
Ameren Illinois’ refiled multi-year grid plan approvedRecap: Gaming studios face difficult decisions as they weigh the ever-mounting cost of cutting-edge visuals and the diminishing returns that they provide. They have to figure out a way to combine visual spectacle with engaging gameplay and sustainable development practices. For decades, giants in the gaming industry like Sony and Microsoft banked on realistic visuals to captivate audiences. This strategy has transformed once-flat pixelated worlds into immersive experiences that rival cinematic productions. However, the cost of achieving such realism has skyrocketed, leading to a reevaluation of priorities within the gaming sector. Marvel's Spider-Man 2, released in 2023, is one example. Leveraging the PlayStation 5's processing power, developers at Insomniac Games crafted a visually stunning New York City. Peter Parker's iconic suits were rendered with intricate textures, while skyscrapers reflected sunlight with remarkable accuracy. This level of detail, however, came at a steep price. The game's development reportedly cost around $300 million, more than triple the budget of its predecessor from just five years earlier. There's a scene in The Last of Us 2 where a character just...takes a shirt off, over their head, without any clipping, and it's probably the most technically impressive thing I've ever seen in a game?? Like have you ever seen a character do this in a game before? pic.twitter.com/v4AvYe0JGz Another example of the industry's technical prowess can be seen in a particularly noteworthy scene in The Last of Us: Part II, when the protagonist Ellie removes her shirt, revealing bruises and scrapes on her back. This moment unfolds without any graphical glitches, demonstrating the painstaking attention to detail that has become a hallmark of high-budget game development. While these visuals are impressive, they raise questions about the sustainability of such investments. Despite Spider-Man 2's commercial success, with over 11 million copies sold, Sony announced 900 layoffs in February 2024, which affected the game's developers at Insomniac. In short, the financial returns on these investments are diminishing. At the same time, audience preferences are shifting as well. Jacob Navok, a former executive at Square Enix, told The New York Times that high-fidelity visuals primarily appeal to a specific demographic of gamers in their 40s and 50s. Meanwhile, younger generations are gravitating towards games with simpler graphics but robust social features, such as Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite. For many young gamers, "playing is an excuse for hanging out with other people," said Joost van Dreunen, a market analyst and professor at New York University. This social aspect has become a driving force in game design and popularity. As development costs soar and player preferences evolve, some studios are exploring alternative approaches. The live service model, which prioritizes regular content updates over graphical fidelity, has gained traction. Games like Genshin Impact have found tremendous success, generating billions in revenue primarily through mobile platforms. However, this model has risks. High-profile failures like Warner Bros. Discovery's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Sony's short-lived Concord demonstrate the challenges of entering the competitive live service market. Industry professionals are divided on the path forward. Some, like David Reitman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, see potential in artificial intelligence to reduce the costs associated with high-end graphics. Others, like independent developer Rami Ismail, are skeptical of quick technological fixes and worry about the industry's current trajectory.AP News Summary at 11:16 a.m. EST
Bhagalpur: A 30-year-old man allegedly strangulated his two-month-old son to death in a fit of rage over marital discord early Thursday in Gangapur locality, Sultanganj, Bhagalpur district. The police have launched a manhunt for the accused – identified as Raja Shah – who has been absconding since the incident. According to the police, Shah suspected his wife of infidelity, which led to the infant’s murder. The couple got married in 2019 and had three children, including the victim, police said, adding, “Shah suspected that the infant wasn’t his child and it was born out of an illegitimate relationship of his wife, Rubi Kumari (25), with her paramour, Roshan Kumar, in a nearby locality of the village.” On Friday, SHO (in-charge) Sanjay Kumar Mandal said that the couple used to frequently quarrel in the recent past and on the fateful night, the accused strangulated the two-month victim to death in a fit of rage. “At the time of the incident, the two other children and other family members were fast asleep inside the house,” he added. “After the murder, Kumari informed her parents in Olapur village, Pirpainty, Kahalgaon subdivision, about the incident,” the SHO said. “Her parents lodged a complaint in the Sultanganj police station.” An FSL team reached the spot to gather evidence, while the police seized the infant’s body and sent it for postmortem at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH). “A manhunt has been launched to arrest Shah. We are also looking into various allegations of physical assault on Kumari and dowry demand,” Mandal said. “Besides, the police are also investigating accusations