NEW YORK (AP) — After acquiring Juan Soto for a one-year rental and failing to keep him as a free agent, the New York Yankees are taking the same chance with Devin Williams. New York acquired the All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin on Friday. The Yankees will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. “He's a year away from free agency but someone that we’ve tried to acquire for a number of years,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “I’m sure we weren’t the only bidders here in the end.” A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28 . “Certainly not trying to downplay the impact the Devin had, but we feel like we still have a good amount of strength there with our bullpen,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 among 88 batters over 21 2/3 innings. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph and he threw it on 53.5% of his pitches, mixing in 45% changeups — known as the “Airbender” — and around 1.5% cutters. William's 43.2% strikeout percentage was the highest in the major leagues among pitchers with at least 20 innings. “Certainly doesn’t seem to be afraid,” Cashman said. “You can’t do that job if you’re afraid of the big stage.” An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Williams was a second-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft. He is 27-10 with a 1.83 ERA and 68 saves in 78 chances over six seasons, striking out 375 and walking 112 in 235 2/3 innings over 241 games. Milwaukee declined a $10.5 million club option in favor of a $250,000 buyout last month, making Williams eligible for arbitration. Williams joins a bullpen that includes Luke Weaver, who took over as closer from Clay Holmes in September, Jake Cousins and Ian Hamilton. The Yankees don’t have a left-handed reliever on their 40-man roster. “If you have right handers that can neutralize lefties, that’s a benefit. It limits your desperation for immediately a left on left,” Cashman said. Cortes, who turned 30 on Tuesday, was an All-Star in 2022 when he went 12-4 with a career-best 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. He made just one start after May 30 in 2023 because of a strained left rotator cuff and was sidelined late in the 2024 season by a flexor strain in his left elbow. He returned for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and entered in the 10th inning of the opener, retiring Shohei Ohtani on a foulout with his first pitch and giving up a game-ending grand slam to Freddie Freeman on his second. "He’s had a fully healthy offseason," Arnold said. “We expect him to come into camp ready to go as normal.” Known for his many deliveries, Cortes is 33-21 with a 3.80 ERA in 86 starts and 49 relief appearances over seven seasons. He is eligible for arbitration and also can become a free agent after next season. “He brings a real stability, I think, to our rotation,” Arnold said. “Somebody that's been a major piece of a really good championship-caliber team in the New York Yankees, I think will fit us very well, especially after the loss of Willy Adames .” New York had an excess of starters after reaching a $218 million, eight-year agreement with left-hander Max Fried that is pending. The rotation also is projected to include ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, with Marcus Stroman also available. Durbin, who turns 25 in February, hit .287 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs and 29 stolen bases this year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “We just felt it was harder to acquire someone at the level of Devin Williams than it would be to try to figure out the infield circumstances,” Cashman said. Durbin was with the big league team last spring training “I think he’s a stud,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last month. “Great bat-to-ball, elite ability on the bases as a base stealer, good defender in the middle of the diamond, second base. He’s really started over the last year-plus to create some position flexibility, too. He’s played some short, he’s played some third. We introduced him to some outfield this year.” Durbin hit .312 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 29 steals in 24 games at the Arizona Fall League. “We love the style of game that he brings to our team,” Arnold said. “I think that’s going to be a really nice fit with Pat Murphy's style of baseball.” Cashman said he's spoken with Scott Boras about the agent's remaining free agent clients, who include third baseman Alex Bregman and first baseman Pete Alonso. “Certainly respect the player and his ability and how much winning he’s been a part of,” Cashman said of Bregman, “but that’s about as far as I will say at this point.” This story has been corrected to note New York is sending cash to Milwaukee, not the other way around. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbNEW YORK , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global fast casual restaurants market size is estimated to grow by USD 302.5 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period. Demand for innovation and customization in food menus is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise in popularity of chef-driven fast casual restaurant franchises. However, intense competition from quick-service restaurants poses a challenge. Key market players include Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., DICKEYS BARBECUE RESTAURANTS Inc., Erbert and Gerberts Sandwich Shop, EXKi SA, Famous Brands Ltd., Five Guys Enterprises LLC, Godfathers Pizza Inc., LYKE Kitchen, McAlisters Franchisor SPV LLC, MOD Super Fast Pizza LLC, Noodles and Co., Panda Restaurant Group Inc., PORTILLOS Inc., Potbelly Corp., Restaurant Brands International Inc., Shake Shack Inc., Smashburger Servicing LLC, The Wendys Co., Wingstop Inc., and YUM Brands Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The chef-driven fast casual restaurant market is experiencing significant growth, with Chipotle Mexican Grill and Steve Ells often cited as pioneers. Millennials' foodie culture and tech-savvy, social media habits contribute to this trend. Chef-driven fast casuals offer high-quality food at fast casual prices, with a focus on efficiency and training. Professionally