
Cullinan Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CGEM) CEO Nadim Ahmed Sells 8,400 Shares
British soldiers and officers will have to fight a future war with “tenuous” supply lines and against an enemy with more troops, equipment and sophisticated technology, according to the former head of the army. General Sir Patrick Sanders, who stepped down earlier this year, said the country was at a “watershed moment” and the only certainty was that the future will be perilous. In his final act as a serving general, he said the British army had never been superior in numbers or shiny in kit, adding: “We have always fought with our backs to the wall. This is who we are.” He made the comments in a speech on Friday to officer cadets passing out of the prestigious Sandhurst military academy. Sanders, who wasEAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson might be weary of all the safeties shadowing his every route, determined not to let the Minnesota Vikings go deep, but he's hardly angry. The double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. “I would do the same," Jefferson said. "It’s either let everybody else go off or let Justin go off. I’m going to let everybody else go off. That would be my game plan.” When the Vikings visit Chicago on Sunday, they're expecting the usual heavy dose of split-safety coverage designed to put a lid on the passing attack and force them to operate primarily underneath. “We see that every week: Teams just have different tendencies on film, and then when we go out on the field they play us totally different,” Jefferson said, later adding: “I don’t really feel like anyone else is getting played how I’m getting played.” Jefferson nonetheless is second in the NFL in receiving yards (912) behind Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. Last week, Jefferson set yet another all-time record by passing Torry Holt for the most receiving yards over the first five seasons of a career. Holt logged 80 regular-season games and accumulated 6,784 yards for St. Louis. Jefferson has 6,811 yards — in just 70 games. “I want to go up against those single coverages. I want to go have my opportunities to catch a deep pass downfield, just one-on-one coverage, like a lot of these other receivers get," Jefferson said. "It’s definitely difficult going up against an extra person or an extra two people, but it is what it is and the concepts that we’re drawing up and the ways that we’re trying to get me open, it definitely helps.” With fellow tight end Josh Oliver ruled out of the game on Sunday because of a sprained ankle, T.J. Hockenson is certain to have his heaviest workload since returning from knee surgery four weeks ago. He's also certain that Jefferson will continue to see persistent double-teams. “It puts it on us to make some plays and do some things to get them out of that,” Hockenson said. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been forced to dig deeper into the vault of play designs and game plans to help keep quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense on track. O'Connell said after Minnesota's 12-7 win at Jacksonville, when Darnold threw three interceptions to precipitate a safer strategy down the stretch, that he superseded his play-calling role with the wisdom of a head coach to help win that game. "Not just the egomaniac of wanting to score points and constantly show everybody how smart we are. There was a mode that I think you have to go into sometimes to ensure a victory,” O'Connell said on his weekly show on KFAN radio. Taking what the defense gives is usually the shrewdest strategy. “You’ve got to really implement some new things and some things that maybe you didn’t come across during your early coaching years whether as a coordinator or position coach or even when you’re responsible for a small area of the game plan as a younger coach," O'Connell said. "You really have to kind of look outside the lens of always what you see on tape.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLInhibitor Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCMKTS:INTI) Short Interest Up 841.9% in December
Leonardo da Vinci’s Surreptitious ScentsShare Tweet Share Share Email In today’s competitive digital landscape, turning website visitors into paying customers is a top priority for businesses. But how do you achieve this effectively? The answer lies in Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) . If you’re looking to maximize your online potential, this ultimate guide is here to help. Understanding Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) What Is Conversion Rate Optimization? CRO is the process of improving your website to encourage visitors to take specific actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form. It’s all about creating a seamless experience that nudges users toward completing your desired goals. Why CRO Is Crucial for Online Success Without CRO, businesses risk losing potential customers and revenue. A well-optimized site ensures that your marketing efforts yield the highest possible return, making