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WASHINGTON (AP) — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel's “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move follows public criticism of the report from the U.S. ambassador to Israel. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network , meant to reflect the data-driven analysis of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the Hamas militant group and not against its civilian population. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Aeolian Vibration Spiral Damper Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030omniAb CEO Matthew Foehr sells $56,308 in stockIn recent years, the demand for organic food has surged in India, fueled by increasing awareness about health, wellness, and sustainability. Organic food companies are at the forefront of this transformation, offering consumers pesticide-free, chemical-free, and eco-friendly alternatives. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 best organic food companies in India for 2025, setting benchmarks for quality and sustainability. 1. Organic India Organic India is synonymous with high-quality, sustainably sourced organic products. Known for its wide range of herbal teas, spices, and superfoods, the company has a strong presence in both Indian and international markets. Why It Stands Out : USDA and India Organic certifications Focus on sustainability and fair trade Wide distribution network Organic India’s holistic approach to health and wellness has made it a household name. 2. 24 Mantra Organic A pioneer in the Indian organic food market, 24 Mantra Organic offers over 200 products, including cereals, pulses, spices, and snacks. Key Features : 100% certified organic products Farmer-friendly practices Extensive availability in stores and online With a mission to promote sustainable farming, 24 Mantra Organic is a leader in providing chemical-free food. 3. Natureland Organics Natureland Organics has carved a niche with its commitment to quality and affordable organic products. Its product range includes pulses, spices, oils, and snacks. What Makes It Unique : Stringent quality checks Eco-friendly packaging Focus on small-scale farmers Natureland Organics is widely recognized for making organic food accessible to the masses. 4. Pure & Sure Pure & Sure, a brand by Phalada Agro, specializes in certified organic food products ranging from spices to oils. Its focus on purity and taste has garnered a loyal customer base. Salient Features : Farm-to-table approach Affordable pricing Products free from synthetic chemicals Pure & Sure emphasizes promoting a healthy lifestyle through organic food. 5. Conscious Food One of the earliest entrants in the organic food market, Conscious Food is renowned for its traditional and minimally processed products. Top Highlights : Focus on ancient grains and superfoods Handcrafted and natural processes Sustainable packaging Conscious Food is ideal for customers seeking authentic organic experiences. 6. Organic Tattva Organic Tattva offers a diverse range of organic products, including flours, spices, and pulses. The brand is known for its affordability without compromising quality. Key Advantages : Wide product range Chemical-free farming techniques Easily available across e-commerce platforms Organic Tattva caters to health-conscious individuals across India. 7. Farm2Kitchen Farm2Kitchen connects farmers directly with consumers, ensuring transparency and freshness. This platform offers organic fruits, vegetables, and grains. What Sets It Apart : Strong focus on traceability Support for local farmers Subscription-based delivery services Farm2Kitchen is ideal for customers seeking farm-fresh organic produce. 8. I Say Organic I Say Organic is an urban-focused organic food company that delivers fresh, chemical-free produce directly to customers. Standout Features : Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables Home delivery services Emphasis on locally grown produce Its easy-to-use platform and reliable service have made it a favorite among city dwellers. 9. Terra Greens Organic Terra Greens Organic is known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical farming practices. It offers a range of certified organic products. Why It’s Worth Noting : Focus on empowering farmers 100% certified organic products Robust supply chain management Terra Greens Organic is ideal for eco-conscious consumers who prioritize sustainability. 10. Vedantu Organics Vedantu Organics is a rising star in the organic food market, offering premium-quality products sourced from trusted farmers. What Makes It Special : High-quality organic certifications Focus on niche products like organic honey and herbal powders Transparent supply chain Vedantu Organics is gaining traction for its focus on innovation and sustainability. The Rise of Organic Food Companies in India The success of these organic food companies can be attributed to the growing awareness of health risks associated with chemically grown foods. Key drivers for their popularity include: Health Benefits : Organic food is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. Environmental Impact : These companies promote sustainable and eco-friendly farming. Traceability : Many companies ensure transparency in sourcing and production. Challenges Faced by Organic Food Companies Despite their success, organic food companies face several challenges, including: Higher Costs : Organic farming requires more effort and resources, leading to higher prices. Limited Awareness : In rural areas, awareness about organic food remains low. Supply Chain Issues : Ensuring consistent quality and freshness can be challenging. The Future of Organic Food Companies in India The organic food market in India is expected to grow significantly, with more consumers opting for healthier lifestyles. Innovations in technology, government support, and increased awareness are likely to further boost the sector. Companies are also focusing on expanding their product ranges and improving affordability to reach a wider audience. Conclusion The top 10 best organic food companies in India for 2025 are not just transforming the food industry but also encouraging healthier, eco-friendly lifestyles. From giants like Organic India to emerging players like Vedantu Organics, these brands are setting new standards in quality and sustainability . As the organic movement gains momentum, these organic food companies are poised to play a crucial role in reshaping India’s food landscape.
BOSTON , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Below is the November 2024 Monthly Update for the Liberty All-Star Equity Fund USA . Liberty All-Star Equity Fund Ticker: USA Monthly Update, November 2024 Investment Approach: Fund Style: Large-Cap Core Fund Strategy: Combines three value-style and two growth-style investment managers. Those selected demonstrate a consistent investment philosophy, decision making process, continuity of key people and above-average long-term results compared to managers with similar styles. Investment Managers: Value Managers: Aristotle Capital Management, LLC Fiduciary Management, Inc. Pzena Investment Management, LLC Growth Managers: Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP TCW Investment Management Company Top 20 Holdings at Month-End: (34.5% of equity portfolio) 1 Microsoft Corp. 4.0 % 2 NVIDIA Corp. 3.7 % 3 Amazon.com, Inc. 2.7 % 4 Alphabet, Inc. 2.6 % 5 UnitedHealth Group, Inc. 2.3 % 6 Visa, Inc. 1.9 % 7 ServiceNow, Inc. 1.9 % 8 Meta Platforms, Inc. 1.7 % 9 Capital One Financial Corp. 1.5 % 10 S&P Global, Inc. 1.4 % 11 Charles Schwab Corp. 1.3 % 12 Fresenius Medical Care AG 1.2 % 13 Booking Holdings, Inc. 1.1 % 14 Sony Group Corp. 1.1 % 15 Ecolab, Inc. 1.1 % 16 Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. 1.0 % 17 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. 