trained chefs provide innovative menus and proprietary recipes, appealing to taste- and health-conscious millennials. Consistency is crucial for success. Established chains like The Chickery, Slapfish, Bobby's Burger Palace, and Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen lead the way in North America . Global expansion by established chefs is expected to fuel further market growth. Fast Casual Restaurants: Trends Shaping the Industry The Fast Casual Restaurant market is witnessing significant trends. Food offerings are shifting towards burger or sandwich, pizza or pasta, with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, locally sourced produce, and fresh food. Culinary independence is a key driver, with many establishments offering organic food and ethnic-inspired dishes. Dine-in experiences are being complemented by takeaway services, with standalone and franchised restaurants adapting to the changing landscape. The Coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the adoption of online ordering systems, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, and delivery services. Chicken is a popular choice, with menu items expanding to include salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and even alcoholic beverages. Fast food outlets are adding seating areas, Wi-Fi, and even cloud kitchens to enhance the customer experience. Internet penetration is driving third-party aggregated apps and online menu browsing. Automation is also playing a role, with many restaurants using self-service kiosks and delivery services to streamline operations and improve customer engagement. Panera Bread and other players are leading the way in this evolving market. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Fast-casual restaurants are targeting millennials by offering healthier food options made from fresh ingredients, as this demographic prefers nutritious meals with fewer processed and artificial components. To cater to their customers' busy lifestyles, quick-service restaurants are also focusing on reducing ordering and payment time durations. On-the-go food has gained popularity in North America and is increasingly preferred in Asia and the Middle East due to hectic lifestyles and growing consumer purchasing power in developing economies like China and India . However, the increasing preference for quick-service restaurants could potentially impact the growth of the market during the forecast period. For instance, McDonald's has introduced nutritious offerings like Fruit n Yogurt Parfait and Garden Salad to attract health-conscious consumers and retain their existing customer base. The global quick-service and fast-casual restaurant market is expected to grow due to these trends, offering opportunities for businesses to cater to the rising demand for convenient, healthy food options. Fast Casual Restaurants face several challenges in today's Food Service Industry. Menu diversity, including Salads, Sandwiches, Wraps, Bowls, and Alcoholic Beverages, caters to various customer preferences. Seating areas and Wi-Fi are essential for Dine-in segments. Cloud kitchens and Online ordering, including Door-to-door delivery services, cater to Takeaway and Franchised segments. Customer engagement through Automation, Scheduling software, Digital inventory tracking, and Automated purchasing tools are crucial for Inventory management and Customer Satisfaction. Economic recession impacts Chicken segment and Premium product sales. Franchise opportunities in Quick Service Restaurants require careful planning. Challenges include Health consciousness among Millennials and Generation Z, Plant-based offerings, Sustainable food alternatives, and International flavors. Self-service and Fast-food locations require efficient operations. Food delivery services, Organic, natural, and clean-labeled foods add to the complexity. Culinary traditions and culinary innovation continue to shape the market. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This fast casual restaurants market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Dine-in 1.2 Takeaway 2.1 North American 2.2 Italian 2.3 Mexican 2.4 Others 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Dine-in- The global fast casual restaurants market is experiencing growth due to the increasing population of adults aged 25-49 years. This demographic prefers dining out for convenience, helping them maintain a work-life balance. Consumers seek menu flexibility and variety. Quick-service restaurant operators respond by offering multi-cuisine dishes, attracting customers and boosting sales. Vendors also provide promotional offers and discounts, enhancing customer experience and providing valuable customer feedback for future product development. These factors positively impact the eat-in service segment, contributing to market growth during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Research Analysis Fast casual restaurants offer a unique dining experience, blending the convenience of fast food with the quality and variety of a sit-down restaurant. Menus feature a range of options including salads, sandwiches, wraps, and bowls, often with international flavors and culinary traditions. Alcoholic beverages may also be available. Seating areas provide a comfortable space to enjoy your meal, and many locations offer Wi-Fi and self-service kiosks for added convenience. Premium products, fresh food, and high-quality ingredients are key, with an emphasis on health consciousness and catering to the preferences of millennials and Generation Z. Food delivery services have also become increasingly popular, allowing customers to enjoy their favorite fast-casual meals from the comfort of their own homes. Fast-food outlets continue to evolve, offering organic food, locally sourced produce, and fine dining options like ethnic-inspired dishes and Panera Bread's artisan breads and pastries. Market Research Overview Fast Casual Restaurants: A Thriving Market of Salads, Sandwiches, Wraps, Bowls, and More! The Fast Casual Restaurant market is a vibrant and ever-evolving segment of the Food Service Industry. This sector offers a diverse menu, including Salads, Sandwiches, Wraps, Bowls, and Alcoholic Beverages, catering to