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KYIV (AP): NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated 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 that 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. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro had 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 is launching production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said with a thin smile. “Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development.” But he added, “we have this system now. And this is important.” Testing the missile will continue, “including in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia,” Putin said, noting there is ”a stockpile of such systems ready for use.” 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.” 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. 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 underlined that 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 added this is not the first time such a threat has been received. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office continued to work in compliance with standard security measures, a spokesperson said. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile, whose name in Russian means “hazelnut tree,” 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 (6 1/2 kilometers) 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. The stricken area was cordoned off and out of public view. With no fatalities reported from the attack, Dnipro residents resorted to dark humor on social media, mostly focused on the missile’s name, Oreshnik. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia struck a residential district of Sumy overnight with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 13, the regional administration said.. Ukraine’s Suspilne media, quoting Sumy regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, said the drones were stuffed with shrapnel elements. “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” said Artiukh, according to Suspilne.
Need for Speed has been a staple in the racing game genre for over two decades, captivating players with its high-speed thrills, customizable cars, and adrenaline-pumping gameplay. While recent installments in the series have had varying degrees of success, there's no denying that the franchise holds a special place in the hearts of both old-school fans and newcomers alike.
Speaking about his new role at Plymouth, Feiran expressed his excitement at the opportunity to work with a club with such rich history and potential. He emphasized his belief in the talented squad of players at Plymouth and his determination to help them achieve success on the pitch. Feiran's appointment is seen as a statement of intent by the club, as they look to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in English football.Breaking News: Spy Shots of NIO ET9 Interior Exposed, Luxurious Features Spark ExcitementGet Sephora's £30 Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream set for £10 in deal that ends tonightArguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment
In conclusion, the decisions by Liverpool to secure Salah with a new contract and Tottenham to stand by Pochettino reflect the values of loyalty, dedication, and belief in the pursuit of success. These choices, made by champions on and off the field, serve as inspiration to fans and players alike, reminding us that true greatness is not just about winning trophies but also about staying true to one's values and commitments. As the season unfolds, we will witness the fruits of these choices and celebrate the champions who have made them.DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL5. Promotion of High-Quality Development:
In the world of basketball, moments of brilliance can define a game, and in this showdown, Zeng Fanbo and Solomon shone brightly, showcasing their talents and leaving an indelible mark on the court. As fans look forward to the next matchup, one thing is certain - when Beijing's sharpshooters and defensive stalwarts take the floor, anything is possible.For many individuals and families in Qingdao who have been considering purchasing a new property or refinancing their existing home, this change in the mortgage interest rates could have significant implications on their financial plans. With the interest rates on the rise, the affordability of housing loans is likely to decrease, leading to higher monthly repayments for borrowers.
Few tech-industry traditions are as time-honored as vaporware : stuff that gets publicly demoed well before it’s ready to ship. In some cases, the companies in question are just slower to finish their work than they’d expected. Other times, they’re strategically drumming up enthusiasm for something new and shiny to distract customers from competitive offerings. Either way, any gratification involved is delayed, assuming the product ever ships at all—which is not a given . The high-stakes intensity of the current battle of the tech giants for AI supremacy has led to countless launches that remain vaporous for at least a while, a dynamic I wrote about back in May . So it’s no shock that two new Google creations, Project Astra and Project Mariner, aren’t shipping products. For now, Google DeepMind , the company’s AI research arm, is only making them available to a small pool of hand-selected “trusted testers.” In fact, the “Project” in their names indicates that they’re showcases for work in progress rather than actual products. And yet, dismissing them as mere vaporware feels unfair. Google is being quite clear about its goals for Astra and Mariner—which is to get a better feel for how people might use new forms of AI before springing them on millions or billions of unprepared humans. Particularly given some of the travails the company has had with AI features that were seemingly undertested before release, it’s the responsible thing to do. Both projects fall into general AI categories also being ardently pursued