CRO an indispensable part of any online strategy. Key Benefits of CRO Maximizing Return on Investment (ROI) Every visitor counts. CRO ensures that you’re getting the most out of your existing traffic, which can significantly increase ROI without needing to invest in additional marketing campaigns. Enhancing User Experience When your website is easy to navigate and visually appealing, visitors are more likely to stick around and convert. CRO focuses on user-centric improvements, making the experience enjoyable for every visitor. Boosting Customer Retention A seamless experience not only attracts new customers but also keeps existing ones coming back. CRO strategies like personalization and targeted messaging foster loyalty. Conversion Rate Optimization Services What Do CRO Services Include? CRO services typically involve a comprehensive analysis of your website, identifying pain points in the user journey, running A/B tests, and implementing strategic changes to improve conversions. Why You Need Professional CRO Services Hiring professionals saves you time and ensures expertise. They have the tools, experience, and insights to implement effective strategies that drive measurable results. Working With a Conversion Rate Optimization Agency What to Look for in a CRO Agency Choose an agency with a proven track record, transparent reporting, and a deep understanding of your industry. A good agency tailors its approach to meet your unique business needs. How CRO Agencies Help Improve Conversions From advanced analytics to creative optimization strategies, agencies handle the heavy lifting, freeing you to focus on other areas of your business. Steps to Improve Online Conversions Analyze Your Current Conversion Rates Start by understanding where you stand. Use tools like Google Analytics to identify your website’s strengths and weaknesses. Identify Bottlenecks in the Funnel Where are users dropping off? Pinpoint these areas and prioritize fixes to minimize friction in the user journey. Test and Optimize Landing Pages Your landing page is often the first impression. Use A/B testing to identify which layouts, headlines, and CTAs work best. Personalize User Experiences Today’s users expect personalized experiences. Tailor content, product recommendations, and offers based on user behavior. Top CRO Tools for Businesses Overview of Popular CRO Tools Tools like Hotjar, Crazy Egg, and Optimizely provide insights into user behavior and help implement effective CRO strategies. How to Choose the Right Tools Your toolset should align with your goals. For instance, choose analytics tools for data insights and testing platforms for optimization experiments. Case Studies: CRO Success Stories Examples of Successful Conversion Improvements Many businesses have achieved significant revenue boosts by implementing CRO strategies. For example, an eCommerce store increased its conversions by 30% simply by improving its checkout process. Lessons Learned From Real Businesses Common themes include the importance of mobile optimization, fast load times, and clear CTAs. Common CRO Mistakes to Avoid Ignoring Data-Driven Decisions Relying on gut instincts rather than data can lead to costly mistakes. Always base your CRO strategies on factual insights. Overlooking Mobile Optimization With mobile traffic dominating the web, failing to optimize for smaller screens can significantly hurt your conversion rates. How to Measure the Success of CRO Efforts Key Metrics to Track Track metrics like conversion rate, bounce rate, and average session duration to gauge your efforts’ effectiveness. Continuous Improvement Practices CRO is not a one-and-done deal. Regularly review performance and make iterative changes to maintain growth. Conclusion Improving online conversions is a journey, not a destination. By leveraging the power of Conversion Rate Optimization, businesses can unlock their true potential, boost revenue, and create lasting customer relationships. Start implementing these strategies today and watch your business thrive. FAQs What is the ideal conversion rate for an online business? While it varies by industry, most businesses aim for a conversion rate between 2-5%. How much does it cost to hire a CRO agency? Costs can range from $1,000 to $10,000+ per month, depending on the scope and expertise of the agency. How long does it take to see results from CRO? Results can vary but typically take 2-6 months to become evident. What is the difference between CRO and SEO? CRO focuses on optimizing your website for conversions, while SEO aims to drive organic traffic. Can small businesses benefit from CRO? Absolutely! CRO can help small businesses maximize their limited resources and drive sustainable growth . Related Items: online , Online Conversions Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Mastering Tax Efficiency with a GST Calculator Online A Guide to Earning Money from Online Games Creating An Online Store In Minutes: The Power Of Smart Technology Comments
“The first historical document in the world”: what exactly is on the Narmer Palette?