various dietary preferences and cultural palates. Fast Casual Restaurants provide a unique blend of Quick Service and Seating Areas, offering customers the convenience of Fast Food Outlets with the ambiance of a traditional Dine-In experience. Wi-Fi availability, Cloud Kitchens, Online Ordering, Delivery Services, and Customer Engagement tools add to the appeal. Franchise Opportunities, Scheduling Software, Digital Inventory Tracking, and Automated Purchasing Tools are essential elements of this market's infrastructure, ensuring efficient Inventory Management and high Customer Satisfaction. The Chicken segment, Dine-In segment, Takeaway segment, Franchised segment, and Standalone segment all contribute to the market's growth. Digital platforms, Plant-Based Offerings, and Sustainable Food Alternatives cater to the evolving preferences of health-conscious consumers, particularly Millennials and Generation Z. Fast-Food Locations, Self-Service, Premium Products, International Flavors, and Culinary Traditions continue to drive innovation in this sector. Organic, Natural, Clean-Labeled Foods, Burger or Sandwich, Pizza or Pasta, Dine-In, Takeaway, Standalone, Franchised, or Culinary Independence – the Fast Casual Restaurant market has something for everyone! However, the market faces challenges, such as Economic Recession, Coronavirus Outbreak, and the increasing dominance of Food Delivery Services. Adaptation to these changes through Online Ordering Systems, Mobile Apps, Self-Service Kiosks, and Door-to-door Delivery Services is crucial for survival and growth. Internet Penetration and Third-Party Aggregated Apps are transforming the way customers interact with Fast Casual Restaurants, making it essential for businesses to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies. In conclusion, the Fast Casual Restaurant market is a dynamic and exciting space, offering a wealth of opportunities for innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction. Whether you're a business owner, investor, or consumer, this sector is sure to provide an engaging and delicious experience! Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Channel Dine-in Takeaway Product North American Italian Mexican Others Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioBy Alan Baldwin (Reuters) -General Motors plans to enter Formula One with its Cadillac brand in 2026 after announcing on Monday an agreement in principle with the Liberty Media-owned sport. Hailing a landmark move to become the 11th team on the starting grid, the carmaker said it had also registered with the governing FIA as a power unit manufacturer to become a full works outfit by the end of the decade. They will be the first new team since U.S.-owned Haas debuted in 2016 and GM the sixth engine maker after Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and Red Bull/Ford. GM will partner with TWG Global and Mario Andretti — the last U.S. world champion in 1978 — will serve as a director on the team’s board. “My first love was Formula One and now, 70 years later, the F1 paddock is still my happy place,” said Andretti in a Cadillac statement. “To still be involved at this stage of my life; I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.” General Motors bosses were at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend to put the seal on a project that was rejected by Formula One last January despite FIA approval. “With Formula One’s continued growth plans in the U.S., we have always believed that welcoming an impressive U.S. brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport,” said Liberty Media’s outgoing CEO Greg Maffei. “We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula One. “We are excited to move forward with the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to enter the Championship in 2026.” FIA SUPPORT FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who was an early backer of an Andretti bid and has continued to push behind the scenes to get a deal over the line, expressed full support for the latest development. “All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly,” he said in a statement. An investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee into possible ‘anticompetitive conduct’ also concentrated minds and changed the dialogue, sources said. Formula One had said in January it doubted the original Andretti bid would be competitive or add value but kept a door open for 2028 when partner General Motors could provide an engine. That bid was presented as an Andretti Cadillac entry, with Andretti Global led by Mario’s son Michael — a former F1 racer and 1991 CART champion who was seen by some as a more confrontational figure. Michael Andretti has since taken a step back from his day-to-day operational role and handed over to Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Global which owns and operates Andretti Global. The BBC separately quoted senior sources as saying GM and TWG will pay an anti-dilution fee, split between the 10 existing teams, of $450m to secure the entry. The current fee is 200 million, but new rules will apply from 2026. GM will also need to buy in an engine for 2026 and 2027, with Ferrari seen as a leading candidate given that they will have a spare supply when Sauber become Audi. “This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level,” said GM president Mark Reuss. Cadillac has already assembled a team to work on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software, and vehicle dynamics simulation. Andretti also has a base at Silverstone in England with a number of personnel employed, including former F1 chief technical officer Pat Symonds as executive engineering consultant (Additional reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Alex Richardson and Ken Ferris and Pritha Sarkar) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
