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Japanese tech investment firm SoftBank will reportedly invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced the investment Monday (Dec. 16) at President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Logo residence in Florida and said the money will be deployed by the end of Trump’s term, CNBC reported Monday. The investment will create at least 100,000 jobs focused on artificial intelligence and related infrastructure , according to the report . “My confidence level to the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory,” Son said of Trump, per the report. “President Trump is a double-down president. I’m going to have to double down.” Son made a similar investment ahead of Trump’s first term. It was reported in December 2016 that SoftBank gave Trump credit as Son pledged to create 50,000 jobs and invest $50 billion in the U.S. through the firm’s $100 billion technology fund created with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. Son told reporters at the time that he saw a lot of deregulation coming with a Trump presidency. It was reported in September that the burgeoning needs of AI infrastructure are facing challenges associated with clean energy, permitting and workforce needs essential for the development of that infrastructure. AI’s expansion is creating an energy demand, which poses a challenge as U.S. tech companies vie for a limited electricity supply to power their growing data centers. Son said in June that within three to five years, the AI industry is likely to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) — AI that is smarter than humans — and that 10 years from now, AI will be 10,000 times smarter than humans. He added that AGI will not require people to “change the structure of human lifestyle,” but that “artificial super intelligence (ASI)” will be “a totally different story” and will deliver “a big improvement.” It was reported in May that SoftBank plans to invest nearly $9 billion in AI, with its outlay for investments and commitments more than doubling in the 12 months since the company said it was ready to go on the “counteroffensive” in the AI sector . For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter .CD Bioparticles Announces Enhanced Online Ordering System for Improved Customer Experience
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are back in first place in the NFC South and again in control of their playoff hopes. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. showed the poise in his first NFL start the Falcons will need to take advantage of their opportunity to end a six-year playoff drought. Powered by a big-play defense that produced two pick-6s, a solid starting debut by Penix and two rushing touchdowns by Bijan Robinson, the Falcons cruised past the hapless New York Giants 34-7 on Sunday. On Sunday night, the Falcons (8-7) received the assist they needed when Tampa Bay lost at Dallas . Because the Falcons swept the Buccaneers, they hold the tiebreaker advantage if they remain tied atop the division. The Falcons have games remaining at Washington on Sunday night and at home against Carolina to close the regular season. If Atlanta wins both games, it would win the division and have a home playoff game. The Falcons are assured of their best record since a 10-6 finish under coach Dan Quinn in 2017, their most recent playoff season. Quinn is in his first season as Washington's coach and has led the Commanders (10-5) to three straight wins, including Sunday's 36-33 victory over Philadelphia. Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, was promoted after coach Raheem Morris benched Kirk Cousins. Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards with one interception on a pass that should have been caught by tight end Kyle Pitts. Penix is not a dual-threat quarterback, but he showed the ability to escape pressure in the pocket that Cousins lacks following his 2023 Achilles tendon injury. The left-hander's superior arm strength also was immediately obvious. Robinson's production provided a safety net for the offense which helped make for a smooth transition to Penix. Robinson had scoring runs of 2 and 4 yards. Robinson has rushed for 10 touchdowns this season. He's the first Atlanta player with 10 more more rushing touchdowns since Devonta Freeman during the 2016 Super Bowl season. Robinson ran for 94 yards on 22 carries and had 103 yards from scrimmage. His 11th game this season with at least 100 yards from scrimmage are the most for the Falcons since Warrick Dunn's 11 in 2005. Morris said Robinson deserves to be considered with Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley in discussions regarding the league's top running backs. “Bijan has been outstanding all year in the things that he’s able to do," Morris said. “He’s special. If it wasn’t for this other guy out in Philly, he’d get a lot more recognition across the league. But that guy is having a special year, and Bijan’s not far behind him.” With kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve and watching from the sideline, Riley Patterson was wide left on his first field-goal attempt from 43 yards. Patterson rebounded to make attempts from 52 and 37 yards. Jessie Bates III and Matthew Judon each had a pick-6 to highlight a day of big plays for the defense. Arnold Ebiketie had his fifth sack of the