Kelly Loeffler, a former US Senator from Georgia and prominent business executive, has garnered significant attention for her wealth, political career, and involvement in a high-profile insider trading scandal. Here's an in-depth look at her age, net worth, family, and controversies. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, on November 27, 1970, Kelly Loeffler is 54 years old. She graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992 and later earned an MBA from DePaul University. Her early career saw her work with several financial firms, eventually leading to her rise in the corporate world. Loeffler's net worth is estimated to be approximately $1 billion , making her one of the wealthiest individuals in American politics. Her substantial fortune stems from her association with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), a financial services company founded by her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher. She joined ICE in 2002, rising to become head of marketing and communications. Loeffler received a reported $9 million payout upon leaving the company to join the US Senate, according to reports from Celebrity Net Worth . Loeffler and Sprecher reside in a 15,000-square-foot Atlanta mansion worth $10.5 million, the most expensive residential purchase in the city's history at the time. The couple also owns properties in Florida, Chicago, and Georgia. READ MORE: Quick Facts About Matt Gaetz: Is He A Lawyer, Net Worth, Wife, And Scandal With A Minor Kelly Loeffler married Jeffrey Sprecher in 2004. Sprecher, a businessman and billionaire, is the CEO of ICE, which owns the New York Stock Exchange. The couple has been a powerful force in the financial and political spheres, with Sprecher's role often complementing Loeffler's political ambitions. According to Times Now News , the duo met while Loeffler was working at ICE, and their partnership has been central to their financial and professional success. Loeffler was appointed to the US Senate in December 2019 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, following Senator Johnny Isakson's resignation due to health issues. During her tenure, Loeffler positioned herself as a staunch ally of Donald Trump. She faced a challenging election in 2020, losing to Democratic candidate Raphael Warnock in a runoff. Notably, Loeffler pledged loyalty to Trump's efforts to contest the 2020 presidential election results but withdrew her objections following the January 6 Capitol attack, calling the violence "abhorrent," according to CNN . Despite her short tenure in the Senate, she played a prominent role in conservative politics and was considered a loyal supporter of Trump's agenda. Read More: Is Matt Gaetz Still Under Investigation? What To Know About His Sex Trafficking Scandal Loeffler's political career was marred by allegations of insider trading. Reports from Vox revealed that Loeffler and her husband sold approximately $20 million worth of stocks in early 2020 after receiving Senate briefings on the economic impact of COVID-19. These sales reportedly occurred before the stock market experienced significant downturns due to the pandemic. Although Loeffler denied any wrongdoing, the controversy raised questions about her integrity and use of privileged information for personal financial gain. The scandal became a focal point of her reelection campaign, damaging her reputation among voters. In addition to her political and financial pursuits, Loeffler co-owned the WNBA team Atlanta Dream . Her ownership faced backlash in 2020 when she criticised the league's support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Many players called for her removal, leading to public scrutiny over her stance on social justice issues. In November 2024, reports from CNN indicated that President-elect Donald Trump is considering Loeffler for the position of Secretary of Agriculture. Her ties to Trump's campaign and her fundraising efforts have solidified her position as a key ally in his circle. However, as with all Cabinet appointments, nothing is final until formally announced. Kelly Loeffler's journey from a financial executive to a US Senator and a potential Cabinet member illustrates a career marked by ambition, controversy, and influence. While her wealth and business acumen have made her a significant figure in politics, allegations of insider trading and her stance on social justice issues have sparked widespread debate about her legacy.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Married At First Sight UK brides and grooms were partying at a show reunion on Thursday 22 November, but one former star of the series was noticeably absent. Laura Vaughan , who appeared in the 2023 series, posted on social media that she was unable to attend as she was recovering from surgery. Laura wrote: “Very sad to be missing out on a chance to attend tonight’s event with my MAFS family but I’m recovering from a little op and currently on strict bed rest. Sending love to the whole team. Have the best night.” Laura was married in last year’s series to Arthur Poremba, but their relationship ended in the series finale. Among the familiar MAFS faces who partied the night away were Laura’s fellow 2023 participants Ella Morgan and Erica Roberts, who were joined by 2024 stars including Polly Sellman , Sacha Jones , Kristina Goodsell, Amy Kenyon, Holly Ditchfield, Adam Nightingale and Kieran Chapman. The event was held at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London’s Docklands, where the commitment ceremonies and dinner parties are held on the show, and the evening featured a guest appearance from fashion presenter Gok Wan and a speech by MAFS relationship expert Mel Schilling . Tasha Jay, who appeared in the 2023 series, was also there with her MAFS friends, just