MMCC boss tasks Ondo water sports chairman on developmentD ear Heloise: I wanted to write in concerning not using rugs and towels at animal shelters. I have to wonder what sort of “shelter” is being offered to dogs and cats where it gets so cold and wet that the cloth can freeze. Not to mention the possibility of the poor animal freezing to death! Are they saying these indoor animals are being kept outside? Or are their facilities not being properly heated and dry? This is shocking to me! I hope they can explain themselves. — Frank F., Ventura, California Frank, the letter was referring to feral cats and other outdoor animals. Shelter cats and dogs usually have a better situation than those that are born wild or mistreated by their owners. In my opinion, no animal should be kept outside in the winter if they have owners with a warm house. Sadly, there are too many abandoned cats and dogs that have no one to look after them, making their existence difficult and their lives short. Straw is the best solution to helping these animals stay warm, provided that there is plenty of straw to snuggle in for warmth inside of some type of enclosure. There are a variety of such houses for animals online, and most aren’t expensive. — Heloise Dear Heloise: I often use paper-towel rolls and toilet-paper rolls to keep artificial flower stems together. I also cut them lengthwise to put on gift-wrapping paper rolls. If the paper roll is too thin to keep a cardboard roll on, then I use a rubber band to secure the roll. Your readers have given me so much I can use. I thank you and thank them, too. — Jackie, Colorado Springs, Colorado Jackie, I like your cardboard roll ideas. Lately, I’ve received several letters stating that readers use the cardboard roll in paper towels and toilet paper to start a fire in their fireplace. Some also use a toilet roll of cardboard to gather a number of loose cords together. Others use a paper-towel roll to wrap tree lights around when putting them into storage. All of these are great ideas, as well. — Heloise Dear Heloise: Our glass pie plates wouldn’t get clean, so my husband had the successful idea to use a ceramic cooktop cleaner! The pie plates are sparkling now! — Connie B., Universal City, Texas Dear Heloise: My mom was never really happy with any gift I gave her. Since she relied on Social Security, money was tight, so I started to give her a goody box. I usually used an empty paper box and filled it with toiletries and products that I knew she used. I also included postage stamps and gift cards for car washes. She would love her goody box and looked forward to it every year. One year, my aunt was visiting from the old country at Christmas, so I made up a smaller box for her. I found out that she loved a certain brand of canned corn, so I included six cans. She was over the moon! It was also easy for me, as I would add things to the box all year long, making it easier on my time and budget. — Liz N., via email Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Tinubu appoints new CEOs for NUC, NERDC, others
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsA quick recap of Monday's Class D-1 state championship game at Memorial Stadium. Final: Sandy Creek 44, Stanton 42. Turning point: Sandy Creek's Connor Rempe making an open-field tackle to stop Stanton's Barrett Wilke on fourth-and-1 with 4:07 left in the fourth quarter. Trailing 44-42, Stanton was near midfield as it tried to embark on a go-ahead drive. Rempe, who is 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds, made a solo tackle on Wilke, the 6-foot, 210-pounder who is one of the most prolific runners in the state. It was over when ...: Sandy Creek's Ethan Shaw scampered for 12 yards on fourth-and-3 with 1:54 left and the Cougars protecting a 44-42 lead. Shaw was patient in waiting for a lane, and then burst by a defender to get into open space. Game ball: Shaw, who threw for three touchdowns and rushed for 178 yards and two more scores. Rempe, too, for the big tackle. People are also reading... Talking hardware: It's Sandy Creek's first title. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Kentucky will aim to improve upon its best start in seven seasons when it hosts Western Kentucky on Tuesday night in Lexington, Ky., in the final game of the BBN Invitational. The Wildcats (5-0) are ranked No. 8 in the latest Associated Press poll and are setting impressive offensive milestones even for a program as tradition-rich as Kentucky, which includes eight national championships. The Wildcats have scored 97 or more points in their first four home games for the first time in program history and eclipsed the 100-point mark in three of those games. Their lone trip out of state was a solid 77-72 victory over Duke in a matchup of top-10 teams in Atlanta. Kentucky has also made at least 10 three-pointers in each of its first five games of a season for the first time ever. "I think Kentucky attracts good people," Kentucky coach Mark Pope said after the Wildcats' 108-59 win over Jackson State on Friday. "It's the one place in all college basketball where you represent just a fanbase in a different, unique way." Otega Oweh and Koby Brea have led the Wildcats' early scoring outburst. Oweh, who is averaging 16.2 points per game, had 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting against Jackson State. "He gets us off to unbelievable starts every night," Pope told reporters after that game. "He's probably been our most consistent guy in games." Brea, who scored 22 points against Jackson State and is averaging 16.0 points per game, is leading the nation in 3-point accuracy at 74.1 percent. As a team, the Wildcats are shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. And the few times they miss, Amari Williams has been doing the dirty work on the glass, averaging 10.8 boards in addition to 9.6 points per game. Kentucky faces a different challenge than it's had to contend with so far in the Hilltoppers (3-2), who have won three in a row after losing their first two games to Wichita State and Grand Canyon. Their up-tempo play hasn't exactly resulted in great offensive output, but in the Hilltoppers' 79-62 win over Jackson State on Wednesday, they shot 45.2 percent from 3-point range (14 for 31). "I was happy to see a lot of different guys contribute tonight and, hopefully, get their feet under them a little bit and get some confidence," said Western Kentucky coach Hank Plona, who is in his first season as head coach. "Obviously, Tuesday will be quite a test and challenge for us and we'll need them to be at their absolute best." Western Kentucky has an experienced group, which returned mostly intact from last season. The team is led by Conference USA first-team selection Don McHenry, who is leading the team with 17.2 points and 2.2 steals per game. McHenry is one of four Hilltoppers with scoring averages in double figures. Julius Thedford (11.4 points per game) and Babacar Faye (15.0) are each shooting 40 percent or better from 3-point range. Western Kentucky also figures to challenge the Wildcats on the boards as it enters the game ranked in the top 25 in defensive rebounding (30.4 per game). Faye leads the Hilltoppers in that department, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and figures to battle Williams inside. "We're not the biggest team in the world, but our depth and our quickness are our strengths," Plona said. --Field Level Media
