Independent candidates grab eyeballs with their peculiar political pursuits
Apple’s investment in the UK over the last five years has now surpassed £18 billion, with the technology giant’s engineering teams in the country doubling in that time, the iPhone maker has said. The US tech giant said it now supported 550,000 jobs in the UK through direct employment, its supply chain and the economy around its App Store – with app developers having earned nearly £9 billion since it launched in 2008. Apple said its engineering teams were carrying out critical work on the firm’s biggest services, including key technology within Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s suite of generative AI-powered tools which are expected to launch in the UK for the first time this week. Elsewhere, the firm said its growing TV empire, spearheaded by its Apple TV+ streaming service and production arm, had also helped boost its investment in the UK with Apple TV+ production in this country tripling in the last two years, the company said. Chief executive Tim Cook said: “We’ve been serving customers in the UK for more than 40 years, and we’re proud of our deep connection with communities across this country. “We’re thrilled to be growing our Apple teams here, and to keep supporting the extraordinary innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of technology in so many ways.” The Chancellor Rachel Reeves said companies such as Apple were “intrinsic” to the UK’s prosperity by boosting jobs. “This government is laser focused on creating the right conditions for growth to help put more money in people’s pockets. “That’s what underpins the Plan for Change and is what has driven £63 billion worth of inward investment in the UK through our first international investment summit. “Companies like Apple are intrinsic to the success of our nation’s prosperity – helping deliver jobs, innovative technology, and boost infrastructure.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Apple’s UK engineering teams have ‘doubled in size in five years’
From entrepreneurs opening a flagship location to franchisees helping national brands grow, Austin-area business owners met on , to discuss their plans and share progress. The latest installment of What Now Media Group’s Austin event occurred at the recently opened at , located within The Domain. More than a dozen representatives from businesses featured on What Now Austin, including restaurants and retail concepts and industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners, were in attendance. Guests mingled while enjoying bites and beverages. opened earlier this year with over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The new restaurant transports guests to wine country with vineyard-inspired shareable bites and entrées, perfectly paired with 60 wines on tap. Sixty Vines offers pours by the flight, half glass, full glass, or bottle. During a presentation led by , Founder and CEO of What Now Media Group, entrepreneurs shared their stories, updated attendees on their progress, and reflected on the significance of their businesses. Some key takeaways included the idea that passion is essential for success, knowing how to pivot effectively and the transformative power of connecting with others in the community. One important topic we discussed was sales tax automation. Managing taxes is a monthly task that takes up valuable time and resources, and any mistakes can be expensive. Our partners at by Avalara provide a robust solution that automates the entire sales tax process, including collection, filing, and payment. It integrates smoothly with your POS system, so you won’t have to do anything further once it’s set up. DAVO simplifies sales tax management with a one-time setup process. Once you complete this simple setup, DAVO handles everything for you. They collect and set aside sales tax daily, using data from your POS system, so you don’t have to worry about having enough cash at the end of the month. Additionally, DAVO automatically files your state sales tax on time, guaranteed. Did you know that ? If you’re interested in learning how to eliminate the stress of sales tax, or contact them directly for more information. This is the type of essential service that restaurant owners can learn about at Accelerate events, where they can connect with service providers and experts who can solve their problems or questions. A handful of eager business owners attended this event, including and of . The two provided updates on their business and how the independent ice cream shop has been received since opening. “There were many reasons to open,” Abusaada told What Now Austin earlier this year. “There are no ice cream stores in the area; people love ice cream, and the location is near a school.” Also in attendance were and , the co-owner and general manager of the upcoming , which was initially scheduled to open in late 2024. With the brewery still not close to opening, the owner took the time to provide updates on the new business coming to Hutto. CEO Caleb Spivak addressed key business topics, including managing delays, having an exit plan, and effectively managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. Following the discussion, Caleb and the guests exchanged valuable tips, insights, and concerns. As a result, everyone became increasingly interested in learning more about each other’s businesses and how they could support one another. To help solve potential business issues, What Now Media Group welcomed a handful of their network of Preferred Partners, such as and of . This company provides professional work uniform rental services, laundry and cleaning programs, cleanroom services, and facility supplies. Also, they are there to help with any problems with and of . This Austin-based company is a reputable social media agency. The two helped answer any questions regarding social media and how to navigate it better so that your business gains more traction. What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 31 cities across the U.S., breaking news and providing timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 31 cities annually. The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow. Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2024. For more details, see the Accelerate page . Related PostsExplosions were heard in the Russian city of Oryol on the night of 13-14 December, with social media reporting an attack on an oil depot. Source : Astra Telegram channel; other Russian social media channels; Oryol Oblast Governor Andrei Klychkov Quote from Astra : "...explosions were heard in Oryol. A glow of the fire is visible over the city." Details : Russian Telegram channels, citing local residents, reported that an oil depot was allegedly attacked. Eyewitnesses mentioned at least one fuel tank on fire. Quote from Astra : "The sound of drones could be heard before the explosion." Details : Social media channels reported that initially, there was no official information. Later, Klychkov stated that a "large-scale drone attack" allegedly caused a fuel fire at an infrastructure facility and downed drone wreckage damaged the windows of several houses. Support UP or become our patron !NEW YORK — Mariah Carey, still fighting off the flu, has announced the cancellation of her weekend Christmas concerts in New Jersey and New York. “Newark and Belmont — I wish I had better news but unfortunately I’m still sick and have to cancel the shows tonight and on Sunday,” she wrote on social media Friday morning, referring to her concerts at Newark’s Prudential Center and Elmont’s UBS Arena. “I’m really devastated about it and appreciate your support.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS NEW YORK (AP) — A ransomware attack that hit a major software provider last week caused disruptions for a handful of companies over recent days, from Starbucks to U.K. grocery giant Morrisons. Blue Yonder, which provides supply chain technology to a range of brands worldwide, said that it experienced disruptions to services it manages for customers on Thursday, which the third-party software supplier determined to be “the result of a ransomware incident.” Some systems went offline, impacting clients using Blue Yonder’s software. A spokesperson for Starbucks, for example, said that the chain’s ability to manage barista schedules and track hours was disrupted — meaning store leaders across North America are currently being instructed to use manual workarounds. Starbucks maintained that the outage is not impacting how customers are served and that ensuring workers get paid for all hours worked is a top priority. While the company continues to work towards full recovery, the spokesperson added that Starbucks was able to process payroll again as of Tuesday morning. Two of the U.K.’s biggest grocers, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, were also affected — with both telling CNN over the weekend that they had turned to contingency plans to keep operations flowing. A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed to The Associated Press that the outage “impacted our warehouse management systems for fresh and produce” and that it was continuing to operate on back up systems Tuesday. Sainsbury’s, meanwhile, said Tuesday that its service was restored. Related Articles National News | Man found guilty of holding down teen while he was raped at a youth center in 1998 National News | What Black Friday’s history tells us about holiday shopping in 2024 National News | New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants National News | Walmart becomes latest – and biggest – company to roll back its DEI policies National News | Eggs are available — but pricier — as the holiday baking season begins Blue Yonder declined to disclose how many of its customers were impacted by the hack. In a statement sent to the AP, a spokesperson maintained that it had notified “relevant customers” and would continue to communicate as needed. The spokesperson also maintained that recovery efforts were still underway — noting that Blue Yonder “has been working diligently together with external cybersecurity firms to make progress,” including the implementation of several defensive and forensic protocols. Blue Yonder’s website touts an extensive global roster of customers — including Gap, Ford and Walgreens. Walgreens and Gap were not impacted following the ransomware attack, spokespeople for the companies said. Ford shared that it was investigating whether the incident affected its operations earlier this week, but had no further updates when reached Tuesday. Blue Yonder, based in Arizona, is a subsidiary of Japan’s Panasonic Corp. Panasonic acquired the supply chain software firm in September 2021.
SHAREHOLDER ACTION REMINDER: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of ...How To Give Your Turkey Gravy A Rich, Brown ColorWhat both sides are saying about ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah
Mead football has put on a defensive masterclass this season, and its efforts have kept it nearly undefeated leading into the Class 3A state semifinals. Its only blemish came during the last week of the regular season against Windsor, which Pomona defeated just last week. Now, the second-seeded Mavericks will face off with No. 3 Pomona for a shot at the state championship. The last time they made an appearance in the title game, in 2021, they lost to Fort Morgan. Now, they have a shot at redemption, but the road won’t be easy. Game details: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Mead High School How Mead can win: Defense, defense, defense. The Mavericks have already shown that they can keep opposing offenses off of the field, and never gave up more than 15 points in a contest before last week’s 34-23 win over No. 7 Pueblo Central. That will be key against a Pomona team that knows how to put up big numbers. How Pomona can win: Keep Mead guessing. The Panthers have proven they can run and throw the ball well, having amassed 2,641 rushing yards and 1,331 passing yards between their two quarterbacks, Tucker Ingersoll and Emmitt Munson. While Munson holds most of the rushing yards with 1,072, he’s far from the only player who can pick up significant yardage. Matchup to watch: Munson vs. Mead’s defense. Last week, the Mavericks held an offensive juggernaut for Pueblo Central, Amari Brown, to just 136 rushing yards. By taking him out of the equation, the Mavericks cruised to victory. They’ll need to do the same for Munson, whether he’s in the pocket or not. To date, Mead has picked up 30.5 sacks and 772 tackles. View a list of Prep sports and high school teams we cover.Manchester City's struggles continued as Pep Guardiola's side remarkably blew a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave the French club in danger of elimination. There were also big wins for Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen, while Inter Milan went top of the standings after five games and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski reached a century of Champions League goals.What Elon Musk’s Game-Changing Supercomputer Means for the AI Boom...
Jim Goodwin hits back at claims of Rangers kick off ‘mind games’ as he says ‘we were very honest about the situation’DETROIT (AP) — In the waning days of President Joe Biden’s administration, the government’s highway safety agency is proposing voluntary safety guidelines for self-driving vehicles. But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won’t be approved before the end of Biden’s term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla’s automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency’s proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn’t set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. The agency said it believes the plan can accelerate learning about autonomous vehicles as well as work toward future regulations. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn’t have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said. Tom Krisher, The Associated Press
JINYOU: ePTFE Gasket Sheet with High Versatility to Various Flanges 12-20-2024 07:40 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Short Description: JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet's patented biaxial expansion process of polytetrafluorethylene produces a highly fibrillated structure making it impermeable to liquid and gases. This technology has resulted in achieving uncanny structural characteristics to the common chrysotile asbestos fiber which had dominated the gasket industry for over a century. Unlike chrysotile fiber gasket, JINYOU sheet is a safe and non-toxic material and does not require the use of elastomers which deteriorate when exposed to chemicals and elevated temperatures. JINYOU sheet has been independently tested by TUV NORD and found to be RoHS and REACH Compliant. Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/d87d314bc79a947d4a28cec5d344145f.png Material Composition and Application JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet is capable of a wide service range in applications found throughout process industries. The patented UFG multilayer manufacturing method provides reliable sealability due to the low stress and exceptional dimensional stability characteristics the material possesses. This form of gasket material is processed by expanding 100% pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into a highly fibrillated, bi-directional, soft, compressible gasket for longer life and trouble-free sealing. Its form-in-place versatility is perfect for flange surfaces that are worn, warped, or scored. The distinct compressibility of the UFG gasket enables it to effectively fill flange imperfections for a tight, leak-free seal. Unlike conventional PTFE materials which are prone to cold flow, JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet has good creep resistance and bolt torque retention properties. The JINYOU material has excellent chemical resistance with a pH range of 0 to 14, making it suitable for most mediums. The temperature service parameters range from -450 degrees F (-268 degrees C) to 500 degrees F maximum/600 degrees F spike (260 degrees C/315 degrees C) and pressure ranges from full vacuum to 3,000 psi (206 bar). These exceptional values are achieved without the need for filler materials like silica, barium sulfate, or hollow glass spheres. The Ultimate Flange Gasket material is ideal for both high-load metal flanged applications and low-load applications such as glass-lined steel, glass, and FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) piping and vessels. It does not support bacterial growth or cause product contamination and is FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 compliant. JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet has an unlimited shelf-life and is unaffected by normal environmental conditions. Besides its standalone capabilities as an effective seal in highly corrosive applications, it is also one of the most widely used composites for the primary sealing element in semi-metallic gaskets such as spiral-wound, corrugated. The JINYOU Registered ' ePTFE sheet solution reduces concerns of process safety and production downtime caused by the use of incorrect gasket material. JINYOU ePTFE Sheet Features Expanded micro-porous structure Excellent chemical resistance from PH0-PH14 Excellent sealing performance UV resistance Non-aging Media Contact Company Name: Shanghai JINYOU Fluorine Materials Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=jinyou-eptfe-gasket-sheet-with-high-versatility-to-various-flanges ] Country: China Website: https://www.jinyoueptfe.com/ This release was published on openPR.Musk and Ramaswamy's DOGE—A Cocktail of Corruption, Illegality, and Harm | Opinion
From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turnVikings staying on track behind Sam Darnold’s composure and confidenceSyrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell
On December 20 President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with country’s active entrepreneurs. Year-end results on entrepreneurship support and plans for 2025 were discussed at the meeting in a video format. At the beginning of the meeting the Head of State delivered a speech outlining main objectives and achievements: – Development of entrepreneurship – our strategic goal. Entrepreneurs are our strongest support and greatest strength. Therefore, their support should become the daily business of all leaders – from the center to the lowest level. Especially at the local level, hokims should interact more often with entrepreneurs, visit enterprises, and live in their concerns. We should cherish and appreciate business representatives, talented and with great potential. They are very valuable people for us, – emphasized Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In this connection, the activity of the Public Council for Support of Entrepreneurship established under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been mentioned. The Council has become a bridge between the state and business, putting forward concrete proposals. This year, 5 laws, 101 decrees and resolutions have been adopted on the most pressing issues of business support. In recent years, the economy has seen an increase in liquidity. This has provided the ground for sustainable financing of investment projects. Funds in the accounts of enterprises in banks have increased by 20 trillion soums, reaching 107 trillion soums. Deposits of the population increased by 25 trillion soums and amounted to 105 trillion soums. According to the year-end results, the total volume of issued loans reached 275 trillion soums. In 2025, this figure will exceed 300 trillion soums. Particular attention will be paid to lending to small businesses: its share will increase from 28 to 40 percent, reaching 120 trillion soums. To meet the needs of entrepreneurs, banks plan to attract $6 billion from external sources without state guarantees in 2025. Owing to the expansion of factoring opportunities, these services have been provided this year in the amount of $100 million. For the development of infrastructure – roads, water supply, electricity and gas supply, railroads – 35 trillion soums were allocated in 2024, and next year it is planned to allocate 43 trillion soums. To supply enterprises with stable power supply, electricity production has reached 82 billion kilowatt-hours. Due to the capacities introduced in 2024, the production will increase to 90 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025. In 2025, 25 projects worth $6.4 billion will add 4.8 gigawatts of additional capacity. Currently, there are 24 independent power producers in the country. In 2025, an online wholesale electricity market will start operating for the first time. As an experiment, the power grids of Samarkand, Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions will be transferred to the management of the private sector. In the tourism sector, entrepreneurs have invested 6.5 trillion soums in construction of hotels for 24 thousand beds. In 2025, this number will grow by another 30 thousand. Another 25 complexes will be added to the 17 trade and tourist facilities commissioned this year. A separate company has been set up to promote trade, which has allocated $350 million in export financing. For every dollar invested, entrepreneurs received $6 in export revenue. In 2024, another $300 million will be allocated for this purpose. In 2024, entrepreneurs acquired 3 thousand state-owned properties and 4 thousand hectares of land with a total value of 11.5 trillion soums. In 2025, another 4.5 thousand buildings and 6 thousand hectares of land will be offered for business. Private sector involvement in the repair and maintenance of roads, which have long been in the monopoly of the state, is expanding. In 2024, 260 kilometers of roads were handed over to entrepreneurs, and in 2025 this figure will increase to 3 thousand kilometers. With support from the Asian Development Bank, 841 kilometers of roads in 86 districts will be built by local contractors. In the railway industry, digitalization and improved operational efficiency reduced freight transportation time by 40 percent. By increasing the time for free unloading of cargo at stations from 2 hours to 3 days, entrepreneurs saved 57 billion soums over the year. In the aviation sector, the number of private companies reached 14. Additional 6 cargo and 16 passenger airplanes were put into operation. Airports in Bukhara and Namangan have been transferred to private management, tenders for airports in Andijan and Urgench are underway. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable tax policy to maintain an attractive business environment. The main tax rates will remain unchanged. From January 1, 2025, state property and land will be sold VAT-free, excise tax on mobile communications will be abolished, and double land tax on agricultural land outside the city limits will be discontinued. Publishing enterprises will be exempted from income tax for 5 years. Preferences for IT park residents, exempting them from all kinds of taxes, will be extended until 2040. Preferences for private schools, kindergartens and foreign specialists will be valid until 2030. The process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is reaching its final stage. In this regard, privileges contrary to the WTO rules are canceled. At the same time, all conditions will be created for market participants to work in a fair competitive environment. Transportation and logistics infrastructure also remain in focus. The work of the “Khanabad”, “Mingtepa”, “Karasuv” and “Uchkurgan” border points has been resumed. In 2025, additional corridors will be built at “Gishtkuprik”, “Navoi”, “Davut-ota”, “Shavat” and “Gulbakhor” border crossings, which will increase their capacity fivefold. Despite the challenging geopolitical environment, the country’s economy grew 6.3 percent in 2024 reaching $111 billion. Industry, agriculture and services attracted $38 billion in investment, while exports exceeded $26 billion. The President noted the key role of entrepreneurs who create jobs and reduce poverty in achieving these results, expressing gratitude to them. Next year, it is planned to increase GDP to $120 billion, exports to $30 billion, and investment to more than $42 billion. At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the necessary steps to achieve these goals. The entrepreneurs suggested simplifying business procedures, deepening processing of raw materials, increasing production of high value-added products and boosting exports. Having listened to the views expressed, the Head of State defined corresponding measures. Primarily, the importance of increasing the incomes of private sector workers was emphasized. In this regard, textile and leather enterprises that pay their employees a salary of at least 2.5 million soums and have at least 15 percent of employees from low-income families will receive tax benefits. For such companies, the rate of profit tax and income tax for their employees will be only 1 percent. The Head of State noted that similar social criteria for granting benefits can be applied in other sectors of the economy. The President underlined the need for entrepreneurs not to limit themselves to bank loans, but to adapt to international standards and independently attract funds from abroad. For this purpose, a center will be created, which will support entrepreneurs’ access to international financial markets with the participation of international consulting companies. There are 142 so-called “champion” companies with more than 5,000 employees and annual revenues exceeding 1 trillion soums. They become multi-profile corporations, contributing to the development of related industries. To support such promising entrepreneurs and stimulate others, it is proposed to provide them with land and buildings directly, as well as transfer state-owned enterprises into long-term management. It is known that 7 out of 10 richest companies in the world work in the field of information technology and fintech services. Additional benefits will be provided for the establishment of such companies in Uzbekistan. In particular, duty-free import of laboratory equipment and technological installations for research and development (R&D) centers will be allowed. Uzbekistan has about a thousand deposits with reserves of more than 100 types of minerals. To utilize them for production of high value-added products, 400 new deposits will be put up for auction in January. Land released from cotton and grain crops will be auctioned in large lots of up to 50 hectares and sold to professional investors to create industrial plantations. On plots of up to 20 hectares it will be possible to create blast freezing, sorting and packaging facilities. It is planned to develop an updated Customs Code, which will meet the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and modern conditions. At the end of the meeting, the Head of State once again reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives and projects of entrepreneurs. – The entrepreneurial movement in Uzbekistan is turning into a great force, and this process is irreversible. No matter what high goals and objectives we set for ourselves at the state level, we and our people count on you above all. The richer our entrepreneurs are, the richer our people and the greater the power of our state will be. The success of an entrepreneur is the success of our entire nation – underscored the President. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Court staff gathering gifts, food, as part of holiday campaign