on Shah, who used to eke out a living by running a private van as a taxi, and was a drug addict who had sold his wife’s jewellery to fulfil his addiction habits.” Bhagalpur SSP Anand Kumar stated in a press communiqué that the accused would be arrested soon. We also published the following articles recently Man strangles infant son to death on suspicion of wifes infidelity In Bhagalpur, a man allegedly murdered his two-month-old son, suspecting his wife's infidelity. Raja Shah, the accused, is currently absconding after strangling the infant during a heated argument. Police investigations reveal frequent marital disputes fueled by Shah's suspicion of the child's paternity. Murder accused shot at by police In Gopalganj, Bihar, a swift police operation led to the arrest of a liquor smuggler and his son, accused of murdering a police chowkidar. The suspects, Surendra Rai and Vikesh Rai, ambushed and killed Jhamendra Rai near Sonwalia Dam, allegedly in revenge for a previous arrest. Transgender murder case: Kodavalur Police arrest 12 accused Twelve suspects have been apprehended in the murder of transgender individual M. Hasini, who was killed on November 26th near Tapathopu, Nellore district. Police investigations reveal a rivalry between Hasini and another transgender leader, Alekhya, fueled by power struggles and illegal activities. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
BRP executive warns against overreaction to Trump tariff planThe chief of Ankaful, in the Cape Coast metropolis of the Central Region, Nana Oburasankoma Ansah, has engaged stakeholders in the Central Region on ways to uphold peace before, during and after the upcoming elections. Addressing the gatherings on the purpose of the day’s event, Nana Oburasankoma Ansah, noted that the the world cannot overemphasise the value of peace. He mentioned African countries like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, La Cote D’Ivoire, Mali, and others who failed to manage their electoral processes in the past, which resulted in violence that maimed and killed several citizens, and displaced thousands. The quest for a peaceful election led him to invite stakeholders like the Peace Council, NGOs that preach peace, the Electoral Commission Ghana, political parties, the ECG and telecommunication agencies in the country to ways to ensure peace during the election period. He pleaded with the entire citizenry, especially, the youth not to allow greedy and evil politicians to manipulate and incite them to cause mayhem, before, during and after the December 7 elections. Nana Oburasankoma Ansah further advised the youth to love one another, saying the NPP and NDC supporters are Ghanaians, so they are one family. He noted that hatred, violence and disunity have no place in Ghana. He urged them to vote based on policies instead of religion, ethnicity or social class. The chairman of the Central Regional Peace Council, Rt. Reverend Richardson Aboagye Andam, who doubles as the Methodist Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese, commended Nana Oburasankoma Ansah for his desire for peace. Rt. Reverend Richardson Aboagye Andam disclosed that the core mandate of the Peace Council is to ensure peace prevails or address issues confronting Ghana’s peace without having to wait till problems arise before finding antidotes to them. He asked Ghanaians to eschew fake news sharing, as that could jeopardise peaceful co-existence among the people. He condemned defacing posters belonging to political opponents, citing such acts could cause clashes among party supporters. He further advised the citizenry to report activities that could mar the elections. Rt. Reverend Richardson Aboagye Andam pleaded with all registered voters to join queues and wait patiently for their turns to cast their votes. He urged Ghanaians not to go to polling stations with dangerous weapons. Some of the traditional rulers present urged the youth to remain tolerant, and avoid violence and asked them to embrace peace at all times. Representatives of the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Telecommunication network companies pledged to do their bit for a stable electricity power supply and communication network before, during and after this year’s elections. The representative of the Ghana Prisons Service disclosed that doors to various prison camps in the country are ready to welcome individuals who may ferment troubles. The event offered an opportunity for the participants to ask questions on issues bordering their minds.Sight Sciences Announces the Results of a Budget Impact Analysis for its TearCare® System for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Disease (“MGD”) Showing Cost Savings Over Existing Reimbursed Treatment Options