All-star goalie Thatcher Demko will return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Friday. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Demko will backup Kevin Lankinen as Vancouver hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets. It will be Demko’s first game since April 21 when the Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. He suffered an injury to the popliteus muscle in his knee during the game and has been working his way back ever since. When the 28-year-old netminder from San Diego, Calif., gets a start remains to be seen, but having Demko back in uniform is an important step, Tocchet said. “He’s a leader on the team. He’s a different type of leader,” the coach said after morning skate Friday. “The guy works awfully hard. He’s spent a lot of time by himself working out, he’s here at 7 a.m. working with one trainer. So I think the what it’s contagious to me is the hard work he does. The young guys see this stuff how dedicated he is. I see that really helps our locker room.” Demko had a 35-14-2 record with a .918 save percentage, a 2.45 goals-against average and five shutouts in regular-season play last year and played in the all-star game for the second time in his career. Vancouver inked Lankinen to a one-year, US$875,000 deal during training camp and he has split the crease with Arturs Silovs to start the season, with the pair backstopping the Canucks to a 13-7-4 record.He is the “Builder Governor.” The lasting impression of Eric Holcomb’s eight-year tenure as governor could be measured on what he built, and how he did so and with the steady assets he had at his command. He calls it the “new Indiana” emerging under his watch. He finished Interstate 69 to Evansville, including the hard part through suburban Johnson and Marion counties, with the new Ohio River bridge into Kentucky sited. He completed the $600 million double-tracking of the century old South Shore Line from Chicago to South Bend at the West Lake spur line. There’s the new $1.2 billion prison at Westville the state is paying cash for. There is the new combined $655 million Indiana Deaf and Blind School campus, the new Fall Creek Pavilion at the State Fairgrounds, the new State Archives Building, as well as the first new state park lodge being built in 85 years. There is the combined $300 million Gov. Holcomb is funneling into the 92 county health departments. There’s the amicable IUPUI divorce with twin campuses rising up just blocks from the state capital. As the governor drove from Culver to Potato Creek State Park this month to monitor the first new lodge since 1939 after the initial groundbreaking 14 months prior, Holcomb told Howey Politics, “I want to be graded and measured on the results, not the rhetoric. We don’t just want to build trails, we want to be the trail leader. We want to finish I-69. “We want to stay state-focused on always trying to do big things,” Holcomb continued. It will take a decade or so to fully know the impacts of Holcomb’s eight years in office. He spent a decade as an apprentice to Gov. Mitch Daniels, serving as deputy chief of staff. While running a campaign for U.S. Senate, Gov. Mike Pence plucked him from relative obscurity to replace Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann in March 2016. Four months later after Pence joined the Donald Trump presidential ticket, Holcomb won a second-ballot Republican Central Committee nomination, launching a 106-day come-from-behind victory over Democrat John Gregg. Holcomb had unusual assets. He’s the only Hoosier governor to serve with Indiana General Assembly supermajorities for both entire terms. Earl Goode, his only chief of staff, is finishing an unprecedented 14 years at that job. He signed the most far-reaching abortion restrictions in state history. Holcomb’s Indiana received a stunning $6.7 billion from the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $868 million for rural broadband expansion and $100 million for electric vehicle charging stations. He never had to deal with a recession. The state’s jobless rate was always below 5%. The Holcomb administration has, so far, been scandal free. The result is what Holcomb calls an emerging “New Indiana.” “For us, when you look at the progress we’ve made across the economic development front, the workforce development front and the community development front, Indiana is a new Indiana,” he said. “We have a New Albany, a New Haven, New Castle, New Carlisle and there truly is almost a new Indiana when you think about our health innovation industry, LEAP, manufacturing of isotopes and planned genetics and where we’re taking life sciences and the future of mobility being determined here. We’re working on small modular nuclear reactors. Being in a center of the country gives us an advantage of being in the core.” And there were galactic challenges. He faced two pandemics, the first was the opioid crisis and a triple-digit increase in overdoses. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in shutting down much of society in late March 2020 for several months. Two million Hoosiers were infected and 26,115 died during the most lethal public health episode in state history. There was no written pandemic plan on the shelf other than for the flu. “We were transparent and very accessible,” Holcomb said of the weekly web-streamed press conferences that he held with state health officials such as Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box and Dr. Lindsay Weaver. “It was like Indiana went to Oz and when the curtain was pulled back and they got to see their government, which was just like them,” Holcomb said. Despite the criticism from Republicans like Secretary of State Diego Morales, who said he had overstepped his authority during the pandemic, Holcomb won reelection with 1.7 million votes (56.5%). “I had all kinds of people tell me politically this is going to be the end of me and, lo and behold, we got more votes than anyone who has ever run for governor in the history of this state, still to this day, by the way,” he said. What was the most surprising or gratifying thing he witnessed or learned? “To learn of the innovation and ingenuity that comes off the family farm or the family factory floor or the small business that has been taken to scale by someone needing to solve a problem on a bigger scale,” he said. His biggest disappointment? “I would have liked to see pregnancy accommodations done for the state, not just state government,” Holcomb said. What wisdom would he impart to a future governor? “Approach with the attitude that every day you’re gonna learn if you stay connected to the ground,” he said, adding that in “remaining humble” he was “courageous and forward-looking, understanding you are not going to please everybody all the time.”Bruno Fernandes urges United to forget City’s problems and focus on own issues
ZYNL Real Estate Innovations Ltd.: Revolutionizing Real Estate Investments Through Blockchain And AIWith Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fightNebraska plans not to get caught sleeping vs. South Dakota
The UK, Italy and Japan on Friday launched a joint venture to develop a supersonic next-generation fighter jet by 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon. Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC) will each hold a 33.3 percent share in the new venture, "marking a pivotal moment for the international aerospace and defense industry," they announced in a press release. JAIEC is a firm jointly funded by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies. "Today's agreement is a culmination of many months working together with our industry partners and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in this strategically important program," said Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive. The venture will "bring together the significant strengths and expertise of the companies involved to create an innovative organization that will lead the way in developing a next generation combat air system, creating long-term, high value and skilled jobs across the partner nations for decades to come," he added. The three partners have agreed to form a new company under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a multinational initiative established by the UK, Japan and Italy in 2022 to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace the Typhoon and Japanese F-2. The joint venture is expected to be established by the middle of 2025 and will undertake the design and development of the GCAP aircraft. It will subcontract the manufacturing and final assembly of the aircraft to BAE Systems, Leonardo, MHI and the wider supply chain. The aircraft is due to enter service in 2035, ahead of the competing European project FCAS -- led by Paris, Berlin and Madrid -- and is expected to be in service until 2070. The new company will be headquartered in the UK and its first CEO, whose name has not been announced, will be Italian. "The way might not always be simple and straightforward. However, I believe that through continuing the strong spirit of trilateral cooperation and collaboration... we will not only deliver the GCAP on time but also at a level that exceeds all of our expectations," said JAIEC president Kimito Nakae. The Italian defense ministry has already allocated 8.8 billion euros ($9.2 billion) to the program, Roberto Cingolani, the CEO of Leonardo, said in November, although the total budget of the project has yet to be revealed. Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto hailed the announcement as an "important step" and "a remarkable example of the strong international cooperation between our nations". GCAP aims to counter the threats posed by Russia and China and will merge two different aircraft program -- the UK and Italy's "Tempest" and Japan's "F-X". The objective is to develop a twin-engine stealth aircraft that could be operated with or without a crew, would boast features such as laser-directed weapons and a virtual cockpit and would be much harder to detect using radar and infrared. New technologies being explored for Tempest include the integration of AI and augmented reality and the ability to conduct missions alongside drones. Visiting the Farnborough Air Show in July, where a model of the aircraft was unveiled, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed "just how important a program this is" for the country. But Mike Schoellhorn, the CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, said in July that the competition between GCAP and FCAS was "not logical". Cingolani has not ruled out a possible rapprochement. "I'm not saying merging, maybe this is too much, but for sure some collaboration. It's too early to say, we're just at the beginning," he told AFP.Hear this! Transforming health care with speech-to-text technology November 21, 2024 Acoustical Society of America Researchers study the importance of enunciation when using speech-to-text software in medical situations. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Speech-to-text programs are becoming more popular for everyday tasks like hands-free dictation, helping people who are visually impaired, and transcribing speech for those who are hard of hearing. These tools have many uses, and researcher Bożena Kostek from Gdańsk University of Technology is exploring how STT can be better used in the medical field. By studying how clear speech affects STT accuracy, she hopes to improve its usefulness for health care professionals. "Automating note-taking for patient data is crucial for doctors and radiologists, as it gives the doctors more face-to-face time with patients and allows for better data collection," Kostek says. Kostek also explains the challenges they face in this work. "STT models often struggle with medical terms, especially in Polish, since many have been trained mainly on English. Also, most resources focus on simple language, not specialized medical vocabulary. Noisy hospital environments make it even harder, as health care providers may not speak clearly due to stress or distractions." To tackle these issues, a detailed audio dataset was created with Polish medical terms spoken by doctors and specialists in areas like cardiology and pulmonology. This dataset was analyzed using an Automatic Speech Recognition model, technology that converts speech into text, for transcription. Several metrics, such as Word Error Rate and Character Error Rate, were used to evaluate the quality of the speech recognition. This analysis helps understand how speech clarity and style affect the accuracy of STT. Kostek will present this data Thursday, Nov. 21, at 3:25 p.m. ET as part of the virtual 187th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, running Nov. 18-22, 2024. "Medical jargon can be tricky, especially with abbreviations that differ across specialties. This is an even more difficult task when we refer to realistic hospital situations in which the room is not acoustically prepared." Kostek said. Currently, the focus is on Polish, but there are plans to expand the research to other languages, like Czech. Collaborations are being established with the University Hospital in Brno to develop medical term resources, aiming to enhance the use of STT technology in health care. "Even though artificial intelligence is helpful in many situations, many problems should be investigated analytically rather than holistically, focusing on breaking a whole picture into individual parts." Story Source: Materials provided by Acoustical Society of America . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Cite This Page :
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-25T21:48:18+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-25T21:48:18+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-25T21:49:13+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22113/opinions/resilience-oriented-therapy-a-promising-approach-to-addressing-mental-health", "headline": "Resilience-oriented therapy, a promising approach to addressing mental health", "description": "On November 21, I attended the National Policy Dialogue on Mental Health that brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners in mental health...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22113/opinions/resilience-oriented-therapy-a-promising-approach-to-addressing-mental-health" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/25/64839.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/25/64839.jpg" }, "articleBody": "On November 21, I attended the National Policy Dialogue on Mental Health that brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners in mental health to explore strategies for advancing mental health care in Rwanda. The discussions were engaging and promising. A standout topic was Resilience-oriented Therapy, a group-based psychological intervention designed to address mental health challenges and foster resilience. Jointly tested by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Interpeace through Randomized Control Trials (RCT), the therapy has proven highly effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorders. It equips individuals with resilience-enhancing socioemotional competencies, self-management, and collaboration skills, promoting emotional well-being and capacity to adapt to changes, and effectively navigate life challenges. Considering Rwanda’s significant mental health needs, this therapy offers a promising solution. It is currently being implemented in 32 health centers and seven district hospitals across five districts: Nyagatare, Ngoma, Musanze, Nyabihu, and Nyamagabe, where its positive community impact is notable. On October 15, I witnessed this therapy in practice at Rukira Health Centre in Ngoma District. After getting their permission, I briefly attended a session where 10 participants engaged in healing dialogues, facilitated by a psychologist. Their stories reflect remarkable journeys of recovery and resilience. Mugeni (not real name), a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, suffered from PTSD for 29 years. Although the genocide ended three decades ago, in her mind, it was still ongoing. She continuously relived the terrifying scenes of screaming, running, hiding, and killings she had witnessed during the 100 days of horror. Before attending Resilience-oriented therapy sessions, she was unable to sleep, terrified of being alone. She stayed awake, hyper-alert throughout the night, running to hide at the slightest sound or whenever she heard people walking near her house, believing the perpetrators were coming for her and her children. The therapy has since helped her overcome her trauma, allowing her to sleep peacefully after years of fear and hypervigilance. Another participant, Uwimana (not real name), attempted suicide twice due to depression following mistreatment by her husband who later abandoned her with a four-month pregnancy and three other children. Alcohol had been her coping mechanism. Now, she has quit alcohol and testifies to have found inner peace. She has healed and is proudly caring for her four children. All group members agree that being part of a group has been tremendously beneficial, allowing them to share their life stories, experiences, and daily challenges while finding collective strength to overcome their distress. The group-based approach has empowered participants with a renewed sense of purpose, leading to transformed lives. Given its effectiveness to enhance psychological well-being and being a culturally adapted therapy, it is well-suited to addressing many of the mental health challenges Rwanda has been facing. Allow me to mention a few but most pressing ones. High prevalence vs one-on-one therapy approach - the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey revealed a mental disorder prevalence of 20.49%, far exceeding the global average. Major depression is the most prevalent, affecting 12% of the population. In 