season and added a fumble recovery. Kaden Ellis added a strip-sack. He also has five sacks this season, including sacks in four consecutive games. It is the longest streak for Atlanta since Patrick Kerney had sacks in five straight games in 2001. There was some thought that a change at quarterback could be good news for Pitts, who often seemed to be missing in action with Cousins running the offense. After all, a tight end often is a natural target for quick passes from a rookie making his first start. Instead, Pitts had a poor start to the Penix era when he bobbled his first pass from the left-hander, creating an interception by cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. Pitts caught a 7-yard pass on his only other target. For the season, Pitts has 41 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. There will be much interest in this week's injury report after WR Drake London (hamstring) was hurt in the second half. Morris provided an optimistic postgame outlook on London. CB Antonio Hamilton (quad) did not return after leaving the game in the first half. 8: Bates has four interceptions and four forced fumbles. His combined eight forced turnovers lead the NFL. The game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders is a reminder Penix was only the fourth of six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Daniels, from LSU, was the No. 2 overall pick behind Caleb Williams by Chicago. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Qatar tribune MAPUTO: More than 1,500 prisoners have escaped from a prison in Mozambique, taking advantage of ongoing political unrest triggered by disputed election results, police say. Thirty-three people were killed and 15 injured in clashes with guards, police chief Bernardino Rafael told a press conference. About 150 more fugitives have since been recaptured, he added. Protests erupted on Monday in response to Mozambique’s highest court confirming that the ruling Frelimo party, in power since 1975, had won October’s presidential elections. Rafael said groups of anti-government protesters had approached the prison in the capital Maputo on Wednesday. Prisoners used the unrest to knock down a wall and escape. (Agencies) Copy 27/12/2024 10
Japanese monkeys living in Launceston will be prevented from reproducing due to concerns of disease and inbreeding within the group. For more than 40 years, visitors to Launceston’s City Park have been able to view the macaques frolicking about in an enclosure. But by 20250 it is expected there will be no monkeys left in the park. In 2000, it was revealed the herpes B virus had spread through the monkeys, although previous discussions of euthanising the troop were politically unpopular. Now there are increasing concerns about a lack of genetic diversity within the group. The City of Launceston has decided to desex the male members of the macaque troop to prevent the animals from breeding. It is expected that the desexing of the troop will take two years to complete. The council said while it was grateful to receive the monkeys, by today’s standards they would not keep these animals in an enclosure. They also said it was important to take into consideration the needs of the monkeys and the greater community. On Thursday afternoon, a council meeting voted 10-1 in favour of sterilisation, after hearing there were signs of miscarriages and stillbirths in the troop. “We know the Launceston community cares very much about the welfare of the City Park monkeys,” Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said. “That’s a sentiment that’s also very much shared by both councillors and staff. “The inability to introduce new genetic stock and the serious impacts on their health and wellbeing means we need to begin to consider the future of the troop. “[The] decision was a difficult one, but it prioritises the welfare of the monkey troop so we can keep them as healthy and happy as possible for as long as possible. Mr Garwood said he would write to the mayor of Ikeda following the decision. Councillor Andrea Dawkins said if the city was offered this same opportunity today the city would be unlikely take it. “There is a lot of interest in these monkeys as there should be because there is so much interest in the way humans react with animals and we take it for granted they are a part of our lives,” she said. “Communities have changed and animals in captivity for the enjoyment of humans is some; thing we’ve moved through.” Originally published as Launceston council to sterilise iconic Japanese macaquesDublin, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "SiC Fibers Market by Type, Form, Phase, Usage, End-use Industry and Region - Global Forecast to 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The SiC fibers market is estimated at USD 0.70 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.34 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 25% from 2024 to 2031. Third generation fiber's performance in ultra-high-temperature environments and their ability to withstand structural integrity over such long time intervals make them particularly useful for application in next-generation turbine engines including in LEAP engines and advanced power generation systems. In terms of value, continuous form of SiC fibers accounted for the largest share of the overall SiC fibers market. In 2023, continuous SiC fibers in SiC fibers