10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores titleWASHINGTON , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) CEO David Goeckeler has been elected Chair of the SIA Board of Directors . SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. " We are thrilled to welcome our new chair for 2025, David Goeckeler of Western Digital," said SIA President and CEO John Neuffer . "David possesses years of experience in the technology and semiconductor industries, and is an outstanding advocate for our work. He will be a fantastic leader of the SIA Board of Directors in 2025." Over more than four decades, Goeckeler has focused on innovating and growing industries ranging from semiconductors to global networking to enterprise software. As CEO of Western Digital, Goeckeler has led the company's transformation as a leading data storage producer in the industry. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Networking and Security Business, after starting his career at Bell Laboratories. Goeckeler was recently appointed Chairman of the U.S. Chamber's U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC). "Semiconductor innovation is the transformative backbone of everything from the smartphone in your pocket to hyperscale cloud infrastructure to artificial intelligence that uplift society and improve our quality of life," said Goeckeler . "As we grow our industry, the role of effective government policies is more crucial now than ever to accelerate innovation and expansion in this sector. Through partnership with my colleagues on the SIA Board, I look forward to strengthening our shared industry priorities in Washington and around the world." Media Contact Dan Rosso Semiconductor Industry Association 240-305-4738 drosso@semiconductors.org About SIA The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is the voice of the semiconductor industry, one of America's top export industries and a key driver of America's economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. Through this coalition, SIA seeks to strengthen leadership of semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research by working with Congress, the Administration, and key industry stakeholders around the world to encourage policies that fuel innovation, propel business, and drive international competition. Learn more at www.semiconductors.org . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/western-digital-ceo-david-goeckeler-elected-chair-of-semiconductor-industry-association-302313650.html SOURCE Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)AP News Summary at 1:47 p.m. EST
OraSure Technologies Acquires Sherlock BiosciencesEdo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has stated that those who conjured election results and announced same on social media during the September governorship election are the same people crying that the polls were rigged. Naija News understands that Governor Okpebholo stated this on Saturday while speaking at Esan Central Local Government Council Secretariat, venue of the homecoming reception held in celebration of his victory by the Esan people of Edo Central. According to Governor Okpebholo, it is sad that criminals are crying today that they lost the election. He said the criminals will continue to lose, while they will keep spending their money on fruitless ventures, wasting away time, energy and resources. Okpebholo said: “I thank Edo people for the overwhelming support given to our party during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. I am happy for the resounding victory God gave us. “I thank President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of our party for not playing anti-party but stood firm for justice and equity to prevail, which led to the success and victory recorded by our party. “The people who wrote results and were announcing fake results on the internet, are the same people crying today that somebody rigged the election. “It is sad to say that the criminals are crying today that they have lost and will continue to lose. They are spending money day and night and wasting their money and will wait in vain. “Edo people have spoken. They have chosen the path of development, peace and unity. This is what Edo people have chosen and that is how it will remain. “I want to thank Esan people for standing by me and ensuring a resounding victory. Thank you for the confidence reposed in me and thank you for your votes. This crowd has shown that you people voted for me. “I will not disappoint Edo people. I will not disappoint Esan people. I will do the right thing and allow justice to prevail. “I thank the traditional rulers in the entire Esan land, leaders of Esan land, party leaders, and all those who stood by me to become the Governor of Edo State and above all I give God the glory.” The Onojie of Uromi, HRH Anselm Aidenojie II, said the people of Esan land are happy that their son is the Governor of the State. “We, the traditional rulers from Esan land went round the State to appeal for support to produce the Governor and today it is a reality. We thank the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and grateful to all for the support. We believe that the Governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State, ” he said. On his part, APC state chairman, Jarret Tenebe, thanked Edo people for the mandate given to Governor Okpebholo, saying he has already hit the ground running since his inauguration. He said: “ We are happy to celebrate the victory God Almighty has given to us and we thank Edo people for the mandate as all can see that the Governor has hit the ground running. This is how it will be in the next eight years. In the last eight years, there was no governance. Governor Okpebholo has started from where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole stopped.” Dignitaries at the reception organized by the Esan people for the Governor are traditional rulers from Edo Central; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Audu; members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA); top government officials, party faithful and others.