days after sharing an emotional post on social media in which she confirmed she and partner Paul Liba, the last remaining couple from that series, have now split up. She wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing Paul and I have decided to part ways. There isn't any major reason, we have just come to terms with the fact that we are not right for each other.” "Paul is the loveliest guy I've ever met and I'm grateful for the time we've shared together and I'm glad that we can remain friends. I'm utterly heartbroken that I'm having to write this post, but it is best for both of us." She added: "Thank you to everyone who has supported us as a couple. I hope you can now support us on our individual journeys." Paul released the same statement on his own social media. Just a few months ago, the couple were still together, with Tasha saying they were “stronger than ever.” At the time, Paul had let slip the couple were not legally married, but planned to walk down the aisle one day. Tasha added: “The chemistry’s still there. I’m waiting on a real ring though, just saying,” Tasha said. “We want a big wedding, big diamond. That’s what I need.” But after committing to each other at their final vows last November, the couple's romance has now come to an end.Hewlett Packard Enterprise Reports Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter Results
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq continued their winning streaks last week, as American exceptionalism—the belief that the U.S. economy stands out from the rest of the world—added hype to Wall Street. The world’s most closely followed index closed at 6,090, close to its all-time high, up 0.96 percent for the week and 27 percent year-to-date. Nasdaq closed up 3.34 percent for the week and 32 percent year-to-date. Dow Jones and the Russell 2000 ended the week with slight losses, 0.60 percent, and 1.06 percent, respectively. Despite these losses, both indexes trade near all-time highs. The iShares MSCI index Germany fund, for instance, is up 15.2 percent year-to-date, the iShares MSCI Japan fund up 11.6 percent, the iShares Belgium index up 3.5 percent, the iShares Italy index up 14 percent, and the iShares France fund is down 2.8 percent. The growing gulf between U.S. and overseas equity performance has given rise to the narrative of the U.S. economic exceptionalism on Wall Street: The U.S. economy is in a unique virtuous business cycle of solid GDP growth followed by robust job gains, which in turn leads to higher incomes and higher consumer spending feeding into yet higher GDP. A virtuous cycle of economic growth combined with declining inflation is an ideal environment for equities. Economic growth helps boost the top and bottom lines of listed companies while declining inflation leaves room for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Both feed into the Wall Street rally. Plenty of evidence supports this narrative, including the third-quarter GDP, National Income, and Personal Spending reports released a couple of weeks ago and the November jobs report released this week. The GDP report showed the U.S. economy grew at an annualized 2.8 percent in the third quarter of 2024, close to the 3 percent growth in the second quarter. These are solid numbers for a $27 trillion economy in its 17th quarter of almost uninterrupted growth. This contrasts with the meager GDP growth rates seen across Europe and Japan. Germany’s economic growth, for instance, has been fluctuating between negative and positive territory. France and Italy have virtually no growth, while Japan strives to get out of a three-decade-long stagnation. Rising personal incomes and robust job growth have boosted personal spending since the first quarter of 2023, driven by a surge in goods consumption and strong spending on services. This has been music to the ears of U.S. retailers of all stripes, from Costco to Walmart to TJ Maxx, FIVE Below, and Lululemon, all of which have reported solid financial results quarter after quarter, and to traders and investors on Wall Street chasing the shares of these retailers higher. American exceptionalism and it’s tendency to wax and wane is not a new concept for Michael Ashley Schulman, chartered financial analyst and chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors. “It depends on the economic, cultural, and political tide, but over the decades, it seems to have increased and flourished in the country’s entrepreneurial spirit/innovation leadership, capital markets, and acceptance of failure to achieve success,” Schulman told The Epoch Times. “The U.S.’s dollar dominance also helps as it underpins global trade. On the other hand, global competition is always nipping at the country’s heels, but hopefully, that competition spurs further excellence.” That excellence extends to U.S. equity exchanges. “More and more so over the last few years, the NYSE and NASDAQ, which have traditionally been American exchanges, have truly become global stock exchanges with a marked increase in foreign IPOs and secondary listings, further elevating the perception,” Schulman said. Not everyone subscribes to the narrative of American exceptionalism as the critical driver behind the Wall Street rally. Glen Smith, chief investment officer of GDS Wealth Management, has another theory for Wall Street’s winnowing streak: post-election certainty. “The stock market is trading at record highs as the market continues to celebrate the post-election certainty that has been attained,” he told The Epoch Times. “While Wall Street broadly is optimistic, we do not believe we have reached euphoria quite yet, and euphoria is typically a sign that we are at a peak in the market. We believe the bull market has more room to run, albeit with volatility that is par for the course in investing.”