1.0 % 18 Danaher Corp. 1.0 % 19 O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 1.0 % 20 Wells Fargo & Co. 1.0 % Holdings are subject to change. Monthly Performance: Performance NAV Market Price Discount Beginning of month value $7.07 $7.03 -0.6 % Distributions (Ex-Date November 15 th ) $0.18 $0.18 End of month value $7.34 $7.30 -0.5 % Performance for month 6.38 % 6.40 % Performance year-to-date 20.39 % 26.68 % Net Assets at Month-End ($millions): Total $2,096.4 Equities $2,088.6 Percent Invested 99.6 % Sector Breakdown* (% of equity portfolio): Information Technology 22.5 % Financials 21.3 % Health Care 14.5 % Consumer Discretionary 12.5 % Industrials 9.2 % Communication Services 7.1 % Consumer Staples 4.6 % Materials 4.4 % Energy 1.8 % Utilities 1.5 % Real Estate 0.6 % Total Market Value 100.0 % *Based on Standard & Poor's and MSCI Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). New Holdings None Holdings Liquidated: Arch Capital Group, Ltd. The net asset value (NAV) of a closed-end fund is the market value of the underlying investments (i.e., stocks and bonds) in the Fund's portfolio, minus liabilities, divided by the total number of Fund shares outstanding. However, the Fund also has a market price; the value at which it trades on an exchange. If the market price is above the NAV the Fund is trading at a premium. If the market price is below the NAV the Fund is trading at a discount. Performance returns for the Fund are total returns, which includes dividends, and are net of management fees and other Fund expenses. Returns are calculated assuming that a shareholder reinvested all distributions. Past performance cannot predict future investment results. Performance will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance information shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares. Shareholders must be willing to tolerate significant fluctuations in the value of their investment. An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal. Sources of distributions to shareholders may include ordinary dividends, long-term capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions in 2024 for tax reporting purposes will be made after year end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Based on current estimates a portion of the distributions consist of a return of capital. These estimates may not match the final tax characterization (for the full year's distributions) contained in shareholder 1099-DIV forms after the end of the year. All data is as of November 30, 2024 unless otherwise noted. Liberty All-Star® Equity Fund 1-800-241-1850 www.all-starfunds.com libinfo@alpsinc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liberty-all-star-equity-fund-november-2024-monthly-update-302331691.html SOURCE Liberty All-Star Equity Fund © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.A devastating road accident near Bengaluru that claimed the lives of six members of a family on Saturday has sparked a debate on whether cars made to be safe are effective on unsafe roads. The family was traveling in a Volvo SUV when a container truck overturned and crushed their vehicle, killing everyone inside. The accident occurred on National Highway 48 near Nelamangala, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. How did the accident occur? A preliminary investigation by the police has revealed the sequence of events leading to the tragic accident that claimed six lives . An Eicher truck, carrying aluminum pillars weighing several tonnes, was en route to Bengaluru when the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid a collision with another vehicle ahead. Traveling at high speed, the truck veered off course, crossed the median, and overturned onto a Volvo car heading towards Tumakuru. The impact was catastrophic, leaving the car severely damaged. The truck also collided with a tempo before coming to a halt, though the damage to the tempo was minimal. The shocking moment when the truck crushed the Volvo was captured on a nearby CCTV camera. Police are currently analyzing the footage as part of their ongoing investigation into the accident. The deceased have been identified as Chandrayagappa Gaul (48), his wife Gaurabai (42), and their relatives Vijayalakshmi (36), John (16), Deeksha (12), and Arya (6). The family was on their way to Vijayapura when the tragedy struck. Who is Chandram Yegapagol? Chandram Yegapagol , the CEO and managing director of IAST software solutions, was a prominent figure in Bengaluru's tech industry. A resident of HSR Layout, Yegapagol hailed from Morbagi village in Maharashtra's Sangli district. Yegapagol's educational background boasts impressive credentials. He held a diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from GPT Gulbarga and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in the same discipline from the esteemed National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal, as per his LinkedIn profile. According to eyewitnesses, the truck driver, Arif, lost control of the vehicle while trying to save a car that suddenly stopped in front of him. The truck jumped the divider and crashed into the Volvo SUV. The family was on the way to Vijayapura when the accident occurred. As the truck fell on it, the car was badly mangled and the bodies were dismembered, a police officer said. Raging debate on social media The accident has sparked a conversation on social media about road safety , with many users pointing out that even the safest cars cannot save lives if others on the road are driving recklessly. DriveSmart, a social media handle dedicated to promoting road safety, shared disturbing images from the accident site where a Volvo SUV was crushed by a container truck, claiming six lives. The X handle issued a stark warning, stating, "This pic is a reminder that being safer on the road is not achieved by a safer car alone. Safe Roads + Safe Driver + Safe Car --> All three are essential for safety (sic)." Some users, responding to the post, said that while Volvo is renowned for manufacturing safe vehicles, no car can withstand the crushing weight of a container loaded with aluminum. Others took to tagging Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari , urging the government to implement stricter rules and regulations to ensure road safety, highlighting the need for more robust measures to prevent such devastating accidents in the future. Recently during a debate on road safety in the Parliament, Union Minister stated that the number of accidents has gone up significantly. "Forget about reducing the number of accidents, I have no hesitation to admit that it has been increased. This is one area where our department has not achieved success," Gadkari said during the Winter session of the Parliament. He also expressed discontent over the fact that despite so many people dying in road accidents, there is still no fear of law. "Some do not wear helmets, some jump red signal," he said during the Question Hour, while describing the "strange" situation. The union minister noted that parking of trucks on road is a major cause for accidents and many of the trucks don't follow lane discipline. According to government data, over 1.78 lakh people died in road accidents in India last year. This is about 470 deaths every day and a majority of victims are in the 18-34 years age group.Extensive investments by Qatar have helped “maintain high levels of satisfaction” with the country’s digital services, which fosters confidence in government use of artificial intelligence (AI), Boston Consulting Group has said in a report. This foundation of trust and strategic investment supports the GCC’s leading position in citizen satisfaction and presents an opportunity for the region to shape next-generation digital government services. As countries worldwide explore GenAI integration, the GCC stands poised to set new standards in AI-powered public service that adapts to evolving citizen needs. GCC region’s exemplary performance in digital government services has been highlighted in a recent report by Boston Consulting Group with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates “achieving global leadership” in citizen satisfaction. BCG’s findings show that GCC countries lead globally in citizen satisfaction with digital government services, reaching a net satisfaction score of 81%. GCC citizens also report using these services 22% more frequently than the global average, reflecting high engagement and a strong commitment from governments to deliver quality digital experiences. Notably, 76% of GCC citizens embrace AI-powered government services driven by virtual assistants and personalised solutions that enhance accessibility and efficiency. Additionally, 42% of