Wave Life Sciences (NASDAQ:WVE) Shares Down 2.6% – What’s Next?
Harte hanks director Bradley Radoff buys over $100k in stock
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RBB Bancorp (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: RBB) is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2025, Mr. Johnny Lee, currently President and Chief Banking Officer of Royal Business Bank (the “Bank”), will be appointed as President of the Company, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and a director of the Company and Bank. In addition, effective as of May 22, 2025, Mr. Lee will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Lee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Company from various financial institutions, and the Company will continue to benefit and grow with his leadership. Prior to joining the Company in 2023, Mr. Lee, age 62, most recently served as Senior Managing Director, Head of International and Commercial Banking of East West Bank, from 2021 to 2023. Prior thereto, Mr. Lee also served in the following roles at East West Bank: Head of Venture Lending, Emerging Technologies, from 2018 to 2023; Managing Director & Chief Administrative Officer, US Greater China (Bridge) Banking, from 2015 to 2018; and Managing Director, International Banking Group, Corporate Banking Division, from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Lee has over 35 years of banking experience. Effective January 1, 2025, Mr. David Morris, will resign from his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and President of the Company. Mr. Morris will continue serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer until he retires effective as of May 21, 2025. Mr. Morris will remain on the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank. “We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the tremendous work Mr. Morris has completed for the Company over the past 15 years and we are grateful for his service and dedication. Our Company has grown substantially due in large part to his strategic efforts and we are so pleased he plans to continue his service as a director of both the Company and the Bank after he retires from the day-to-day responsibilities as CEO of the Company,” said Christina Kao, the Company’s Chair of the Board of Directors. “We are also pleased to have Mr. Lee become President and CEO of the Bank at the start of the year and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in May of 2025 through a succession plan. Mr. Lee is a remarkably talented executive, and I look forward to his continued leadership and ongoing contributions as we continue to attract top-tier banking professionals to grow our team and strive to deliver value to our customers, community, and shareholders.” Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Lee stated, "I am delighted to be part of the collaborative Royal Business Bank team. The Company has demonstrated outstanding growth and performance while delivering shareholder value and serving the Asian American community and Asian-centric businesses. I look forward to leading the Company to achieve success for the benefit of our employees, clients and shareholders." In additional leadership changes, effective January 1, 2025, Mr. Mina Rizkalla, currently Senior Vice President/BSA Officer & Deputy Chief Risk Officer for the Bank since 2023, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for the Company and the Bank and will report to Mr. Lee. Mr. I-Ming (Vincent) Liu, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for the Company and the Bank, will relinquish the Chief Risk Officer position and remain with the Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff and will report to Mr. Lee. In his new role, Mr. Liu will assist with the announced senior leadership succession plan and transition timeline. Corporate Overview RBB Bancorp is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total assets of $4.0 billion. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Royal Business Bank, is a full service commercial bank, which provides consumer and business banking services predominately to the Asian communities and Asian-centric businesses in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County in California, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan in New York, in Edison, New Jersey, in the Chicago neighborhoods of Chinatown and Bridgeport, Illinois, and on Oahu, Hawaii. Bank services include remote deposit, E-banking, mobile banking, commercial and investor real estate loans, business loans and lines of credit, commercial and industrial loans, SBA 7A and 504 loans, 1-4 single family residential loans, trade finance, a full range of depository account products and wealth management services. The Bank has nine branches in Los Angeles County, two branches in Ventura County, one branch in Orange County, California, one branch in Las Vegas, Nevada, three branches and one loan operation center in Brooklyn, three branches in Queens, one branch in Manhattan in New York, one branch in Edison, New Jersey, two branches in Chicago, Illinois, and one branch in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Company's administrative and lending center is located at 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90017, and its operations center is located at 7025 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, California 90621. The Company's website address is www.royalbusinessbankusa.com . Safe Harbor Certain matters set forth herein (including the exhibits hereto) constitute forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s current business plans and expectations and our future financial position and operating results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance and/or achievements to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effectiveness of the Company ’ s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures ; the potential for additional material weaknesses in the Company ’ s internal controls over financial reporting or other potential control deficiencies of which