Consumer IAM Market: $12.85B in 2022, Forecast to Reach $31.05B by 2031 12-05-2024 09:18 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Consumer IAM Market Scope: Key Insights : Consumer IAM Market size was valued at USD 12.85 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 14.17 billion in 2023 to USD 31.05 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% in the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/consumer-iam-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/consumer-iam-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Consumer IAM Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Consumer IAM market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Consumer IAM Market Research Report: IBM Corporation Microsoft Corporation Okta, Inc. Salesforce.com, Inc. Transmit Security Akamai Technologies, Inc. SAP SE Ubisecure LoginRadius Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Consumer IAM market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Consumer IAM market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Consumer IAM market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Consumer IAM segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Consumer IAM market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Consumer IAM market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Consumer IAM market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/consumer-iam-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was minding his own business during practice recently, doing his due diligence while running his route when the ball suddenly came his way. Washington wasn't sure what option he was on the play. he certainly wasn't first. Probably not even second. Maybe not even third. Washington was on the back side all by his lonesome while a sea of wide receivers and running backs zig-zagged across quarterback Russell Wilson's field of vision. Only, Wilson didn't like what he saw. Not enough to throw it anyway. So he pivoted to his left and found Washington wide open for a big gain. Asked if he was surprised to find the ball in his hands, Washington nodded. “A little bit,” he said. “I don't know. I don't know what was going on with the other people.” Wilson did. He almost always seems to these days for the first-place Steelers (9-3), who find themselves atop the AFC North behind the play of their resurgent 36-year-old quarterback, who has taken a decidedly democratic approach to resurrecting his career. The nine-time Pro Bowler threw the ball to 10 different players while piling up 414 yards last week against the Bengals . Sure, mercurial star George Pickens got the ball. But so did Washington. And third tight end MyCole Pruitt. And wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who turned his second catch of the season into a 23-yard gain on a drive that ended with one of Wilson's three touchdown passes. “You never know when it’s coming your way,” Skowronek said. Not with Wilson at the controls. Fourteen different players have at least one catch this season for the Steelers. That includes Mike Williams, whose lone grab a month since being acquired from the New York Jets is a 32-yard rainbow for the winning score in the final minutes against Washington. It also includes Skowronek, who spent the early portion of the season on injured reserve and worried he'd sort of lost his place in line while he rehabbed. Skowronek and his teammates have quickly learned that with Wilson, there is no “line." During his six starts since returning from a calf injury, Wilson has thrown it wherever, whenever. “It’s like in baseball,” said Wilson, a former minor league second baseman. “You’ll never hit a home run if you don’t swing. And I really believe that you’ve got to swing, you’ve got to trust guys. You’ve got to be able to trust yourself.” Something that hasn't been an issue for Wilson for years, even if he arrived in Pittsburgh at a crossroads following an abrupt fall from grace in Denver. The Steelers couldn't sign Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum fast enough, and Wilson wasted little time building a rapport with players who were relative strangers. What began with throwing sessions in San Diego has morphed into team dinners and Friday nights where Wilson and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will hole themselves up in the team facility poring over tapes and bouncing ideas off each other until their wives call wondering where they are. On game days, that work manifests itself in various ways. It's tight end Pat Freiermuth drifting toward an open area while Wilson scrambles, as he did two plays after Skowronek's grab for a 25-yard touchdown. It's Wilson calling an audible at the line of scrimmage late against Cincinnati to hit Van Jefferson for a 43-yard gain that led to a clinching field goal. It's not just good for the stat sheet, it's good for the vibes. “Morale is a big part,” Smith said. Guys who want to be invested. Spreading it around is beneficial in a myriad of ways. It means players don't feel they are “decoys on every play,” as Smith put it. It also means once you put it on film, it means opponents have to find a way to defend it. And the more things an opponent has to defend, the better for an offense, particularly one led by a quarterback who will make his 195th start on Sunday when Cleveland (3-9) visits. “Russ has seen every coverage,” Skowronek said. “He’s ran all these concepts before. So he knows progressions like probably the back of his hand.” Besides, Wilson knows he can't just preach about the importance of being unselfish without practicing it a little bit too. That means giving opportunities to those who have worked for it, no matter where they might fall on the depth chart. “I think that the best part about it is that we’re all super close,” Wilson said. “And I think that bond is really everything too, and just the understanding of each guy and the relationships that we have together, it’s fun. We’re having a great time.” It sure looks like it. The Steelers are averaging a healthy 28.7 points since Wilson recovered from a calf injury that forced him to watch the first six games from the sideline. For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh no longer has to rely exclusively on its defense to get by. While Mike Tomlin will never get comfortable with the idea of getting into a shootout — blame his defensive coaching roots before taking over in Pittsburgh in 2007 — it's nice to know his team can match opponents score for score if necessary. Another one could be looming against the Browns, who piled up more than 500 yards in a loss to Denver on Monday night. If one materializes, Wilson is ready to do whatever is necessary and find whoever is necessary, regardless of pedigree, salary or resume. “We got to love that part of it,” Wilson said. “We can’t fear it. We’ve got to want it. We’ve got to expect it. We’ve got to embrace it. We’ve got to challenge that. We’ve got to be in those moments and be locked into that moment. I think we do an extremely good job of that.