market have the largest market share due to their ability to be easily integrated into advanced composite structures making them the choice for next-generation engine systems. For example, in LEAP engines, they play a very visible role. Continuous SiC fibers are becoming increasingly in demand as industries work towards getting closer and closer to lighter, stronger, and fuel-efficient materials. Thus, as the end-use industries seek advanced materials there is an expected increase in demand for continuous SiC fibers. In terms of value, the crystalline SiC fibers are projected to be the fastest growing phase of SiC fibers . Crystalline SiC fibers are projected to be the fastest-growing in phase segment in SiC fibers market, due to its advantages over other fibers. Oxide fibers, superalloys, and amorphous SiC fibers degrade very quickly at elevated temperatures. However, Sylramic SiC fibers which are a type of crystalline SiC fiber retain strength and stiffness to very high-temperature levels, above 1400C (2252F) due to the particular chemical composition, structure, and low oxygen content. It offers superior creep resistance along with thermal stability and is highly suitable for high-performance applications in aerospace, defense, and energy. Advances have been achieved in SiC fibers not only for breaking through functional barriers but also in response to increased demands for high-temperature-resistant materials in various sectors. In terms of value, the usage of SiC fibers in composites is projected to be the fastest in the forecast period. The fastest-growing usage of SiC fibers in composites is based on tremendous progress in material properties and the ability to withstand extreme conditions. NASA's research, especially at Glenn Research Center, has played an important role in propelling increased demand for SiC fibers in ceramic matrix composites for high-temperature structural applications beyond 2700F. High-strength SiC fibers patented as Sylramic-iBN and Super Sylramic-iBN are specially processed to provide high mechanical and environmental properties. Protective boron-nitride coatings and advanced CVI techniques have transformed the CMCs made of SiC/SiC from NASA into products that are much more resistant and quite highly resistant to extreme heat and stress, but still allow for customization under specific design and performance requirements. Thus, these developments have been very much driving the adoption of SiC composites for high-performance industries. During the forecast period, the SiC fiber market in aerospace & defense is projected to be the fastest growing end-use industry. During the forecast period from 2024 to 2029, the aerospace & defense industry is expected to be the fastest-growing end-use industry in the SiC fibers market. The SiC fibers are unmatched in their performances in high temperature as well as high-stress applications, such as advanced aircraft and space vehicle engines. These fibers can resist up to 2,732F and thus are well suited for use in next-generation aerospace engines, such as the GE9X installed in the Boeing 777X, or advanced military engines such as the GE3000 for the US Army's ITEP program. Although the market faces disruptions in terms of reductions in aircraft delivery and more issues on the supply chain, high-performance material demand within both the components of the engine and aerospace technology development is a factor pushing the growth of SiC fiber usage in the aerospace & defense sector at a very rapid pace. During the forecast period, the SiC fibers market in North America region is projected to be the largest region. North America is the largest market for SiC fibers because of its strong aerospace, defense, and energy sectors, which are a driver for the demand for high-performance materials such as SiC fibers. The region is dominated by large aerospace manufacturers, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Electric, which have comprehensive use of SiC fibers in critical engine components in commercial and military applications. It also continues to invest in space exploration and defense projects led by the NASA and U.S. Department of Defense; this investment promotes increased demand for SiC-based CMCs in rockets, space vehicles, and advanced military engine components. Second, North America has a strong research infrastructure led by institutions and private companies that develop SiC fiber technology, which creates innovation and potentially expands its market shares. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of company profiles: Prominent companies NGS Advanced Fibers Co., Ltd. (Japan), UBE Corporation (Japan), COI Ceramics, Inc. (US), Specialty Materials, Inc. (US), MATECH (US), Suzhou Saifei Group Ltd. (China), Haydale Technologies Inc. (US), GE Aerospace (US), Ningbo Zhongxing New Materials Co., Ltd. (China), and BJS Ceramics (Germany). Research Coverage The scope of the report includes detailed information about the major factors influencing the growth of the SiC Fibers market, such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. A thorough examination of the key industry players has been conducted in order to provide insights into their business overview, solutions, and services, key strategies, contracts, partnerships, and agreements. Product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and recent developments in the SiC Fibers market are all covered. This report includes a competitive analysis of upcoming startups in the SiC Fibers market ecosystem. The report provides insights on the following: Analysis of key drivers (Rising demand from LEAP engines), restraints (High cost of SiC fibers, availability of substitutes), opportunities (Reduction in SiC fibers cost, Emergence of Chinese players), and challenges (Liquidity crunch, technological challenges in manufacturing of low-cost SiC fibers) influencing the growth of the SiC Fibers market Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and service launches in the SiC Fibers market. Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyses the SiC Fibers market across varied regions. Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the SiC Fibers market Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies and service offerings of leading players like NGS Advanced Fibers Co., Ltd. (Japan), UBE Corporation (Japan), COI Ceramics, Inc. (US), Specialty Materials, Inc. (US), MATECH (US), Suzhou Saifei Group Ltd. (China), Haydale Technologies Inc. (US), GE Aerospace (US), Ningbo Zhongxing New Materials Co., Ltd. (China), BJS Ceramics (Germany), Nanoshel LLC (US), Skyspring Nanomaterials, Inc. (US), TISICS LTD. (UK), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), the Institute of Energy Science & Technology (Japan), National University of Defense Technology (China), Free Form Fibers (US), among others in the SiC Fibers market. Key Attributes: Key Topics Covered: MARKET DYNAMICS DRIVERS Technological advancements Capacity expansion due to rising production of LEAP engines Increasing demand for fuel-efficient aircraft Increased investments in manufacturing SiC fiber-based CMCs for land-based gas turbine engines RESTRAINTS High cost of SiC fibers Availability of substitutes OPPORTUNITIES Increasing R&D for manufacturing accident-tolerant and lightweight nuclear reactors Reduction in SiC fiber costs Emergence of Chinese players CHALLENGES Technological challenges in manufacturing low-cost SiC fibers Liquidity crunch Case Study Analysis Introduction of Second-Generation SiC Fiber by Ningbo Zhongxing New Materials Co. Development of Silicon Carbide Fiber Tows by NASA's Glenn Research Center Continuous Scalable Process for Domestic Production of Silicon Carbide Fibers Companies Featured NGS Advanced Fibers Co. UBE Corporation COI Ceramics GE Aerospace Specialty Materials Haydale Graphene Industries Matech Suzhou Saifei Group BJS Ceramics Ningbo Zhongxing New Materials Co. Nanoshel LLC Skyspring Nanomaterials National Aeronautics and Space Administration TISICS Institute of Energy Science and Technology National University of Defense Technology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3ycnco About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment SiC Fibers Market
TOPEKA, Kan. — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner marked final preparations for departing Congress with a speech connecting his rise in Kansas politics to a family legacy of resilience and featuring a special request that colleagues aid children suffering extreme malnutrition. LaTurner, 36, a Republican who served in the Kansas Senate and as state treasurer before entering the U.S. House, declined to seek reelection to a third term in 2024. He was elected in 2020 by 2nd District voters eager to replace troubled GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins. He said in April the requirements of serving in Congress and running for reelection every two years had “taken a toll.” A native of Galena, Kansas, and a graduate of Pittsburg State University, he has four children and wanted to “be more present” for them. “I want to thank my friends both at home and my colleagues here, my supporters who helped me get here, and my family,” LaTurner said. “To my kids, the best title I’ve ever had is dad. And that title is about to get my full attention.” In remarks offered on the House floor ahead of his January exit, LaTurner requested Congress and the White House approve $300 million in funding for a global health initiative making use of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods, or RUTF. It would expand the reach of this U.S.-made, medical-grade, nutrient-dense paste given to children suffering severe malnutrition. “That increase should be realized. It is the right thing to do,” LaTurner said. LaTurner said starving children consuming RUTF — at a cost of about $1 per day — had a survival rate near 90%. The nutritional product could be made with ingredients from 28 states, including peanuts, dairy, soy, sugar and micronutrients. He recalled entering the House in 2021 and speaking with U.S. Rep. Don Young, who became the longest-serving Republican in House history. Young represented Alaska until his death in 2022. “He told me when he arrived in 1973, it was customary for freshmen members to wait six months before speaking on the House floor,” LaTurner said. “To his surprise, I adopted this tradition. I did so partly out of deference to the dean, but mostly because it showed respect for this institution.” LaTurner said it was the responsibility of people serving in Congress to preserve “an institution and a system of government that our founders painstakingly designed to safeguard against human nature.” The departing Republican originally said he followed a path carved through sacrifice