“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Serves 6 to 8 Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine Hospitality Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say Amazon same-day delivery center opens in Hampton — the 1st of its kind in Hampton Roads Amazon same-day delivery center opens in Hampton — the 1st of its kind in Hampton Roads Amber Alert: 3 children in extreme danger last seen at Augusta County bus stop, police say Amber Alert: 3 children in extreme danger last seen at Augusta County bus stop, police say Here are the top 50 high school football recruits in Hampton Roads’ Class of 2025 Here are the top 50 high school football recruits in Hampton Roads’ Class of 2025 ‘Deny,’ ‘defend’ and ‘depose’: Ammunition used in CEO’s killing had writing on it, AP source says ‘Deny,’ ‘defend’ and ‘depose’: Ammunition used in CEO’s killing had writing on it, AP source says John Hinckley Jr., who tried to kill Ronald Reagan, announces plans to open music store in Williamsburg John Hinckley Jr., who tried to kill Ronald Reagan, announces plans to open music store in Williamsburg Newport News retiree warns of losing access to doctors under city’s insurance provider Newport News retiree warns of losing access to doctors under city’s insurance provider German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News Attend the German Christmas Market this weekend in Newport News Attend the German Christmas Market this weekend in Newport News The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads Trending Nationally UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed by masked gunman outside NYC hotel Pennsylvania-based Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America, is bringing its beer to Chicago Maverick operator of California raw milk dairy that sickened children could have role in Trump’s FDA DeSantis interested in Defense secretary job, replacing Hegseth: insider Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife not ready for ‘blended’ family with Sutton FosterCozy winter fare: Make a French-style cassoulet at home
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RODRIGO Duterte won the presidency riding on the slogan "Pagbabago." His campaign centered on "federalism," a concept dear to the neglected people from the margins, milking this polarizing catchphrase — Manila imperialism! — the overly centralized political authority lodged in the capital region. Parliamentary government is a key complement to federalism. Duterte was an advocate but with a twist — he wanted a strong presidency, often referring to the French model erroneously as something desirable for the Filipinos. His framework for this feature was historical nostalgia for pre-Hispanic times "...when the bond between social classes, maharlika and maginoo (the nobles) to the freemen and slaves was balanced on the "padrino/patron relationship. This buttressed his conviction of a strong father figure for the presidency, but inconsistent with a parliamentary system. Yet he initiated a shift to a federal-parliamentary from a unitary presidential regime, declaring that the latter was the root cause of all major problems plaguing Philippine governance. His persona as a filthy-mouthed, uncouth, misogynistic, strong-armed leader fired the citizenry's imagination, naively impressed by such vulgarity, as was his reputation as a "can do" local government chief executive, boasting of his accomplishment as mayor of a city, he "eliminated" crime and arrested Davao City's slide toward a narco-state. He would do the same for the country once elected president. And the Filipinos believed him! Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.
NASHVILLE — Gas prices across Tennessee are up slightly this week as an estimated 1.8 million Tennesseans plan road trips for the Thanksgiving holiday. The state’s average gas price is now $2.71 per gallon, nine cents less than a month ago and 17 cents lower than at this time last year. “Gas prices are up ever so slightly from last week, but we are seeing prices that are around 17 cents cheaper than last year,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s likely that drivers can expect to pay less this year for their Thanksgiving road trips compared to last year. Barring any major swings in pricing, Tennessee drivers will see the cheapest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2020.” An estimated 71.7 million Americans are expected to take a Thanksgiving road trip this week. Of those, AAA forecasts more than 570,000 drivers will experience car trouble. The most common issues drivers face include flat tires, dead batteries, and lockouts. “Don’t let car trouble be the reason you don’t make it to Thanksgiving dinner,” Cooper added. “Before setting out for your holiday road trip, get a full vehicle inspection to ensure everything is in proper working order.” The national average for a gallon of gas dropped two cents since last week to $3.05, matching its January 2024 low. Currently, 28 states have averages below $3 per gallon. According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand dropped from 9.38 million barrels per day to 8.41 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly to 208.9 million barrels. Gasoline production decreased, averaging 9.3 million barrels daily. The national average for a gallon of gas is now $3.05, down nine cents from a month ago and 20 cents less than a year ago. On Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) fell 52 cents, settling at $68.87 per barrel. The EIA reported a 0.5-million-barrel increase in U.S. crude oil inventories last week, bringing the total to 430.3 million barrels – 4% below the five-year average for this time of year. For more tips on preparing your car for holiday travel, visit AAA’s website.
Neuberger Berman sells $10.1 million in Getty Images stock
Triumph Gold (CVE:TIG) Stock Price Up 35.3% – Should You Buy?Israel launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with HezbollahRevolutionizing Gaming? Meet the Game-Changer: Vul StockChange to the date of Innofactor Plc’s Annual General Meeting in 2025