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Curl-Salemme, Michaela Cava each score twice, Frost beat Sceptres 6-3 in PWHLSouth Korea president’s arrest possible in theory, but has many obstacles
WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share on its common stock, payable on January 22, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 8, 2025. About InterDigital ® InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today’s most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq. InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com . InterDigital Contact: investor.relations@interdigital.com +1 (302) 300-1857
Titans vs. Jaguars Same Game Parlay Picks – NFL Week 14
FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday (Dec 7) hosted three-way talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, discussing what the American president-elect termed a world that was a "little crazy". Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre-Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face meeting with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelenskyy given the fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow . It offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will shape out when he takes office in January, with the trip to Paris his first international visit since the election win. Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot". "REMEMBER THE SOLIDARITY" Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron - then also a fresh face on the world stage - began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes - which saw each man seek to assert his superiority - became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. They were expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria , where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus . The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine which could see US military assistance to Kyiv withheld. Zelenskyy joined the talks around half an hour later, hurrying up the steps of the Elysee and posing for a photo with the two other men. The Ukrainian president, writing on social media, called the three-way meeting "good and productive". "We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way," he added. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security". Zelenskyy's spokesman Sergiy Nykyforov told journalists the meeting lasted approximately 35 minutes, with only the three leaders present. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with outgoing President Joe Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel . In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk also flew into the French capital and is expected at Notre Dame later, French sources told AFP.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5, the first to ride Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight. They arrived at the International Space Station the next day, only after overcoming a cascade of thruster failures and helium leaks . NASA deemed the capsule too risky for a return flight, so it will be February before their long and trying mission comes to a close. While NASA managers bristle at calling them stuck or stranded, the two retired Navy captains shrug off the description of their plight. They insist they’re fine and accepting of their fate. Wilmore views it as a detour of sorts: “We’re just on a different path.” “I like everything about being up here,” Williams told students Wednesday from an elementary school named for her in Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. "Just living in space is super fun.” Both astronauts have lived up there before so they quickly became full-fledged members of the crew, helping with science experiments and chores like fixing a broken toilet, vacuuming the air vents and watering the plants. Williams took over as station commander in September. “Mindset does go a long way,” Wilmore said in response to a question from Nashville first-graders in October. He’s from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. “I don’t look at these situations in life as being downers.” Boeing flew its Starliner capsule home empty in September, and NASA moved Wilmore and Williams to a SpaceX flight not due back until late February. Two other astronauts were bumped to make room and to keep to a six-month schedule for crew rotations. Like other station crews, Wilmore and Williams trained for spacewalks and any unexpected situations that might arise. “When the crews go up, they know they could be there for up to a year,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio found that out the hard way when the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a replacement capsule for him and two cosmonauts in 2023, pushing their six-month mission to just past a year. Boeing said this week that input from Wilmore and Williams has been “invaluable" in the ongoing inquiry of what went wrong. The company said in a statement that it is preparing for Starliner's next flight but declined comment on when it might launch again. NASA also has high praise for the pair. “Whether it was luck or whether it was selection, they were great folks to have for this mission,” NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. JD Polk, said during an interview with The Associated Press. On top of everything else, Williams, 59, has had to deal with “rumors,” as she calls