and tenacity of his family. LaTurner said his single-parent father worked long hours managing a Sonic restaurant while putting himself through college. His dad became the first in the family to earn a college degree. He was as an educator and mayor of Galena. His grandmother dropped out of school in the ninth grade because she had only one dress and couldn’t endure ridicule by her classmates. She raised six children and earned a GED before working as a nurse. LaTurner’s grandfather was the first in the family to graduate high school. He lost the sight in one eye while serving in Korea. Unable to pass a physical, he worked odd jobs until he found his calling as a lay judge. His grandfather’s father was killed in the mines at the age of 41 and left behind a widow and six children. They endured hardships most people cannot fathom, LaTurner said. “Yet three short generations later, his great-grandson was called ‘the gentleman from Kansas’ on the floor of the United States House of Representatives,” LaTurner said. “I share these stories because they remind me every day that I did not get here on my own. What a country this is. But it’s not just my story. It’s the American story.”
The demands of achieving both one-day shipping and a satisfying orgasm collide in Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” a kinky and darkly comic erotic thriller about sex in the Amazon era. Nicole Kidman stars as Romy Mathis, the chief executive of Tensile, a robotics business that pioneered automotive warehouses. In the movie’s opening credits, a maze of conveyor belts and bots shuttle boxes this way and that without a human in sight. Romy, too, is a little robotic. She intensely presides over the company. Her eyes are glued to her phone. She gets Botox injections, practices corporate-speak presentations (“Look up, smile and never show your weakness”) and maintains a floor-through New York apartment, along with a mansion in the suburbs that she shares with her theater-director husband ( Antonio Banderas ) and two teenage daughters (Esther McGregor and Vaughan Reilly). But the veneer of control is only that in “Babygirl,” a sometimes campy, frequently entertaining modern update to the erotically charged movies of the 1990s, like “Basic Instinct” and “9 1⁄2 Weeks.” Reijn, the Danish director of “Bodies Bodies Bodies” has critically made her film from a more female point of view, resulting in ever-shifting gender and power dynamics that make “Babygirl” seldom predictable — even if the film is never quite as daring as it seems to thinks it is. RELATED COVERAGE The snubs and surprises in the 2025 Golden Globe nominations List of Golden Globe nominees ‘Emilia Pérez’ leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by ‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Conclave’ The opening moments of “Babygirl,” which A24 releases Wednesday, are of Kidman in close-up and apparent climax. But moments after she and her husband finish and say “I love you,” she retreats down the hall to writhe on the floor while watching cheap, transgressive internet pornography. The breathy soundtrack, by the composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer, heaves and puffs along with the film’s main character. One day while walking into the office, Romy is taken by a scene on the street. A violent dog gets loose but a young man, with remarkable calmness, calls to the dog and settles it. She seems infatuated. The young man turns out to be Samuel (Harris Dickinson), one of the interns just starting at Tensile. When they meet inside the building, his manner with her is disarmingly frank. Samuel arranges for a brief meeting with Romy, during which he tells her, point blank, “I think you like to be told what to do.” She doesn’t disagree. Some of the same dynamic seen on the sidewalk, of animalistic urges and submission to them, ensues between Samuel and Romy. A great deal of the pleasure in “Babygirl” comes in watching Kidman, who so indelibly depicted uncompromised female desire in Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut,” again wade into the mysteries of sexual hunger. “Babygirl,” which Reijn also wrote, is sometimes a bit much. (In one scene, Samuel feeds Romy saucers of milk while George Michael’s “Father Figure” blares.) But its two lead actors are never anything but completely magnetic. Kidman deftly portrays Romy as a woman falling helplessly into an affair; she both knows what she’s doing and doesn’t. Dickinson exudes a disarming intensity; his chemistry with Kidman, despite their quickly forgotten age gap, is visceral. As their affair evolves, Samuel’s sense of control expands and he begins to threaten a call to HR. That he could destroy her doesn’t necessarily make Romy any less interested in seeing him, though there are some delicious post-#MeToo ironies in their clandestine CEO-intern relationship. Also in the mix is Romy’s executive assistant, Esme (Sophie Wilde, also very good), who’s eager for her own promotion. Where “Babygirl” heads from here, I won’t say. But the movie is less interested in workplace politics than it is in acknowledging authentic desires, even if they’re a little ludicrous. There’s genuine tenderness in their meetings, no matter the games that are played. Late in the film, Samuel describes it as “two children playing.” As a kind of erotic parable of control, “Babygirl” is also, either fittingly or ironically, shot in the very New York headquarters of its distributor, A24. For a studio that’s sometimes been accused of having a “house style,” here’s a movie that goes one step further by literally moving in. What about that automation stuff earlier? Well, our collective submission to digital overloads might have been a compelling jumping-off point for the film, but along the way, not every thread gets unraveled in the easily distracted “Babygirl.” Saucers of milk will do that. “Babygirl,” an A24 release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “strong sexual content, nudity and language.” Running time: 114 minutes. Three stars out of four.