GCC respondents expect services to perform at regional and global top-performer standards in 2024, underscoring citizens’ high expectations for public service quality, BCG noted. “The citizens of the GCC are increasingly holding their governments to the same standards as major tech players, expecting rapid, innovative solutions that meet their needs efficiently and seamlessly,” said Rami Mourtada, Partner & Director of Digital Transformation, BCG. “GCC governments are delivering on these expectations by embracing a digital-first approach and moving at the pace with global emerging tech trends. With the transformative potential of Generative AI ahead, sustained investment and innovation will be crucial to maintaining their leadership in government services and meeting the evolving demands of the digital age. “ As global interest in GenAI expands, GCC emerges as a leader. As found in the report, citizens in the GCC exhibited a net trust of 71%, forty-nine percentage points higher than the global average, for their government use of AI in digital services. This leading level of trust has also been matched with substantial investments in AI and digital infrastructure across the region led by public initiatives. Leading this charge, Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and AI targets economic growth with a projected contribution of $133.3bn to GDP by 2030. Similarly, Qatar is driving digital transformation through strategic collaborations with Qatar University and tech providers to upskill ICT professionals in AI, 5G, and cloud computing. Rounding out these advances the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute has positioned itself as an AI leader by developing the open-source Falcon LLM, demonstrating the region’s technology capabilities in generative AI. These coordinated efforts across GCC combine public trust with strategic investments and technological advancement in AI, the report noted. With some of the highest global rates of GenAI usage, GCC citizens demonstrate a solid readiness to adopt AI-driven solutions in public services. “The GCC stands at a real and unprecedented opportunity,” said Dr Lars Littig, Managing Director & Partner, BCG, and EMESA Leader of BCG’s Center for Digital Government. “Achieving a cohesive, government-wide digital evolution requires a strategic vision, solid governance, and effective coordination within and outside the public sector. “In the GCC, governments are advancing data governance and responsible AI practices to build citizen trust, treating data as a national resource that fuels smarter policy decisions.” Related Story Minister launches Qatar Digital Identity app Qatar Tourism and Baladna shortlisted for Mena Digital Awards
NoneWestern Union Announces New $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program and $0.235 Quarterly DividendWASHINGTON (AP) — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel's “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move follows public criticism of the report from the U.S. ambassador to Israel. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network , meant to reflect the data-driven analysis of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the Hamas militant group and not against its civilian population. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
Britain is not properly prepared to defend itself in a war with Russia and cannot rely on the United States and Nato, a retired senior general has warned. Writing in The Independent , Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato’s deputy supreme allied commander in Europe from 2011 to 2014, said another global conflict will only be prevented if there is a “band of deterrent steel from the Baltic to the Black Sea" – something he said the UK may have to be prepared to help realise without the support of Washington. His dramatic intervention comes alongside warnings from former defence secretary Ben Wallace and Labour peer Admiral Lord West that a failure to prioritise defence would be a grave error for the prime minister. Lord West’s warning follows a foreboding speech by Nato general secretary Mark Rutte who said the West is not ready to deal with the threat of war from Russia, declaring it is “time to shift to a wartime mindset and turbocharge our defence production”. Mr Rutte said: “Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us,” adding: “We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years.” There is growing concern about the strength of Donald Trump’s commitment to Nato, following repeated threats to pull out of the alliance if member states do not spend more on defence. Sir Richard warned that Britain can make “no assumptions that Trump would honour Nato’s doctrine of collective defence”, adding: “If we are to deter a third world war, Europe must step up to the mark.” A number of Nato member states do not yet meet the 2 per cent of GDP threshold for defence spending. Meanwhile, there are also concerns over the failure of Keir Starmer to specify a timescale in relation to his pledge to increase UK spending to 2.5 per cent. Sir Richard said the West will “only achieve peace for ourselves, our children and grandchildren and prevent a third world war between Nato and Russia with a band of deterrent steel from the Baltic to the Black Sea”. “This is something that we now have to be ready to do without the US lead and it means gearing up to be ready for war in every respect,” he said. Sir Richard said the UK must demonstrate “moral courage and exemplary leadership” to “make the necessary sacrifices to preserve peace by deterring war”. “We have to fight a second cold war to avoid a third world war,” he warned. “If we fail to do this the costs, in terms of blood and treasure will be appalling.” So far, he said, the new government’s approach to defence is falling far short of what is required. “While the new UK government talks of defence being the first priority, notably it did not figure in the prime minister’s recent ‘top six’ priorities,” he said. Last month, Sir Keir unveiled six milestones to measure the government’s progress – but the targets did not include defence or security. Former defence secretary Ben Wallace told The Independent that the UK has become “overdependent on the US which has limited our choices and left us vulnerable”, calling for Britain to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence. “The world is sadly getting more insecure and more anxious. Technology has enabled enemies to compete in a way that was impossible to do in the past. “Now is the time to commit to 3 per cent GDP by 2030. For Starmer to not invest in our security would be a dereliction of duty”, he warned. Lord West of Spithead, a former security adviser to Gordon Brown and a retired admiral of the Royal Navy, said Sir Keir had made a “terrible political error” in not including defence in his six milestones, saying the decision was worrying and “beyond belief”. While he expressed doubt that Mr Trump would abandon Nato, he called for European nations to spend more on defence. “There is absolutely no doubt from anyone who knows anything about the military and about defence that our forces are underfunded. “I think the fact that defence wasn’t mentioned in that list is a political error, and it’s a terrible error, full stop. It is beyond belief, really. With the world as dangerous as it is, knowing how underfunded we are, that he’s not willing to mention that as one of the priorities – I find that very worrying”, he told The Independent. Lord West added: “I don’t believe that even Trump will just suddenly pull out of Nato. But should European nations be pulling more weight in defence terms? Yes, absolutely they should.” Colonel Tim Collins, a former army officer who gave a stirring eve-of-battle speech at the start of the Iraq War, expressed concern that Labour is not taking the defence of Britain seriously enough, warning that the UK is facing a situation similar to that of the mid-1930s in the lead-up to the Second World War. While he dismissed some of Mr Trump’s remarks about Nato as rhetoric, he admitted that the UK has “very little leverage over the United States”. Speaking about the new government’s commitment to defence, he said: “I don’t think it is taken particularly seriously by Labour. To the extent that they’re threatening to pull funding from the Tempest programme.” Withdrawing from the Tempest programme, he said, would be comparable to cancelling the Spitfire programme just before the Second World War. The Tempest project, part of the Global Combat Air Programme alongside Italy and Japan, is designed to replace the ageing Eurofighter Typhoons by the mid-2030s. But its budget was slashed by 10 per cent this year. Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois warned that Russia will not be deterred by “empty platitudes from the chancellor and the Treasury”, and called for the UK to urgently increase defence spending. “During the 1980s, at the height of the Cold War, Mrs Thatcher’s government spent around 5 per cent of GDP on defence, which helped keep the peace in Europe until the Berlin Wall fell. “With Putin’s Russia now at war in Ukraine and threatening further expansion, for instance into Nato’s Baltic states, we urgently need to increase defence spending to deter the Russians again – which we won’t do with empty platitudes from the chancellor and HM Treasury”, he said. A government spokesperson said: “This government will always do what it takes to defend this country, with threats increasing, the world becoming more volatile and technology changing the nature of warfare. “That is why the Budget increased defence spending by £2.9bn for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence in spring. The Strategic Defence Review is working at pace to look at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the 21st century."
Old Nemesis is after Elon Musk again. What will world's richest person do now?( MENAFN - GetNews) At the heart of China's industrial innovation landscape, Henan Minmetals East Industrial Co., Ltd. has established itself as a premier manufacturer and supplier of advanced industrial materials. Based in Jiaozuo City, Henan Province, the company has become a trusted partner for businesses across more than 50 countries, delivering cutting-edge solutions through its specialized divisions. The company's Silicon Material Division stands at the forefront of innovation, producing high-quality silica and organic silicon products that serve as fundamental components for various industrial applications. This expertise is complemented by the New Material Division, which has revolutionized industrial efficiency through its comprehensive range of thermal insulation materials, refractory bricks, advanced ceramics, and specialized zirconium materials. In response to growing market demands, Minmetals East 's Sealant & Adhesive Division has developed sophisticated bonding solutions that cater to diverse industrial requirements. The division's products exemplify the company's commitment to quality and innovation, supporting manufacturers across multiple sectors. The company's production capabilities are particularly impressive, with annual capacities reaching 8,000 tons of fumed silica, 5,000 cubic meters of nano insulation board, and 6,000 tons of adhesives and sealants. Additionally, their 10,000-ton capacity in both aluminum and machinery processing demonstrates their substantial manufacturing scale and technological prowess. Behind these achievements stands a corporate culture deeply rooted in loyalty, diligence, and continuous improvement. Minmetals East's management philosophy centers on maintaining product leadership while creating sustainable value for all stakeholders. This approach has fostered an environment where innovation thrives alongside pragmatic business practices. The company's organizational structure ensures clear accountability and standardized processes, enabling efficient operations and superior service delivery. This systematic approach, combined with their unwavering commitment to quality, has earned Minmetals East its reputation as a reliable partner in the global industrial materials sector. For industrial partners seeking advanced materials solutions, Minmetals East offers direct engagement through their headquarters in Jiaozuo City. Interested parties can reach the company's professional team at +86 156 3910 5040 or via email at ... . As industries worldwide continue to evolve, Minmetals East remains dedicated to advancing material science and manufacturing excellence, ensuring their partners maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly demanding global market. MENAFN26122024003238003268ID1109033568 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Liberty All-Star® Growth Fund, Inc. November 2024 Monthly UpdateCUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- Aizip, Inc. in partnership with SoftBank Corp., announced the release of customized Small Language Model (SLM) and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions for enterprise applications. The system operates locally on mobile devices or on-premises servers, addressing the pressing concerns of enterprise data safety. Fine-tuned with domain specific data, these SLMs can address unique enterprise tasks with comparable accuracy to 100x larger cloud LLMs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210832520/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) This announcement comes as many companies have implemented bans on cloud-based LLMs for business-related tasks, citing concerns about leaks of private information. A recent survey from Menlo Ventures found that 21% of failed AI pilots were due to data-privacy hurdles. Fine-tuned SLMs are an alternative to general LLMs, offering security and privacy of information along with the benefits of AI-enabled work. Many enterprises have explored using open-source Small Language Models that run locally and efficiently on-premises as replacements for cloud-based LLMs. However, these models have generally turned out to be too unreliable to meet production-level performance requirements. Aizip and SoftBank address this challenge with innovative new solutions. The joint team developed and delivered a customized SLM integrated into a RAG system, running locally as a mobile application. When applied to SoftBank’s internal documents the application offers employees a Q&A platform that generates accurate, up-to-date response, running entirely on an iPhone 14. Testing shows that the system satisfactorily addresses 97% of employee questions, and response quality measured on a dataset of 22,000 questions matched responses generated by a GPT-4o-based RAG system. The key to this unique reliability is Aizip’s SLM-customization pipeline, which includes high-quality data generation, fine-tuning, and multifaceted evaluation. “While there are an increasing number of open-source SLMs available today, off-the-shelf models often fall short of the production accuracy required for enterprise tasks,” noted Aizip SLM-development lead Weier Wan. Aizip’s SLM-customization pipeline is run iteratively until target accuracy is achieved, so enterprises no longer need to choose between privacy and performance. Although the first product was developed for the iPhone, Aizip’s flexible SLM-deployment tools allow SLMs and RAG systems to run on a variety of edge platforms, including on-premises servers, PCs, and even IoT devices like microprocessors (MPUs), as announced in June 2024. Looking ahead, the joint team aims to leverage SoftBank’s rich expertise in enterprise services and Aizip’s cutting-edge AI technology to expand customized SLM solutions to a broader range of applications and customers. “Privacy-critical and offline-required use cases can benefit greatly from Aizip’s on-device AI technology,” described SoftBank vice president Katsuya Kitazawa, head of the Information Technology & Architect Division. “Whether assisting flight attendants on airplanes or supporting field workers in remote locations, we’re excited to collaborate with Aizip to bring this innovation to more users and businesses.” Aizip remains committed to delivering production-grade AI solutions for a variety of on-device applications. With extensive experience in developing robust and efficient AI models across Aizip Intelligent Audio (AIA), Vision (AIV), and Time-Series (AIT) product lines, Aizip continues to pioneer SLM technology, focused on improved accuracy, reliability, speed, and development efficiency. For additional information, please contact info@aizip.ai . About Aizip, Inc. Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Aizip, Inc. specializes in developing superior AI models tailored for endpoint and edge-device applications. Aizip stands apart for its exemplary model performance, swift deployment, and remarkable return on investment. These models are versatile, catering to a spectrum of intelligent, automated, and interconnected solutions. Discover more at www.aizip.ai . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210832520/en/ Nathan Francis, Nathan@aizip.ai KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING TECHNOLOGY IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SECURITY APPS/APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MOBILE/WIRELESS HARDWARE FINANCE SOURCE: Aizip, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/10/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/10/2024 04:33 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210832520/en
