AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:22 p.m. ESTThe public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. Syria’s Prime Minister said on Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad. However, a UN official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt” with some state workers reportedly failing to return to their jobs. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” Syrian rebels announced that Ahmad al-Shaara, the HTS leader, met in Damascus on Monday with the outgoing Prime Minister Mohammad al-Jalai, who chaired Assad’s government. Talks focused on the political transition in the country, according to the rebel coalition. The rebel alliance is led by al-Golani, a former senior Al Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. Britain and the U.S. are both reportedly considering whether to remove the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries – hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappearing during Assad’s rule. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016It's time for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to bench Kirk Cousins, but he probably won't for a non-football reason. The Cousins experiment is failing in Atlanta. The Falcons (6-7) lost their fourth consecutive game on Sunday, 42-21 to the Vikings (11-2). During Atlanta's losing streak, Cousins is 88-of-141 (62.4 percent) for 1,068 yards, no touchdowns and eight interceptions. It's been outscored by 55 points this season, 37 points more than through 13 games last season when Desmond Ridder was its primary starting quarterback. With the season slipping away, Week 15 against the lowly Raiders would be the perfect time to turn to rookie Michael Penix Jr., who the Falcons unexpectedly selected with the No. 8 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft a month after signing Cousins in free agency. Atlanta formed a contingency plan in case of a Cousins catastrophe. If you're going to install a fire extinguisher, you can't be afraid to break glass in case of emergency. So, why not use Penix? The Falcons have 180 million reasons to keep their faith in Cousins. He's only one year into a four-year, $180 million contract he signed during the offseason. On Monday, ESPN's Bill Barnwell noted that Atlanta is "on the hook for a $27.5 million guaranteed base salary next season." "If the Falcons bench Cousins, there's a real chance they have to eat money to trade him this offseason," Barnwell added. If NFL teams' last 2024 memories of Cousins are his current zero-touchdown, eight-interception, four-game streak, he shouldn't command much interest on the trade market. And even if Atlanta finds a willing trade partner, Barnwell writes that the Falcons "will have paid him $90 million for one year of work." Atlanta's wallet needs Cousins to be successful. Per Spotrac , the Falcons would incur a $37.5 million dead cap hit in 2025 (or spread between the 2025 and 2026 seasons) by trading the four-time Pro Bowler. Atlanta already projects to have one of the league's worst salary-cap situations entering the offseason, ranking 28th in estimated cap space ($7.6 million). ( h/t Over The Cap ) The Falcons must improve their defense during the offseason by adding an edge-rusher and cornerback, which won't come cheap. Based on Cousins' performance, it's becoming increasingly harder to justify Atlanta keeping him in the starting lineup. If it were up to us, he'd be benched for Cousins. But we aren't footing the bill.Rivers APC: ‘Judgement nullifying congresses will not stand’ – Okocha
LocalCableDeals Highlights Essential Instagram Business Tools for Streamlined Success 12-10-2024 12:46 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Instagram has become a global sensation since its inception, captivating users of all ages and demographics. But beyond its social allure, Instagram offers substantial benefits for businesses looking to expand their reach and engage with their audience. Wondering how this platform can elevate your business? Let's dig into its advantages and potential. So, for starters, apart from serving as a platform for content display, Instagram facilitates seamless interactions through features like sharing, liking, and commenting on posts. It fosters a sense of community, allowing businesses to connect with their target audience and vice versa. Moreover, Instagram provides robust analytics tools, enabling businesses of all sizes to track their Return on Investment (ROI) effortlessly. From monitoring link clicks to assessing leads and conversions, Instagram offers comprehensive insights to refine your marketing strategies. Continuously evolving to meet the demands of users and businesses alike, Instagram introduces new features and enhancements regularly, further enhancing its value proposition. To help you leverage Instagram effectively for your business, we have gathered a list of apps designed to elevate your Instagram marketing game. ByClick Downloader It emerges as a go-to solution for businesses heavily invested in video content. Renowned worldwide, this downloader is tailored for seamless offline