With 2025 fast approaching, the 'Bangkok Post' takes a look at five of the top political stories that intrigued the nation over the past 12 months. 1. Srettha's govt gone in blink of an eye Srettha Thavisin's fortunes have taken a drastic turn, from a real estate mogul to the country's 30th prime minister. However, his premiership lasted barely a year before an unanticipated fall from grace. Mr Srettha was selected by the ruling Pheu Thai Party from its three candidates to be nominated for a parliamentary vote as prime minister. His nomination followed the Move Forward Party's (MFP) futile bid to get the Senate's endorsement of its own candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, in the leadership contest. Mr Srettha assumed the premiership on Aug 22, 2023. Commanding no political faction in Pheu Thai and lacking experience in politics, he rose to the top job amid criticism he was playing the role of a puppet PM. During his stint, he was noted for his frequent official trips overseas and for having been at loggerheads with Bank of Thailand (BoT) governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput over interest rates. Mr Srettha repeatedly asked the BoT to cut rates to stimulate the economy, while Mr Sethaput insisted on the central bank's independence in its decision-making. Mr Srettha also earned criticism for being unable to roll out Pheu Thai's flagship digital wallet scheme as promised during the election. Meanwhile, a petition was filed against Mr Srettha for naming ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister. On Aug 14, the Constitutional Court judged Mr Srettha guilty of a gross violation of ethics over the Pichit appointment. The ruling cost Mr Srettha his job. In the evening, coalition party leaders met at the Chan Songla residence of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok, reportedly at Thaksin's invitation. The attendees settled on nominating former attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri as prime minister. He and Paetongtarn Shinawatra were Pheu Thai's two remaining prime ministerial candidates. However, some Pheu Thai members convened an urgent meeting the next day and pressed the party to put forth Ms Paetongtarn, Thaksin's youngest daughter and leader of the party, as the prime ministerial candidate for a vote in parliament instead. The party obliged. The party members argued Mr Chaikasem suffered from ill health. Ms Paetongtarn, on the other hand, belonged to a new generation of politicians, is able to visit constituents far and wide and has the respect of party members, according to the party. Parliament on Aug 16 elected Ms Paetongtarn to be prime minister. 2. Senate poll boosts sway of the ‘blues’ party The most complicated Senate election in Thai history may be long over, but it may well have upped the ante for the “blue party” in driving a hard political bargain. The country experimented with the three-tier election in June to find 200 senators to succeed the 150-member Senate hand-picked by the now-defunct coup-maker National Council for Peace and Order. The polls held over three days in June involved electing senators from candidates representing 20 professional groups at district, provincial and national levels. The candidates were whittled down through intra-group voting, before those shortlisted cast inter-group votes that produced the 200 winners. The polls attracted a tactical mobilisation of votes by various networks and others believed to be closely affiliated with parties. Political watchers noted unusual spikes in the number of candidates registered in certain provinces. It transpired many unsuccessful candidates walked away with zero inter-group votes that eventually decided the winners. This had many analysts theorising the zero-vote candidates had been “recruited” to join the race with the aim of voting for fellow candidates who were backed by parties. An overwhelming 160-170 of the 200 senators were thought to possess a “blue” affiliation. Blue is the colour of Bhumjaithai, the second-largest coalition party. Several of the so-called blue senators had emerged triumphant in provinces dominated by Bhumjaithai, such as Buri Ram, Ang Thong, Satun, Amnat Charoen, Uthai Thani, Si Sa Ket and Ayutthaya. An impression has been created of a vast majority of senators coming to work with a string puller. They have been accused of forming a formidable force behind the blue party, given the Senate’s power to pass or block legislation. Meanwhile, Bhumjaithai has gone against the grain of other parties which support legislative changes to make a referendum on any charter rewrite easier to pass. The party’s stand aligns with the Senate which is adamant about keeping the more difficult path of the double-majority rule — where more than 50% of voters must participate in the referendum, and the majority of those who cast their votes must approve it — intact. 