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Bucks get second crack at NBA Cup semis vs. Trae Young, HawksMontana State Bobcats look forward to Puerto Rico basketball trip with Waded CruzadoCAMBRIDGE — Henry County is one of five counties being sued in a class action suit in which landowners are claiming that in tax sales of their properties, the county is seeking more than it should and not returning enough to the landowner. Executive committee chairman Marshall Jones told the county board of the lawsuit Thursday, asking them to approve a letter of engagement with an attorney to represent the county in federal court. Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty would not be able to do so. The board approved the letter of engagement 17-0 with board members Rex Kiser, Jim Thompson and Lynn Sutton absent. "We'll let it go through the courts and see where it goes," said Jones. The initial complaint in the suit was filed in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern Illinois, listing officials and St. Clair and Sangamon counties as defendants. Henry County was added in an amended complaint filed in August, when Aaron Lindquist, a Colona resident, was added as a plaintiff. In other business the board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the village of Cambridge for police protection from the sheriff's department. The agreement provides for up to 80 hours of coverage a month at $29 per hour plus benefits. It is similar to agreements with Andover and Orion. Board member Natalie Hendryx also reported that with two deputies graduating from the police academy and one entering the academy in January, the sheriff's department is fully staffed, although three will be in training. The department is aware, however, that one deputy is leaving to join the state police. The Bishop Hill wind generator project is now completed and emergency generators have been put in place at the highway department. Finance committee chairman Mark Burton reported that the county ended the recent fiscal year in "outstanding financial condition" and has built reserves to continue making capital improvements without incurring any debt. He credited department heads, county administrator Eriun Knackstedt and "every single employee in the county" with putting the county in such a good place. Board members also learned the phone system at Hillcrest Home had failed and was temporarily replaced with cell phones from the Office of Emergency Management. Ultimately a new phone system was installed and the board approved the purchase for $24,119.83. Board member Brian Corkill reported the new system is better technology and working great. The board also approved an architect's agreement for the nursing home which is planning to remodel bathrooms in the facility. Corkill said the Illinois Department of Public Health requires that an architect be used for the project. Corkill said the nursing home is still having to use agency staffing although the census is down to 59. Total capacity at the home is nearly 100. "We encourage them to find the right balance," he said. "We can't keep cutting back." Here’s what you should know about tax deductions. Pennygem’s Natasha Abellard has the story. The bulk purchase of single-family homes by corporate owners—who then turn them into rentals—has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Legislators have gradually been responding with bills to rein in and in some cases ban private equity, real estate investment trusts and hedge funds from purchasing single-family homes. According to Next City , the most prominent of these bills was introduced in December 2023: the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act, introduced in the Senate by Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley with companion legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Adam Smith . The bill, which has been referred to committee but has yet to receive a vote, would effectively ban hedge funds from owning any single-family homes within 10 years of its passage. The Merkley/Smith bill as written would force large corporate owners to divest from their current holdings of single-family homes over 10 years. An applicable entity that manages investor funds, is a fiduciary of the funds, and purchases new homes would be taxed half the cost of each additional home. Entities that fail to divest homes they own in excess of the 50-home cap would be taxed $50,000 for each excess home. And hedge funds, specifically, would pay that fine if they own any homes at all (with 10 years to divest of them). The taxes would go toward a new housing trust fund for downpayment assistance for aspiring homeowners. The legislation defines a "hedge fund" as any taxpayer with $50 million or more of assets under management. There are exemptions for nonprofits or any organization that primarily builds or rehabilitates single-family housing. Merkley told Next City/Shelterforce that he first learned about the issue from constituents who were being outbid for starter homes for their families by deep-pocketed investors who were willing to buy the homes sight unseen. "I started to hear the vignettes of people competing with all-cash, no-inspection offers in Oregon," Merkley says. "And three years ago or so I started seeing the stats of the large number of homes that were being purchased." While the overall ownership of single-family homes by private equity remains relatively small, a 2022 report by MetLife estimated that by 2030, 7.6 million single-family rental homes in the United States—more than 40 percent—could be owned by corporate investors. According to a November report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) the estimate of 1.6 million housing units owned by private equity is "likely a dramatic underestimate due to a lack of transparency in ownership records." The issue was the subject of a much-publicized Congressional hearing in 2022. And on March 7 President Biden released a policy announcement on housing ahead of his State of the Union address that mentioned private equity's influence on housing, saying, "Corporate landlords and private equity firms across the country have been accused of illegal information sharing, price fixing, and inflating rents," a reference not only to rent gouging but to ongoing litigation against RealPage, a data analytics company providing research to landlords, for coordinating rents among customers. Private equity firms generally purchase houses with the goal of quickly turning a profit and then selling them. According to the November report by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, private equity firms generally seek to turn a 15 percent return to investors within a 3- to 5-year period, and they accomplish this by cutting costs, including "deferring maintenance, skirting regulations, and imposing unnecessary fees on tenants." A 2022 report from Drexel University found that between 2020 and 2021, 19 percent of sales of single-family homes in Richmond, Virginia, went to investors (a broad category that includes individual house flippers and private equity giants), and a quarter of the homes purchased in the same time period in Jacksonville, Florida, and Philadelphia were bought by investors. The bill is one of several pieces of legislation introduced in recent years in an attempt to address private equity purchases of housing, although the other