the Company is not currently aware or which have not been detected; business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our current and future geographic markets, including the tight labor market, ineffective management of the United States ( “ U.S. ” ) federal budget or debt or turbulence or uncertainly in domestic of foreign financial markets; the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations; our ability to attract and retain deposits and access other sources of liquidity; possible additional provisions for loan losses and charge-offs; credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality; extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to, including potential supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities; increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation, including any amendments to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations; potential goodwill impairment; liquidity risk; fluctuations in interest rates; risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets; inflation and deflation; real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral; environmental liabilities; our ability to compete with larger competitors; our ability to retain key personnel; successful management of reputational risk; severe weather, natural disasters, earthquakes, fires; or other adverse external events could harm our business; geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the U.S. or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, including the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, which could impact business and economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad; public health crises and pandemics, and their effects on the economic and business environments in which we operate, including our credit quality and business operations, as well as the impact on general economic and financial market conditions; general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations; failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems; climate change, including any enhanced regulatory, compliance, credit and reputational risks and costs; cybersecurity threats and the cost of defending against them; our ability to adapt our systems to the expanding use of technology in banking; risk management processes and strategies; adverse results in legal proceedings; the impact of regulatory enforcement actions, if any; certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company; changes in tax laws and regulations; the impact of governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system; the impact of future or recent changes in the FDIC insurance assessment rate and the rules and regulations related to the calculation of the FDIC insurance assessments; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the SEC, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters, including Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 (Topic 326, “Measurement of Current Losses on Financial Instruments, commonly referenced as the Current Expected Credit Losses Model, which changed how we estimate credit losses and may further increase the required level of our allowance for credit losses in future periods; market disruption and volatility; fluctuations in the Company’s stock price; restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure; issuances of preferred stock; our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, and the potential resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; the soundness of other financial institutions; our ongoing relations with our various federal and state regulators, including the SEC, FDIC, FRB and DFPI; our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items and all other factors set forth in the Company’s public reports, including its Annual Report as filed under Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and particularly the discussion of risk factors within that document. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law. Any statements about future operating results, such as those concerning accretion and dilution to the Company’s earnings or shareholders, are for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts, and actual results may differ. Lynn Hopkins, Chief Financial Officer (657) 255-3282 lhopkins@rbbusa.com Source: RBB BancorpSURREY, B.C. - Members of the Métis Nation British Columbia have voted to leave the national organization, the Métis National Council, effective immediately. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * SURREY, B.C. - Members of the Métis Nation British Columbia have voted to leave the national organization, the Métis National Council, effective immediately. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? SURREY, B.C. – Members of the Métis Nation British Columbia have voted to leave the national organization, the Métis National Council, effective immediately. The vote was held virtually on Saturday during the B.C. group’s governance assembly. A statement from Métis Nation B.C. says the decision comes after “careful consideration and deliberation” by its elected board of directors and community leaders, who voted with a “strong majority” in favour of leaving the national council. President Walter Mineault says that despite 40 years of “good work,” the governance structure of the Métis National Council is no longer equitable. The statement says the current structure affords the national council “absolute control,” and decision in B.C. comes after “many failed attempts” at change. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Métis Nation B.C. vice-president Melanie Allard says she is dismayed the two groups could not find a way to continue together, but the B.C. organization must directly advocate for priorities that matter to Métis people in the province. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2024. AdvertisementGautam Adani Addresses Allegations, Highlights Resilience
Surf Air Mobility Appoints David Anderman to Board of Directors
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.
KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Number of seats: 3 Seats filled: 0 5.49pm: Here is the first count results for Fingal East Electorate : 62,465 Total Poll: 38,055 Spoiled: 156 Valid Poll: 37,899 Quota: 9,475 Candidates' Results on Count 1: Outgoing Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien arrived to cheers of celebration at the Fingal East count centre Tallies indicate first major wins and casualties in tight race 4.30pm: Outgoing Housing Minister and Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O’Brien arrived to a warm welcome at the Fingal East count centre. He is expected to top the poll with around 23.5pc of the first preference vote. "I have the best team in the country here,” he said. "We are really absolutely delighted with the results. I spoke to the Tánaiste about an hour ago and Fianna Fáil are performing well. "We are hoping the first count here will be done very shortly but it’s amazing to receive nearly 25pc of first preference votes in this area. "I think this is the start of a really significant chapter of history for Fianna Fáil and in Dublin in particular we are doing really well, and it looks like we will retain what we have and possibly gain three or four additional seats. "I want to thank all the Dubs who have come out and supported us and we acknowledge there is many more challenges that need to be addressed,” he added. Asked if he wants to continue with his work as Housing Minister, he said that if he is fortunate to be a part of a government he will serve “in whatever capacity” he’s asked to serve in. Outgoing Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien will likely be elected on the second count 1pm: The first count is well underway with rumours that we will get results after 3pm. 11:05am: 85pc of boxes so far have been tallied here in Fingal East. 100pc of the boxes from Malahide have been tallied and 92pc of Swords has also been sorted through. 10.45am: Box sorting is progressing very well in the Dublin Fingal East constituency at the National Show Centre. With an electorate of 62,934, a total of 96 boxes are to be counted. So far, just under 44pc of the boxes have been processed, with tallies from Malahide 59pc, Donabate 50pc, Portmarnock 21.43pc, and Swords 42.5pc. Boxes in Kinsealy haven’t been opened yet. The current TDs, Darragh O'Brien (FF) from Malahide and Duncan Smith (LAB) from Swords, are performing strongly with 3,970 and 2,711 first preference votes, respectively. Fianna Fail staff are confident that O'Brien, the outgoing housing minister, will hold on to his seat and will likely be elected upon the first count. The race for the third and final seat is tightly contested among Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell from Malahide, Sinn Féin’s Ann Graves from Swords, and Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins. Early tallies suggest that Independent 4 Change Councillor Dean Mulligan is lagging behind. There have been 92 spoiled votes so far. The first count is well underway in Fingal East at 2.30pm TALLIES SO FAR 10am: Early tallies are giving us indications that the current TDs in this constituency notably Fianna Fáil’s Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is looking strong to hold onto his seat. Leading the race at the moment is Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O’Brien with 2,381 first preference votes, he is currently making up 22pc of the total votes counted so far. Following him is current Labour TD Duncan Smith who has a total of 1,885 first preference votes making up 17.4pc of the total votes so far. In third place is Sinn Féin’s Ann Graves who is looking to snap up a seat, she has 1,561 first preference votes so far. Right behind her is current TD Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell who may have to battle Ms Graves for the final seat in the constituency. Also doing well is Social Democrats candidate Joan Hopkins with 10.9pc of the first preference votes counted so far. Votes by candidate in Fingal East at 10am 9am: Boxes have opened in Fingal East and the counting of first preference votes has gotten underway.Vertiv Holdings Co's Anand Sanghi sells $4.37 million in stock
Trump disavowed Project 2025. Now he's hiring its contributors for his administrationFormer Uvalde schools police chief loses bid to toss criminal charges related to 2022 shooting