them, of serious weight loss. She insists her weight is the same as it was on launch day, which Polk confirms. During Wednesday's student chat, Williams said she didn't have much of an appetite when she first arrived in space. But now she's “super hungry” and eating three meals a day plus snacks, while logging the required two hours of daily exercise. Williams, a distance runner, uses the space station treadmill to support races in her home state. She competed in Cape Cod’s 7-mile Falmouth Road Race in August. She ran the 2007 Boston Marathon up there as well. She has a New England Patriots shirt with her for game days, as well as a Red Sox spring training shirt. “Hopefully I’ll be home before that happens -- but you never know,” she said in November. Husband Michael Williams, a retired federal marshal and former Navy aviator, is caring for their dogs back home in Houston. As for Wilmore, 61, he's missing his younger daughter's senior year in high school and his older daughter's theater productions in college. “We can’t deny that being unexpectedly separated, especially during the holidays when the entire family gets together, brings increased yearnings to share the time and events together,” his wife, Deanna Wilmore, told the AP in a text this week. Her husband “has it worse than us” since he's confined to the space station and can only connect via video for short periods. “We are certainly looking forward to February!!” she wrote. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google released its annual “Year in Search” on Tuesday, rounding up the top trending queries entered into its namesake search engine in 2024. The results show terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year — ranging from key news events, notably global elections , to the most popular songs, athletes and unforgettable pop-culture moments that people looked up worldwide. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated Google's overall trending searches in 2024. Copa América topped those search trends globally, followed by the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men's T20 World Cup . Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year's Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google's people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales , U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif , who also led athlete-specific searches. Meanwhile, the late Liam Payne , Toby Keith and O.J. Simpson led search trends among notable individuals who died in 2024. In the world of entertainment, Disney and Pixar's “Inside Out 2” was the top trending movie of the year, while Netflix's “Baby Reindeer” led TV show trends. And Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated song trends. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Queries for the Olympic village's chocolate muffin , made famous by Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen over the summer games, led Google's global recipe trends this year. The New York Times' “Connections” puzzle topped game searches. And in the U.S., country-specific data shows, many people asked Google about online trends like the word “demure” and “ mob wife aesthetic .” You can find more country-specific lists, and trends from years past , through Google’s “Year in Search” data published online . The California company said it collected 2024 search results from Jan. 1 through Nov. 23 of this year. Google isn't the only one to publish an annual recap or top trends as 2024 draws to a close. Spotify Wrapped , for example, as well as Collins Dictionary and Merriam-Webster’s words of the year, have offered additional reflections for 2024.Illinois' New Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act Effective Jan. 1 Creates New I-9, E-Verify ObligationsSaturday, November 23, 2024 “Hoteliers wanting to drive direct sales shouldn’t rely solely on rapid AI-based placements for their marketing strategy in 2025” warned Mirai’s Pablo Delgado during an executive panel at Phocuswright – taking place this week in Phoenix, Arizona – titled ‘Travel’s tech driven retail revolution’. Instead the Mirai CEO for the Americas recommeded that hotels focus on brand protection campaigns and established social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. When asked for Mirai’s view on the impact of AI on direct hotel sales, Delgado nonetheless confirmed that “incorporating AI to gain first-mover advantage should be on your 2025 agenda, but just not the sole objective for the year”. Moderated by Phocuswright’s Lorraine Sileo, the panel looked at how AI is shaking up the world of online travel sales and also included TripAdvisor’s President Kristen Dalton and Sojern’s Chief Revenue Officer Noreen Henry. During the panel Delgado outlined how Mirai – whose technology helps hoteliers maximise revenues in the direct channel – is advising clients to “learn and innovate if they have enough budget, particularly to participate in the planning stage or upper funnel and especially when it comes to the new placements (social and AI-based tools) so they have the first mover advantage when the time does finally come”. However, he pointed out too that the marketing landscape is still dominated by Google – for advertising, Google Hotels and organic search – as well as by the big OTAs. “This is likely to continue for a very long time, they have signifcant resources and inbuilt advantages such as the data they have, the great teams they have and so on. Nor should we rule out that AI developments might mean that other online players like Amazon or Meta or Microsoft could make an entry into the travel space too”.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary said Friday it plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for alleged anti-competitive practices involving suppliers. Walmart de Mexico said in a statement that it had talked with suppliers to see if there were any concerns. The agency that issued the fine, known as the Federal Competition Commission, expressed concerns about a “relative monopolistic practice.” The commission, Mexico’s main anti-monopoly regulatory agency, is one of several independent agencies soon to be eliminated as part of what the government describes as a money-saving measure. It apparently levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage. Walmart is by far the largest retail chain in Mexico. It called the decision “incorrect” and said it contained “errors in applying the law.” The company said it would abide by the agency’s ruling Thursday, but would appeal the decision. Walmart’s shares rose about 7.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Friday.None