3. PAO polls raise party popularity stakes Elections were held for Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) presidents in 29 provinces despite plans to hold all PAO chairman polls on the same day in February next year. The Election Commission (EC) had called elections for PAO chairs and councillors whose term ended on Dec 19 for Feb 1. However, several local contests were held earlier due to resignations; most, if not all, incumbents quit to seek re-election while they still enjoyed strong support. Waiting until their terms expired in December and contesting the February polls could have allowed rivals to build their strength and jeopardise incumbents’ chances of retaining their posts. Among the closely watched contests was the Pathum Thani race, which was full of twists and turns. Pheu Thai candidate Charn Phuangpetch, a former long-time president of Pathum Thani’s PAO, initially won against his rival, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, who ran under the Khon Rak Pathum (Love Pathum) group banner, by a small margin. However, Charn was suspended from office due to a pending case of corruption and malfeasance in connection with his role in Pathum Thani PAO’s procurement of flood relief supplies in 2011. An alleged election law violation, however, resulted in his being disqualified by the EC. Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit won the re-run and his victory was endorsed by the EC on Oct 16. On Oct 24, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases sentenced Charn and six other people to 7.5 years in jail in the corruption case. This PAO contest also seized public attention due to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s assistance in the campaign. Thaksin went to the province and urged the red shirts, core supporters of the Pheu Thai Party, to rally behind Charn. The local contest also caused an internal rift in which veteran politician Wan Ubumrung resigned from the party after he was criticised for fraternising with Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, a close friend of the Ubumrung family, in the first poll. The fatal shooting of Chaimet “Sor Jor Tong” Sitsanitphong, a provincial council member in Prachin Buri, on Dec 11 was a brutal reminder of the high stakes involved in PAO elections, as the violence is suspected to be linked to political power struggles. With major parties fielding candidates, the Feb 1 local polls were also seen as important barometers of party popularity on the national stage. 4. Move Forward Party is down but not out The Move Forward Party (MFP) was the third political party in Thailand to be disbanded after winning a general election. It swept to victory in the 2023 poll with the highest number of House seats, at 151, and 14 million votes in the party-list system. That was only the second time the party had contested a general election. The first was in 2019 when the Future Forward Party, the MFP’s precursor, came in third behind Pheu Thai and the Palang Pracharath Party. When the MFP was dissolved by an Aug 7, 2024 court ruling, several of its key figures were also banned from politics for 10 years, including former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat and then leader Chaithawat Tulathon. The main reason given by the court was the party’s intention to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, better known as the lese majeste law. This policy was seen as exploiting the monarchy as a tool to attract voters to win the 2023 election and risked dragging the monarchy into political disputes between those supporting the lese majeste law and those opposing it. The court also cited MFP’s campaign against the lese majeste law as grounds to believe the party intended to gradually undermine the importance of the monarchy. This misconduct carried the party the disbandment penalty. Reincarnated again as the People’s Party, it still has a good chance of winning the next general election, according to some political observers. 5. Thaksin shows he is no shrinking violet Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has dominated the media spotlight since his return to Thailand in August 2023. For six months he stayed out of the public eye at Police General Hospital (PGH) in Bangkok, where he was treated for mysterious illnesses instead of serving time in jail. His extended stay spoke volumes about political influence and fuelled speculation about the role he might assume after completing his one-year sentence. Following his release on parole in February, Thaksin waded back into politics. It soon became clear that his political clout is even more powerful now than it was during his time as prime minister. The father of prime minister and Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra appeared at forums to outline his visions for Thailand and helped the ruling party’s candidates compete in local elections. One key moment came when he summoned leaders of the coalition partners to his Bangkok home in August to discuss replacing Srettha Thavisin, who was removed from the prime minister’s post by the Constitutional Court. Then, at a Pheu Thai Party seminar in Hua Hin recently, Thaksin criticised coalition partners who missed a Dec 11 cabinet meeting to deliberate two decrees. His criticism reinforced the belief that he is the one pulling the strings in the Pheu Thai-led government. However, Thaksin’s controversial stay at the PGH and the gathering of coalition parties at his house are now under investigation. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) announced it would investigate officials accused of allowing Thaksin to stay at the hospital instead of prison. The NACC’s inquiry will target 12 officials from the PGH and the Department of Corrections (DoC). Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) said it is probing the former prime minister’s alleged manipulation of the Pheu Thai Party and interference in the coalition government, even after the court ruled recently to reject a petition related to Thaksin’s alleged involvement in politics. The EC said the court based its judgement on whether Thaksin and Pheu Thai had violated Section 49 of the constitution, which covers misconduct and claims of whether they were attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. The EC, on the other hand, is looking into petitions regarding the Pheu Thai Party’s alleged violation of the organic law on parties, which prohibits a party from consenting to being manipulated by an outsider, in this case alleged to be Thaksin.By DAVID BAUDER Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg The fact-check accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine’s journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn’t a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it during his only debate with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump’s claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.Waltham, Mass., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nano Dimension Ltd. (Nasdaq: NNDM) (“Nano Dimension” or the “Company”), a supplier of Additive Manufacturing solutions, today shared its response to a December 20, 2024 lawsuit filed by Desktop Metal, Inc. (NYSE: DM) (“Desktop Metal”) against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery alleging Nano Dimension has failed to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain regulatory approval in connection with the merger agreement between the parties dated July 2, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and inconsistent with the terms of the Merger Agreement, particularly with respect to the Company’s right to work through the review process that is under way with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ("CFIUS"). The Company believes the lawsuit is nothing more than an effort by Desktop Metal to prevent the Company from exercising its rights under the Merger Agreement and to impose deadlines and obligations that are inconsistent with that agreement. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself and preserve its rights under the Merger Agreement. About Nano Dimension Ltd. Nano Dimension (Nasdaq: NNDM) offers a variety of Digital Manufacturing technologies serving customers across vertical target markets such as aerospace and defense, advanced automotive, high-tech industrial, specialty medical technology, and R&D and academia. With its suite of digital manufacturing technologies, Nano Dimension is enabling its customers with prototyping and high-mix-low-volume production, along with IP security, design-for-manufacturing capabilities, and more sustainable means of fabrication. For more information, please visit https://www.nano-di.com/ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For example, Nano is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses (i) its beliefs regarding the merits of the lawsuit filed by Desktop Metal, (ii) its beliefs regarding the lawsuit with respect to Nano’s rights under the Merger Agreement and (iii) its intention to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit and preserve its rights under the Merger Agreement. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding Nano’s future intentions, strategic plan, events or developments that Nano intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Such statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions made based on information currently available to management. When used in this communication, the words “outlook,” “guidance,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “should,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “intends,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “plan,” “target,” or the negative of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company’s actual results and performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on the current expectations of Nano, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors and risks that may cause Nano’s actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transaction; (ii) the satisfaction of the closing conditions of the proposed transaction; and (iii) other risks related to the completion of the proposed transaction and actions related thereto. Except as otherwise required by law, Nano undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this communication. Nano is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites. Nano Dimension Contacts Investors: Julien Lederman, VP Corporate Development | ir@nano-di.com Media: Kal Goldberg / Bryan Locke / Kelsey Markovich | NanoDimension@fgsglobal.com