bills are all at the state or local level. Among them is a North Carolina bill that would ban any single entity from owning more than 100 homes in counties that have above 150,000 residents. Every home owned above 100 would result in a daily fine of up to $100. In its report, PESP referred to the bill, which was referred to committee over a year ago but has never received a vote, as "one of the most stringent regulations of corporate landlords ever attempted by any state government." A bill in Minnesota, HF685 , would ban corporate entities from converting single-family homes into rentals. Introduced in January 2023, the bill hasn't received a vote but has been picking up support: it has 18 authors as of this writing. Minnesota has been particularly impacted by private equity landlords. In 2022, Next City covered a group of tenants in single-family homes in Minnesota putting their rent in escrow rather than paying their private equity landlord, Pretium Partners, which was failing to provide needed repairs. Pretium was the subject of a lawsuit by the state's attorney general, Keith Ellison. The Merkley/Smith legislation caps ownership for all pooled investment funds at 50 single-family homes. Merkley told Next City/Shelterforce the number was "arbitrary" but chosen so that large hedge funds don't form smaller companies to evade detection. "We didn't want the large billion-dollar hedge funds to create the same board of officers and create a smaller hedge fund," he says. Private equity owners of single-family homes have continually argued that they are creating supply in the rental market, particularly for growing families who would feel cramped in a small apartment. Merkley says the legislation negates that argument, because it requires private equity landlords to sell off their properties to new homeowners. "That's a completely bogus argument," he says. "You're taking a family out of the rental market when they become the owner of this home." He says that allowing aspiring homeowners to buy homes is "systematically reducing the demand for rental housing." Merkley had a front-row seat to the beginning of this crisis. He entered Congress in 2009, during the financial crisis and mortgage crisis, when the federal government had acquired hundreds of thousands of single-family homes with predatory mortgages that it needed to get rid of. After the financial crisis, the Obama administration began selling off hundreds of thousands of the single-family homes that it had foreclosed on. Rather than selling them to homeowners, they sold them to hedge funds and private equity with massive discounts. Merkley says that he was pushing the Obama administration at the time to make the homes available to Americans who had been victims of the subprime mortgage crisis. The Obama administration, Merkley says, responded that they didn't have time to build capacity for a discounted homeownership program before the buildings started to deteriorate. "I do understand the arguments the administration was making ... they were also worried about pipes freezing, they were worried about houses being broken into, they were worried about houses being stripped of their copper," Merkley says. But he says that whatever the Obama administration's limitations, "That process of selling off houses in these large bulk sales that only large hedge funds can buy them really set this in motion." Hedge funds and private equity firms make money off these homes with or without renters—the buildings appreciate in value, and that appreciation is not subject to taxation until a sale. Merkley then joined the banking committee, where he worked on regulating subprime mortgages. "We made them illegal, they were turning the dream of homeownership into a nightmare," Merkley says. (This is not exactly true, but the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act did put greater guardrails on subprime mortgages, putting them under the purview of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Merkley, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, contributed to language in the bill that prohibited mortgage lenders and brokers from receiving financial incentives to offer high-risk loans.) The Merkley/Smith bill also does not address private equity ownership in the multifamily housing market, where it owns a larger share of the market. Since multifamily units are mostly rentals already, private equity does not have the same effect on overall supply. But corporate consolidation of housing can lead to higher rents. Merkley says he doesn't have a plan for multifamily yet. "I don't feel I understand that multifamily issue well enough to propose a specific strategy on it," he says. The End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act doesn't have a strong solution for one of the largest impediments to regulating corporate ownership: tracking who owns what. Many rental properties are owned by shell LLCs, making ownership hard to discern. The bill sets up a reporting requirement around acquisitions, and issues a $20,000 fine for not reporting. But it doesn't create a mechanism for uncovering who owns the units, nor does it establish a new database of rental ownership. In an email statement to Next City/Shelterforce, Merkley's office said, "LLC transparency is a key piece of the puzzle to ensuring houses in our communities are homes for families, not profit centers for Wall Street" and that the senator is "exploring the most effective transparency and reporting strategy for tracking future acquisitions." "It's tough to really hold somebody accountable when you don't really know what the true ownership is," says Chris Noble, policy director at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project. The group has endorsed the legislation, saying it addresses the "root cause" of corporate housing consolidation. Noble says any mechanism to track housing ownership would need to be as "robust" as the tax portion of the bill for the legislation to work. PESP has advocated for a national landlord registry. "There has to be some way to track what everybody has because a lot of times it is an LLC that is owned by something else that is ultimately owned by a real estate investment trust or something like that," he says. This story was co-published in collaboration with Shelterforce , the only independent, non-academic publication covering the worlds of affordable housing, community development and housing justice. This story was produced by Next City and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. 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Behind the Scenes of : How the Acclaimed Film Re-Creates ABC Sports’ Historic Live Coverage of the Munich Massacre , , chronicles the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news coverage today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the Golden Globe–nominated film — which and expands nationwide on Jan. 17 — follows the ABC Sports production team, who quickly shifted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage. In addition to offering an important perspective on the live broadcast seen globally by millions of people, provides one of the most realistic behind-the-scenes depictions of a live-TV control room ever put on film. SVG had the opportunity to chat with , the cast, and to delve into the film’s development and production. The film presents the events of Sept. 5, 1972, purely from the perspective of the ABC Sports production team, shining a light on what Fehlbaum calls “a watershed moment in journalism and its influential legacy.” At the heart of the story are three Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famers — Geoff Mason (played by John Magaro), then a young and ambitious producer; his boss, legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard); and his mentor, Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin) — along with their German interpreter Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch). The film juxtaposes the high-tech broadcast capabilities of the time against the many lives at stake and explores the moral decisions that needed to be made in real time. “The live broadcasts marked a turning point in media reporting, bringing a new dimension to how such incidents are seen and understood by the public,” says Fehlbaum. “When the