streaming and video downloads. It offers a lot of resolution options, from 720p to 8K. ByClick Downloader's versatility makes it an invaluable asset for businesses seeking to enhance their Instagram marketing efforts. However, it's essential to ensure a reliable internet connection with great speeds and customer service for optimal performance. Consider providers like Xfinity, known for their fast and dependable service. You can call support by dialing the Xfinity phone number [ https://www.localcabledeals.com/xfinity/customer-service ] in case of any issue and they will cater to them timely. With a robust internet connection, coupled with the right tools like ByClick Downloader, businesses can maximize their Instagram marketing potential and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape. GoPro Quick App This amazing app is a revolutionary tool that addresses the common challenge of efficiently managing and curating an extensive library of photos and videos. Catering to individuals and businesses alike, this innovative software simplifies the process of creating compelling visual content by automating the extraction of key moments from multimedia files. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast capturing adrenaline-pumping moments or a business seeking to showcase your products or services in action, the GoPro Quick App offers a seamless solution for transforming raw footage into polished, shareable content. One of the standout features of the GoPro Quick App is its ability to identify and highlight the most impactful moments within videos and photos. Using advanced algorithms, the app automatically detects key elements such as fast-paced sequences, jumps, and steady footage, ensuring that users can easily pinpoint the highlights of their content. Additionally, the app's intuitive interface empowers users to customize their edits, allowing for personalized touches that align with their brand identity or creative vision. Sprout Social This one stands out as a versatile and enduring platform, having evolved into a robust tool over its tenure in the social media sphere. Beyond its core function of social media management, Sprout Social has an extensive array of analytics and reporting features, making it indispensable for businesses seeking to maximize their online presence. Particularly noteworthy are its social media management and SEO tools, which have become essential for businesses of all sizes in today's digital landscape. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in particular, Sprout Social offers a comprehensive package that seamlessly integrates social tools with advanced analytics, providing users with a holistic solution for their social media needs. With its user-friendly interface and diverse feature set, this tool caters to both beginners looking to establish their online presence and seasoned professionals aiming to enhance their social media engagement. Piktochart You might have heard about this one already. Piktochart revolutionizes the creation of visually striking infographics, empowering users with intuitive tools and a seamless online platform. With its user-friendly interface and straightforward controls, Piktochart simplifies the process of transforming data into captivating visual content. While originally targeted towards professionals in the corporate realm, Piktochart's versatility extends to educational applications, offering educators and students alike a powerful tool for creating engaging visual presentations. By harnessing the capabilities of Piktochart, businesses can convey complex information in an accessible and visually appealing manner, enhancing their online visibility and engagement. Bottom Lines This brings us to the end of this post. By incorporating these tools into their social media strategy, businesses can elevate their online presence, drive engagement, and foster meaningful connections with their audience. Dive into these tools today and experience the transformative impact they can have on your business. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Media Contact Company Name: Localcabledeals Contact Person: David Samtih Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=localcabledeals-highlights-essential-instagram-business-tools-for-streamlined-success ] City: New York Country: United States Website: https://www.localcabledeals.com This release was published on openPR.Humanitarian aid stacks up at Gaza border as relief organizations fear Hamas, violent looters
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout
( MENAFN - The Conversation) Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates globally, with nearly 19,000 Australians diagnosed with invasive melanoma – the most lethal type of skin cancer – each year. While advanced melanoma can be fatal, it is highly treatable when detected early. But Australian clinical practice guidelines and health authorities do not recommend screening for melanoma in the general population. Given our reputation as the skin cancer capital of the world, why isn't there a national screening program? Australia currently screens for breast, cervical and bowel cancer and will begin lung cancer screening in 2025. It turns out the question of whether to screen everyone for melanoma and other skin cancers is complex. Here's why. On top of the 19,000 invasive melanoma diagnoses each year, around 28,000 people are diagnosed with in-situ melanoma. In-situ melanoma refers to a very early stage melanoma where the cancerous cells are confined to the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Instead of a blanket screening program, Australia promotes skin protection, skin awareness and regular skin checks (at least annually) for those at high risk . About one in three Australian adults have had a clinical skin check within the past year. The goal of screening is to find disease early, before symptoms appear, which helps save lives and reduce morbidity. But there are a couple of reasons a national screening program is not yet in place. We need to ask: 1. Does it save lives? Many researchers would argue this is the goal of universal screening. But while universal skin cancer screening would likely lead to more melanoma diagnoses , this might not necessarily save lives. It could result in indolent (slow-growing) cancers being diagnosed that might have never caused harm. This is known as“overdiagnosis”. Screening will pick up some cancers people could have safely lived with, if they didn't know about them. The difficulty is in recognising which cancers are slow-growing and can be safely left alone. Receiving a diagnosis causes stress and is more likely to lead to additional medical procedures (such as surgeries), which carry their own risks. 2. Is it value for money? Implementing a nationwide screening program involves significant investment and resources. Its value to the health system would need to be calculated, to ensure this is the best use of resources. Read more: Yes, you still need to use sunscreen, despite what you've heard on TikTok Instead of screening everyone, targeting high-risk groups has shown better results . This focuses efforts where they're needed most. Risk factors for skin cancer include fair skin, red hair, a history of sunburns, many moles and/or a family history. Research has shown the public would be mostly accepting of a risk-tailored approach to screening for melanoma. There are moves underway to establish a national targeted skin cancer screening program in Australia, with the government recently pledging $10.3 million to help tackle“the most common cancer in our sunburnt country, skin cancer” by focusing on those at greater risk. Currently, Australian clinical practice guidelines recommend doctors properly evaluate all patients for their future risk of melanoma. Technological advances are improving the accuracy of skin cancer diagnosis and risk assessment. For example, researchers are investigating 3D total body skin imaging to monitor changes to spots and moles over time. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can analyse images of skin lesions, and support doctors' decision making. Genetic testing can now identify risk markers for more personalised screening. And telehealth has made remote consultations possible, increasing access to specialists, particularly in rural areas. Skin cancer can affect all skin types, so it's a good idea to become familiar with your own skin. The Skin Cancer College Australasia has introduced a guide called SCAN your skin , which tells people to look for skin spots or areas that are: 1. sore (scaly, itchy, bleeding, tender) and don't heal within six weeks 2. changing in size, shape, colour or texture 3. abnormal for you and look different or feel different, or stand out when compared to your other spots and moles 4. new and have appeared on your skin recently. Any new moles or spots should be checked, especially if you are over 40. If something seems different, make an appointment with your doctor. You can self-assess your melanoma risk online via the Melanoma Institute Australia or QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute . MENAFN26122024000199003603ID1109033247 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024-- Last Wednesday, attorneys from Susman Godfrey LLP and Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff, LLP filed an antitrust lawsuit on behalf of CDS Litigation, LLC, against Align Technology, Inc. (“Align”), the American Dental Association (“ADA”), and the American Association of Orthodontists (“AAO”). The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of California, alleges that the Defendants engaged in a multi-year coordinated and illegal conspiracy to eliminate their most serious market competitor to protect their industry dominance at the expense of consumers’ ability to access effective, affordable, and proven orthodontic care. This lawsuit arises from evidence described in the complaint that the Defendants colluded to drive SmileDirectClub, a leading provider of affordable and effective telehealth-based orthodontic solutions, out of business. Align initially invested tens of millions of dollars in SmileDirectClub and supported its business model as an investor, board member, lender, and manufacturer. All that changed, however, after SmileDirectClub rejected Align’s proposed buyout bid and an arbitrator later forced Align out of the company entirely for improperly using its access to confidential and proprietary SmileDirectClub information to try to copy SmileDirectClub’s business. The complaint explains how Align, no longer able to profit off of SmileDirectClub’s growth, turned to colluding with the ADA and AAO on a years-long campaign to destroy SmileDirectClub. Despite SmileDirectClub’s high customer satisfaction ratings and proven track record of offering effective care, the Defendants’ coordinated actions described in the complaint ultimately required the company to cease operations, resulting in fewer choices and higher costs for consumers. Evidence Of Anti-Competitive Behavior SmileDirectClub’s innovative model disrupted the orthodontic industry and threatened the financial interests of the Defendants by offering affordable, effective, and accessible clear aligner treatment, with clinical supervision and approval by state-licensed dentists and orthodontists on a fully remote basis, thereby doing away with the need for in-office visits and eliminating key barriers of cost and geography for millions of consumers. As detailed in the complaint, Align was initially attracted to this new model, investing $59.5 million for a 19% ownership stake in SmileDirectClub and becoming the company’s exclusive third-party supplier of clear aligners. This partnership granted Align extensive access to SmileDirectClub’s confidential business information, as well as a seat on its board of directors. But as the lawsuit explains, after SmileDirectClub rejected Align’s $1.5 billion buyout offer, Align instead used the confidential information it had learned from SmileDirectClub and opened a series of copycat “Scan Shops” modeled directly on SmileDirectClub’s innovative SmileShops. SmileDirectClub brought an arbitration against Align because of Align’s violation of the restrictive covenants it had previously agreed to, and the arbitrator ruled in SmileDirectClub’s favor in early 2019. The ruling ordered Align to divest its stake in SmileDirectClub at a steep discount, costing Align hundreds of millions of dollars. The arbitrator also enjoined Align from opening competing stores until August 2022. At this point, the complaint alleges that Align pivoted and launched its new strategy to eliminate SmileDirectClub as a competitor and secure a monopoly in the clear aligner market. The complaint details allegations as to how Align worked in concert with the ADA and AAO to spread false and misleading claims about SmileDirectClub’s safety and efficacy to damage its reputation with consumers and industry professionals, filed baseless complaints with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and leveraged exclusive agreements with dental support organizations - while also interfering with other third-party relationships - to block SmileDirectClub from accessing vital market opportunities. According to the lawsuit, these actions represented a calculated and coordinated effort by the Defendants to stifle competition and innovation in orthodontic care as part of their conspiracy to monopolize the industry and prevent consumers from accessing additional proven treatment options at more affordable prices. The lawsuit also shows how these actions directly contradicted the positions two of the conspirators—Align and the ADA—had taken up until the point when Align’s efforts to buy or copy SmileDirectClub failed. As the lawsuit explains, prior to embarking on the conspiracy, Align’s own CEO had forcefully debunked the exact same false assertions about SmileDirectClub’s services that Align and its coconspirators would repeatedly promote once Align shifted from trying to copy or buy SmileDirectClub to trying to destroy it. Similarly, as the lawsuit shows, the ADA expressly supported and endorsed “asynchronous” teledentistry (i.e., dentists treating patients without having to meet with them live) for years, only to reverse course right when it began conspiring with Align to falsely denigrate SmileDirectClub’s business model. Consumer Impact The alleged actions of Align, the ADA, and the AAO significantly reduced competition, requiring consumers to pay higher prices for orthodontic treatment while limiting their access to proven and less expensive alternative solutions. Before its bankruptcy, SmileDirectClub provided millions of consumers with an affordable and effective telehealth solution for clear aligner treatment, receiving high customer satisfaction ratings and helping those who used the company’s products achieve successful outcomes. Despite its effectiveness and proven product quality, the filing explains that SmileDirectClub was forced into bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2023 as a result of the Defendants’ systematic anticompetitive actions. The Plaintiff in this case, CDS Litigation, LLC, has the right to pursue litigation claims held by SmileDirectClub against the Defendants. ADA/AAO Involvement The filing describes the pivotal roles the ADA and the AAO played in the conspiracy to destroy SmileDirectClub, leveraging their positions as influential trade associations and active market participants to shield giant sponsors - like Align - and block disruption in the industry. The complaint alleges that the ADA and AAO participated in this monopolistic conspiracy by using their position as both market participants and powerful trade associations to preserve the profits and dominance of entrenched industry leaders and ensure that disruptive innovations – like SmileDirectClub’s affordable and accessible care model – could not succeed. About Susman Godfrey The lawsuit is being led by the team at Susman Godfrey that secured a $787.5 million settlement on behalf of Dominion Voting Systems in its defamation case against Fox News. “The filing alleges that Align Technology abused its market dominance to systematically crush competition and protect its monopoly at the expense of consumers,” said Stephen Shackelford, Partner at Susman Godfrey LLP . “According to the complaint, after Align was forced to give up its ownership interest in SmileDirectClub, it suddenly changed its tune as to SmileDirectClub’s model and conspired with the ADA and AAO to spread falsehoods, disrupt SmileDirectClub’s business relationships, and block its access to essential equipment and partnerships. Align’s conduct alleged in the complaint was anticompetitive, calculated, and illegal. The allegations in the complaint show how the entrenched and powerful incumbents in Big Dentistry manipulated the system to collude against a revolutionary and otherwise successful competitor, restrict affordable and effective options for consumers, and inflict lasting reputational damage through their dissemination of demonstrably false claims.” “As explained in the complaint, the Defendants didn’t just target their main competitor - they targeted the millions of consumers who stood to benefit from the affordable and accessible orthodontic care the competitor offered. The effectiveness of SmileDirectClub’s model and products threatened the Defendants’ market and financial interests, who, according to the filing, conspired to destroy the company rather than compete with them fairly,” said Davida Brook, Partner at Susman Godfrey LLP . “This complaint presents a textbook example of how dominant players collude to maintain market power, stifle competition, and harm consumers.” Susman Godfrey LLP is a leading national trial firm with an unmatched track record in high-stakes litigation. The firm has earned recognition as a fearless advocate for fairness, representing clients seeking justice against entrenched industry leaders. About Benesch Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff joins Susman Godfrey as co-counsel and is being led by a team that has extensive experience representing SmileDirectClub. “Having previously litigated and won against Align, we are all too familiar with the sort of abusive anticompetitive acts alleged in the Complaint against Align and other dominant players in the traditional dental market. SmileDirectClub pioneered the use of teledentistry to advance oral care with over 2 million satisfied customers, and the Complaint details the astonishing tactics the Defendants devised to run SmileDirectClub out of business,” said David Rammelt, a Partner at Benesch and Co-Chair of its Litigation Group. Benesch’s award-winning Litigation Practice Group has secured multibillion-dollar wins for plaintiffs and defendants in precedent-setting cases. An Am Law 200 firm, Benesch is nationally recognized by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Law Firms “Best Lawyers” for earning a place of distinction representing mid-size to Fortune 100 companies in high-stakes litigation and jury trials across the country. Founded in 1938, Benesch has grown to more than 400 attorneys across six U.S. offices. Over the last five years, Benesch’s Litigation Practice Group has expanded by 40% to more than 170 attorneys, making it among the fastest-growing practices in the country. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223208613/en/ Jeremy Adler,jeremy@uplandworkshop.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH DENTAL SOURCE: Susman Godfrey LLP Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/23/2024 02:30 PM/DISC: 12/23/2024 02:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241223208613/enToo early to celebrate – Arne Slot keeps leaders Liverpool focusedSwift's daily impact on Vancouver may have exceeded 2010 Games, says industry figure
SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaid, an emerging leader in the Geospatial AI sector, will attend CES early next year, 2025, to unveil the foundational solutions behind its CES 2025 Innovation Award-winning "AI2RE: Image to 3D Geospatial AI Metaverse" and showcase a demo of the "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Information Platform," which is scheduled for release in 2025. AI Technology to Overcome Initial Accessibility Challenges in 3D Cadastral Mapping Using Only Aerial Imagery The award-winning "AI2RE" leverages a proprietary AI engine to extract 2D (vector) lines exclusively from aerial imagery, including satellite and drone capture. Based on these extracted vectors, this technology supports 3D models such as terrains, buildings, and roads. This technology addresses initial accessibility challenges in 3D cadastral mapping—such as data loss and compatibility issues—using only aerial imagery. Doing so contributes to providing reliable and stable 3D geospatial information to government agencies and enterprises. The technology is currently being utilized in projects related to the European Union (EU)'s Data Governance and Utilization Strategy, showcasing a remarkable improvement in cadastral mapping efficiency—from 6 months per person to just 5 days per person. Furthermore, business discussions are ongoing with South American and African countries, expanding its global reach. OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform At CES, Spaid will unveil its first-ever OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform. This innovative platform allows users to receive personalized geospatial data card recommendations through the OpenAI agent. By simply dragging and dropping these cards, users can intuitively visualize and analyze data in a 3D map viewer without the need for additional tools or software. Spaid is progressively advancing the digital twin transformation of the world within its geospatial data platform using a data-driven approach. This roadmap aims to create a metaverse that can be effectively utilized in real-world industries. Spaid at CES 2025 Spaid's booth will be located at LVCC South Hall 2 (35726), where visitors can experience the cutting-edge "AI2RE: Image to 3D Geospatial AI Metaverse" solutions and the innovative "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform (Geo Data Platform)." For the award-winning AI2RE, attendees can dive into ongoing projects that demonstrate the full workflow—object detection, 2D line extraction, and 3D model generation—with a single click. In addition, the "OpenAI-Integrated Geospatial Data Platform" will feature an interactive demo designed specifically for CES. Visitors can engage with geospatial data cards for San Francisco by simply dragging and dropping them to visualize the data in 3D, showcasing the platform's intuitive and user-friendly capabilities. Chongkul Yi, CEO of Spaid, said, "We are incredibly proud to have our 'One of a Kind' innovative AI Engine recognized by the CES Innovation Award." He added, "At CES 2025, we aim to showcase the excellence of our cutting-edge Geospatial AI solutions and the data-driven metaverse platform, accelerating our efforts to expand into the global market." About Spaid SPAID pursues being "one of a Kind." It aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital environments by leveraging all live streaming information and data to maximize usability. We specialize in providing geospatial AI-based solutions that enable synergetic decision-making by deriving new insights through a fusion network of diverse data sources provided by public agencies and enterprises. Our solutions empower clients across industries by facilitating smart decision-making in smart city and smart factory digital twin operations, defense simulations, real estate location value analysis, building energy management, financial investment and risk management, and telecom network resource management. SPAID aims to drive transformative progress across various industries through these innovative solutions, contributing to sustainable development and fostering long-term growth. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spaid-winner-of-ces-innovation-awards-for-redefining-the-future-of-geospatial-with-ai-to-unveil-ai-solution-and-openai-platform-at-ces-2025-302339321.html SOURCE SpaidECB cuts rates again, keeps door open to further cuts
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $75,000 by the NBA for public criticism of officiating and using inappropriate and profane language, the league announced on Monday. Edwards made the remarks that drew the punishment following Minnesota's 113-103 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The 23-year-old playmaker, who helped the United States capture gold at the Paris Olympics, has averaged 25.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game for the T-Wolves this season. Edwards used profanity in describing what he considered a poor performance from the referees, calling it "terrible" and saying he and teammate Julius Randle are penalized "for being stronger than our opponent every night. "We don't get no calls. That's how I feel about the officials every game we play." Edwards was whistled for four fouls against the Warriors and shot four free throws himself. At 14-13, the Timberwolves are 10th in the Western Conference, ahead of Phoenix on tie-breakers. js/mwBuy The Small-Cap Correction: Why I See A 27% VB Return In 2025
The US Navy is to transform three, white elephant, stealth destroyers by fitting them with first-of-their-kind shipborne hypersonic weapons. The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.'Raygun: The Musical' pulled after viral breakdancer calls in lawyers