at least one duplicate account posing as them. Two weeks later, Mantzarlis said Bluesky removed around two-thirds of the duplicate accounts he initiallydetected — a sign the site was aware of the issue and attempting to address it. Bluesky posted this month that it quadrupled its moderation team to keep up with its growing user base. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Greene to lead subcommittee taking on government spending
Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordNetanyahu's office says his security Cabinet has approved ceasefire deal with HezbollahQC COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY: Augie runners set for DIII national meet
NEW YORK , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global commercial beverage dispensers market size is estimated to grow by USD 196.9 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.36% during the forecast period. Growing online presence of vendors that offer commercial beverage dispensers is driving market growth, with a trend towards vendors focus on developing commercial beverage dispensers with improved connectivity options. However, low product replacement cycle poses a challenge. Key market players include Ali Group S.r.l., Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Bunn O Matic Corp., Cal Mil Plastic Products Inc., Cambro Manufacturing Co., Changzhou Pilot Electronic Co. Ltd., Electrolux Professional AB, FBD Partnership LP, FRANKE Holding AG, Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., HOSHIZAKI Corp., LUIGI LAVAZZA S.p.A ., Manitowoc Ice, Nestle SA, Newco Coffee, Omega Juicers, PepsiCo Inc., Rosseto Serving Solutions, The Coca Cola Co., and The Middleby Corp.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Food service establishments, theaters, amusement parks, and other end-users prioritize investing in advanced commercial beverage dispensers to enhance consumer experience. Vendors of soft drink dispensers, such as THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, are responding by introducing innovative models. For instance, their new Freestyle 9100 dispenser includes a touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity. Consumers can connect to the Freestyle mobile application, eliminating the need to queue up. The company is also adding audio capability to the equipment. In the coming years, more vendors will develop soft drink dispensers with improved connectivity options, fueling market growth. The Commercial Beverage Dispensers market is thriving with trends like natural teas and low calorie drinks. Customers seek customization options, energy efficient technologies, and eco-friendly designs. Recyclable materials, IoT, temperature control, real-time monitoring, and data analytics are key features. Juices, coffee, cocktails, and soft drinks are popular beverages dispensed. Premium and stylish dispensers come in plastic and stainless steel, BPA-free, for foodservice industries such as restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, convenience marts, and entertainment hubs. High capacity and high-tech models cater to various business sizes. Trends include water saving measures, touchless dispensing systems, and smart connection features. Specialty dispensers offer smoothies, slushies, frozen cocktails, and more. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The replacement cycle for commercial beverage dispensers is characterized by infrequent purchases due to the durability and superior build quality of these products. With a lifecycle ranging from 10 to 30 years, these dispensers are typically replaced after extended periods. While some high-end models can be considered one-time investments, regular maintenance and cleaning are essential to ensure their continued functionality. The minimal maintenance and replacement costs contribute to the low replacement cycle, posing a significant growth barrier for the commercial beverage dispenser market. The Commercial Beverage Dispensers market faces several challenges for various industries, including food service businesses and retail sectors. Start-ups enter the market with automated portion control dispensers, integrating IoT and mobile apps for customer convenience. Electric and plastic beverage dispensers are popular choices due to their user-friendliness and affordability. Fountain dispensers cater to non-alcoholic beverages in convenience shops, malls, and recreational locations. Self-cleaning technology and automated gadgets ensure food safety and hygiene. Food safety is crucial for all types of beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and black spirits. Sustainable and eco-friendly products made of materials like metal, glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, and polyurethane are gaining popularity. Customer selections range from liquids in bottles and containers to healthier options like fruit-infused water. Workplaces, dining establishments, catering events, and self-service kiosks all require beverage dispensers that meet their unique needs. Health issues and disposable cups are also considerations for the market. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This commercial beverage dispensers market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Refrigerated 1.2 Uninsulated 1.3 Insulated 2.1 Stainless steel 2.2 Glass and acrylic 2.3 Plastic 2.4 Others 3.1 Europe 3.2 APAC 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Refrigerated- Commercial refrigerated beverage dispensers are essential equipment in the food service industry for keeping pre-made beverages cool and at a safe serving temperature. These dispensers are commonly used for storing beverages like juice, lemonades, slushies, and iced teas. Refrigerated beverages dispensers offer self-service options, reducing labor requirements and minimizing wastages. The growing preference for chilled beverages and the need for convenience have driven the global market for commercial refrigerated beverage dispensers. The food service industry's expansion, including restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels, has fueled the demand for these dispensers. Polycarbonate containers are increasingly popular in commercial refrigerated beverage dispensers due to their transparency, enhancing beverage visibility. These dispensers are also popular for social events, parties, and gatherings, providing an easy and hygienic way to serve large volumes of cold drinks to guests. Environmental regulations regarding refrigerant usage have encouraged businesses to invest in energy-efficient and user-friendly refrigerated beverage dispensers. Advancements in refrigeration technology have led to more energy-efficient and user-friendly beverage dispensers, making it an attractive investment for businesses to upgrade their equipment. The growing demand for these advanced dispensers is expected to boost the commercial refrigerated beverage dispensers market during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Research Analysis The Commercial Beverage Dispensers market caters to various industries including foodservice businesses in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, convenience marts, entertainment hubs, and the retail sector. These establishments benefit from beverage dispensers due to their user-friendly design and ability to serve a large number of customers. Fountain dispensers are popular choices for serving carbonated drinks, while special beverage dispensers cater to unique offerings like fruit-infused water and natural teas. The market also includes dispensers for healthier options, such as water and natural teas, addressing growing health concerns. Food service businesses, including fast food restaurants, pizzerias, snack shops, and dining establishments, use beverage dispensers to offer a wide range of customer selections. Workplaces and catering events also utilize these containers to provide drinks for employees and guests. Bottles and containers come in various sizes and materials to accommodate different beverage types and volumes. Market Research Overview The Commercial Beverage Dispensers market caters to various industries including foodservice businesses in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, convenience marts, entertainment hubs, and more. These dispensers come in various types such as special beverage dispensers for smoothies, slushies, frozen cocktails, and high capacity or high-tech models. Small businesses and startups also benefit from these dispensers due to automated portion control, IoT integration, mobile apps, and energy-efficient technologies. Beverage dispensers are available in different materials like plastic, glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, and polyurethane, catering to both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages include beer, wine, and black spirits. Coffee shops often use these dispensers for hot beverages and disposable cups. Sustainable and eco-friendly products are gaining popularity with recyclable materials and energy-efficient technologies. Customization options, health issues, and customer selections are other essential factors. Self-cleaning technology, automated gadgets, and digital techniques ensure food safety and user-friendliness. Fountain dispensers are popular in the retail sector, including convenience shops, malls, recreational locations, fast food restaurants, pizzerias, and snack shops. Temperature control, real-time monitoring, data analytics, and juice, coffee, and cocktail dispensers are premium offerings. Stylish dispensers are available in plastic, stainless steel, and commercial-grade materials for workplaces and dining establishments. Catering events also use these dispensers for bottles and containers, ensuring a wide range of customer selections. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Refrigerated Uninsulated Insulated Material Stainless Steel Glass And Acrylic Plastic Others Geography Europe APAC North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioNetanyahu's office says his security Cabinet has approved ceasefire deal with Hezbollah
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to play against Dallas without their star quarterback. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is still dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. “It's a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I've been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I'll feel even better going into the stadium.” Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad. There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game. He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay. The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season. The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLQB1 Vernon Adams Jr.: What does he bring to Calgary Stampeders?
It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to play against Dallas without their star quarterback. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is still dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. “It's a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I've been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I'll feel even better going into the stadium.” Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad. There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game. He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay. The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season. The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL