The King has been briefed by British intelligence over a major security breach linking Prince Andrew to an alleged Chinese spy, the Mirror can reveal. He was told counter-intelligence officers are probing how the scandal-hit Duke accepted the now banished Chinese suspect as his “confidante.” It emerged after the foreign “agent” lost his appeal this week against being barred from the UK as a threat to national security, having become friendly with the Prince. The breach is the latest embarrassing twist caused by the Prince’s shady contacts following his association with multi-millionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein . A royal source told The Mirror: “The King has been briefed about this situation regarding the suspected Chinese spy and is very aware of what has been and what is being done about it.” The Duke of York’s latest nightmare was exposed after an alleged Chinese spy lost his appeal this week against being barred from the UK. The man, known only as H6, brought the case after being banned in March 2023 on national security grounds despite having become a close contact of the Duke of York. Judges heard H6 formed a close working relationship with Prince Andrew, receiving an invite to his birthday party in 2020 and being told he could act on his behalf. But now it appears the UK's MI5 domestic intelligence agency suspects the Prince’s Chinese confidante may have become a “gateway” agent used to forge a path into Andrew’s network. British intelligence officials briefed the King's most senior aides who held an emergency meeting with the monarch over the severity of the situation. Once a “gateway” is established that person would be able then introduce Chinese intelligence officers into the network being targeted, in this case Prince Andrew and his associates. It is believed the Prince was targeted because Chinese intelligence suspected he was vulnerable over his costly association with multi-millionaire monster Jeffrey Epstein. Counter intelligence officers at MI5 are investigating how deeply H6 could have penetrated the royals’ network of contacts and who else could have been targeted by China . The suspect is believed to have worked for the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which launches “influence operations.” One security source told the Daily Mirror: “The access this person would have had could have produced what China would view as a goldmine of information. Intelligence reporting on the Prince himself would have been of interest, perhaps producing telephone numbers, addresses, dates of forthcoming events and facts regarding his business and financial vulnerabilities. "But crucially it would be about access to who he knows. In certain settings the Prince and his associates would have let their guard down lower than usual and this would have provided crucial access to powerful people. This means political and commercial targets of very high value may have been identified over a period of time and noted for future operations. “And this person may have been able physically to get more people into the network, bringing in more intelligence officers to do more serious spying.” H6 brought his case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, set up to consider appeals against bans from the country on national security or related grounds. But the judge said that the then-home secretary, Suella Braverman , was "entitled to conclude H6 represented a risk to UK national security and that she was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate.” The hearing found H6 surrendered a number of electronic devices, including a mobile phone, after being stopped by UK border security in November 2021. "On one of his electronic devices, a letter said: "Outside of closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on." It adds: "Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor." A document listing "main talking points" for a call with Prince Andrew was also found. It states: "IMPORTANT: Manage expectations. Really important to not set 'too high' expectations - he is in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything." The letters suggest Chinese intelligence handling the suspected spy timed their approach to Prince Andrew to exploit his vulnerability over the Jeffrey Epstein shocker. In March 2020 the Duke was forced to resign from all public roles over links to Epstein, who died in prison, and socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in jail. In 2022 Prince Andrew paid £12million in a financial settlement to accuser Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he had sex with her, to avoid appearing in a US court. She had claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was aged 17, having been trafficked by Epstein and they appeared to have been photographed together. Another royal source said the King was “truly exasperated by the ongoing situation with his brother”. Since becoming monarch Charles has cut him off financially and stripped him of his £3million a year security detail. With Andrew’s finances in disarray, the King has also attempted to persuade the disgraced Duke to vacate his 30 room Royal Lodge mansion, in Windsor, and move into the four bedroom Frogmore Cottage residence vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the Windsor estate. The Mirror revealed this year how Andrew was refusing to leave, citing a “cast iron lease” governed by the Crown Estate that the King has no jurisdiction over. In another letter detailed in this week’s court ruling, an adviser confirmed to H6 that he could act on behalf of the prince in engagements with potential partners and investors in China. The court believed this meant H6 was in a position "to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State.” The Home Office said they believed H6 was working for the China Communist Party and that his relationship with Prince Andrew could be used for political interference. Upholding Braverman's decision, the judges said H6 had won an "unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him.” They added that the relationship had developed at a time when the prince was "under considerable pressure" which "could make him vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence". The Duke of York "ceased all contact" with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after receiving advice from the Government, a statement from his office said. The statement says: "The Duke of York followed advice from HMG and ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security."
New Delhi: In modern dentistry, fears over post-procedure looks have gently faded, whether the path is surgical, non-surgical, or simply cosmetic. Today, advanced artificial intelligence steps in with a painter's precision, analysing each unique aesthetic detail — the lines and curves of the face, the harmony of proportions, the depth of shade. With this, a vision of the final smile is brought to life through digital rendering, a glimpse of beauty to come, crafted with art and science entwined. According to experts, the field of dental care has experienced significant transformation through technological innovation. These advancements have made substantial contributions to elevating dental healthcare standards. Dr Ashish Kakkar, senior consultant, dental surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said computer-guided implant surgery ensures optimal implant positioning, while piezosurgery enables precise bone cutting with minimal trauma, particularly beneficial for extractions and advanced surgical procedures. Laser treatments offer reduced bleeding and discomfort compared to conventional methods, particularly in soft tissue procedures and cavity removal. "The integration of intraoral scanning cameras and digital imaging like photogrammetry has revolutionised diagnostic capabilities by providing instantaneous visualisation of dental conditions, thereby facilitating thorough treatment strategies. These technological advancements have resulted in shorter recovery periods and reduced discomfort, making dental visits more efficient and less daunting for patients," he said. Dr Shankar Iyer, director of Smile USA and faculty at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Jacksonville University, said AI's primary function is prediction. The technology can be programmed to provide various design features. The pre-programmed algorithms consider facial proportions, arch dimensions and teeth measurements, incorporating these elements to plan and design smiles accordingly. The system processes aesthetic parameters, including facial proportions and dimensions, as well as teeth length, to calculate and generate smile renderings. The surgical applications include orthognathic procedures for jaw length modifications or post-cancer reconstructive surgery involving complete jaw replacement. AI enables the creation of 3D printed jaw models, allowing surgeons to prepare with precise computer-designed templates. These templates guide the measurement and harvesting of leg bone tissue for implant placement in reconstructed jaw bone with high predictability and shorten the operatory time considerably. Virtual orthodontic tooth movement can be done along the same lines, and the planning helps render aligners that enable orthodontic procedures without brackets or braces. During tooth extractions, a simple procedure involving platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is often used. A preparation that promotes bone growth, PRF serves as a foundation and scaffold for tissue regeneration. Patients receiving this treatment post-extraction avoid dry socket complications and require fewer analgesics. It also significantly improves the pace of soft tissue healing, making it a valuable addition to dental extraction procedures. Dr Garima Yadav, a consultant implantologist at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said AI has been integrated across all dental specialities, including operative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics. "Its implementation has demonstrated significant improvements in minimising errors whilst enhancing the precision and accuracy of dental procedures," she added. Highlighting the use of software applications for various dental procedures, including veneers and laminate, full coverage crowns, orthodontic alignment and denture, Dr Aditi Nanda, associate professor, CDER AIIMS, said, "Digitisation helps in designing as well as manufacturing these prostheses by either additive (3D printing) or subtractive methods (milling). It also enables archiving of data, which helps in quicker repeat manufacturing in case of loss of prosthesis or medico-legal reasons." Dr Nanda said modern techniques like sedation, alongside traditional local anaesthesia, have made implant dentistry less intimidating. However, she added, regardless of the chosen procedure, patients must strictly adhere to pre- and post-operative care instructions. Success in treatment relies heavily on proper follow-up care. Dr Gurkeerat Singh, director, dentistry department, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said it is empirically proven now that dental implants are nearly pain-free and can be provided as a walk-in procedure. Dr Sageer Aazaz, head of dentistry, Paras Health, Gurgaon, said advanced techniques differ from conservative methods in their precision, efficiency and patient comfort. According to Dr Bhumika Madan, consultant, dentistry, Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, digital X-rays, laser treatments and clear aligners like Invisalign are particularly popular among patients due to their convenience and aesthetic benefits. Dr Minaal Verma, a dentist from the US, highlighted the significance of photogrammetry in achieving precise dental implant placement. "It allows us to record the exact position of implants, creating the best possible fit for each restoration. This is essential for patient comfort, stability and long-term success of the implant," she said.Tyrese Hunter tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead Memphis to a 99-97 upset victory over No. 2 UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hunter, who played at Iowa State and Texas before transferring to Memphis, made eight field goals with 7-of-10 3-point shooting. The Tigers (5-0) connected on 12 of their 22 3-point attempts in the win. The loss ended a 17-game winning streak dating back to last season for UConn (4-1), the two-time defending national champions. UConn's Hassan Diarra made a free throw to cut the Memphis lead to 99-97 with 2.2 seconds left. He intentionally missed the second free throw and collected the loose ball, but his desperation shot was off the mark. It was 92-92 when UConn's Liam McNeeley was called for an offensive foul with 40.3 seconds left. UConn coach Dan Hurley received a technical for arguing the foul call, and PJ Carter made all four free throws to give the Tigers a four-point lead. Memphis, which squandered a 13-point lead with four minutes to play in regulation, received 22 points from PJ Haggerty, 19 from Colby Rogers and 14 from Dain Dainja. Memphis will play the winner of Monday night's game between Colorado and Michigan State in Tuesday's semifinals. UConn will face the loser of that contest. Tarris Reed Jr. had a team-high 22 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for UConn before he fouled out with 3:18 to play. He made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts. Alex Karaban added 19 points for the Huskies. Jaylin Stewart scored a career-high 16 points, Diarra had 12 and McNeeley added 10. UConn trailed 82-79 after Diarra made two free throws with 24.2 seconds to play in regulation. The Huskies then forced a turnover and tied the game on a 3-pointer by Solo Ball with 1.2 on the clock. Although Memphis shot 56.5 percent from the field (13 for 23) and 50 percent from 3-point territory (5 for 10) in the first half, the game was tied 40-40 after 20 minutes. Neither team led by more than six points in the half. UConn received 29 points from its bench in the first half. Reed scored 15 of those points and Stewart supplied the other 14. --Field Level Media
If You’re A Parent, Here's What You'll Want To Buy During Walmart’s Black Friday SaleGoogle's northwest Omaha data center just recently started operations, though it is not finished, a company spokesman said Monday. It is among Nebraska's three data center project sites that over five years has seen nearly $4.4 billion in capital investment. This year's investment was reported to be $930 million, the company said at a media event. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Now five years since Google built a physical presence in Nebraska, the tech giant on Monday announced its latest annual spend on infrastructure across the state: $930 million. The 2024 capital investment makes for a total so far of about $4.4 billion in Nebraska data centers to help meet growing demand for Google Cloud, artificial intelligence innovations and services such as the company’s search, maps and workspace programs, said spokesman Dan Harbeke. Just within the past few months, he said, Google’s sprawling data center site in northwest Omaha became operational but is not finished growing. Its newest data center project in Lincoln remains under construction on roughly 580 acres. And the original Google campus in Nebraska, a Papillion project that broke ground on 275 acres in late 2019, has continued to expand in various ways. “We’re effectively continuing to build out those footprints,” said Harbeke, regional head of public policy and external affairs. “We are not announcing any new sites this year but we are announcing continued growth and expansion across all three sites here in Nebraska.” Also during a news event Monday, Google announced a different kind of investment — philanthropic donations to support workforce development. Such contributions are separate and in addition to construction improvements, Harbeke said. Google.org , for instance, granted $250,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support AI research and education across its campuses. Earlier this month, Google’s philanthropic arm also provided Creighton University with a $250,000 grant to support the private university’s efforts to prepare students for expanded uses of artificial intelligence. Company officials on Monday also described a $100,000 donation to the Lincoln Public Schools Foundation’s Spark Summer Camp program, which targets elementary school students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. NU President Jeffrey Gold said the university gift underscores the shared commitment to harnessing the power of AI to ensure Nebraska is on the cutting edge of research, teaching and use. “Our hope is that this investment in Nebraska will lead to opportunities for economic growth and innovation,” Gold said. Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said investment in programs such as Spark underscores the Capital City’s “growing reputation” as a place for innovation and opportunity. “Google is helping to prepare Lincoln’s students and workforce for a rapidly evolving future,” she said. Google officials declined to provide detail on how the $930 million breaks down between data center sites. They also declined to disclose the number of employees per site but in a media statement said more than 120 jobs for Nebraskans have been created since 2019, in a variety of full time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, maintenance and food service jobs. Harbeke said Google has started to see worker mobility and advancement within the state and the Omaha metro area, which includes the more established Council Bluffs plant. “We’re five years into our Nebraska footprint ... you’re seeing that movement among Googlers across these sites, which has been really neat to see,” Harbeke said. “One of the folks who is going to be leading our Lincoln campus worked out of our Papillion site.” U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., who joined Google officials Monday, said the Google technology investment gives the state a “competitive global advantage.” “These are the jobs of the future and they’re coming here to Nebraska,” he said. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., called Google a driver for secure U.S. infrastructure. “The importance of innovation in national security and AI between the public and private sectors cannot be understated and we’re working on that right here in Nebraska,” he said. Karen Dahut, CEO of Google public sector, said the Google data centers are essential to delivering cutting-edge products to a wide range of organizations that include government and educational institutions as well as the individual consumer. The computer-filled hubs are the engines that power technology and make local and global connections happen 24-7, Google said in a report about data centers . They are where Gmail and YouTube videos live. They are what keep the internet up and running. “We are grateful for the partnership from leaders across Nebraska as we have grown within the state,” Dahut said. “I look forward to exploring more opportunities to bring the power of Google Cloud’s technology to support the important missions of the public sector.” SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Originally published on nebraskaexaminer.com , part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Celebrities can spark change when they speak up about their healthThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) should remain volatile during the first half of 2025, weighed down by renewed US-China trade tensions and a slowing global economy, particularly the two economic superpowers, says Bualuang Securities (BLS). Chaiyaporn Nompitakcharoen, managing director of the research department, said BLS projects a SET index average of 1,485 points in 2025. If there are positive factors, such as interest rate cuts or increased foreign capital inflows, the index could climb to 1,585 points. The Thai economy faces additional pressure from weakened exports, notably declining demand from China and the US, said the brokerage. However, the second half of the year may see an economic recovery driven by government stimulus measures and a rebound in tourism, he said. The research team recommends investors adjust their portfolios, prioritising stocks with strong fundamentals and consistent dividend payouts, such as the retail, healthcare and tourism sectors. Diversification into bonds and international markets is encouraged to mitigate the effects of market volatility, noted the brokerage. Mr Chaiyaporn said the Thai stock market's recovery in the second half of the year would also hinge on interest rate reductions by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Thailand, as well as domestic economic stimulus measures. "Initiatives like the launch of an entertainment complex project to attract foreign tourists would provide a broader boost to the economy," he added. Meanwhile, headwinds for the Thai stock market include the nation's ageing population, less domestic spending and declining profitability of listed companies, while household and government debts are at the ceiling. Thai businesses are failing to adequately capitalise on new technologies to drive the economy and stock market. As much as 36% of the SET is weighted by highly cyclical stocks, such as companies in personal loans, hire-purchase, commodities, refineries, oil, petrochemicals, construction, construction materials, real estate development, agriculture and shipping. "We recommend investors diversify their portfolio to assets in the global market as they have higher growth potential and less volatility," he said. Investors seeking steady returns in a volatile market should consider financial tools such as structured notes, which offer potential returns of 6-10% annually. The brokerage recommends investing in equities for around 65-70% of the total portfolio, mainly those in the US, Vietnam and India, while Thai stocks should account for 10-15%, as overseas markets now offer better chances of a good return. BLS emphasises the importance of being prepared for volatility and closely monitoring market conditions in early 2025, a period fraught with uncertainties, said Mr Chaiyaporn.This Christmas Hack May Be A Game Changer For Pet Owners in NJ
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