attack begins, a team of American sports reporters are suddenly responsible for the subsequent 22 hours of live coverage, switching their responsibilities from sporting events to geopolitics. I was interested in the unprecedented situation that the media faced: this was the first time an event of this nature was covered by a live broadcast.” Fehlbaum and his team spoke extensively with ABC Sports crew members who were on the ground in Munich, extracting details about their experience in that control room. As a result of the research, the director decided early on to narrate the film purely from the viewpoint of the control room. “We are constantly in the TV studio, almost like in a chamber play, the cameras the only eyes cast on the tragic events unfolding before us,” he says. “The spatial limitation of the narrative world to the ABC Sports TV studio means that we are confronted with the moral, ethical, professional, and, ultimately, psychological dilemmas of journalists who become aware of their responsibility only when switching from sports to crisis news.” When Israeli athletes were suddenly taken hostage, the ABC Sports broadcast team had to shift from sports reporting to live news coverage. Besides the horrors of witnessing and airing a terrorist attack live to millions of people, they also faced the possibility of inadvertently sharing law enforcement’s plans and movements with the terrorists themselves — who were thought to be able to watch the coverage within the Olympic Village — and potentially derailing the rescue mission. “As a filmmaker,” says Fehlbaum, “I felt an affinity with the complexity of the situation. On the one hand, I was critical of tragic events being processed as sensations. But, on the other, I was fascinated by the ambitions and dilemmas of the journalists to tell the story accurately.” Steven Spielberg’s recounts the aftermath of the event, but ’s Munich-based producers — Thomas Wöbke and Philipp Trauer of film-production company BerghausWöbke — believed that there was more to this story and it was ripe to be told for the big screen. Writer/director Moritz Binder and Fehlbaum were enlisted to write the screenplay, along with co-writer Alex David. The producers soon discovered an article written by Jimmy Schaeffler, a production runner on that day, who spoke highly of Mason. They met with Mason, a Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer, who described in vivid detail the experience of producing that 22 hours of live coverage. Mason, who came on board as a co-producer of the film, was impressed by the depth of the research and the power of the script. “After I read early versions, I was impressed by how deeply personal the experience was, not only to those of us involved in that production but in telling the story of what transpired. This is a story about the people in that control room and how we all reacted to what was happening in front of us. I am blessed to be one of the very few people still around to help tell that story.” The filmmakers also drew on biographies of Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famers Roone Arledge and Jim McKay and other ABC executives and crew. In addition, Schaeffler — the runner, who, disguised as an athlete, had smuggled film footage past the police cordons — offered first-hand insights, along with longtime CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus, who sat in the control room while his father, Jim McKay, was presenting the Olympics in the studio next door. ABC Sports, which paid handsomely for the rights to broadcast the 1972 Games live in the U.S., had built a production facility next to the Olympic Village. The massive technical apparatus set new industry standards with innovative technologies — slow motion, handheld cameras — coupled with sensational title designs. The filmmakers drew heavily from , who described the massive technical effort necessary for the first live broadcast of the Olympic Games and how the ABC crew improvised when the hostages were taken. On the storytelling side, Arledge set a precedent by focusing coverage on the athletes’ background stories in an effort to get viewers more invested — a strategy that’s now a staple of Olympics coverage. Throughout development, Mason ensured that the script captured the tone and tenor of that fateful day. Among key decisions was to have the entire plot unfold inside the studio complex. The only outside footage would be clips on the many monitors inside the control room. The filmmakers considered it absolutely necessary to incorporate the original ABC broadcast footage. However, accessing the archives and licensing the footage was a major challenge. Wöbke credits Mason and his relationship with ABC for the production’s access to the material. That access proved invaluable. “Viewing the broadcast footage made it possible to re-create the events within the control room,” says Fehlbaum. “We structured the screenplay accordingly. This led to a visual strategy: we planned the set in such a way that the original material from 1972 could run on the monitors, [blending] in with our directed scenes.” Watching the footage, Fehlbaum concluded that Jim McKay would be played not by an actor but through the original broadcast footage: “It seemed impossible to me to reproduce this performance with an actor. To convey the urgency of the moment, we knew we would also have to incorporate the original material of Jim into our film.” Except for one or two shots, no blue screens were deployed, allowing the actors to react to the actual footage on the monitors in real time. “Working with the real footage was a total game-changer,” says Magaro. “We didn’t know how we were going to tell this story without it. For me, the show was like another cast member. The language of the script changed as we got the footage. Going back to the research we had done, it was easy to pivot and change to calling the live footage, which was a unique challenge.” An additional editing challenge was incorporation of the archival material and selection of the clips — including the re-created sequences — for the monitor wall. “We knew very early on,” notes producer John Ira Palmer, “that the archival footage was going to deliver an emotional wallop that none of us could ever hope to re-create. Because we were also intercutting original footage with re-created footage, along with the story we were telling inside that newsroom, we knew it all needed to blend seamlessly.” When it came to casting the film, Fehlbaum says, “Geoffrey Mason had told us about a unique dynamic and the solidarity among the ABC crew. This feeling had to be reflected in the casting.” Although authenticity was a priority, some dramaturgical liberties were taken, including making some featured characters a composite of people present. Most notably, Mason represents the director of the coverage, and Gebhardt is a blend of several people who were in the control room in Munich. Preparing to portray Arledge, Sarsgaard read various materials about the sports executive and also spoke at length with a friend who works in a similar environment and has covered NHL hockey and the Olympics. “Learning how the system works, how the organism works, was interesting,” he says. “He told me about how Roone had changed things, in what ways he had changed things, and why he was a pioneer. A lot of that was about storytelling and Roone’s way of telling a story that emphasizes its being a satisfying story. That’s okay with sports, but it gets more complicated with journalism.” Magaro connected with Mason early in the process, mining his memory for details and inspiration. During shooting, Mason was sent dailies to review and, says Magaro, “was very encouraging as he was seeing footage roll out. “It was very important to me to capture Geoff’s situation,” Magaro continues, “the struggle of being a good producer, being a good broadcaster, and struggling with the moral dilemma of what’s right and what’s wrong in this situation.” In preparing for the role of Bader, Chaplin read everything he could on the longtime ABC Sports VP of Olympics operations, noting certain quotes from people who knew him. He found this quote from to be especially touching: “I’m sorry I retired. I had the best job in the world. There is no better job.” Says Chaplin, “[Bader] was a legendary specialist in live [coverage] and live reporting, and his love, enthusiasm, and excitement for the job was tangible. I hope audiences come away from the film thinking about someone like Marvin Bader, a thoroughly decent man who spent his life working hard behind the scenes bringing pleasure to millions, doing the very best he could.” For the character of Gebhard, who must manage working in an environment rife with power imbalances, Fehlbaum and Benesch decided that the best approach would be to place the actor into a situation like her character’s: without benefit of newsroom experience. However, Benesch did spend time with a translator in Berlin, asking “loads and loads of questions regarding the nature of her profession. “Everyone did the best they could,” she continues, speaking of the ABC Sports crew in 1972. “I think their intentions were good. I feel like our film might be able to make people feel what it’s like to be a journalist during breaking news.” Through Mason’s industry connections, the director and cast were able to sit in on production-control rooms, notably for and , to see what live TV is really like. “We studied the specific movements and gestures and the dynamics and atmosphere of sports broadcasts,” says Fehlbaum. “We were able to transport those to our set. We wanted to ensure that all the technical equipment on set was as authentic as possible and functional for the actors.” Magaro learned the language of calling a show —camera angles, graphics, music, transitions — becoming familiar with the sportscaster, director, and producer roles. “Anyone who steps into those control rooms knows that it is unlike anything else,” he notes. “If there was a false note, it wouldn’t have worked. Especially, people who have been in those situations would have seen it and immediately dismissed it as phony. Because of the time I spent in those control rooms and doing the research, I think we were able to capture what it was like to call a live broadcast in the 1970s.” The main shoot for took place over 33 days: 29 days at Bavaria Studios in Munich, one day in Penzing, and three in the Olympic Village, which looks virtually the same as it did in 1972, to re-create a few scenes from the original footage. Cinematographer Markus Förderer and Fehlbaum aimed to “tell the story as if we were a team of reporters covering the events of the day, making a documentary about the ABC crew,” Fehlbaum says. “We wanted the camera to react spontaneously to what was happening so we tried to feel the camera movements in the moment instead of planning everything out in advance.” Digital cameras were predominantly deployed for the control-room scenes. For any re-creations of archival footage, Förderer and his team often filmed in both 16mm and digital, sometimes side-by-side. They shot with several cameras to get different angles and had a film camera on set for every scene to have a reference for the color grade and to make sure that everything blended and looked filmic. “We never wanted it to feel dated,” Förderer says. “We wanted the audience to forget they’re watching a movie and believe they’re in the period. Our digital camera was 8K, very high resolution, but we added vintage lenses from the time. When I did research into the lenses used to film the Olympics, I found detailed descriptions of the gear because it was such a technological feat and a milestone in broadcasting.” Förderer even found one of the original Zoomar lenses on eBay — the first-ever zoom lenses were made in Munich — and converted it to match the modern camera. He and his team mixed lenses and switched between a 16mm sensor crop to a 35mm and also used anamorphic lenses. He operated the A camera throughout the shoot to be as unobtrusive and quick-moving as possible. The handheld aesthetic, along with the claustrophobic setting of the control room, fully immerses the audience and adds to the tension. To create the sensation of a real-time broadcast, two cameras were used. Even though scenes were cut and tightened in the editing room, the goal was the movement and energy of one continuous shot. “We mastered the entire scene and captured the actors’ performances by following the story as if we had only this one opportunity,” Förderer explains. “We wanted to embrace the energy, the imperfections, and the chaos of that day.” The style of shooting resulted in a large amount of footage, complicating the editing process in postproduction. Fehlbaum credits editor Hansjörg Weißbrich with bringing it all together: “Hansjörg [has] a fantastic sense of how to sift through the material, organize it, and find what was truly important for our film and what we didn’t need. He shaped the film significantly. It was important to us that the film be fast-paced because, as Geoffrey Mason told us, time was like a whirlwind. We wanted to convey that feeling.” Production designer Julian R. Wagner started his work on by poring over historical footage, photos (and personal recollections) from Mason, and witness interviews in police reports. Then he and his team did the technological research to connect it all. Wagner used original blueprints of the Olympic complex to reproduce the 1972 ABC Sports studio, which is no longer standing. Also, all props were created to the last detail. “Every button, every screen, absolutely everything you can see,” he says, “was a perfect copy of the control room, even down to the glued-on memos we saw in old images.” Old machines were sourced from all over the world, borrowed from collectors and found in museums and television-studio storage rooms. The equipment was meticulously cleaned, polished, and rewired to restore every item. “It was very important,” notes Fehlbaum, “to give today’s audience a feeling for the analog technology that prevailed at the time. Some of these devices were even made functional again for the shoot so that the actors could interact with them.” Wagner acknowledges that, after re-creating the ABC Studio space, the art department’s greatest challenge was to source the vintage technology and get it working: “Everything had to be real. For example, the screens in the ’70s looked different [from today’s], and we wanted to have the real screens. It was a gigantic puzzle. We collected all the individual parts and started to refurbish the old technology.” Filming of the studio set took place entirely on one stage at Bavaria Studios. The production filled the stage, with eight interconnecting spaces allowing continuous camera movements through corridors and into other rooms. In addition to the main studio spaces, Wagner and his team designed several small sets used in re-creations of original footage and generally visible only on monitors in the control room. The impact of the events of September 5, 1972, continues to this day. “We began to understand that the responsibility for being honest, truthful, and thorough in our coverage was more than any of us had imagined,” says Mason of how that day affected the way he views his work. “Going into every production I’m involved with, I think about the quality of our work and storytelling in a much more meaningful way.” The film also raises questions that are more important to address than ever, notes Fehlbaum. “Beside telling a fast-paced, thrilling story, the film sheds light on this historical event from a very specific perspective. I believe that the combination of these elements will create an exciting and simultaneously thought-provoking experience for audiences.”
(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. Examine your vision coverage Eye health is important to quality of life, both in terms of moving around safely and appreciating your surroundings. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help make sure your vision is sharp while also monitoring for any issues. However, many health insurance plans don't include vision coverage. If you do see a gap in your coverage, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 2. Plan for prescriptions While several health plans offer coverage for prescription drugs, discounts can vary, especially when it comes to different types of medication. AARP ® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX ® can help with savings. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. 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