Reactions have continued to trail the expulsion of Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State and spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as announced by the publicity secretary of the party in Imo State, Lancelot Obiak with the expulsion been described as a hoax. Reacting to the trending news, the National Coordinator of the PDP Coalition, Chief Emeka Kalu referred to Ugochinyere’s expulsion as a show of shame on the part of a party presently struggling for survival. Commenting on the development, Kalu declared: “I received with dismay the fraudulently tailored publications signed by the Imo State PDP Publicity Secretary expelling an ardent protagonist of unity and positive change in the party, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere. “At a time the party is gradually working towards rebuilding her broken walls , some persons who failed to see the realities of power tussles in political leadership took to fraudulently abuse processes by raising their ill fated pen to publish Ugochinyere’s expulsion from the party he has continued to give his best for. “Honourable Ugochinyere who has remained the most committed federal legislator elected under PDP in fighting the gross injustice, sabotage and political prebendalism hampering the unity of the party should rather be given accolades of honour than insulting his personality with an expulsion letter. What an irony of bias and political immaturity that guided the writers! “A party that has been captured by the enemies within with all readiness to destroy it should concentrate on fighting to retrieve its glory from the hands of traducers than resorting to fight a man who has never relented in working to ensure the party is robustly strengthened. It is a show of shame that while the party at the national level is battling conflict of interest and sabotage within the party structure, those who are bent on ensuring these wrongs are corrected became the victims of circumstance orchestrated by his haters who think their interests are no longer protected . “I therefore call on the national leadership of the party to quickly intervene by reversing this biasedly obtained decision of expelling a vibrant defender of democracy from PDP. A stakeholder of the party in the person of Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere deserves more recognitions of honour for his unwavering commitment to ensure the party is vehemently united and the central organ of the party must not treat this issue with kids glove if PDP is to stand the test of time . “In all, I, therefore, condemn in totality the issuance of this superfluous and sentiment driven explusion letter asking Ugochinyere to leave the party he has worked to promote. This action was senseless and must be treated as a hoax , thereby deserving immediate reversal to save the party from imminent collapse. ” READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowMISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- It's being called a potential game-changer in fighting certain types of cancer and it uses highly-focused soundwaves. For destroying tumors, histotripsy offers many advantages over radiation and radiofrequency ablation. Chris Donaldson's is one grateful patient who said it gave him an option, when he had few. "It's innovative. I think it should be used widespread for other types of cancers," said Donaldson, a 48-year-old from Alabama. He traveled to Providence Mission Hospital because the center leads the nation in treating patients with this new FDA-approved modality. " Histotripsy is a technology that uses ultrasound waves that go to a very small point. It's about the size of a grain of rice. And it just ruptures the cells and kills them instantly," said Dr. Kevin Burns, Chief of Interventional radiology. The treatment took 20 years to develop and it arrived just in time for Donaldson. He was running out of options and hope. "I was basically told I had three years, and when it metastasizes to your liver, it somewhat starts a clock of two years. And there was no treatment whatsoever," he said. In 2022, Donaldson was diagnosed with ocular melanoma. Radioactive seeds behind his eyes destroyed the cancer there. But because it traveled to his liver, doctors weren't sure how well conventional treatments would work. Then, Donaldson heard about histotripsy. "Success rates have been very, very good for this procedure, meaning that we're getting good local control. It's not even a sterile procedure. You are asleep for this procedure just to prevent any sort of pain or discomfort. But there's no incisions or anything like that," said Burns. In the air, sound dissipates. For the beams to be focused, sound needs a medium. And in this case, doctors use degassed water. "So we have to get rid of all air between the treatment head and the patient. And so there's actually this water bath that sits on top of you," Burns said. Unlike radiation, this soundwave therapy doesn't impact any other tissue. It can be repeated as needed. After each treatment, the organ bounces back. "And so when the liver cells grow, they kind of grow back," said Jimmy Ton, an Interventional Radiologist at Providence Mission Hospital. Early studies show that liquifying the tumors leave behind benign genetic material that may improve the body's defenses against cancer. "The plan for this device and technology is to continue on to other organs or other modalities. Things like thyroid tissue and breast tissue potentially could be ablated," said Ton. Two months after treatment, Donaldson's liver remains cancer free. It's the best news he's ever heard. "Truly saved my life. Truly gave me a chance to meet my grandchildren. If I could inspire anyone to just not give up and have that glimmer of hope," he said.
Property owners appeal elk lawsuit to Montana Supreme Court