2023, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) reported that one in five Rwandans face mental health challenges, with 2,879 suicide attempts recorded by the Health Management Information System (HMIS). As of June 2024, HMIS identified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (18%), depression (10%), bipolar disorder (2%), and PTSD (2%) as common diagnoses. Globally, it is projected that by 2030, mental health disorders—particularly depression—will ranknumber one in the global burden of disease. Furthermore, intergenerational trauma from the genocide threatens the mental well-being of future generations. Despite this high prevalence, one-on-one therapy remains the predominant treatment approach. This individualized model limits the number of people that mental health professionals can reach. In Rwanda's collectivist society, group-based activities resonate more culturally and are less hindered by stigma. One-on-one therapy can be less effective due to these cultural and social barriers. Group therapy such as ROT, which can be implemented in communities and health centers, offers a more scalable and culturally attuned solution. It allows mental health professionals to serve 10–12 individuals at a time with the possibility to facilitate two to three groups a week. Limited number of available mental health professionals Rwanda has made significant investments in training mental health professionals, but the current demand far exceeds the available resources. The country has only 16 psychiatrics (1 for 862,400 persons), 441 certified clinical psychologists (1 for 31,289 persons) and 202 mental health nurses (1 for 68,400 persons) working in public facilities. Additionally, there are just seven private clinics or hospitals offering mental health services. These facilities often face challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of appropriate context-informed tools, and limited understanding of mental health systems among the heads of health centers and hospitals. Limited funding As a low-income country, Rwanda faces financial constraints in addressing various development needs, including health. The budget allocated to mental health remains disproportionately low compared to the scale of the problem. The annual spending on mental health makes up 7% of the total budget allocated to the health sector in 2024, according to the fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan 2018-2024. However, there is a very significant increase as in 2018 the same budget represented only 1.4%. Given these limitations, Resilience-oriented Therapy offers a more cost-effective solution than traditional one-on-one therapy, which is time-consuming and less efficient. This group-based approach can be implemented in both community settings and health centers, enabling broader access to mental health support without significantly increasing costs. Medication vs psychotherapy In absence of a well-established mental health healthcare system and workforce, hospitals and health centers in Rwanda often prioritise medication over psychotherapy for mental health conditions. However, psychiatric medications are costly and require a substantial budget. Research suggests that while medication can provide short-term stabilisation, psychotherapy—especially group-based approaches—offers more effective long-term recovery and resilience-building. Integrating group-based psychotherapies, such as Resilience-oriented Therapy, can alleviate the financial burden by reducing dependency on expensive medications. For this integration to be successful, all stakeholders must collaborate to create conducive conditions by ensuring the following: Institutionalise Resilience-oriented Therapy: full integration of Resilience-oriented Therapy into policies and practices by relevant institutions, professionals, and practitioners is essential. This therapy should be included among the approved mental health interventions in Rwanda and should be integrated into university and higher education curricula to promote its understanding and application within academic circles. Prioritise mental health services and increase funding Mental health care is often overlooked in health centers and hospitals, where mental health professionals are frequently redirected to support other services, hence reducing their time and attention dedicated to clients. For better service delivery, responsibilities of mental health professionals should be clearly defined, and they should be provided with necessary logistics and support to exercise their duties. Though the government has made commendable efforts, there is a pressing need for increased financial support at all levels to adequately address mental health challenges in Rwanda. Enhanced funding will also support training, research, infrastructure, and Resilience-oriented therapy implementation. Expand training for mental health professionals More professionals need to be trained to implement Resilience-oriented Therapy at the community, health center, and hospital levels. Additionally, roles and responsibilities of mental health professionals must be clearly defined to address misunderstandings of their functions, thereby enhancing service delivery. Mental health awareness campaigns Mental health care uptake remains low (5.3%) due to limited awareness, stigma, and barriers to accessing services. Nationwide campaigns are necessary to improve understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage more people to seek mental health support. Establish a Strong Coordination and Referral System: a robust coordination and referral system between health centers, hospitals, and other community-based actors is vital. This will facilitate the smooth transfer of cases that require specialised care and ensure that individuals receive the appropriate support at every level of care. A referral and coordination system will also help to ensure the provision of a comprehensive service package in a more holistic and multisectoral system. The Author is a Communications Professional and Peacebuilder.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emmanuel Nyandwi" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }NoneNebraska plans not to get caught sleeping vs. South Dakota