by other companies. Astra, which Google first demoed at its I/O developer conference in May, is the company’s vision of a next-generation AI assistant—not an inflexible and limited piece of software like Google Assistant , or a text-centric chatbot like the Gemini app , but a helper that listens, speaks, and sees your world. It’s roughly akin to the version of ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode that OpenAI unveiled in May—though that product’s camera-enabled features are still vaporware as I write this. (Maybe that will change before OpenAI’s current 12-day advent calendar of “Shipmas” announcements is over.) Project Mariner, meanwhile, is a Chrome extension that can use websites for you, typing and clicking on its own to accomplish tasks you’d otherwise perform yourself. It’s in the same conceptual zip code as Anthropic’s “Computer Use” feature, which debuted as part of its Claude large language model in October and lets that chatbot control apps. Both are steps toward one of the tech industry’s biggest current obsessions: agentic AI that can work more independently on your behalf. What Google learns from Astra and Mariner could matter as much to the quality of the experiences it builds as to the raw capabilities of its Gemini large language model—yet another sign that the AI rubber has hit the road. “Academic benchmarks are important, but nowadays, when we say something is best in class, what we mean is, do the users find it best in class?” says Google DeepMind CTO Koray Kavukcuoglu. “The model’s capability has to be merged with the way the application works and is useful. That’s a change for all the researchers.” That basic reality was reflected in the demos I saw during a recent visit to Google. Running on an Android phone and utilizing its camera, Astra recognized images of paintings, such as Edvard Munch’s The Scream , and answered questions such as, “If I like this, what other artists might I like?” It also scanned the spines and covers of books in a scientific library to help pick among them and read, and summarized two pages of information in a travel book. What it had to say seemed roughly comparable in intelligence to what you might coax out of the Gemini chatbot in a text-based conversation, and wasn’t always dazzling when judged purely by the information it conveyed. For instance, when I pointed the phone at a shelf of books about hearing and asked Astra to recommend a good introduction to the psychology of hearing, it picked one titled . . . Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing . Shown six bottles of wine and asked which one went best with beef Bourguignon, it rhapsodized about a pinot noir—“a superb pairing!” Even I, a guy who knows nothing about wine, could have figured that out on my own. Still, Astra’s spoken interface and ability to see the world around it made for a far richer experience than typing prompts into a chatbot. (It might get even richer if Astra eventually runs on AR glasses as well as phones, a scenario Google is working on .) At one point, after the app misunderstood the question about beef Bourguignon—it thought it involved coq au vin—it not only apologized, but did so with an embarrassed half laugh. Maybe that falls well short of OpenAI’s quest to turn the movie Her into everyday life , but it’s an example of simulated humanity we never got from Google Assistant or Siri. Among the goals of Astra’s controlled testing is to give Google DeepMind’s safety team the opportunity to chime in on exactly how much personality the software should exhibit. “We think a lot about anthropomorphism—what is and isn’t appropriate—because we are not trying to build someone to replace the humans in someone’s life,” says Google DeepMind senior director of responsibility Helen King. Along with that, the team is also assessing such obvious issues as the privacy concerns raised by an AI assistant that sees what you see and has a superhuman photographic memory. For now, Google DeepMind has decided that Astra should only remember the most recent 10 minutes of video it’s captured. Project Mariner is in an even earlier stage of exploration. In one of the demos I saw, it read a salmon teriyaki recipe in a Google Doc and then complied with the request of director of product management Jaclyn Konzelmann to go off to Safeway’s site, find the necessary vegetables, and place them in a shopping cart. It took several minutes to perform this task and painstakingly explained what it was doing in a pane next to the browser window. For now, Mariner can’t see the shopping process through to actually placing an order, which—considering scenarios like AI getting confused and accidentally buying 10,000 onions, or maybe even doing so on purpose—is probably just as well. The point of Mariner’s cautious approach, Konzelmann told me, is to err on the side of transparency and avoid potential problems: “We just think it’s really important at this stage of where this research prototype is to keep the human front and center and able to control what’s happening.” Of course, tech enthusiasts might think it’s kind of cool to have AI help with tasks such as veggie shopping even if it doesn’t save any time. Indeed, King told me that Google’s trusted testers skew more toward AI expertise than the general population, so the company can learn only so much from them. “At the moment, they’ve mostly been those who are familiar [with AI] because we’re in such early stages,” she says. “But as we expand, it’s really important for us to have that mix of civil society and academia—the experts in that as well, and the broader public. Because we want our tools to be able to be used by everyone, not just those who already have that AI literacy.” Everyone I spoke with during my Google visit emphasized that Astra and Mariner will evolve further as the company learns how outsiders use them. “The whole team is configured in such a way that we can do this kind of exploration quite fast, and that’s the journey we’ve been on,” says Kavukcuoglu. The proof of their value will be in the AI features Google eventually ships. But they do seem promising as a way to make some initial headway. READ/LISTEN/WATCH/TRY The news, as picked by your friends. A decade ago, I wrote about Nuzzel , a wonderful app that curated new articles on the web using a strikingly simple yet effective algorithm: It showed you ones that had been shared by people you followed on Twitter. After being acquired by a company that was itself acquired by Twitter, Nuzzel shut down. But a new service called Sill feels like Nuzzel reborn, except that it uses the people you follow on Bluesky and/or Mastodon to find its news. It, too, is wonderful, and yet another good reason to use these social networks . Apple being born. Last week, I recommended The Verge’ s list of the best tech books of all time—but said most of my favorites weren’t on it. So from time to time, at least, I’ll share some of them here. There have been more books about Apple than any other tech company, yet the very first one— Michael Moritz’s The Little Kingdom: The Private Story of Apple Computer —remains one of the best. It’s a fun, funny, intimate look at the company and founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, which was published in 1984, before the Apple story got so sprawling that it tended to overwhelm many of the authors who tried to tell it. Moritz, then a Time reporter, went on to become a famed venture capitalist but revisited his book in 2009 in a new edition called Return to the Little Kingdom . Sadly, it seems to have fallen out of print again, even as an e-book, but both the original and updated versions are available at the Internet Archive. You’ve been reading Plugged In, Fast Company ’s weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you’re reading it on FastCompany.com—you can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Wednesday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@fastcompany.com with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I’m also happy to hear from you on Bluesky , Mastodon , or Threads . More top tech stories from ‘Fast Company’ In defense of being ‘extremely online.’ The creator economy by the numbers Richard Florida maintains that in a time filled with loneliness, isolation, and alienation, the digital creator economy provides hundreds of millions of people with a source of meaning, purpose, community, and much-needed income. Read More → Why olive oil girl is TikTok’s main character TikTok user Megan Chacalos recalled a high school mishap involving an olive oil hair mask. What happened from there, you couldn’t make this up. Read More → How Big Tech labor organizers aim to unite for Trump 2.0 Supercharged during the first Trump administration, tech-worker activism faces new challenges and motivations as the 47th president heads to Washington. Read More → Reddit rolls out its own AI-powered search tool after cracking down on AI companies Reddit’s RDDT stock jumped 4% by mid-afternoon on Monday in response to the new AI search tool. Read More → Amtrak’s sleek new high-speed electric trains are coming next spring Taking the train from D.C. to Boston is about to get nicer—and a little faster. Read More → 4 browser-boosting ChatGPT Chrome extensions Save time and work more efficiently with these AI-powered extensions for web searching, writing, summarizing, and beyond. Read More → The extended deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is this Friday, December 13, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.The first reported case came from a popular bathing center in the downtown area, where several customers complained of feeling dizzy and lightheaded after spending time in the steam rooms. A few individuals even lost consciousness and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. Similar incidents were then reported in other bathing centers located in different parts of the city, leading to growing concerns among both customers and business owners.
Negotiations are already underway, with Liverpool's recruitment team working tirelessly to secure deals for both players. While the transfer market is always unpredictable and competitive, the club remains confident in their ability to pull off the signings and strengthen their squad for the challenges that lie ahead.Among the different types of cancer affecting younger individuals, gastric cancer stands out as a complex disease with a multifactorial mechanism. Gastric cancer develops as a result of interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Genetic predisposition, such as mutations in genes like CDH1 and TP53, can increase the risk of gastric cancer in young individuals. Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium commonly found in the stomach, is also a major risk factor for gastric cancer, particularly in younger populations.
Another pivotal moment in the evolution of Southeast Asian overseas warehouses was the implementation of advanced technology and automation. Companies began investing in state-of-the-art warehouse management systems, robotics, and AI-powered solutions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. These technological advancements not only optimized warehouse processes but also allowed for real-time tracking of inventory and shipments, providing greater visibility and control over the supply chain.
The transition of power is a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination. Both sides are aware of the challenges ahead but are united in their determination to navigate through them in a spirit of collaboration and compromise. The success of this power transfer will be crucial in determining the country's future trajectory and stability.The singer, whose name has not been disclosed to protect her privacy, reportedly sought out massage therapy as a way to relax and relieve stress. Little did she know that her decision would have life-altering consequences. After three consecutive massages at a local spa, she experienced sudden paralysis in her limbs, leaving her unable to move or even speak.None